The AGM also aligns with the launch of our 2024-25 Year in Review — a summary of our organization's most significant achievements over the past year. Following the meeting, we hosted a reception, emceed by the Co-Chairs of our Connection Committee. At the reception, we enjoyed an incredibly moving presentation by our keynote speaker, Anthony Lue, a Durham Region athlete, entrepreneur and accessibility advocate.

In addition to Anthony’s presentation, we held a formal award ceremony, honouring the members of Team Grandview who achieved 15, 20 and 25 years of service in the last year, as well as the nominees and winners of our 2025 Power of One award. With nominations submitted by Grandview Kids clients and caregivers, we were pleased to recognize several well-deserving members of Team Grandview for the incredible impact they make in the lives of the children and youth we support every day.

Thank you to everyone who submitted such touching nominations. I encourage you to join me in congratulating our 2025 Power of One Award winner, Jessica T., a Physiotherapist at Grandview Kids, who was recognized for the incredible impact she has made on the families she works with. More details on our memorable AGM, 2024-25 Year in Review and AGM reception are included in this issue of Gather.

Grandview Kids' 2025 AGM Keynote Speaker,

Anthony Lue, on stage.

Grandview Kids Physiotherapist, Jessica T., photographed with the 2025 "Power of One" Award.

In this special Summer Edition of Gather, we also take a moment to highlight some exciting news. At the end of June, we officially welcomed the first organization to occupy the Partnership Space at The Jerry Coughlan Building: the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region! While the age groups we serve may differ, our missions are aligned. Both Grandview Kids and the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region exist to provide compassionate care, dignity and empowerment to those among the most vulnerable in our community. In doing so, we build stronger families and a more connected, thriving community. Read more about this exciting new endeavour in the “Partnership Spotlight” below. 

Please also ensure you review all the exciting workshops and events the Family Engagement Team is hosting for the remainder of the summer. From a new pilot program launched to enable siblings of Grandview Kids clients to connect, to Park Playdates, to a four-week, hands-on urban farming program, there is a lot to keep your family busy. For more details and to register, please see the “Upcoming workshops and events” section below.

Before I let you go, I would like to ask that you take a moment to share your feedback with us. As many Gather readers are caregivers of Grandview Kids clients, I encourage you to share feedback on our programs and services in our 2025 Caregiver Experience Survey. Through this anonymous survey, we want to hear about your experiences with the programs and services your child or youth has received at Grandview Kids. 

Below, you will find more details about the survey. Your valuable feedback will enable us to plan programs and services that best serve our clients and their families. 

Until we reconnect in September, I sincerely hope you and your loved ones enjoy the rest of your summer. 

Warm regards,

Tom McHugh 

CEO, Grandview Kids

Share your feedback with Grandview Kids!

At Grandview Kids, we greatly respect the feedback we receive from our clients' caregivers. We would like to hear about your experience with the programs and services your child or youth received at Grandview Kids. The feedback you share will help us plan programs and services that best serve Grandview Kids' clients. 

Please share your feedback at the link below. It should take no more than five minutes to complete, and your answers are anonymous.* 

If you have questions about this survey, please contact us by email at communications@grandviewkids.ca.

*We will not ask for your name or your child's name. No one will know what you have said. We will keep everything confidential. We will share only the overall results with members of Team Grandview, our Board of Directors and in our annual report. 

Dante’s Story: Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness Month

When Michelle and David welcomed their son Dante into the world in early 2022, they knew he would be extraordinary. Even in the womb, he was bursting with energy “doing cartwheels,” as Michelle affectionately puts it. Two days after birth, their world shifted as Dante was diagnosed with a cleft palate, a condition that had not been detected earlier.

Visit our blog to read more >

Ayush’s Story: Fragile X Awareness Day

Ayush is a bright, loving and funny 11-year-old boy with a big heart, a sharp eye for detail and a flair for both pretend and real cooking. He was born with Full Mutation Fragile X Syndrome (FMFXS), or simply put, Fragile X Syndrome, which is a rare genetic condition that affects development in many ways.



Visit our blog to read more >

Cyle’s Graduation Story

Cyle, born at just 26 weeks, came into the world fragile, impossibly small and a fighter. It wasn’t until he was three years old, while living in Jamaica, that he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), level 4. Everything changed when Cyle and his mom moved to Canada when he was 12.

Visit our blog to read more >

National Sister Day

At Grandview Kids, we recognize the important role siblings play and the meaningful impact they have on the lives of our clients. In recognition of National Sisters Day, the sisters of several Grandview Kids clients shared their lived experiences as Grandview siblings.

Visit our blog to read more >

Nolan’s Story: Finding His Voice Through Grandview Kids

“Nolan’s communication delay was leading to lots of frustration and behavioural outbursts,” said his mother, Krista. “This created a lot of added stress on our family and isolated us from many social experiences.” When he was 15 months old, a paediatrician recommended Krista and her family submit a referral to Grandview Kids for speech-language services.

Visit our blog to read more >

Celebrating International Assistance Dog Week

International Assistance Dog Week, observed from August 3 to 9, recognizes the dedication of assistance dogs and their trainers, and the critical role these animals play in helping individuals lead more independent lives. On our blog, Team Grandview member, Mitchell, and Grandview Graduate and volunteer, Amanda, share their experiences with having assistance dogs.

Visit our blog to read more >

Upcoming programs, workshops and events

Family Engagement

Join Grandview Kids’ Family Engagement Team for many engaging events throughout the rest of the summer. If you have any questions about the events shared below, please email familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca for more information! 

Siblings By Siblings

Join the Family Engagement Team for the launch of their new pilot program, “Siblings by Siblings.” Created for siblings of Grandview Kids clients, this program offers a welcoming space to connect with others who truly understand their experience. 

Led by Peer Navigators who are siblings themselves, the group features fun and supportive activities for youth ages 12 to 18. The session runs at the same time as our Park Playdates, so families can attend together and enjoy something meaningful for everyone. 

Click here to watch Grandview Kids Peer Navigators and siblings Ella, Isabella and Fizza introduce Siblings by Siblings!

Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025, and Wednesday, August 13, 2025 

Time: 5 to 7 p.m. 

Location: The Jerry Coughlan Building, 1461 Harwood Avenue North, Ajax, ON, L1T 4T9

Registration is required!  

• Click here to register for the July 30 event. 
• Click here to register for the August 13 event 

Declutter and Conquer 

Enhance your family's organizational skills—register today! Join us for a workshop dedicated to assisting guardians and their children in organizing essential documents for effective care and advocacy. 

• Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025 and Thursday, August 14, 2025
• Time: Noon to 2 p.m. 
• Location: The Jerry Coughlan Building, 1461 Harwood Avenue North, Ajax, ON, L1T 4T9

Click here to register.



Hybrid Format: The sessions are offered both in-person and online. Each meeting will be split into two sections: Informational (Noon to 1 p.m.) and Demonstrational (1 to 2 p.m.). Participants are asked to bring any paperwork they need assistance with, as we will collaborate in small groups within a private setting. 

Park Playdates at The Jerry Coughlan Building

Every Wednesday in August, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Family Engagement Team invites you to join us for Park Playdates at our Ajax headquarters, The Jerry Coughlan Building.

At Park Playdates, you will find bubbles, music and games and will have access to the park’s inclusive, accessible and sensory play features. Everyone is welcome! 

This month’s themes include “Tails and Trails” (animal-themed), “Under the Sea,” “Out of this World” (space-themed), a Park Playdate hosted by the Youth Advisory Council, and the Grandview Olympics.

Note: Please check the Grandview Kids’ Online Parent Support Group (OPS) the day before attending to find out the week’s theme. Cancellation notices due to weather will be shared on the OPS page and Grandview Kids' social media pages on the day of the event.

Date: Every Wednesday in August 

Time: Drop in any time between 5 and 7 p.m. 

Location: Playground at The Jerry Coughlan Building (attached to Grandview School) 

Playground at The Jerry Coughlan Building, where the Park Playdates are hosted.

Grandview Kids: Growing Together 

Grandview Kids is partnering with the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture to offer a four-week intensive, hands-on urban farming program at the Ajax Urban Farm. Led by Durham College and supported by our Family Engagement team, this inclusive program focuses on growing, learning and having fun together. 

Participants are required to attend all four sessions. 

Dates: Thursdays, July 31, August 7, 14 and 21 

Time: 10 to 11:15 a.m. 

Location: Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, 1355 Harwood Ave. N., Ajax, Ont., L1T 4G8 

Click here to register! 

Makey Makey Dance Party! Hosted by the Adolescent Transition Program 

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of fun, dancing and creativity at our Adolescent Transition Youth Dance. 

This event celebrates joy, connection and self-expression. Along with music and laughter on the dance floor, there will be a special station featuring the “Makey Makey” invention kit. It’s a hands-on, interactive experience where everyday objects, such as bananas, playdough, or even tinfoil, can be transformed into touchpads that control a computer. 

Whether you're moving to the beat or experimenting with your own musical creations, the night promises plenty of smiles, innovation and shared memories. 



Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 

Time: 6 to 8 p.m. 

Location: The Jerry Coughlan Building, 1461 Harwood Avenue North, Ajax, ON, L1T 4T9 

Click here to register! 

Read Grandview Kids’ 2024-25 Year in Review! 

Grandview Kids is pleased to introduce our 2024-25 Year in Review! The annual report highlights our milestone achievements from the past fiscal year. This edition includes updates on our three strategic directions, the opening of our new Ajax headquarters, The Jerry Coughlan Building, updates from Grandview Kids Foundation and Grandview School, as well as the 2024-25 financial statement.

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Grandview Kids experienced significant and transformative growth. From launching the organization’s 2024-27 strategic plan, “Powering Potential,” to delivering 144,310 hours of total client care, to completing the construction of its new, state-of-the-art, Ajax-based headquarters, The Jerry Coughlan Building, our organization is “powering up” across all areas. 

Watch the video below as Grandview Kids CEO, Tom McHugh, recaps the incredible year we have experienced and introduces our 2024-25 Year in Review. 

Grandview Kids’ 2025 Annual General Meeting 

Did you know? The release of Grandview Kids’ Annual Report always aligns with our Board of Directors’ Annual General Meeting (AGM). This year, the AGM was hosted on Thursday, June 18, at The Jerry Coughlan Building for the first time. 

As the name suggests, the AGM is an annual meeting of our Board of Directors, where they make key decisions, such as approving motions, confirming new members and recognizing those whose terms are coming to a close. It’s also a time to reflect on the past year and set direction for the future. During this year’s AGM, we highlighted all the recap videos available in our 2024-25 Year in Review to ground us in the incredible progress we have made in so many key areas over the last year, as we prepare and plan for another year of growth ahead. 

A collection of photos from Grandview Kids’ 2025 Annual General Meeting.

Following the AGM, we held a formal reception in our Gymnasium, emceed by the Co-Chairs of Grandview Kids’ Connection Committee, Shannon L. and Michelle F. During the reception, we were privileged to have an incredible keynote presentation from Anthony Lue, an accomplished Durham Region athlete, entrepreneur and accessibility ambassador. In addition to Anthony’s presentation, we held an Award Ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of Team Grandview. We honoured our coworkers who celebrated 15, 20, and 25 years of service at Grandview Kids, as well as our Power of One Award nominees, and our 2025 Power of One Award winner, Physiotherapist Jessica T! 

A collection of photos from the 2025 AGM reception.

We want to congratulate all our award winners and nominees once again and extend special thanks to you, Grandview Kids clients and families, for submitting such thoughtful nominations in response to our call for nominations in the spring. Your generous nominations help us celebrate the incredible team we are so privileged to have at Grandview Kids.

Partnership Spotlight: Welcoming the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region to The Jerry Coughlan Building

We are thrilled to announce a meaningful milestone for Grandview Kids: the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region has officially joined us as the first organization in our Partnership Space at The Jerry Coughlan Building.

This co-location marks more than just shared real estate. It is a bold step toward a shared vision. From the beginning, our two organizations shared a deep commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations across Durham Region. Though we serve different age groups, our missions overlap: offering compassionate, empowering care and strengthening the fabric of our community.

A collection of photos from the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region's Welcome Event.

The Jerry Coughlan Building was intentionally designed with collaboration at its heart. One of the most inspiring spaces within it is the Partnership Space, symbolized by the Sandhill Crane in our wayfinding—an animal rooted in Indigenous teachings, representing leadership, open-mindedness and the importance of amplifying voices across ecosystems. In many ways, the Sandhill Crane reflects the very nature of our partnership: resilient, far-reaching and values-based.

Thanks to the leadership at the Town of Ajax and support from the Ajax Partnership Fund, the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region's new "Ajax Hub" has become a reality. It also opens the door to innovative possibilities, such as intergenerational programming, where Grandview Kids’ clients and those supported by the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region can connect, learn from one another and build empathy across generations.

This collaboration isn’t just about sharing space; it’s about sharing hope, resources and a bold vision for a more connected and inclusive Durham Region. We are excited for the future and pleased to welcome the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region as collaborators, community builders and fellow members of the Durham Ontario Health Team.

Let this be the first of many partnerships that echo through the community, just like the Sandhill Crane—loud, proud and rooted in purpose. 

Community Corner

Ajax Public Library

The Family Resource Centre at The Jerry Coughlan Building is home to

the Ajax Public Library's Grandview Kids Express Branch.

The Ajax Public Library invites you to attend the following events in August:

2025 TD Summer Reading Club: Around the World

Registration continues until Saturday, August 23, at all Branches, including the Grandview Kids Express Branch.

• Grandview Kids Library Card and TD Summer Reading Club Sign Up Days: Drop-in on Tuesday, August 12 and Tuesday, August 26, from 1 to 5 p.m.
• Family Craft and Movie: Dogman: Tuesday, August 26, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.: Registration is required.

For the complete lineup, including Grandview Kids Express Branch events, click here.

For more Ajax Public Library events and collection information, visit: www.ajaxlibrary.ca. 

July and August Dates of Significance

Every month, members of Team Grandview’s Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee research and share blog posts about holidays, cultural celebrations, awareness days and other dates of significance that are meaningful to staff, clients, caregivers, partners and the community. 

This summer, we acknowledge Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month, International Non-Binary People’s Day, Fragile X Awareness Day, National Disability Independence Day, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, MedicAlert Awareness Month, National Sister Day, National Day of Friendship, International Assistance Dog Week, International Youth Day, World Humanitarian Day and International Overdose Awareness Day. Read more on our blog > 

We also acknowledge many holidays and celebrations this summer, including Canada Day, Guru Purnima, Obon Festival, Civic Holiday, Krishna Janmashtami, Paryushana and Ganesh Chaturthi. Read more on our blog > 

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Content in Gather is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor. Views expressed in posts and resources listed do not signify endorsement by Grandview Kids.