Healthy Community: where everybody has access to optimize their health and well-being.

Links2Care’s vision for a connected future

By Lisa Brading

My name is Lisa Brading and I'm the CEO here at Links2Care. We are a health and social care organization that offers programs and services throughout all of Halton region, Mississauga and Etobicoke. Our services span from infants to seniors.

I take great pride in assisting members of our community, particularly those who may feel most vulnerable and uncertain about where to find help. At Links2Care, we offer a variety of programs and services thoughtfully designed to provide meaningful support to individuals in need. Listening to the stories shared by our dedicated frontline staff is truly inspiring. I frequently receive messages from clients that highlight the profound effect our programs have on their lives. Their stories inspire me and motivate me each day.

We have about 25 programs and services that fall into three kinds of buckets of services: First one being services for seniors and adults with disabilities. Those programs include bathing, home help, and a number of other programs that support seniors to be able to stay in their home and age in place. Secondly, we have community support services. We offer a range of programs designed to support individuals and families within our community. These include our holiday hamper initiative, backpack program, and income tax clinics, all of which are intended to assist individuals and families who may be experiencing financial challenges or could benefit from additional supports.

In addition, we provide a variety of children’s services. We operate EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Halton Hills, offering resources and programming for young children and their caregivers. We also deliver before- and after-school programs to support school-aged children and their families.

I would like to see Community Wellness Hubs expanded not only across all communities within Halton, but throughout the province. There is significant value in ensuring these services are readily accessible to residents, particularly for those who may face barriers in attending traditional programs or services.

Expanding the presence of organizations like Links2Care within communities would represent a meaningful investment in accessible, preventative supports. This includes not only integrating services within supportive housing settings for seniors, but also establishing community-based hubs that are open to individuals of all ages.

Creating welcoming spaces that offer free, accessible programs and services can strengthen community wellbeing, reduce isolation, and support residents where they are. Broadening access to Community Wellness Hubs across the province would be a positive and impactful step toward ensuring that all community members have the opportunity to access the supports they need.

In the years ahead, I hope we have an opportunity to grow and deepen our impact, reaching more individuals across our communities and ensuring they can access the full range of programs and services we proudly deliver through not just our Community Wellness hubs but all of our programs and services. Together, we can continue to build a more connected, supported, and thriving community for all.

For me, this vision is already beginning to take shape. Through our Community Wellness Hubs, we are not only delivering programs and services directly, but also actively engaging a diverse network of community partners to enhance what we offer. This collaborative model creates a strong foundation for growth. The hope, therefore, would be to scale those services up and be able to offer more in community. As an example, having a fitness component in the organization, and additional social activities. Further to that idea, we currently have one coordinator role and recognizing there's only so many hours in the day that she's available to provide programs and services and offer supports to those individuals. Therefore, to make the community wellness hubs successful would mean having to expand those partnerships and have other community organizations or even consider a private enterprise. It doesn't necessarily have to be an organization, but certainly others to be involved in offering programs and services to those residents.

A truly healthy community is one where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, where access to programs, services, and supports is not limited, but universal. It is a community where people are empowered to reach their fullest potential in health and well-being. That would be if I could wave my magic wand, I would want to see communities where there is the opportunity for everyone to have access to the programs and services they need to live healthy, fulfilling, and happy lives.

Story curated by Phillip McAllister

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This post is part of a larger CDH Member Story Project. The intent is to share the depth of our non-profit sector, name how community can support and imagine together what is possible through the non-profit sector to ensure Halton is a health, inclusive and resilient place to live. 

Are you a CDH member and want to let your story to the project. You can get started HERE.