Newsroom
Celebrating Over 100 Unpaid Caregivers from Across Ontario
Honoured as Part of Inaugural Recognition Program
Over 100 caregivers from across Ontario were recognized today as part of the inaugural Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Event, hosted by Home and Community Care Support Services.
The Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program celebrates unpaid caregivers whose selfless dedication and kindness makes it possible for people to live their lives in their communities despite the impacts of age, illness or disability. Nominations were open to the public between February 23 and April 24 for six different categories, with the only criteria being that caregivers must be providing care to a patient who has recently received or is currently receiving services through Home and Community Care Support Services and is not a paid or registered volunteer caregiver. The event was simulcast across the province with in-person events taking place in Toronto, Hamilton, Markham, Brampton and Chatham.
Attendees heard inspirational and powerful caregiver stories demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit and the remarkable lengths people will go to when caring for a loved one. From the more than 100 nominees, 10 stories received special recognition under six categories. Each category describes a different caregiver journey.
| Category | Criteria | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Young Caregiver | This category recognizes the extraordinary efforts of a friend or family member under the age of 30 years who has gone above and beyond to support the needs of a loved one. | Tannerr Jarrett Chatham Kent Amanda Ramkishun Mississauga |
| Caring With Courage | Through encouragement, empowerment and support, this caregiver has directly brought about positive change to their loved one's quality of life. | Melissa Brown Elmira William Fisher Fort Frances |
| Caring and Sharing | This caregiver is giving back to their community by helping and guiding others through sharing the knowledge and experience gained from their journey. | Pooja Sinha Toronto |
| Caregiver Team | Group of people (care team) that come together to support an individual in their home or community. | Michelle Bosomworth and Sons Waterloo |
| Caregiver Innovation | This caregiver(s) uses innovative and creative strategies to support an individual in their home or community. | Jen Catton Toronto John Wheeldon Brampton |
| Partner in Care | This caregiving partner has provided long standing and continued support to an individual in their home or community. | Lina Minichini Hamilton Hilary Scarborough |
The impactful caregiver stories and learnings shared during the event and throughout the nomination period will be carried forward to develop the broader Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program, which will continue to support and engage with caregivers across Ontario throughout the year.
QUOTES:
“Caregivers are a vital part of the fabric of our communities. They ease some of the burden off our health care workers, provide support to our most vulnerable, and give them a sense of comfort and familiarity as they face life-altering challenges. To all the award recipients, congratulations on this well-deserved honour. This recognition is a testament to your hard work and to the sacrifices you make every day to help someone in need.” – Premier Doug Ford
“Congratulations to everyone nominated as part of the Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Event. Your extraordinary commitment to providing support and care to family members, friends, or members of your community is having a tremendous impact on many people’s lives. As we continue working to build a stronger and more connected health care system, our government is expanding access to home and community care, including additional caregiver supports, and we are listening and learning from caregivers, families, and patients’ experiences.” – Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones
“Home and Community Care Support Services is honoured to celebrate caregivers across the province through our inaugural Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program. Every day, our 14 Home and Community Care Support Services organizations coordinate in-home and community-based care for thousands of patients across the province, and we couldn’t do it without the incredible unpaid caregivers in our communities. We know caregivers do what they do out of compassion and love, and we are proud to celebrate them as important health care partners.” – Cynthia Martineau, Home and Community Care Support Services CEO
“On behalf of the Board of Directors at Home and Community Care Support Services, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and praise to the nominees of our inaugural Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program. While we recognize that being an unpaid caregiver can feel like a thankless job, we want these dedicated caregivers to know that their contributions do not go unnoticed. Highlighting them through the Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program is a small gesture that allows us to recognize and thank this group of exceptional people.” – Joe Parker, Home and Community Care Support Services Board Chair
CONTACT:
Lizanor Barrera, Media Relations Manager
lizanorl.barrera@hccontario.ca
