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 over 250 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.

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 70 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

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 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.

Joe Obermeyer
Chair
Joe was elected to the Board in 2008 and has been serving as President since 2018. He is the Plant Manager at Sun Chemical in Burlington. Sun Chemical is the world leader in manufacturing and supply of printing inks and graphic arts materials to the printing industry. As a member of the Business Community, very involved in and supported of inclusive employment. Joe has been a community partner with Community Living Hamilton’s Employment Access Program since 2001.

Brad Pugh
Vice Chair
Brad Pugh joined the Board of Directors in 2020, bringing over a decade of experience in healthcare services and dementia research management. With a robust background in clinical operations and a commitment to enhancing patient care, Brad currently serves as a Quality and Process Consultant in Ambulatory Clinical Services. His role focuses on optimizing healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes. Brad holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation and a Lean Green Belt in Healthcare, highlighting his dedication to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Maggie Gallagher
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.

Careen Jones
Secretary
Careen was elected to the Board in 2023. Careen has extensive experience and a long career in the Ontario Public Service with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. She has provided executive leadership and management of legislative and policy requirements including planning, developing and implementing strategies to achieve the ministry’s mandate and priorities. Careen also led Human Resources policy development initiatives with the City of Hamilton. She holds a Masters of Arts with a concentration in Labour Relations and Policy Analysis. Careen is also a volunteer tutor and member of the board for the Hamilton Literacy Council.

N. Jill Randall
Director
Jill was elected to the Board of Directors in 2024.  Jill is a health care leader with over thirty years of progressive leadership experience in numerous acute academic hospital facilities throughout Southern Ontario. She has extensive experience in emergency management, quality and risk management, and financial and health human resource management. Her various clinical director portfolios have included strategic and operational responsibilities for Emergency Programs, Critical Care Units, Acute Medical and Mental Health Programs.  Jill is currently the sole proprietor of a health care consulting company based in Burlington, Ontario. Jill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University and a Masters degree in Public Policy, Administration and Law from York University.  She’s also a past Director of a number of not for profit organizations and is an active committee member on a number advocacy and advisory groups. Jill has lived experience supporting a family member with a developmental disability.

Heather Swartz
Director
Heather was elected to the Board in 2024. Heather has a long career as a conflict management professional providing a range of services to organizations and individuals.
She has held several volunteer positions on Boards and Committees. Serving on the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) Board of Directors for over a decade and was elected to represent Dundas on the Wentworth County Board of Education and Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board for nine years. Heather completed her Masters of Social Work in Social Service Administration and led the first independent living project for physically disabled adults in Hamilton.

Vimal Vyas
Director
Vimal was elected to the Board in 2023. Vimal is a strategic leader with many years of diverse experience in both the ‘for profit’ and ‘not-for-profit’ sectors. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka and is a designated CPA/CMA. Vimal has previous volunteer experience serving on Boards and supporting community organizations.

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

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:

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Community Living Hamilton is actively seeking the submission of bids or proposals for the following projects, initiatives and capital purchases:

Vehicle Fleet Enhancement (CLOSED November 21, 2024)

To learn more about procurement at Community Living Hamilton, view our Procurement Policy