EKO announces three newest members: Lumenus Community Services, Child & Community Resources, and Surrey Place

October 21, 2021

Empowered Kids Ontario – Enfants Avenir Ontario (EKO) is delighted to announce that Lumenus Community Resources, Child & Community Resources (CCR), and Surrey Place have become the association’s newest members. With these members, EKO expands and further deepens its broad representation of Ontario’s child development and rehabilitation sector. EKO members are joined by a commitment to drive greater inclusion, equity and opportunity for kids with disabilities and their families, and to advance Ontario’s capacity to provide smart, innovative approaches to care at home, in schools, and in the community—across the province.

“We’re thrilled to have these three highly-respected organizations join EKO,” says Chair Penny Smiley. “The association is dedicated to raising the bar when it comes to ensuring kids with disabilities have access to essential client and family-focused care and programs. Our new members each add strength to the association in important ways.”

Lumenus Community Services brings together four multi-service agencies that provide services for kids with complex special needs, autism and mental health needs, offering a wide and deep continuum of care – in some programs from birth to adulthood. Surrey Place has a very long history of leadership in research and clinical service and a track record of pioneering innovations and partnerships to best serve clients and families. CCR connects families to quality services and talented professionals in the North, where unique community character, geography and funding often generate groundbreaking approaches and partnerships supporting client care.

“Our new members bring diversity to the association that will strengthen EKO’s ongoing efforts to promote robust policy that improves access and outcomes for kids and families,” says CEO Jennifer Churchill. “EKO welcomes their experience, perspectives and commitment to fair, responsible and accessible services and to empowering more kids with disabilities to live their best lives.”

"The more we work together, the more flexibility and capacity we build as a sector,” says Lydia Sai-Chew, CEO of Lumenus Community Services. “This is about the sustainability of the sector, as demand and costs increase. As an EKO member, Lumenus is at the table with colleagues from across the province, sharing ideas and experience, contributing to the future of care and service delivery.”

“CCR values EKO’s professionalism, and the types of activities the association presents to raise the bar in terms of quality and innovation across all aspects of our work,” says Sherry Fournier, Executive Director of CCR. “We are at an inflection point in Ontario, and as EKO members we each have experience and knowledge that will benefit the broader sector.”

“Surrey Place has been at the forefront of providing high-quality services across the lifespan,” says CEO Terri Hewitt. “As a proud member of EKO, we look forward to collaborating and sharing our perspective on purpose-driven innovations and policies that advance modern frameworks of care.”

Learn more about EKO members.