PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

BETH TIKVAH FOUNDATION OF HAMILTON

History of Beth Tikvah

The Beth Tikvah Foundation of Hamilton was founded in 1990. By August of 1991, the Beth Tikvah Foundation opened its six (6) bedroom home in Westdale area of Hamilton. The need for specialized accommodations for individuals with developmental disabilities was great and continues to be great. In a multi-cultural community the Beth Tikvah Foundation of Hamilton continues to be the only agency providing services to individuals with the focus on the individual’s culture, religion and history that is not the mainstream Christian Anglo-Saxon. The Beth Tikvah residence is an Orthodox Jewish home that strictly follows the rules of kashrut, but one does not have to be Jewish to live or work there. The Beth Tikvah Foundation of Hamilton has developed an expertise in providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities with cultural sensitivity as the primary focus of service delivery. In the last dozen or so years it has built a reputation in the community as providing extremely high standard of services.

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Board Of Directors

Ian Binnie (Board Chair)
Brent Clifford
Mel Enkin
Sandra Morris
Nadia Rosa

Management Team

Chris Barone - Executive Director

Anna Fischer - Director of Services

Olthia Adili - Training and Quality Assurance Coordinator

Deborah Hagan - Resource Coordinator

Chantel Ironside - Resource Coordinator

Rachel McCarty - Resource Coordinator

Samantha Cianchino - Human Resources Supervisor

Kayla Helwig - Human Resources Supervisor (Mat Leave)

About Us

Judaic Values

What makes Beth Tikvah Foundation of Hamilton unique is our emphasis on providing Judaic programming and a Jewish environment for individuals accessing our services. This encourages individuals to develop spiritually and grow to feel a connection and sense of belonging to their roots, culture and community.

There is no requirements for staff or volunteers at Beth Tikvah to be Jewish, or to have any previous knowledge of Judaism. However, there is a requirement for all Beth Tikvah staff and volunteers working with Jewish clients, to have an open mind with respect to learning about Judaism. It is essential, as well, to keep in mind that because we are a faith based agency, we recognize the importance of helping individuals of all faiths touch base with their roots, culture and heritage. Therefore, staff and volunteers should do their part in assisting individuals of all faiths and cultures to connect with their heritage, either by assisting attendance at their various places of worship, or cultural centers, or by encouraging clients to display their religious/cultural symbols in their private spaces.

There are a number of religious practices that occur in Beth Tikvah homes. Individuals who receive supports from Beth Tikvah are expected to respect these practices and abide by the following:

1.All Beth Tikvah owned properties are kept kosher.

2. During religious holidays and especially during the Shabbat, there will be certain recommendations around programming in residential settings that must be considered

3. The performance of Sabbath rituals will be observed in Beth Tikvah’s homes

4. All agency-sponsored activities will observe kosher dietary laws.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to advocate on behalf of adults with developmental disabilities and provide appropriate supports. This includes making services available in the community and in a home which honors Jewish cultural and religious traditions. While encouraging integration of residents into both the Jewish and broader Hamilton communities.

Our Vision

People with a disability have equitable opportunity to participate in community life

Belief Statement

We Believe:

1. In the worth and dignity of all persons, at every stage of life, irrespective of ability.

2. In holistic approaches to person-driven supports and service provision.

3. That developmental needs are present throughout the life cycle and therefore, supports must be available in environments best suited to meet the individual’s specialized needs. Environments can successfully be altered to meet age-related needs and abilities.

4. That each person supported by Beth Tikvah residence or supports program:

a. Have access to needed, high quality supports that nurtures and celebrates the values of interdependence, self-determination, self-worth and accountability.

b. Is entitled to live in a nurturing, responsive and culturally sensitive environment. Beth Tikvah pursuit is to prevent and/or delay transfer to long term care facilities and to provide an appropriate and sensitive continuum of care within the residential setting as long as possible.

c. Have access to meaningful community living options (e.g. vocational, recreational, religious opportunities)

d. Have access to and support from persons/organizations (i.e. advocates, guardians, substitute decision makers, family and friends)

e. Have the right to individualized plans of support which are person directed, person centered, strength based, dynamic, flexible and portable.

f. Live, work and play in environments, which are free from abuse, neglect, discrimination and religious discrimination.a.

5. In a Jewish cultural environment which is steeped in tradition and the observance of all Judaic law and custom.

6. That all persons with developmental disabilities, regardless of religious orientation, can access service within the vision and mandate of the Beth Tikvah Foundation of Hamilton and that all religious/spiritual traditions will be celebrated nurtured and respected.

7. In fostering meaningful connections and relationships within communities.

Person Centered Planning

Person Centered Planning (PCP) is a set of approaches designed to assist someone to plan their life and supports. It is used most often as a life planning model to enable individuals with disabilities to increase their personal self-determination and improve their own independence. Person Centered Planning involves the individual receiving the service, with family members, neighbors, employers, community members, and friends, and professionals (such as physician/ doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, support workers, care managers, therapists, and social workers) developing a plan on community participation and quality of life with the individual.

Person-centered planning utilizes a number of techniques, with the central premise that any methods used must be reflective of the individual's personal communication mechanisms and assist them to outline their needs, wishes and goals. There is no differentiation between the process used and the output and outcomes of the PCP; instead, it pursues social inclusion through means such as community participation, employment and recreation.

Person Centered Planning is a strategy Beth Tikvah uses for developing support plans which change and develop with the individual throughout their lifetime. A plan is developed with the individual, their family and those who provide support which identifies personal, educational, vocational, medical, safety needs and goals. Person Centred Planning fosters an attitude of respect that allows all people to participate in decisions about them.

Contact Beth Tikvah Foundation of Hamilton

Get in touch with Beth Tikvah Foundation of Hamilton to learn more about our work and how you can get involved. If you would like to leave feedback, please contact Chris Barone.

905-523-0411