"Once we accept our limits, we can move beyond them."
-Albert Einstein
Reach Toronto is a Not for Profit organization, offering unique programs for adults and youth with ASD, Asperger's Syndrome and Mild Intellectual Disabilities. Children with autism become young adults with autism who are faced with the challenge of leaving the support and safe environment of the school system. Our programs were created in response to that challenge. Reach Toronto provides life skills training, social skills as well as specific knowledge required to prepare transitioning high school students and young adults for either college, the workforce or simply to gain independence. We also address the needs for adults who successfully completed a college program and require the skills to enter the workforce. The goal of our Success on the Spectrum programs is to ensure successful transition in a safe and nurturing environment.
It is estimated that there are 50,000 adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Ontario with very limited resources to address their needs. Reach Toronto recognizes the needs and challenges as well as the abilities and strengths of adults with ASD.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Reach Toronto's 2017 has been very exciting. We have experienced amazing growth and continued to forge great new relationships while strengthening old ones. With the goal of helping youth and adults affected by Autism/Asperger’s and Mild Intellectual Disabilities gain independence, we have continued to develop strategic partnerships for specialized programs. Through our ongoing relationship with the Bank of Montreal, we are working to deliver more fully funded Financial Literacy Programs both in centre and in our secondary schools. Our goal is to widen our "reach" into York and Peel Region in various school boards.
This year we ran numerous successful residential skills programs where our students not only had the opportunity to experience what living in your own apartment feels like but also enjoyed barbeques, park picnics and entertaining guests with great food and hospitality.
We continue our strong relationship with Greenwin who have generously donated a larger 2-bedroom apartment for our residence skills training. This donation has been integral in providing a real life hands on independent living experience. We cannot say enough about the support of the Green Family and the wonderful staff in both offices and apartment building who have all played a role in the growth of our clients. A special thank you to the best CEO in Canada, Chris Boyce whose kindness and compassion has made this relationship the success that it is.
With the goal of providing access to education opportunities to those affected by autism and other mild intellectual disabilities, we are also pleased to announce our ongoing partnership with New Opportunities Learning Centre, a progressive private career college registered and recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (Private Career College Act, 2005). Our Customer Service for Hospitality and Food Program is ongoing and we are working on partnerships within this industry so that our students will have a hands on practice component post graduation. This will allow our students to gain the business and people skills to work in a variety of hospitality settings. Our partnerships in the Academic area will ensure that social and life skills required to gain and maintain employment are taught in conjunction with the academic requirements for maximum results. Our program is one of the very few modified admissions programs in Ontario for adults with Autism, Asperger's and other Mild Intellectual Disabilities, who do not have a high school diploma, but rather, a certificate or Life skills credits.
We have solidified a partnership with Miele Canada in bringing to Toronto a very exciting Corporate Culinary Team Building Challenge that will see corporations bring their managements teams for a fun day of mystery basket cooking and challenge each other while raising money for a very important cause.
After a highly successful 1st fundraiser, we are also very excited to announce our second annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Extravaganza Fundraiser. This event “A Taste of Independence” is once again being generously sponsored by Adamo Estate Winery, M. Thompson’s Chocolates and Santa Lucia International Cheese. The evening will be filled with great food, fun atmosphere, awareness of autism and amazing guests speakers. The door prize will once again be a one night stay for 2 with dinner and breakfast, generously provided by Hockley Valley Resort. This year will see a few fun fundraisers from food truck events to a Soup's On Challenge. Stay tuned for more information.
As we continue to forge new partnerships and relationships, we would like to thank our past and current clients for being part of our successes. A heartfelt thank you and endless gratitude goes to our amazing corporate partners who have supported us throughout the years. We welcome our past and new event sponsors to our family and look forward to more coming on board.
We thank you for entrusting your wonderful adult children to us and look forward to another year of growth and success. Here's to change and to believing in all possibilities.
NEWS / EVENTS
2018 Programs
It is estimated that there are 50,000 adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Ontario with very limited resources to address their needs. Reach Toronto recognizes the needs and challenges as well as the abilities and strengths of adults with ASD.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Reach Toronto's 2017 has been very exciting. We have experienced amazing growth and continued to forge great new relationships while strengthening old ones. With the goal of helping youth and adults affected by Autism/Asperger’s and Mild Intellectual Disabilities gain independence, we have continued to develop strategic partnerships for specialized programs. Through our ongoing relationship with the Bank of Montreal, we are working to deliver more fully funded Financial Literacy Programs both in centre and in our secondary schools. Our goal is to widen our "reach" into York and Peel Region in various school boards.
This year we ran numerous successful residential skills programs where our students not only had the opportunity to experience what living in your own apartment feels like but also enjoyed barbeques, park picnics and entertaining guests with great food and hospitality.
We continue our strong relationship with Greenwin who have generously donated a larger 2-bedroom apartment for our residence skills training. This donation has been integral in providing a real life hands on independent living experience. We cannot say enough about the support of the Green Family and the wonderful staff in both offices and apartment building who have all played a role in the growth of our clients. A special thank you to the best CEO in Canada, Chris Boyce whose kindness and compassion has made this relationship the success that it is.
With the goal of providing access to education opportunities to those affected by autism and other mild intellectual disabilities, we are also pleased to announce our ongoing partnership with New Opportunities Learning Centre, a progressive private career college registered and recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (Private Career College Act, 2005). Our Customer Service for Hospitality and Food Program is ongoing and we are working on partnerships within this industry so that our students will have a hands on practice component post graduation. This will allow our students to gain the business and people skills to work in a variety of hospitality settings. Our partnerships in the Academic area will ensure that social and life skills required to gain and maintain employment are taught in conjunction with the academic requirements for maximum results. Our program is one of the very few modified admissions programs in Ontario for adults with Autism, Asperger's and other Mild Intellectual Disabilities, who do not have a high school diploma, but rather, a certificate or Life skills credits.
We have solidified a partnership with Miele Canada in bringing to Toronto a very exciting Corporate Culinary Team Building Challenge that will see corporations bring their managements teams for a fun day of mystery basket cooking and challenge each other while raising money for a very important cause.
After a highly successful 1st fundraiser, we are also very excited to announce our second annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Extravaganza Fundraiser. This event “A Taste of Independence” is once again being generously sponsored by Adamo Estate Winery, M. Thompson’s Chocolates and Santa Lucia International Cheese. The evening will be filled with great food, fun atmosphere, awareness of autism and amazing guests speakers. The door prize will once again be a one night stay for 2 with dinner and breakfast, generously provided by Hockley Valley Resort. This year will see a few fun fundraisers from food truck events to a Soup's On Challenge. Stay tuned for more information.
As we continue to forge new partnerships and relationships, we would like to thank our past and current clients for being part of our successes. A heartfelt thank you and endless gratitude goes to our amazing corporate partners who have supported us throughout the years. We welcome our past and new event sponsors to our family and look forward to more coming on board.
We thank you for entrusting your wonderful adult children to us and look forward to another year of growth and success. Here's to change and to believing in all possibilities.
NEWS / EVENTS
2018 Programs
- Please join us on Feb. 23, 2018 for our Second Annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Fundraiser! All funds raised will benefit youth and adults with autism who cannot afford crucial programs. It's an evening of great food, wine, prizes and silent auction. Dance the night away and make a difference while doing it! Tickets now available.
- In partnership with New Opportunities Learning Centre (a private career college), our modified admissions and accommodated program for the Customer Service Diploma for Hospitality and Food is now open for registration. Classes commencing April 02, 2018 CALL FOR ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES OR CLICK ON LINK: http://www.newopps.ca/customer-service-program-for-students-with-an-intellectual-disability.htm
- MARCH BREAK AND SUMMER 2018 PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR EARLY REGISTRATION
Our Mission
Reach Toronto is dedicated to helping youth and adults on the spectrum gain skills, tools and strategies to participate more effectively in everyday life. We provide an activity based learning environment in which we help students become more independent, experience a deeper sense of social inclusion and actualize their abilities. We seek to enable individuals to achieve more than they believed possible. Success is the development of individuals confident in their own creativity and individuality.
Our Philosophy
"Your student with autism is like a Mac in a PC-dominated environment. He is hard-wired differently. Not incorrectly - just differently"
- Ellen Notbohm
We believe that each adult with ASD is a unique individual. To foster emotional, intellectual, and social growth, students need to be provided an environment that is safe and invites the sharing of ideas. All adults, deserve to live a life with respect, dignity and acceptance.
- Ellen Notbohm
We believe that each adult with ASD is a unique individual. To foster emotional, intellectual, and social growth, students need to be provided an environment that is safe and invites the sharing of ideas. All adults, deserve to live a life with respect, dignity and acceptance.
Core Values
- We are committed to providing an all-inclusive and accepting environment
- We acknowledge individual differences in learning styles and needs
- We are committed to honesty, integrity and transparency
- We acknowledge our responsibility to be accountable to our students, families and community
- We are committed to helping our students realize their abilities and potential
- We encourage the sharing of ideas and input from staff and students
- We are committed to open and ongoing communication with our students, staff, families and community
