Page 5 - CLH Foundation - Connected - Summer 2022

A Lifelong

Commitment

to Care

As a loyal supporter of CLH, you will be aware of our extensive community-based programs for adults with
developmental disabilities. And that CLH Developmental Support Services also supports 90 adults in 20 Supported
Living Homes located in Midland, Penetanguishene, Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll and Waubaushene, where they
receive 24-7-365 exceptional and compassionate care, for their lifetime.

Less well known is that CLH-supported adults receive a monthly ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) stipend of
$1,169 dollars (or Old Age Pension after 65). Of that amount, the government mandates that all but $146, so-called “pin
money”, is directed to pay for housing (“shelter”) and food. This means a total annual income of $15,731 according to the
latest report by the Maytree Foundation*, which studies welfare rates across Canada.

That amount is nearly $9,000 below Canada’s official poverty line, the Market Basket Measure, and nearly $3,000
below a threshold known as “Deep Impact Poverty”*.

This is what fuels our long-term commitment to ensure that the individuals we serve benefit from stable housing,
healthy food, excellent medical care, and social connection to their community.
CLH Foundation’s ongoing “Commitment to Care” program ensures the continuation of a practice that
we believe is essential to the long-term health, mental health and well-being of the adults who live in our
Supported Living Homes.

Throughout its 60+ year history, CLH has taken responsibility for covering the cost of critically needed (but unfunded)
medical and personal care supplies for the adults in our care, especially as their needs change over time. In other
organizations, the supported individual or their family would be expected to cover these, and for many, this would
be impossible. For others, it would greatly reduce their ability to participate, be social, and access activities in the
community.

CLH DSS spends $120,000 annually to provide these above and beyond
supports, recognizing that ensuring that people have what they need
to remain healthy and well, mentally and physically, is the best form of
preventative care. However, with ever-rising costs, funding changes and
pandemic-related challenges, it has become more difficult for the agency
to find ways to continue the practice without help.
In response, CLH Foundation has made “Commitment to Care” a continuing
priority of our fundraising efforts, alongside “Bridging the Gap”, “Foundations
for Success” and “Community Participation”.

From the start, our CLH community has responded to this with Photo: Suzanne Marchand, Chair Community Service,
understanding and generosity: most recently, we were delighted to receive a presents CLH Foundation’s Sue-Ellen Boyes with a
significant contribution of $8,400 from the Rotary Club of Midland, giving a generous donation from the Midland Rotary Club.
wonderful boost to the 2022-2023 Commitment to Care campaign.

*Source: “It’s not poverty, it’s destitution” The Toronto Star, April 29, 2022
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