More confident. More independent. More empowered.
Helping those with intellectual disabilities live a life they didn’t think was possible—it’s why we do what we do. Over the past 10+ years, we have had the distinct honour of watching the people we support grow and thrive.
Lives changed forever.
Every day is a new opportunity to change a life. LIGHTS alum and their families share touching and empowering stories of independence.
A Letter of Love
Parents, Bev and Bob, and Lucy and Stephen, wrote us to say: “We want to take this time to express our gratitude to you and your team for your commitment to arranging a comprehensive plan for Kelly Anne and Diana.”
“As Kelly and Diana grew up, there has always been this deep concern about what will happen to the girls once we are no longer here. At this point in our journey, to see that these two young ladies are now safe where they can grow together, is a testament to your commitment to providing a pathway to independent living. Thank You.”
A Mother Learns To Let Go
“At some point I will die and if I don’t prepare her for her own life now, what would happen to her? This was the turning point for me. I started looking for a way to help Jenny live on her own.”
“Three and a half years later, Jenny is thriving. She loves living in her own home, being responsible for herself, taking care of her home and learning to live with people her own age and who are not her family. She has friends, she helps in her community and is learning to speak for herself,” she says.
“Our children are capable, they can live on their own. It will definitely be different than when they lived at home, but that is the way life should be.”
Out On Her Own
An article from the CBC tells Karen Denton’s story.
“I seriously don’t know if I’d be living independently if not for LIGHTS,” says Karen Denton. “I don’t know if I am ready yet to live out on my own without any support.” Her mother, Margaret Harper, is glad there is another option for caring for her daughter that allows her to be independent.
“I know Karen is in a very safe environment with the support person around and her other roommates around and she’s in a happy living place and she’s happy not living with a parent.
She’s said to me: ‘Mum, I’m never moving home,”’ said Harper.
THE IMPACT IS IN THE NUMBERS
100
People helped to reach their goal of independent living
100
Families actively engaged with LIGHTS
55
Families have moved on from LIGHTS
594
Families have received advisory services
LIGHTS On.
CTV helps tell Mary Pat and Jenny’s ground-breaking story of love and independence—and the beginning of LIGHTS.
Spreading our message across the province
Given the seriousness of the housing problem and the effectiveness of our approach, LIGHTS continues to receive inquiries and expressions of interest from other agencies and family groups across Ontario.
We want to make it easy to replicate the LIGHTS model, so that our ideas can build better communities for people with intellectual disabilities across the province. Together, we can continue to break radical new ground.
You can help make an impact too.
Our Donors and Supporters
This donor roll represents LIGHTS donors and supporters with cumulative or committed giving of $5,000 or more. Many other donors and event participants have generously contributed.
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$1,000,000 +
Li Ka Shing (Canada) Foundation
Robert and Mary Pat Armstrong
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$250,000 - $599,999
Anonymous
John Clark
Minto Corporate Services Inc.
The Harold E. Ballard Foundation
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$100,000 to $249,999
BMO Financial Group, CIBC, Don K. Johnson, George and Katherine Dembroski, Greg and Linda Cochrane and The Cochrane Family Foundation, Harry E. Foster Foundation, Patsy and Jamie Anderson, Priscilla Brooks-Hill, R. Howard Webster Foundation, TD Bank Group, The Henry White Kinnear Foundation, The John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Foundation
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$50,000 - $99,999
Anonymous, Bickle Wilder Foundation, CIBC Mellon, Don K. Johnson, Donald Brown, Kopas Family Foundation, RBC Foundation, Roger Greenberg, Scotiabank, The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, The McLean Foundation, Weston Family Foundation, W. Robert and Gail Farquharson
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$25,000 - $49,999
Anonymous, Daniel F. Sullivan, Henry and Victoria Eaton, Marilyn and Charlie Baillie, Lisa Davis and Ron Haber, Prestantia Management Group Limited, Robert Grundleger, Robert Kerr Foundation, Robert and Joan Wright, The Christina Mary Hendrie Trust, The Greey Lennox Foundation, The Honourable Margaret McCain, The Ward Family Foundation, Tom MacMillan
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$10,000 - $24,999
Anonymous, 10033570 Canada Inc., A. Britton Smith Foundation, Barry Cooper, Beth Malcolm, Carol June McLean, Chris and Joanne Lang, CTL Leather Inc., Dale and Dawn Hooper, David and Ann Doritty, David and Judy Galloway, David and Barbara Payne, David and Jan Stewart, David Knight, Don and Sheila Bayne, E-L Financial Corporation Limited, Focus Asset Management, Geoffrey Wilson, Hugh Mackenzie, Hunt Family Charitable Foundation, Jackman Foundation, Janet A. Charlton and Robert W. Korthals, Joanne Fletcher and Derek Kent, John Hunkin, Judy and Doug Biggar, Levan Family Foundation (a fund held within the Oakville Community Foundation), Madeleine Greey, Million Dollar Roundtable Charitable Foundation, Patricia Scott, Pear Tree Canada, Peter Goring, Richard and Nancy Stoneman, Robert and Karen Glass, Roger and Maureen Parkinson, Shelagh and David Wilson Fund at Toronto Foundation, Susan and Thomas d'Aquino, Ted Conrod and Sally Armstrong, Tim and Francis Price, Toronto Real Estate Association, Torys LLP
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$5,000 - $9,999
Behaviour Inc., Bernard Matte, Bruce and Karen Etherington, Bryan Osborn, Capital Group, Carol Gray, Caryl Rutledge, Chris and Diane Keating, David G. Ward, Derek Amery, Empire Life, F.K. Morrow Foundation, Flavelle Family Foundation, George E. Nutter, George Enns, Ira Gluskin and Maxine Granovsky Gluskin Charitable Foundation, Jeffrey Marchand, Jeremy Papernick, Jordan and Lynne Elliott Family Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation, Robert Comish, Robert M. Ogilvie, Roger and Sue Short, Spin Master Ltd., The Purpleville Foundation, The Ralph M. Barford Foundation
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Fundraising Events
A Dish with Trish
An Evening with Arthur Fleishman
Cooking with Cory
LIGHTS Golf Gathering
LIGHTSHOW
PLAY IT FORWARD Tennis Gala
Shoot the Six
Skate the Six
Schmegg & NobbOrr Revival Bash
Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge