Impact Report 2020
A Message from
The CEO and Board Chair
Joanne Simons
Chief Executive Officer
Jennifer Dewling
Chair, Board of Directors
While Casey House continues to tackle new challenges and initiatives in our quest to transform lives, it feels good to stop and celebrate some of the achievements of the past year; first and foremost developing a dynamic new strategy for the organization. We look forward with resolve and commitment, to continue to drive care that is compassionate and socially just.
There are two items we want to highlight from the past year: we were proud to be named as one of Maclean’s top 10 Canadian health charities; and we launched our first podcast. It was thrilling to listen to clients share their stories in Positively Speaking. The six-episode season exemplifies the value of lived experience and gives listeners the opportunity to connect and engage with the clients you support. We encourage you to listen; their stories are powerful.
Finally, we want to recognize that while the hospital has been heavily impacted by COVID-19, this report documents results from our fiscal year, which ended March 31, 2020, and only the last few weeks were affected by the pandemic.
Planning for the Future
This year, the board of directors, staff and stakeholders came together to craft a new strategic plan for the future of Casey House.
The strategy creates a foundation to strengthen our organization, drive to a promising future and galvanizes our purpose of transforming lives and health care through compassion and social justice.
Peer Support
Casey House launched an innovative peer support program, which provides clients with meaningful opportunities for peer connections and additional support.
The program matches individuals who have lived experience of HIV with clients who could benefit from additional support. It gives clients an opportunity to make meaningful connections with someone who has been in their position.
Peers work directly with an assigned client to support aspects of living with HIV, such as having to adhere to a strict daily regimen of medications.
In the program’s first few months, 6 peers contributed an average of 50 hours per month supporting clients.
Smash Stigma
The third iteration of #smashstigma explored the power of pop culture to change perceptions and help people understand and empathize with those living with HIV/AIDS.
Episodes from two iconic sitcoms, Friends and The Office, were rewritten, making a lead character HIV+ to expose and amplify stigma, and to tackle disclosure with family and friends, and in a workplace.
Alongside the new ‘never before seen’ TV episodes were six short documentaries of people living with HIV talking about their experiences with stigma amongst family and friends.
Head over to smashstigma.ca
There was a full house at the AGO and terrific energy in the room before, during and after the live auction at Art With Heart, presented by TD Bank Group. Every single lot sold, which contributed enormously to the record revenue of $976,000.
June’s HIV+ Eatery, presented by RBC Royal Bank was an amazing three nights of food, fun and stigma smashing in support of judgement-free health care at Casey House.
A delicious six-course meal made collaboratively by a team of 14 HIV+ chefs and the professionals from Fidel Gastro’s impressed 240 guests, raised over $190,000 and enlightened many about the pervasive nature stigma continues to play in the lives of people living with HIV.
In December, Casey House launched a podcast called Positively Speaking, which gives voice to people living with HIV by sharing their diverse and compelling stories.
In addition to providing an opportunity to share personal experience, it also engages clients to address stigma and build community. Twenty-seven clients were guests in the first season and a 15-member client advisory committee provides guidance to the staff team. The professionally produced six-episode series is available online and wherever you find podcasts.
Caring for Our Clients
As an independent sub-acute hospital caring for people with HIV/AIDS and their complex health needs, Casey House has a holistic approach. The health care we provide is tailored, comprehensive and emphasizes harm reduction and quality of life.
Inpatient
14
private rooms
24
health care from physicians, nurses and social workers
sub-acute
care
Financial Highlights
Casey House Foundation Revenue Sources
In 2019-20 Casey House Foundation granted $985,000 to Casey House in service of clients across a broad spectrum of programs.
For full financial statements, visit Accountability, accessibility and freedom of information
Basic operating costs are funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Health and 
Generous Donations
Accomplishments
CARED FOR
409
clients
who came for
13,530
visits
PROVIDED
4,214
days
of inpatient care for
131
people
TOURED
almost
1,000
visitors
in our first year participating in Doors Open Toronto; heard great feedback about the building, the care we provide, and our display of memorial quilts.
LAUNCHED
an innovative
peer support program
ASSEMBLED & DISTRIBUTED
29,362
free safer injection and inhalation kits to clients and members of the public, including
105,915
clean needles
HOSTED
Minister of Health and
Deputy Premier
Christine Elliot
who marched with Casey House in the Pride Toronto parade
LISTED
13th
amongst top 355 brands by Strategy ahead of TD, Tim Horton’s and Loblaw
REMOUNTED
June’s HIV+ Eatery as an annual fundraising event
BUILDING HONOURED WITH
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
National
Urban Design
Award
BUILDING HONOURED WITH
Canadian Institute of Planners and Canadian Society of Landscape Architects’
Urban Architecture
Award of
Excellence
FACILITY INCLUDED
in Azure magazine’s top 10 projects that defined a decade of Canadian architecture.
HOSTED
#smashstigma
campaign
resulted in 165 million media impressions
PRIMARY SITE
for an NIH-funded research study (which is not easy for a non-US organization!).
FEATURED ON
MacLean’s magazine list of
100
CANADA’S
best charities
and
TOP 10
best health charities
LAUNCHED
a podcast that gives a voice to people living with HIV/AIDS about issues like mental health, long-term survivorship, isolation and relationships
MENTORING
5
Physio students
3
second year
Med students
INVOLVED IN
5
Peer reviewed
research publications
PROVIDED CARE
Donor funds allowed Casey House to admit and provide care for 4 clients who did not have OHIP coverage
SELECTED BY THE
Musical Therapy Association
to receive extremely discounted music therapy for clients in the day health program
ACCESSED OVER
$ 11,000
from our care and comfort fund to meet needs of clients who could not afford necessities in life, such as a mattress, a cell phone to remain connected with their community workers; and home cleaning for hoarding and bedbugs so they can move back into a safe and healthy space.
PARTICIPATED IN
Creating and continue
to provide expertise for
Blue Door Clinic
HIV care for people with no health coverage in Ontario with partners such as Sherbourne Health, PWA, Regent Park Community Health Centre and the Hassle free clinic.
RECEIVED
$ 100,000
generously donated by
Mawer
Investment Management
the entire proceeds of their 4th annual Jamboree for Charity to Casey House Foundation
PILOTED
a community reinforcement approach program with St. Michael’s Hospital for individuals who want to address substance use by exploring engaging in other activities to redirect them from using
Transform lives and
health care through
compassion and social justice
Unequivocal compassion
Informed, client-driven care
Deliberate inclusivity
Creative, mindful collaboration
Courageous advocacy
Responsive innovation
We rely on the generous donations of our supporters to enhance our health care programs and capital projects.
Support
Casey House today
416-962-7600 | 119 Isabella Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 1P2
