Baycrest Foundation Stories
The Power of Community: Passion and Purpose
A new Baycrest Real Estate Professionals group launched in January in support of dementia research and innovation.
Chair Darren Slavens, Honorary Co-Chairs Barry Lebow and Reesa Sud, along with an enthusiastic committee, kicked off their speaker series with a presentation by leading economist Benjamin Tal. At future gatherings, they will also hear from Baycrest experts about science and innovation to improve brain health and aging.
“We feel a strong connection to the cause and are passionate about making a difference in our community by raising funds and awareness to support Baycrest’s fight to end dementia,” said Slavens.
Contact Tyler Small at tsmall@baycrest.org to join or sponsor an event.
Women Friends are champions of Women in Science
Adapting seamlessly to an online format, co-chairs Tobie Bekhor and Gilda Goodman Helman created a series of engaging events and lectures for gatherings of Women Friends of Baycrest.
In 2021, the seventh year of programming raised $216,953 to support research and champion women in science. In addition to hearing from scientists, Women Friends of Baycrest enjoyed presentations by a writer, a filmmaker and museum curator.
Fundraising for the current calendar year shifted to support the purchase of new equipment for the kosher kitchen to help feed patients and residents.
Bubby’s Blooms
Flower sales organized by Baycrest’s good friend and supporter Sarah Krybus Fishman took place just before Rosh Hashanah and Passover. Hundreds of people heeded her call to “Be part of a mitzvah for something special!” and bought flowers to brighten the day of someone at Baycrest or elsewhere in the community.
Beautiful bouquets were available for drive-through pick-up. Altogether, Bubby’s Blooms raised $50,000 last September and this past April to support quality-of-life programming at Baycrest, including music, art and holiday celebrations to lift spirits and foster engagement.
Kosher Kitchen
Baycrest has provided compassionate care to older adults since 1918. At the heart of our home is an enormous kosher kitchen that produces more than a million meals a year for residents, hospital patients, Meals on Wheels clients and patients at healthcare centres across Ontario.
After decades of use, the kitchen needs attention. Baycrest is grateful to committee members and donors who are giving generously to a campaign to replace aging equipment, helping to ensure that nourishing meals will be served to thousands of people who rely on us in the years ahead.
Gifts of Thanks honour Baycrest heroes
The special people who work at Baycrest help make life better every day for patients, residents and members of the community who access care. These sentiments come through loud and clear via the new Gift of Thanks program.
“All the staff are magnificent, kind and caring professionals,” wrote one donor expressing gratitude to Baycrest Terraces staff. “This has been a life-saving program for our Mom,” wrote another about Baycrest@Home. The relative of an Apotex Centre resident sent this message: “Thanks so much for everything you do each and every day to keep our loved ones safe! You guys are the true heroes!”
You can make a donation and honour your hero or heroes here.
Baycrest Young Philanthropy
The Baycrest Young Philanthropy group has been involved with teams in signature events, including A Walk for the Ages, Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer’s, and the Mattamy Homes Bike for Brain Health. Our new webinar series “Brain Talks” showcases Baycrest experts and speakers with lived experience. Topics have included brain healthy habits to begin developing at a young age, and supporting young people as they navigate changing family dynamics amid the complexities of aging.
The Baycrest Buddies program continued with a new cohort of Camp Manitou Buddies paired with residents at the Baycrest Terraces and the Reuben Cipin Healthy Living Community, as well as Holocaust survivors in the Azrieli Foundation Café Europa. We continue to partner with UCC volunteers in support of Baycrest@Home. Additional teen initiatives have expanded, including the P.S. I Love You letter writing program, as well as BBYO’s J-Serve day of service. These groups also took part in the Bike for Brain Health’s High School Challenge.
