Vaughan, ON: The Safehaven Project for Community Living (Safehaven) was excited to welcome Honourable Michael Tibollo, MPP Vaughan – Woodbridge for a visit and tour of our Timber Lane (Woodbridge) home.
Serving one of the most vulnerable populations in Canada for over 25 years, Safehaven has provided services to children and young adults with multiple disabilities and complex medical needs.
This visit was an important opportunity for the minister to see first-hand the vital care and services that Safehaven is capable of providing right in the community setting. The Safehaven model is that of integrating clients who are medically complex into communities versus the hospital setting. We are committed to providing safe and loving home-like environments that enable these individuals who require around the clock care to live outside of hospitals. The model that Safehaven has is an area of interest to the minister and the current government to reduce hallway medicine and improve access and flow for patients requiring acute care in the hospitals.
“As the Member of Provincial Parliament for Vaughan-Woodbridge it was a great pleasure to visit Safehaven. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the important work that Safehaven is doing in our community and their contribution to improving the lives of vulnerable children and young adults. I congratulate all the volunteers and staff, and the Board of Directors who work so hard to ensure that all members of our community can excel and have the best quality of life.” Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Safehaven’s vision for future expansion includes creating facilities for children and young adults with medical complexities who require respite and residential care. Many individuals with medically complex care live in settings that are inappropriate, such as hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Through experience we know that they can be safely cared for in the community. As these children transition into adulthood, families struggle with the barriers in receiving respite and residential care and describe it as “falling off a cliff”. Our goal is to expand and be the go-to organization for the medically complex individuals across the spectrum of age and provide seamless and coordinated care in the community.
“At Safehaven, we believe every individual has the right to experience life to the fullest. Safehaven is a client-centered, inclusive community-based organization that is accredited with Accreditation Canada with Commendation. The Provincial Government is currently looking for cost-effective community-based alternatives to hospital and institutional care. Safehaven is well positioned to play a key role in this transition.” Susan Bisaillon, Chief Executive Officer, Safehaven
Safehaven would like to thank Minister Tibollo for his visit, his insight and his support of the services that we are providing to these vulnerable clients and their families, and we are looking forward to hopefully working together in the future.