For Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month, CHATS is proud to recognize and celebrate the recreation teams and program staff who bring meaningful, purpose-driven recreation to older adults across our communities.

This work spans Adult Day Programs, MackenzieHelps Hospital to Home, Social Programs, Diversity and Wellness Programs, and the dedicated Outreach Program Coordinators who help connect older adults to services, reduce isolation, and strengthen community connections.

At the heart of each of these services is the intentional use of recreation to promote health, wellness, and overall well-being, guided by the CHATS Wellness Framework. Recreation staff design and facilitate goal-oriented, client-centred experiences that honour individual interests, strengths, and life experiences, supporting well-being across five key domains: physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual. Programming is shaped by the diverse communities CHATS serves.

Within Adult Day Programs, Recreation Programmers lead the planning and delivery of therapeutic recreation in structured, supportive environments. Group-based programming includes movement, cognitive stimulation, creative expression, social engagement, and wellness activities, all informed by individual interests, abilities, and goals. This approach supports participation, personal choice, and quality of life, and is strengthened through collaboration with PSWs, students, and volunteers who help create welcoming spaces where older adults can remain active, connected, and valued.

Outreach Program Coordinators play a vital role in extending wellness opportunities beyond program settings and into the community through flexible, relationship-based engagement. Working closely with older adults, they offer programs and connections that reflect cultural identities, languages, traditions, and lived experiences. Recreation and social opportunities are delivered in both group and individual settings, including community gatherings, day trips, and in-person, virtual, or telephone-based engagement, ensuring participation remains accessible and responsive to individual circumstances. This work is further supported by dedicated volunteers who help strengthen and sustain these connections.

Across all programs, CHATS recreation teams consistently go above and beyond to promote dignity, choice, and well-being for the older adults they serve. We extend our sincere appreciation to all program staff, students, and volunteers whose collective efforts strengthen our programs and enrich the communities we serve.

Aurora Adult Day Program

Ariang Adult Day Program

South Asian Adult Day Program

Bradford Adult Day Program

Vaughan Adult Day Program

Outreach Coordinators

ADP @ Home SPOKE

Richmond Hill Adult Day Program

MackenzieHelps/ Hospital to Home