Sept. 2026
Marianne Klein

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on the year behind us with deep gratitude — for the people who make Shalom Village what it is, for the trust placed in us, and for the opportunities ahead to keep growing together.

There is much to celebrate at Shalom Village, and there is also much that continues to inspire us. Every day, we are reminded that meaningful care is built through kindness, compassion and the relationships we share with residents and their families.

This past year, our residents told us they feel respected, supported and genuinely cared for. In our annual Long-Term Care resident survey, 100 per cent of respondents agreed that staff treat them with dignity and respect, and that our staff are compassionate, friendly and supportive. For us, those results are especially meaningful because they speak not only to the care we provide, but to how that care is felt by the people who call Shalom Village home.
Our Long-Term Care Nursing Team also completed the first phase of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s Clinical Pathways initiative — an important step in strengthening consistency, communication and evidence-informed care across our home.

Beyond Long-Term Care, Senior’s Spark has continued to bring older adults and caregivers together through free fitness, wellness and social programming. Across our campus, we have also invested in safety, technology, accessible equipment, refreshed gathering spaces, music therapy, palliative care and staff development — each one strengthening daily life for residents, families, staff and community participants. These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to creating an environment where people can thrive, remain engaged and enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Of course, none of this happens because of one person or one program. It happens because of dedicated staff, engaged residents and families, committed volunteers, trusted community partners and generous donors who continue to believe in the importance of Shalom Village.

On Sept.18, Shalom Village joins long-term care homes across Ontario for LTC Community Engagement Day.
The purpose of the day is simple, but important: to strengthen relationships and help elected officials and community leaders better understand life inside long-term care.

Long-term care is more than a building or a health-care service. It is home. It is where friendships are formed, traditions are shared, birthdays are celebrated, concerns are heard and small, meaningful moments happen every day.
LTC Community Engagement Day gives us a chance to share that story — proudly, honestly and through the voices of the residents, families and staff who know it best. We hope it also reminds our broader community of the vital role long-term care plays in supporting older adults with dignity, purpose and belonging.

We enter this new year with gratitude for what we have accomplished together, pride in the people who make this work possible, and a renewed commitment to continue building a strong, caring and connected future for those we care for, their loved ones and our community.