Community Living Hamilton supports 1,400 people with developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome and Autism. We are the largest service provider in Hamilton for these individuals and their families, and we are one of the largest not-for-profits and registered charities in our community.
With 330 staff members, 100 volunteers and valued community partners, we empower people with developmental disabilities to fully participate and contribute to their community. Together, we help build great lives. We encourage full inclusion through person-directed planning…. and promote independence and personal choice, so our clients can lead the lives they want.
Whether it’s living independently or in a group setting, working in competitive employment, or sharing in community activities, we are here to help people achieve their full potential and dreams.

Our Important Work
Community Living Hamilton began when a group of mothers came together in a church basement to explore how they could support each other and their sons and daughters with special needs. More than 60 years later, their determination, spirit and support are reflected in our wealth of programs and services that help build great lives. These include:
- Community day programs where people with developmental disabilities can plan and participate in social, recreational and skills development activities.
- Fee-for-service options such as weekly social gatherings and skills-building sessions.
- Essential respite care that eases the burden on caregivers and provides a safe, enjoyable experience for kids and adults.
- Residential care through group homes, family homes and support for independent living.
- Resource teachers and facilitators who support the inclusion of kids in licensed childcare settings.
- Valuable employment services, supports and more.
Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
Dedicated to providing opportunities and support to help people with special needs build great lives.
Vision
All people with special needs achieve their full potential and are included in our community.
G-R-E-A-T Values
Growth that exceeds expectations
Respect for all
Excellence and safety in everything we do
Abilities first
Trust and integrity
Advocacy
Advocacy for the Individual
Our services are built on personalized planning that aims to tailor activities to the wants and needs of the person we are supporting. We help individuals identify goals that are meaningful to them – such as education, vocation, recreation and personal fulfillment – then work with them to create plans to achieve their goals. Our advocacy includes such things as helping our clients find a job, obtain accommodation, enroll in recreational activities, manage their personal finances and navigate the various systems to ensure they have access to all available supports.
Advocacy in the Community
We work with various partners in the community so that people with developmental disabilities are included in all aspects of life. This may include working with employers to adapt practices to better suit people with disabilities, or working with the educational system and childcare sector to build capacity for more inclusive practices. It also involves partner consultations, on-site support, training and, above all, sharing knowledge within our community.
Advocacy in the Sector
We are members of provincial groups that strive to raise awareness of developmental disabilities and advocate for full inclusion of people with disabilities, such as Community Living Ontario and the Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS). These groups work with government ministries and elected officials to improve legislation and to enhance the funding and resources that support individuals with developmental disabilities. These groups also influence communities to be inclusive of everyone.
Board of Directors
Community Living Hamilton is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Chair
Joe was elected to the Board in 2008 and has been serving as President since 2018. He is a Plant Manager with Sun Chemical in Burlington, a member of the Business Community, very supportive of inclusive employment and experienced with Community Living Hamilton’s Employment Access service.

Treasurer
Maggie Gallagher was elected to the Board of Directors in 2020. Maggie holds designations as both a Certified General Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant and brings with her approximately 30 years of financial expertise in the non-profit sector. She previously served as Comptroller of the McMaster Student Union and Finance Officer at the Mohawk Student Association. In addition to her work experience, she also serves on the board of Victoria Park Community Homes for the past 6 years, including a three-year term as Treasurer.

Secretary
Peter has been serving on the Board of Directors since 2001. He recently retired as Human Resources Specialist at ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. Peter has also volunteered as coach for the Special Olympics.

Director
Brad Pugh was elected to the Board of Directors in 2020. He is an experienced Clinical Operations Manager with a strong healthcare services background and many years of experience working in the biotechnology industry.

Executive Director
Community Living Hamilton
We are always pleased to receive applications from people who want to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested, call our main office at 905-528-0281.
Publications and Resources
The Advocate
2017
View our Spring 2017 edition here: The Advocate Spring 2017
View our Winter 2017 edition here: The Advocate Winter 2017
2016
View our Fall 2016 edition here: The Advocate Sept 2016
View our Summer 2016 edition here: The Advocate July 2016
View our Winter 2016 edition here: The Advocate January 2016
2015
View our Summer 2015 edition here: The Advocate August 2015
View our Spring 2015 edition here: The Advocate May 2015
View our Winter 2015 edition here: The Advocate January 2015
2014
View our Fall 2014 edition here: The Advocate Fall 2014
View our Summer 2014 edition here: The Advocate Summer 2014
View our Spring 2014 edition here: The Advocate Spring 2014
2013
View our Winter 2013 edition here: The Advocate Winter 2013
Annual Report
View our 2021/22 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2021-2022
View our 2020/21 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2020-2021
View our 2019/20 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2019 2020
View our 2018/19 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2018 2019
View our 2017/18 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2017 2018
View our 2016/17 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2016 2017
View our 2015/16 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2015 2016
View our 2014/15 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2014 2015
View our 2013/2014 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2013 2014
View our 2012/2013 Annual Report here: CLH Annual Report 2012 2013
Audited Financial Statements
2022-2023 Audited Statements
2021-2022 Audited Statements
2020-2021 Audited Statements
2019-2020 Audited Statements
2018-2019 Audited Statements
2017-2018 Audited Statements
2016-2017 Audited Statements
2015-2016 Audited Statements
2014-2015 Audited Statements
2013-2014 Audited Statements
Our Policies
Complaints and Feedback
Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses
Procurement
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Perquisites
Special Needs Resourcing – Newsletter
Family Engagement Resources
Module 1
Module 2
- Creating Family Partnerships Through Goal Planning – PowerPoint
- Rethinking SMART Goals
- Rethinking SMART Goals – TEMPLATE
- Family Partnership Plan – TEMPLATE
- Matching Game
- Virtual Family Engagement BINGO
- ICF Framework and F-Words
Module 3
Building Confidence When Initiating Difficult Conversations – PODCAST
Embracing Inclusion Audio Series
See below for episodes of Community Living Hamilton’s Embracing Inclusion audio series. Each weekly episode touches on a different theme with the goal of supporting inclusive education in early childhood settings during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The series promotes discussion and offers tips and suggestions on how to fully include children with special needs.
Episode 16
Episode 15
Episode 14
Episode 13
Episode 12
Episode 11
Episode 10
Episode 9
Episode 8
Episode 7
Episode 6
Episode 5
Episode 4
Episode 3
Episode 2
Episode 1
Strategic Plan Framework
Drop 'n' Shop
When you ‘shop’ or ‘drop’ off items you are helping to build great lives for people with special needs right in your community.
Drop ‘n’ Shop is a thrift store operated by Community Living Hamilton, in partnership with the City of Hamilton. We accept a wide variety of pre-owned and gently used items for sale, including kitchenware, books, jewelry, toys, furniture, clothing and other goods. All money generated from the sales at the Drop ‘n’ Shop are reinvested in Community Living Hamilton programs and services. For people with diverse abilities, these programs are life changing.
Hours of Operation
Store Hours
Donation Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
9am – 5pm
9am – 5pm
9am – 5pm
9am – 5pm
9am – 5pm
9am – 5pm
Closed
8am – 6pm
8am – 6pm
8am – 6pm
8am – 6pm
8am – 6pm
8am – 6pm
Closed
The store is located at the Community Recycling Centre on the East Mountain, 37 Kilbride Road (Upper Ottawa & Rymal Road) in Hamilton. Telephone: 905-385-3434.
ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED
Although we truly appreciate you donating your gently used items to Community Living Hamilton, unfortunately there are some items that we cannot accept:
Household Items:
Mattresses (any)
Furniture i.e. sofa, hutches, large tables, dressers – acceptable furniture: chairs, night tables, small shelving units (as space permits)
Appliances (large) i.e., major kitchen appliances – examples of acceptable: microwaves, countertop appliances
Bedframes/Rails
Phones
Speakers/stereos
Scanners
VHS tapes
Textbooks, encyclopedias, reference books older than 2020
Hockey equipment
Out of season sporting goods
Building Material/Debris
Automotive/Marine Batteries
Any item or machine requiring fuel (gas or propane) to function
Computer Hard Drives
Paint or Hazardous Materials
Propane Tanks or Gas Canisters
Mini-Blinds
Household Garbage
Very Dirty, Wet or Broken Items
Large Exercise Equipment, i.e.,treadmills, ellipticals
Baby:
Car Seats
High Chairs
Cribs
Playpens
Safety Gates
Strollers
Exersaucers, etc.
Any safety items including:
Helmets
Smoke or CO2 Detectors, etc.
Gardening machinery:
Gardening Machinery (gas powered)
Lawnmowers
Weedwhackers etc.
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