Supervisor Residential Services

I work for an agency that supports individuals who have a developmental disability or acquired brain injury. Many of them live in group homes and have limited independence or need support to maintain their daily lives. In an effort to help them achieve their goals and maximize their potential we have developed a tool called Quality of Life Planning. It is a planning method where indivdiuals can share their passions and dreams for the future. Staff help them plan and achieve their goals to develop true community participation and acceptance. The plan describes the individual's life and their favorite things to do. Without fail, I would guess that ninety percent of the plans I read mention Tim Horton's. In fact many of the individuals choose to have their planning meetings at Tim Horton's. Almost every plan mentions Tim Horton's as a favorite activity or place to go. Many of our clients have pictures of themselves surrounded by Tim Horton's cups. Most of the local stores know our individuals by name. Many of our folks who have limited communication skills have been able to learn to order by themselves and have also developed greater money skills. For Christmas this year each individual recieved a Tim's Horton's gift card and it was the best present yet. For many of our individuals Tim Horton's is a place where they are recognized, accepted and treated with respect. For the indivdiuals who have a brain injury it is one memory that helps them keep their past experiences alive. The individuals we support LOVE Tim Horton's beyond a good cup of coffee. Without exception it is an outing that they anticipate with great joy and excitement. It provides them with a sense of independence and inclusion. Enjoying a Tim Horton's coffee makes them like everyone else, and for that moment they forget about their disability and just enjoy the kinship of sharing a cup of coffee with their staff and peers. Thank you Tim Hortons for giving that to the individuals we support.