Congratulations to CHATS’ Michelle Hanson For Being Awarded The Dr. Jean Augustine Award
CHATS- Community & Home Assistance to Seniors would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to CHATS Staff Member Michelle Hanson for being honoured with recognition of the highly regarded and respected Dr. Jean Augustine Community Builder Award. Michelle was recently presented this award at the Black History Gala by the Aurora Black Community Association.
The Dr. Jean Augustine Award embodies the spirit of community building, and Michelle truly inspires all of us at CHATS. When Michelle is not working, she is volunteering at all the CHATS events and other organizations within the community. She has developed meaningful relationships with members of the community. Michelle’s commitment to the betterment of the community is extraordinary.
“This award holds special significance to me as it aligns with my personal values and dedication to developing meaningful connections within my community.,” said Michelle, “I am immensely thankful to the Aurora Black Community Association for recognizing my efforts.”
Dr. Augustine was the first African Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons. She also served as Minister of State for multiculturalism and the status of women, sat on several standing committees, and was a Deputy Speaker. Dr. Augustine was a Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. Her many accolades include Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees by the University of Toronto, the University of Guelph, and McGill University. She has been recognized for many organizations by her leadership and commitment to community.
CHATS- Community & Home Assistance to Seniors is immensely proud to have Michelle Hanson as part of our team. We are impressed and so happy for her recognition and send her our congratulations from all of us at CHATS.
Transportation & Meals on Wheels Team Donation to Handbags of Hope
In December 2023, the Transportation and Meals On Wheels team were very pleased to donate several purses and bags filled with toiletries and gift cards to Handbags of Hope.
Handbags of Hope is an initiative operated by Abuse Hurts. The bags are given to women in shelters to enjoy and to let them know they are being thought of over the holidays.
CHATS 12 Days of Holiday Giving A Huge Success! – January 5, 2024
On Wednesday, December 13, CHATS – Community & Home Assistance to Seniors launched 12 Days of Holiday Giving, a campaign aimed at raising funds to provide programs and services for seniors in need.
The 12 Days of Holiday Giving initiative is a collaborative effort between Richmond Hill Mayor West’s office and CHATS, an organization dedicated to providing supports to enable seniors to live in their own homes and communities.
On December 16th, CHATS invited shoppers to visit the wrapping centre, where Mayor West, his wife Michelle, and CHATS CEO Christina Bisanz were there to personally wrap gifts from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
We reached our goal of 12 days, 100 volunteers, 1000 gifts wrapped. The funds raised will support our Caregiver Programs.
“The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to celebrate than by coming together as a community to raise funds in support of seniors in our community, “says Mayor West. “CHATS’ 12 Days of Holiday Giving is an opportunity for us to make a positive impact on the lives of those who may be facing challenges during this festive season. I am grateful for the support of our community volunteers and the partnership with CHATS to make this initiative possible.”
CHATS would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the volunteers and customers for your incredible support during our first ever “12 Days of Holiday Giving at Hillcrest Mall”.
To see more photos, please visit our album at Facebook
Western York Region OHT is expanding their Patient and Caregiver Engagement Working Group.
Do you have direct experience as a patient or caregiver who has used the health care system in Richmond Hill, King, or Vaughan? Would you be interested in sharing your knowledge and ideas and to partner with us to design a better healthcare system? If so, please e-mail WYRClientCaregiver@chats.on.ca or call Dina Gazzoli at 1-877-452-4287 extension 6073 for more information.
Open Space – A virtual mental health hub in partnership with Dr. Amanda Adams
Open Space is an Instagram account with the goal of increasing physician, patient and caregiver awareness of mental health and addictions by sharing evidence-based information and connecting them to available supports in Eastern York Region and North Durham. To find out more, please follow @togetherinopenspace
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS (MHA) NAVIGATION AND TRANSITION PROGRAM
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HELPING IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCES OF YOUTH ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES?
The program team is seeking individuals 16-28 years of age with lived experience accessing mental health and addiction services
Get involved with informing and helping to improve the health of your community
Do you live in Aurora, Newmarket, Georgina, East Gwillimbury or Bradford West Gwillimbury? Are you
interested in informing and helping to improve the health of your community? If so, the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team wants to hear from you!
Through our partnership with the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team, we are excited to announce that they are actively seeking patient, client, caregiver, and community members interested in sharing their experiences of using and/or interacting with health and social services to inform and improve the way people
access and receive care.
Ontario Health Teams are a new model of care where a group of service providers (such as hospitals, home
care, primary care, mental health and others) voluntarily come together and self-organize to deliver
coordinated continuum of care to a defined population or patient segment. The Southlake Community Ontario
Health Team aims to deliver coordinated care for five core geographies: Aurora, Newmarket, Georgina, East
Gwillimbury, and Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The Southlake Community Ontario Health Team welcomes and encourages participation from people of all
ages, backgrounds and experiences. If you reside and/or have used health or social services in Aurora,
Newmarket, Georgina, East Gwillimbury, and Bradford West Gwillimbury, you are someone who has valuable
experiences to share!
WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 2022 UNLOCK ACCESSIBILITY ON YOUR ANDROID DEVICE
MackenzieHelps integrated program eases transition from hospital to home
‘One team’ holistic care approach appreciated by patients, caregivers, partners
By Melissa Wallace Richmond Hill Liberal
Sunday, August 20, 2023
When Masooma Baqueri’s 77-year-old husband, Mir, woke up in the middle of the night in June and suddenly fell on his way to the washroom, she was dismayed to learn he had fractured several ribs.
Weighing on Masooma’s mind was when Mir had knee replacement surgery years ago and she sought help for him, making calls and waiting at length for service providers to help her husband recover.
But this time was different. In hospital, her husband was referred to MackenzieHelps, an integrated care program that helps patients over the age of 65 to transition from hospital to home, arranging all necessary health-care services, transportation and caregiver supports.
“Everything is co-ordinated for you and I didn’t have to call to get everything done,” said Masooma. “It was a complete program where everyone knew the whole situation and the nurses, physiotherapists and caregivers were very empathetic, friendly and really cared for him to get well soon.”
MackenzieHelps began as a 16-week pilot program in November 2019 and has since evolved into a collaborative effort between Mackenzie Health, SE Health, Community and Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS) and LOFT Community Services as part of the Western York Region Ontario Health Team serving King, Vaughan and Richmond Hill.
Upcoming Community Health & Wellness Fairs – October 2023
Please join us at the Community Health Fair!
The health fairs are being held in Newmarket on October 4th and in Georgina on October 12th.
Hope to see you there!
The Southlake Community Ontario Health Team and the South Simcoe Ontario Health Team have come together to create the new Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team.
CHATS Receives Funding to Enable Rejuvenation of Volunteer Program Following Pandemic – December 21, 2023
For Immediate Release
December 21, 2023- Aurora, Ontario – CHATS- Community & Home Assistance to Seniors is proud to launch a new initiative called the “Volunteer Program Refresh: A Strategic and Operational Review and Update” with the purpose of creating and implementing a new vision and model for CHATS’ Volunteer Program.
The initiative is made possible with funding from the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, a one-time $400 million investment to help community service organizations, including charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies, adapt and modernize. This investment will strengthen the sector as it supports recovery in communities across Canada.
The Community Services Recovery Fund is being delivered through three National Funders – Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada. CHATS has received funding through the Canadian Red Cross to help execute this critically important project that will have a positive effect on both volunteers and the clients CHATS serves.
The impact of the pandemic on the volunteer program and on CHATS’ ability to deliver services through volunteers has been significant. Pre-pandemic, CHATS proudly engaged over 500 volunteers across our programs/services/administrative supports, delivering close to 33,000 hours of service a year. Many volunteers who were 75+, were required to isolate in the early pandemic, leaving some programs without volunteers. CHATS currently has 197 active volunteers, with just over 100 still waiting to re-engage.
CHATS relies on volunteers to deliver programs and services. From an organizational standpoint, it is expected that the Volunteer Program Refresh Initiative will increase the number of active volunteers, add more volunteer roles, and increase the ability to cross train volunteers to work in various roles across the organization. CHATS anticipates more volunteer engagement, adding capacity for volunteer supervisors to support other volunteers, with more volunteers being able to assist clients.
“Volunteers are vital to the work we do at CHATS,” said Christina Bisanz, CHATS CEO. “This strategic review involves a collaborative effort between staff and volunteers to co-design the future of our Volunteer Program, with the common goal of ensuring the well-being of our clients through the delivery of essential programs and services. As an organization that focuses on seniors’ health and wellness, we are grateful to the Government of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross for recognizing the needs of community service organizations, as we recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“I am continually impressed by the passion, dedication, and creativity of community service organizations, like CHATS. I am equally proud the Government of Canada has supported their important work through the Community Services Recovery Fund. By investing in these organizations and their projects we can help to create a more just and equitable society, where everyone has opportunities to succeed. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this investment in York Region and South Simcoe over the years to come.”
– Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
About CHATS
CHATS is a not-for-profit organization, advocating for and delivering high-quality, person-centred home and community services to close to 8,000 older adults and caregivers living in York Region and South Simcoe. CHATS empowers and enables older adults to embrace all that their community has to offer through their many local programs and services. From personal care to healthy aging information, and more, CHATS is committed to helping older adults to live best at home in their communities. Learn more at CHATS – Community & Home Assistance to Seniors Home – CHATS
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:
Kelly Broome – Vice President of Philanthropy & Communications, CHATS
is an Instagram account with the goal of increasing physician, patient and caregiver awareness of mental health and addictions by sharing evidence-based information and connecting them to available supports in Eastern York Region and North Durham. To find out more, please follow 
