Since 1954, Community Living Central York has supported and empowered local people with intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential.
Every year, around 400 individuals across Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, King, and Whitchurch-Stouffville seeking daily living supports benefit from life-changing programs like job placement, supported group and independent living, respite support, and family care.
This year, as it celebrates 70 years of improving lives in the area, Community Living Central York is being celebrated with several year-end awards: Ontario Disability Employment Network’s 2024 Outstanding Employment Service Provider, Central York Chamber of Commerce’s Not-For-Profit of the Year, and the Town of Aurora’s 2024 Community Leadership Award.
“These awards mean so much to Community Living Central York,” said Andrew Fagan, chief executive officer of Community Living Central York. “We’re celebrating our 70th anniversary providing supports to individuals with diverse abilities in York Region and as an organization we’re just so honoured. These three awards are a direct result of the efforts of our direct support professionals, our supported individuals, and our families.”
Community Living Central York made a large impact in 2024, said Fagan. The year saw more than 700 people served across York Region, with an increase in employment opportunities and more programs expanded to the evenings and weekends. CLCY's inclusivity and commitment to giving back to the community was a continued source of pride for the organization.
In 2025, CLCY looks forward to expanding its employment and fun weekend programming, as well as attracting new employers. It will also be creating a new program for transitional-aged youth, which will provide long-term education and employment support.
“Community Living Central York is very proud of the year we’ve had,” said Fagan. “If there’s anyone in the community with a diverse ability looking for support, we encourage them to reach out.”
To best serve the community, CLCY offers a variety of programs that suite a diverse array of needs.
Some, like the cooking and wellness programs, aim to build lifelong skills for leading happy and healthy lives. Others, like the employment program, provide job preparation, training, and recruitment supports that focus on unique strengths and skills – and secure employment in fields such as industrial maintenance, janitorial and food services, retail, and general labour.
And for individuals and families looking for a trusted path forward when it comes to finding a new home, accessing the community, and building new relationships, CLCY’s respite and supported living programs are often a good fit.
All programs have a short wait list, and are either free or affordably priced.
“Any community support directed toward our programming goes directly to those individuals that are most vulnerable, many of whom live in poverty,” said Melanie Marshall, manager of community initiatives, employment services at Community Living Central York. “If there’s any amazing employers looking for phenomenal staff, or families or individuals looking for evening or weekend programming, we have a lot of availability.”
CLCY thanks dedicated employment staff members Serah Kirika, Amanda Morrison, Kylie Braun, Wisdom Babalola, and Melanie Marshall for their hard work over the past year.
“I’m very appreciative of our community and its support,” said Fagan. “York Region is a phenomenal place to live and the community is so supportive of Community Living Central York.”
