On June 27th, ESS celebrated its 36th year during our annual General Meeting at the Weston Golf & Country Club.

In attendance were ESS clients, caregivers, volunteers, community supporters, along with friends and partners from CANES, Richview, Storefront Humber, Lumacare, Central Etobicoke Community Hub and the Villages of Humber Heights.

Our annual meeting allows us to look back and see what has happened; and forward to think about what is ahead.  During the business portion of the meeting ESS’ financial statements and annual report were reviewed and accepted.  Auditors Tinkham and Associates LLP, Chartered Accountants were reappointed for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, along with our current slate of Board of Directors.

Alison Coke, ESS CEO, shared some client stories and reflections about the work that ESS has been doing, along with plans for the future.  ESS’ reputation has been a tremendous asset when reaching out to build new connections and partnerships with agencies like MDAO, Jean Tweed, the William Osler and West Park Hospitals, for example.  The experience and capacity of ESS’ staff and volunteer team, the commitment of its friends and partners to collaborate on solutions and ESS’ person-centred philosophy will allow ESS to continue providing critical services for seniors and adults with disabilities across Etobicoke.

As per tradition, we recognized an ESS staff member and community partner that has made a difference in the lives of our clients and has been a true supporter of our work in the community.

• Our annual Laura Kennedy Sapphire Award was presented to staff member Andrea Douglas, Personal Support Worker with ESS for over 19 years.  This award was inspired by Laura Kennedy, who was a long-term volunteer with ESS, past Board Chair and has sat on numerous committees throughout the agency.  Each year ESS looks for a staff who has gone above and beyond their job description and consistently provides outstanding service delivery to those in need.  This years’ recipient Andrea, has worked tirelessly to provide the highest quality of personal support to our clients and demonstrates every day, the qualities of the Laura Kennedy award: respect, compassion, loyalty and commitment to service. She is always willing to “go that extra mile” and help out whenever needed. She is dedicated to ESS and the clients we support and this is evident in all of our feedback from clients’ and their families. One family in particular stated: “She always showed up, no matter what. We could always count on her to provide the care and support that my father needed. We absolutely adore her”.  Andrea brings a great sense of calm professionalism and quiet kindness to the workplace which makes her not only a great companion for the seniors we assist but a great asset for her team.
• This year’s ESS Honour Roll Award recipient was the Village of Humber Heights.  Over the past 9 years, a collaborative and mutual partnership has emerged that has helped provide further services. They have supported many of our fundraising efforts since the beginning, including our annual Dine for Dignity Gala and Toronto Challenge walk for seniors.  Present to accept the award on behalf of the Villages were Sheral Christian and Zinna Rudina.

Many thanks to the catering staff and the Weston Golf & Country Club and to Pianist, ESS volunteer, Jane Meehan for volunteering her musical talents at our meeting.