2SLGBTQI+ : MOVING TOWARDS AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE
THE REKAI CENTRES JOURNEY!
The Rekai Centres homes, Sherbourne Place and Wellesley Central Place are located in close geographical proximity to the Village. It is thought that there are over 51,000 men and women in Toronto who self-identify as members of the LGBTQ community who are over 65 years of age. This number will only grow as the baby boomer population ages.
We would like to inform you that our home will now become the first Long Term Care Home in North America to offer a wing designated to members of the 2SLGBTQI community. To facilitate this change we will provide culturally competent education to our staff about providing care for the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Additional support and programs catering to the inclusive needs of our residents will be offered. The physical changes to the designated unit have already begun with reflective artwork. This wing will help us to provide our residents as well as the general community with the assurance that we offer an inclusive environment that respect and values the needs of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Rainbow Wing Event Flyer
Please click here
The Rekai Centres Rainbow Wing
Please click here
The Rekai Centres Champions' Pledge:
Please click here
CBC News Article:
Long-term care home unveils 'Rainbow Wing' for LGBTQ2 residents in Toronto
CTV News Video:
First LGBTQ wing to open at Tonrot LTC Home
Toronto Star Article:
Many LGBTQ seniors entering long-term care hide their identities. The ‘Rainbow Wing’ aims to change that
2SLGBTQI+
MOVING TOWARDS AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE - THE REKAI CENTRES JOURNEY
The Rekai Centres homes, Sherbourne Place and Wellesley Central Place are located in close geographical proximity to the Village.
It is thought that there are over 51,000 men and women in Toronto who self-identify as members of the LGBTQ community who are over 65 years of age. This number will only grow as the baby boomer population ages.
The Rekai Centres Volunteer Board of Directors recently reviewed the results of a robust internal and external stakeholder focus group process. Emanating from the Strategic Plan focus is the continued recognition that a key value for the Rekai Centres is ‘inclusiveness’.
Wellesley Central Place is overseeing the development of a Strategic Plan to ensure we can properly meet the needs of the LGBTQ community.
Over the year 2018, the Rekai Centres, in collaboration with Egale, Seniors Pride Network and 519 Community, will offer a series of focus groups inviting members of the LGBTQ community organizations. After the focus groups are completed, we hope to offer a survey direct to members of the LGBTQ community who are over 65 years of age. We are keen to learn if the LGBTQ community believes a dedicated unit for the LGBTQ community should be offered or if further training for the staff is needed.
With the future opening of our new Rekai Centre at Cherry Place, the Rekai Centres has a unique opportunity to best meet the needs of the LGBTQ community.
