for people like Sherrie Sherrie has been part of St. Mary's Supported Independent Living Program since 2005. She is a very busy lady often running from one activity to the next. Sherrie has two jobs, often working 6 days a week. Sherrie competes on the Special Olympics swim team, her specialty is the backstroke. At her last swim meet Sherrie won 3 first place ribbons. She is a strong swimmer and competitor. In her free time, Sherrie goes to the gym and plays baseball. She also finds time to participate in crafts workshops and her handicrafts can be seen throughout her house. Sherrie is a very social lady who enjoys attending dances, and on Sundays she visits her family and has dinner and attends church. Sherrie has come a long way since starting with Mary Centre. She is now able to prepare and follow simple recipes. Her communication skills have improved. She has learned how to budget better. Her physical and emotional health has improved. Sherrie is energetic, social, and has a great sense of humour. She is a pleasure to work with.

How We Help :: Residential :: Supported independent living

Mary Centre maintains eight apartments at Our Lady of Victory in Toronto, five at St. Mary's in Brampton and three at St. Peter's in Woodbridge where we support adults with a developmental challenge. We also provide support to brothers Ted, Gord and Doug who live in their own home in East York.

Supported independent living enables adults who are developmentally challenged to live in their own apartments or homes with the part-time assistance of Mary Centre staff. Residents and their families work as a team with Mary Centre, creating a plan to enable each resident to reach the goals that will enable him or her to live successfully in the community.

This team determines how to maximize personal strengths, how much structure is needed and what supports are required in order to reach these goals. Mary Centre's support workers help each resident find a comfortable routine.

We also provide the staff support necessary for each person to interact and engage with the community. We facilitate access to employment and day programs and community-based social, volunteer and recreational activities.

Some of our residents come from family homes, others from boarding rooms. Each is involved with a variety of outside activities. And each has scheduled time with a Mary Centre support worker. This time may be spent together developing practical skills like budgeting, cooking or doing laundry. Or it could be time spent arranging social activities such as going to the local community centre to swim or signing up for a soccer team. Or it could be time together discussing a schedule to attend church.

Ultimately, each resident develops personally, socially, and spiritually - enjoying the self-reliance that supported independent living brings.

For more information about supported independent living, please contact Terry Elliott, (416) 630-5533, ext. 225.