When Reena was founded fifty years ago, it was done so with a lot of heart. The heart and determination of a group of people who wanted to find a place for developmentally challenged individuals to live independently and to thrive. People like Sandy Keshen and the late Rabbi Joseph Kelman, who rose to the challenge and helped families find a better alternative for their children. Those days weren’t easy ones - faced with both zoning issues and immense community opposition, a small house at 12 Luverne Avenue would eventually be known as the house that “started it all”, when it became home to six individuals. All these years later, the founding principle remains the same; to provide housing and support, so that people with developmental disabilities can live in the community with dignity and respect. Today, Reena has grown to provide support for 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

And fifty years later, wow, do we still have heart!

On January 18, Reena hosted its 50th anniversary launch, kicking-off a year-long celebration of events. With the Lou Fruitman Reena Residence and the Toby & Henry Battle Developmental Centre as our venues, we invited local politicians, board members, staff and our own Reena residents to come celebrate.

As part of the festivities, Reena Residents took part in hands-on activities in the Azrieli Hub at the Lou Fruitman Reena Residence. We had a dance party in the Marla Struminger Fruitman Activity Lounge with DJ Lukey D, one of our own Reena supported individuals, and special guests: MC Jesse Plant from Magen Boys Entertainment, and Marnie Schwartz and Rena Schwartz from ViBE.

We gathered in the Wellness Room to paint works of art with special guest, Toronto artist, Jessica Gorlicky.

And because every celebration needs food, we made yogurt parfaits in the Lea Hochman Training Kitchen with our special guest, online personality and food blogger, Shlomo Assayag, aka The Kosher King.