For more than a decade, the Azrieli Foundation has proudly supported Reena’s mission to help people with diverse abilities live with independence and belonging in their communities. This September, Reena celebrated a major milestone with the opening of the Frankfort Family Reena Residence, a new intentional living community that will provide a home for 168 individuals with diverse needs.
Having a place to call home is something many people take for granted. Unfortunately, for thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, finding safe, affordable and appropriate housing remains a significant challenge. An estimated 12,000 people with developmental disabilities in Ontario are currently waiting for specialized housing and support services.
As Orly Fruchter, Grants Manager, Neurodiverse Initiatives, notes,
“The challenge before us is not just to build more housing. It is to rethink what housing can be. A home should provide safety and stability, certainly. But it should also provide the foundation from which someone can build an independent life, develop friendships, find meaningful work, participate in their community and make choices about their own future.”
The Frankfort Family Reena Residence was created to help address those needs.
Located in Toronto, the 20-storey, 111-unit residence is designed around a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to live in a safe and accessible community. The residence joins the Sandy Keshen Reena Residence and the Lou Fruitman Reena Residence, expanding Reena’s growing network of inclusive housing communities across the Greater Toronto Area.
Residents will have access to specialized living spaces and support services tailored to a wide range of needs, including those who are neurodivergent, physically disabled, experiencing mental health challenges or facing cognitive decline. The building also features a variety of shared spaces and amenities that encourage skill-building, social connection and community participation.
As Reena CEO Bryan Keshen noted at the opening, “For the 168 people moving into this residence, that home means independence, security, choice and belonging.”
Founded in 1973, Reena has become one of Ontario’s largest providers of housing, employment, respite and community support services for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. Today, the organization supports thousands of individuals through group homes, supported independent living, long-term care partnerships and community-based programs.
Through its focus on neurodevelopment and neurodiverse initiatives, the Azrieli Foundation works to promote inclusion and enhance quality of life by supporting innovative programs, services and community-based solutions that help people with diverse abilities thrive. The Frankfort Family Reena Residence reflects these shared goals, creating a place where residents can build independence, develop meaningful connections and fully participate in community life.
To learn more about Reena and its impact, watch the full video on YouTube to see how perseverance, training and partnership are opening doors for people of all abilities:
