The 1st Canadian Conference, Pushing the Boundaries, Disability, Inclusion and the Jewish Community, led by Linda Kislowicz, Livia Mendelsohn and Robin Gofine, was sold out and highly successful We invite you to share your experience and knowledge by taking an active role in the historic 2nd national conference. Please see Request for Proposals below. Submissions are due June 3, 2024.
The Advisory Committee
Amanda Cappe, Fredericton cape.amanda@gmail.com
Jodi Toledano, Federation CJA, Montreal jodi.toledano@federationcja.org
Madelaine Werrier, JOIN, Ottawa maddy128@hotmail.com
Ruchama Uzan, JOIN, Ottawa uzan.ru@gmail.com
Susie Sokol, TJDN, Toronto susie.jdisabilitynetwork@gmail.com
Nicole Lipsey, Reena, Toronto nlipsey@reena.org
Mike Goldberg, Shalom Homes, Winnipeg mike@shalomresidences.com
Karina Szulc , Calgary Jewish Federation karinas@jewishcalgary.org
Jacqueline Medalye, Edmonton Jewish Federation jmedalye@edjfed.org
Toronto Working Committee
Nicole Lipsey; Coordinator, Reena
Carrie Weiss, Reena Aviva Windman, Reena
Rudy Barell, DANI Devorah Marmer; Yachad
Monday January 8th Housing Models
Here is the link of the event:
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/play/qVcDgjRtsHVZUSFpF56VCYnUvFDUDo9Qeoa4EY7UKuW8owPNXzNxPmV8w3VOV-cDVo9kWAAFWyWlquwR.Fed5Gs_F9GN5eqFW?pwd=CdcmfZWVacWgSkdWd4i3-iRbz-UCi6po
Jennifer Corrie
Jennifer Corrie has been actively working in the Developmental Services sector for over 30 years. She is a graduate from the Child and Youth Worker program at George Brown College in Toronto. In addition, she has also completed management training through the Developmental Services sector and York University. Currently, Jennifer is the Manager of the Community Participation Supports Program at New Leaf Living and Learning Together Inc. Her role is to provide leadership to Direct Support Professionals and support individuals with complex support needs. Jennifer is passionate about enriching people’s lives through developing meaningful programming and community partnerships.
Dr. Michael Held
Dr. Michael Held is the driving force behind ETTA, which he helped to establish in 1993. Dr. Held has led ETTA’s board and staff in growing the organization from a start-up into the largest agency of its kind in Southern California. Today, ETTA offers a multitude of programs that serve upwards of 700 youth and adults with developmental differences each month.
A licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Held recognized three decades ago that the special needs community increasingly desired independent living options. Under his leadership, ETTA created its Housing and Supportive Living Division, which offers a wide range of housing opportunities. ETTA has earned a national reputation for excellence in its housing programs, with a 97% group home retention rate.
In 2021 ETTA’s leadership team was retained to manage the creation of a new organization, Cornerstone Housing, with Dr. Held at the helm. Cornerstone is addressing the urgent need for independent living options for the neurodiverse community, with a focus on social and vocational opportunities. Its flagship enterprise, The Bhatia Family Village, is currently under construction in the heart of walkable West Los Angeles, with doors slated to open in 2025. The 64-unit apartment community will empower adults with developmental differences to live fully enriched, inclusive, and independent lives.
Bryan Keshen
Bryan began as CEO of Reena in May 2014 but his involvement with Reena has
spanned the last 50 years from volunteer work advocating for the first homes to support
worker and even Kitchen staff ( chief bottle washer). Reena during Bryan’s tenure has
doubled in service, budget and staff with over 800 staff and a $ 72 million budget.
Previously Bryan had worked for over 25 years in Jewish Communal Services. Bryan’s
diverse background includes having held roles as: Camp Director, Supplemental School
Director, Planning Associate, Campaign Director and Executive Director to each of the
three Jewish Community Centre’s in Toronto.
Bryan Keshen, is a graduate from The University of Toronto’s Masters in Social Work
and honours graduate of York University’s Faculty of Education and Jewish Educators
program with diploma in social service management at University of Toronto.
Bryan Volunteers roles include U of T’s Faculty of Social work, President’s Advisory
council to McKenzie Hospital in York region, Chair the Ontario Development services
partnership table on health, York region public health advisory committee, Chair of the
Western York Region Ontario Health Team and member of the York Region accessibility
advisory committee .
Bryan and his wife Belinda share in the joy of two children and a grandson and live in
Thronhill.
Housing: Bryan has been a fierce advocate and sought after expert on the development of
supportive housing. Having successfully advocated for targeted national investment for
the DS sector as part of the National Housing Strategy. Bryan helped found the
Intentional community consortium and has led Reena in developing 2 multi unit housing
projects and expanding housing options including Reena owned condos , new mental
health transitional homes and more
Dr. Sharon Gabison
TJDN Newsletter