On August 19th, the Toronto office marked World Humanitarian Day by trading laptops for gardening gloves, paintbrushes and aprons to spend time volunteering with Reena, a valued Azrieli Foundation grantee since 2008. Reena empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to live their lives to the fullest of their capabilities, fostering self-determination, independence and community inclusion. Supporting this mission aligns perfectly with one of the Foundation’s key goals: ensuring adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities have the highest possible quality of life.
Throughout the morning, staff toured several of Reena’s innovative programs, residences, and partner organizations. Along the way, they witnessed first-hand how Reena creates environments where people of all abilities can thrive. Whether it was meeting residents at the Lou Fruitman Residence — home to over 138 adults and seniors with diverse needs — or visiting the Megafarm’s 400-container garden supplying fresh produce to the community, the impact was clear.
David Belfon reflected on the experience: “Visiting these sites and interacting with some of the people the Foundation supports was incredibly meaningful. Much of the work I do happens in the office behind a computer, so going out into the community to see the positive effects of our cumulative efforts in the real world really brings into focus the importance of what we do and why we do it.”
Azrieli staff also rolled up their sleeves at the residence’s Azrieli Hub, singing with the Reena All-Stars choir, painting with residents and preparing meals together. For some, the day held an even more personal connection. Emily Dychtenberg unexpectedly ran into Majad, a resident she had worked with as a summer student years ago, while volunteering in the kitchen. She shared, “running into Majad was surreal. While I was a summer student at Safehaven, I remember hearing about all of the difficulties associated with ‘aging out’ of children’s homes. It is reassuring that Reena was able to step in and work collaboratively with Safehaven, ensuring that individuals like Majad have safe places to live, even into adulthood. Seeing him brought back so many positive memories, and I was ecstatic that his love for food and cooking has remained, even as he moved into adulthood.”
At the Megafarm, staff harvested fruits and vegetables that were later delivered to local dining partner, Ba-Li Laffa, where everyone shared a well-earned lunch featuring the very produce they helped pick. At the Bernard Betel Centre, staff met the volunteers behind the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers meals to isolated seniors and individuals with disabilities, including Lou Fruitman residents. It was a meaningful stop that highlighted how interwoven Reena’s efforts truly are.
Lodz Gumayagay summed up the day’s impact beautifully: “Touring the facilities, I was amazed to see how neurodivergent individuals are supported with care, training and life skills to help them live more independently. At the Betel Centre, I also saw the wonderful work they do in providing meals and support for the elderly. I feel so lucky to be part of a foundation that helps make an impact through organizations like these.”
The day was a powerful reminder of why the Azrieli Foundation has stood by Reena for over 15 years. Reena’s programs open doors to independence and dignity for people with developmental disabilities, ensuring they have the resources and community support they deserve. It is a collaboration built on shared values and a shared vision, one where everyone can live, work and flourish.
