Cribwolf Talks: Recent Episodes
Cribwolf Talks
It’s not easy being a parent or a caregiver for an individual with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). Fortunately, there are many groups and organizations actively working to change that. Once a month, join Lino Fera (co-founder of Cribwolf Foundation and a parent of an individual with IDD) as he hosts discussions on crucial topics related to the care and housing crisis facing the IDD community. If you are a parent, caregiver, or simply want to bring about change and contribute to projects and initiatives in the IDD community, this is the podcast for you.
The Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) held a two-day housing conference in Ottawa, Canada with various members of our Federal Government on March 19th & 20th, 2024. The conference was designed to bring MPs, Senators, and members of the ICC together to discuss the critical housing shortage and hear perspectives and potential issues from all sides.
We are presenting the conference "On the Hill '24" in a series of episodes. In this first episode, we hear from the following parliamentary guest speakers:
Speaker Of the House: The Honourable Greg Fergus
MP: The Honourable Marco Mendocino, Liberal - Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
MP: Melissa Lantsman, Conservative - Thornhill, ON
MP: Bonita Zarrillo, NDP - Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
MP: Louise Chabot, Bloc Québécois - Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
MP: Mike Morrice, Green Party - Kitchener Centre, ON
Video/Audio Clips
What are parliamentarians? © Library of Parliament
Advocates discuss housing for people with developmental disabilities – March 20, 2024 @ CPAC
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
We go on-site with Robin Bailey and Jason Clark to the Burlington Foodbank's new Feed Halton Distribution Centre to discuss how this new initiative is addressing hunger and food insecurity in the Halton Region. From January to September 2022, there was a 24% increase in the number of people accessing food banks in Ontario compared to the previous year. Shockingly, 1 in 3 visitors were first-time users, indicating the growing need for food assistance. The situation seen in Burlington mirrors these statistics, indicating a strong need for better access to nutritious food and essential support service providers like Feed Halton in our community.
For more information on Feed Halton, visit:
https://www.burlingtonfoodbank.ca/wha...
https://www.feedhalton.ca/
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guests: Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Burlington Foodbank & Feed Halton | Jason Clark, Director of Operations of Feed Halton
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Peggi Shepherd DeGroote discusses Wellbeings Pain Management & Dependency Clinic and the fundamental belief that every person deserves the right to be treated with dignity, respect and privacy, and live a pain-free life, unencumbered by addiction. The organization treats all types of chronic and acute pain, offering modern, scientifically based and cutting-edge treatments. They also provide mental health counselling for pain related challenges and addiction treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), drug use, and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
For more information on Wellbeings, visit:
https://wellbeings.ca/
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Peggi Shepherd DeGroote | Founder and President of Wellbeings Pain Management & Dependency Clinic
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
In this final episode in our three-part series on Disability Employment, Lino sits down with Jody Tick, the Executive Director at Sunflower Bakery in Rockville, Maryland. The two discuss Sunflower's unique set of hospitality and pastry arts workforce development training and pre-employment exposure programs for youths with learning differences. Jody highlights the importance of building compentency, confidence, and customer service skills to ensure program graduates are able to thrive in both professional kitchen and front-of-house environments.
For more information about Sunflower Bakery, visit:
https://www.sunflowerbakery.org/
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Jody Tick | Executive Director at Sunflower Bakery
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
In this first episode of a three-part series, Lino connects with Matt George, Co-Executive Producer for Cribwolf Talks, to provide an overview of Disability Employment. The two discuss the road to employment and the many hurdles that still stand in the way of many individuals with disabilities seeking to join the workforce. Their conversation sets the stage for the more detailed interviews to follow in the upcoming episodes.
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Matt George | Co-Executive Producer for Cribwolf Talks
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
In this second episode in our three-part series on Disability Employment, Lino sits down with Carolyn McDougall, the Ontario Co-ordinator for Project Search, and Dr. Jennifer Crowson, the Diversity and Inclusion Specialist for the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN). Carolyn and Jennifer provide a detailed look at the important work they do for the disability community; Project Search is a unique school-to-work training program for students with disabilities utilizing on-site learning and support, and ODEN is a provincial organization connecting businesses and Employment Service Providers to increase employment opportunities for job seekers who have a disability. The trio discuss the unique challenges faced by youths with developmental disabilities as they look to transition into the workforce and the value of strong connections and engagement between Employment Service Providers and businesses to ensure and increasing number of successful placements for those with disabilities.
For more information about Project Search and ODEN, visit:
https://projectsearchcanada.org/
https://www.odenetwork.com/
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guests: Carolyn McDougall | Ontario Co-ordinator for Project Search; Dr. Jennifer Crowson | Diversity and Inclusion Specialist for the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN)
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Lino connects with Matt George (Producer) to review some of Cribwolf Talks’ recent episodes to reflect on the various projects that some prominent charities are currently involved in that are making an impact! The organizations are:
- Burlington Food Bank
- DeafBlind Ontario Services
- Habitat for Humanity Hamilton
- KW Habilitation
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guests: Matt George
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team.
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Sean Ferris discusses Habitat for Humanity Hamilton, an independent, not-for-profit charity that builds affordable housing and promotes homeownership in the Hamilton region. They mobilize local volunteers, community members and corporate partners, seeking to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Sean highlight's the organization's on-going development model called the Home Build Program, and explains how they cover all their operational costs through sales at the Hamilton ReStore, to ensure 100% of all donations go directly to helping local families in need.
For more information on how Habitat for Humanity Hamilton is making a difference, visit:
www.habitathamilton.ca
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Sean Ferris | CEO of Habitat for Humanity Hamilton
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Karen Madho dicusses DeafBlind Ontario Services, an organization that provides specialized services for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, non-verbal with a developmental disability, and deafblind across Ontario. At a Community Services level, supports are customized to each person’s unique needs, method of communication, and goals to live their best life.
Cribwolf Talks is proud to highlight this vital support services organization in June, as it is National DeafBlind Awareness Month. Every year, people who are deafblind, service providers, and supporters come together to help others develop an understanding of, and a comfort with, the people in their communities who are deafblind. We encourage you to join in and ‘Make a Wave from Coast to Coast’, using your creativity to help make a difference and raise awareness in your local area through Deafblind International's month-long tactile art installation initiative.
For more information, please visit:
https://deafblindontario.com/
https://deafblindservices.ca/
https://www.deafblindinternational.org/
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Karen Madho | Manager of Communications and Public Relations
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music: Dr. Ian Bates
Lino spotlights a recent housing conference that was focused on affordable & supportive housing for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Housing Conference was named, A Day on the Hill. On March 27, of this year, members of the Intentional Communities Consortium (the ICC) and its directors, held its second housing conference in Ottawa, Ontario, our Nations Capital. The first ICC conference was held pre-covid period back in February of 2019.
Many MPs, from various political parties and a few Senators show their support by honoring us with their presence. This Conference was co-hosted by the honourable Ja’Ara Saks, MP; the Liberal Party Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
To learn more about the Intentional Community Consortium, visit: https://intentionalcommunities.ca/
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Theme Music by: Dr. Ian Bate
Images provided by : Reena.org
CPAC Video Reference: Cpac.ca
Ann Bilodeau, Executive Director for the KW Habilitation, discusses the organization's mission and vision. KW Habilitation is a local not-for-profit organization that provides a wide range of individualized services and supports to children with any special need and adults with developmental disabilities. They believe that a good life is fostered through early learning supports, inclusive living services, community involvement, and employment supports.
To learn more about the KW Habilitation and their services, visit: www.kwhab.ca
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Ann Bilodeau | Executive Director for the KW Habilitation
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Robin Bailey, Executive Director for the Burlington Food Bank, discusses the organization's mission to collect, purchase, grow, and distribute food directly to families in Burlington that need a little help. A client can visit the food bank once every three weeks and they provide between seven and ten days’ worth of food and hygiene products. They also provide baby items, such as diapers, formula and baby food to new parents.
To learn more about the Burlington Food Bank and their services, visit: www.burlingtonfoodbank.ca
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Robin Bailey | Executive Director for the Burlington Food Bank
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Graham Hill, Executive Director of Food for Life, discusses how the volunteer-powered, grassroots-driven organization thrives on the spirit of teamwork. With an unparalleled network of support from individuals, corporations, and various foundations in the Halton region, Graham shares that Food for Life's operation is defined by their collaboration; through their trusted alliances, the organization is able to turn every $1 donated into $7-worth of good food for those in need.
To learn more about Food for Life and their services, visit: foodforlife.ca
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Graham Hill | Executive Director of Food for Life
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team.
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Lino connects with the other Directors of Cribwolf Foundation, Sunil Balakrishnan and Matt George (Co-Founder) to review Cribwolf Talks’ very first webcast “Providing a Person-Centered Housing Solution” released a year ago. The trio revisit, reflect on, and provide expanded context for many of the important insights Bryan Keshen (President and CEO of Reena) presented in his candid discussion with Lino regarding the critical need for more multi-unit residential communities (MURC) for people with varied abilities.
How to access Lino’s original session with Bryan:
Watch at: Cribwolf Talks: Reena - Providing a Person-Centered Housing Solution - YouTube
Listen at: #7 - Providing A Person-Centered Housing Solution (cribwolftalks.com)
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guests: Matt George & Sunil Balakrishnan
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team.
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
David Petkau , discusses Christian Horizons' changing culture that is based on the belief that People who experience disabilities belong to communities in which their God-given gifts are valued and respected. Christian Horizons change in strategic direction focuses on allowing the people they service to have choice and a voice on services and what which community they wish to live in.
To learn more about Christian Horizon and their services, visit, Christianhorizons.org.
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: David Petkau | Director of Community Engagement, Christian Horizons
Production: Cribwolf Talks Team.
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Gary Gladstone is the Principal Consultant of Gladstone Consulting and the Head of Stakeholder Relations for Reena. Gary is a strong community advocate; addressing the housing and employment challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
Gary is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive with over 25 years of non-profit, corporate, government and volunteer leadership experience; a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and was the Federal Liberal candidate in the riding of Thornhill in 2019 and 2021.
Join Lino Fera, as he has an interesting conversation with Gary on the values and benefits of a newly formed organization, the Intentional Community Consortium (ICC). The ICC intends to unite like-minded, non-profit organizations through which the use of scale and shared learning will result in the creation of a significant number of housing units designed for individuals with developmental disabilities.
For more information, visit: www.intentionalcommunities.ca
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Gary Gladstone, Head of Stakeholder Relations for Reena
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
As a survivor of severe and sustained abuse, Sandra discusses the importance of being connected to community to rebuild a sense of belonging and purpose. She shares her personal journey and the hope that being both an advocate and voice for other survivors brings her, and her continued desire to inspire, encourage, and empower others on their own healing journeys.
To reach Sandra for feedback, or for speaking engagements, please contact:
Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking
Phone: 705-822-8630
Email: help@aohagainsttrafficking.ca
Credits:
Guest: Sandra
Host: Lino A. Fera
Sound & IT: Cyber Stream
Production: The Cribwolf Talks Team
Sandra’s Slideshow Music: Myuu (Nicolas Gasparini)
Theme Music: Dr. Ian Bates
Child Maltreatment Statistics:
Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect 2018.pdf
The Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal (https://www.cwrp.ca)
Lately, there has been resounding discussion on the historical devastation from the Residential Schools of our Indigenous Peoples, labelled as a vulnerable population. Similar challenges are also faced by persons with disabilities being subject to multiple violations of their rights, including acts of violence, abuse, prejudice and disrespect because of their disability, which intersect with other forms of discrimination based on age and gender, among other factors.
Join us as we connect the dots and peel back the layers by discussing the power of advocacy and basic human rights.
Matt George discusses the options for buying a home or building a home in an inflated real estate marketplace. If you are looking to get some information on the costs associated with building a home vs. buying a home and require some guidelines on creating a barrier-free, accessible environment for anyone with a disability, this is the podcast for you.
Guidelines for renovating or building an accessible home:
https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/industry-innovation-and-leadership/industry-expertise/accessible-adaptable-housing
Credits:
Host: Matt George
Sound & IT by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Join Matt George, as he introduces Ontario's affordable housing crisis and how it affects the IDD community, which has become increasingly widespread over the past decades. Much of the crisis is a result of reduced government investment in affordable housing. Many lower income individuals have been bearing the brunt of the crisis, unaffordable rents & mortgages and having little left to save for a proper future.
Credits:
Host: Matt George
Sound & IT by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Jim Caruk, Founder of Renos for Heroes joins Lino on Cribwolf Talks, for a discussion on the various challenges faced over the years by Renos for Heroes, a not-for-profit organization providing renovation and building services for the military men and women who have sustained injuries while serving our country.
Many Canadian military personnel have incurred life-altering disabilities while serving in the Canadian military. Some of these soldiers still do not have complete mobility in their homes. While the government helps, there is often a huge gap between the renovations that are covered versus what soldiers truly need for total mobility in their homes. Working alongside Canada's Military Families Fund, Renos for Heroes helps to complete home renovation projects for our injured soldiers.
While some injuries are visible, there are also countless soldiers suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Renos for Heroes is here to help those soldiers as well. For members of our military suffering from PTSD, renovations that build a space to support and foster mental wellbeing is Renos for Heroes' goal.
To support Renos for Heroes, visit: www.renosforheroes.org
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest: Jim Caruk, Renos for Heroes
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Lino is joined by Safehaven’s CEO Susan Bisaillon who provides valuable information about their organization, a not-for-profit that has provided residential and respite care to individuals with complex needs for over 30 years. At Safehaven, their resilient clients live full, meaningful lives, not defined by developmental disabilities and medically complex care needs.
Safehaven is proud to provide exceptional residential care, respite care, and recreational programming to youths living – and thriving – in the face of developmental disabilities and medically complex care needs. With five locations across the GTA, Safehaven serves almost 200 families every year. Their residential and respite care programs provide round-the-clock care, 365 days a year, for a wide range of individuals, including those living with cerebral palsy, genetic and seizure disorders, vision loss, and hearing impairment.
SafeHaven is the recipient of the 2021 Children’s Healthcare Canada Organizational Leadership Award.
For more information about SafeHaven, visit: The Safehaven Project for Community Living – Exceptional Lives. Exceptional Care.
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Lino is joined by Npower Canada's Andrew Subryan; Manager of Outreach & Engagement and Sharon Minos; Account Manager of Community Engagement.
NPower Canada envisions a diverse technology workforce, where people from any cultural ethnicity, gender or socio-economic background, including those with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD), can succeed in our digital economy.
80% of graduates from NPower Canada’s skills trainings are placed into meaningful employment and/or higher education opportunities within 6 months post-program graduation. These industry-recognized certifications provide participants with in-demand digital and professional skills trainings at no cost!
Successful graduates from each program benefit from personal and professional development, job placement services, post-hire coaching and support, and access to corporate mentors and guest speakers.
Ready to take that first step?
Apply now: https://npowercanada.ca/apply/
NPower Canada’s programs: https://npowercanada.ca/programs/
For more information about NPower Canada, please contact:
Sharon Minos (Account Manager of Community Engagement), at sharon.minos@npowercanada.ca
Andrew Subryan (Manager of Outreach & Engagement), at andrew.subryan@npowercanada.ca
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Mental illness has been around forever and now after a decade of increased awareness and humanity's acceptance, we can talk openly. Let's push aside judgment and prioritize compassion for persons affected by mental illness.
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
In this thought-provoking year end podcast, Lino highlights nuggets of information from our past episodes. These pearls relate to the care and support of a person with varying abilities ie: community engagement, social inclusion, the housing crisis, the growing housing wait list which steers us to the multi-unit residential communities with a holistic perspective.
Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Lino is joined by Bryan Keshen, President and CEO of Reena who delivers candid, thought-provoking insights regarding the critical need for more multi-unit residential communities (MURC) for people with varied abilities.
Reena is a non-profit organization that promotes dignity, individuality, independence, personal growth and community inclusion for people with diverse abilities within a framework of Jewish culture and values.
“If I am not for myself - who will be for me? If I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?”
― Rabbi Hillel
Lino is joined by co-founder Matt George of Cribwolf Foundation as they discuss the recent changes proposed by Developmental Services Ontario ( DSO), Canada from a fully government funded housing model for persons with IDD to an independent housing model funded as a family-funded model. This podcast reviews highlights taken from the DSO 3-part webinar that leave us with multiple questions and concerns related to the profound impact this transition / shift in government policy will have on the individual preparing to transition out of the family home and the sustainability (or lack of) after the parent / caregiver can no longer provide.
Credits:Guest: Matt George
Host: Lino A. Fera
Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Lino is joined by two members of the Cribwolf Foundation Advisory Committee, Maggie Bates & Christine Mazurk-Fera. The trio take a closer look at the importance of community engagement for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Topics include historical institutions, social network structures, relationship maps, benefits of social inclusion and the growing movement to a Multi-Unit Residential Community (MURC) with full community engagement.
Credits:Guests: Christine Mazurk-Fera & Maggie Bates
Host: Lino A. Fera
Sound & IT by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Christian Horizons, a non-profit developmental services organization shares insight into community-focused, inclusive living where one’s God-given gifts are valued and respected. Join Cribwolf Talks as David Petkau provides a ‘behind the curtain’ glimpseinto the organization's exciting new projects.
Credits:Guest: David Petkau
Host: Lino A. Fera
Sound & IT by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
Join Sunil Balakrishnan, as he co-hosts this podcast and interviews Lino Fera about his story as a parent of a special needs individual. Lino dives deep into his book, discusses various challenges as a parent with a focus on the post 21 era.
Credits:Co-Host: Sunil BalakrishnanHost: Lino A. Fera
Sound & IT by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
In light of social distancing, Lino Fera interviews Kimberly Wentrot backyard to backyard! Kim has a wonderful son named Jacob who has down syndrome. She takes us on a journey to describe their daily routines and challenges, and discusses the future she is hoping for Jacob.
Credits:Guest: Kimberly Wentrot
Host: Lino A. Fera
Sound & IT by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team
An introduction to the Cribwolf Talks Podcast series with an overview of the Cribwolf Foundation and the general range of topics we will be covering. The primary focus is on the thousands of adults with Intellectual Developmental Disability (IDD) who do not have access to safe and supportive housing. Join us as we discuss the various programs and projects that are in the works, dedicated to enriching the quality of life for adults in the special needs community.
Credits:Guest: Matt George
Host: Lino A. Fera
Sound & IT by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates
Production: The Cribwolf Team