Yes. Thank you so much. I wanted to emphasize the third point. To be fair, I'm speaking for a community that doesn't necessarily have a strong voice. I really don't want to lose the opportunity to talk about what else we do on their behalf.
The third thing we do is build communities. Seniors and adults with disabilities are among the most marginalized members of our community for so many reasons—their age, cultural exclusion, poverty and health circumstances. The best way to help them overcome these barriers is to support them in building relationships and making connections. We do that with our caregiver support program, for example, bringing people together who are caring for adults with Alzheimer's or dementia, giving them a chance to share their struggles and get ideas from others in similar circumstances. It brings them relief and a chance to make friends with others who truly get it. They are silently suffering out there. This is terribly important work.
Another example of community development is our Daystrom program in north Etobicoke. Many people living in this area are newcomers, too often disconnected from services and supports because of language and culture. We hired a person with the ability to speak in their languages. It is one of the happiest programs. I have to tell you that when I go to meet with these folks, they always blow me away. Even though English may not be their first language, it is clear from their faces how much they love just being together. They have continued to meet virtually every week, something we've made sure they can do. The best outcome is that they've stayed connected.
With luck, we will all grow old. You and I are all travelling the same path. ESS's mission, and that of so many home and community care agencies, is to keep folks on the path in their homes and communities, catch them if they falter or lose their way, and hold their hands through the process. However, as I stated at the outset, too few people know that such agencies exist and how we can help.
How can we help before they're in crisis? Can you help raise their awareness of the home and community care sector, increasing their chances of living healthier, longer and more independent lives in their communities? If they knew where and how to access our supports, the opportunity to reduce the human and economic consequences of isolation and premature and unnecessary admission to acute and long-term care would be so much greater. I cannot think of a more valuable public service that you'd be providing.
Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to speak to this issue.