Valuing volunteers

Of the approximately 2,000 people of all ages, neighborhoods and backgrounds who volunteer with the Toronto Long-term Care (TLC) Homes and Services each year, Dhunjishaw Surti was selected for The Mary Ellen Glover Award. The winner is chosen on the basis of his ability to provide support to the residents, advocate on their behalf and make a difference within the home, notes a write-up in Mahila, July 14, 2011.

Dhunjishaw Surti: collaborative leader

Surti who was presented the award by the mayor of Toronto at the Toronto City Hall on April 11, 2011 was nominated for this award by the staff of Cummer Lodge. As per their commendation for the "organized, intelligent and collaborative leader,” Surti has been a member of the Residents’ Council for several years and has recently been made president. Conversant in several languages Surti frequently visits residents, taking the time to let people know they matter, offer help where possible and address a variety of issues in the Home. Additionally, he always makes new residents and their families feel welcome, and is respected by both, the residents and the staff. Besides representing residents at advisory council meetings he also spoke on behalf of Cummer Lodge at the Residents’ Summit at Bendale Acres.

"TLC Homes and Services is many things to different people — a place to live, a community in itself, and a program and service provider to Toronto’s communities,” notes their website. Committed to providing "individualized care that respects, supports and enables people to be as independent as possible,” the organization runs 10 long-term care homes with facilities for permanent and short-stay admissions, adult day programs, meals-on-wheels, programs in dementia care and other specialized medical needs, as also supportive housing in a number of contracted sites.

Valuing their volunteers as "true partners in care, supporting services that respect, support and enable residents,” each year the organization honors "these extraordinary people (who) are vital to the day-to-day life of our homes… during National Volunteer Week.”