Cribwolf Talks

In this first episode of a three-part series, Lino connects with Matt George, Co-Executive Producer for Cribwolf Talks, to provide an overview of Disability Employment. The two discuss the road to employment and the many hurdles that still stand in the way of many individuals with disabilities seeking to join the workforce. Their conversation sets the stage for the more detailed interviews to follow in the upcoming episodes.

In this second episode in our three-part series on Disability Employment, Lino sits down with Carolyn McDougall, the Ontario Co-ordinator for Project Search, and Dr. Jennifer Crowson, the Diversity and Inclusion Specialist for the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN). Carolyn and Jennifer provide a detailed look at the important work they do for the disability community; Project Search is a unique school-to-work training pr...

In this final episode in our three-part series on Disability Employment, Lino sits down with Jody Tick, the Executive Director at Sunflower Bakery in Rockville, Maryland. The two discuss Sunflower's unique set of hospitality and pastry arts workforce development training and pre-employment exposure programs for youths with learning differences. Jody highlights the importance of building compentency, confidence, and customer se...

Lino connects with  Matt George (Producer) to review some of Cribwolf Talks’ recent episodes to reflect on the various projects that some prominent charities are currently involved in that are making an impact! The organizations are: 

• DeafBlind Ontario Services
• Habitat for Humanity Hamilton 
• Burlington Food Bank 
• KW Habilitation

Credits:
Host: Lino A. Fera
Guest:  Matt George
Production: The Cribwolf Talks Team
...

Sean Ferris discusses Habitat for Humanity Hamilton, an independent, not-for-profit charity that builds affordable housing and promotes homeownership in the Hamilton region. They mobilize local volunteers, community members and corporate partners, seeking to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Sean highlight's the organization's on-going development model called the Home Build Program, and explain...

Karen Madho dicusses DeafBlind Ontario Services, an organization that provides specialized services for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, non-verbal with a developmental disability, and deafblind across Ontario. At a Community Services level, supports are customized to each person’s unique needs, method of communication, and goals to live their best life.

Cribwolf Talks is proud to highlight this vital support services...

Lino spotlights the recent Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) housing conference called "A Day on the Hill", held on March 27th 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The conference focused on affordable & supportive housing for individuals with developmental disabilities.

This is the ICC's second housing conference; their first conference was held pre-COVID, back in February of 2019.

Many MPs fro...

Ann Bilodeau, Executive Director for the KW Habilitation, discusses the organization's mission and vision. KW Habilitation is a local not-for-profit organization that provides a wide range of individualized services and supports to children with any special need and adults with developmental disabilities. They believe that a good life is fostered through early learning supports, inclusive living services, community involvement...

Robin Bailey, Executive Director for the Burlington Food Bank, discusses the organization's mission to collect, purchase, grow, and distribute food directly to families in Burlington that need a little help. A client can visit the food bank once every three weeks and they provide between seven and ten days’ worth of food and hygiene products. They also provide baby items, such as diapers, formula and baby food to new parents.<...

Graham Hill, Executive Director of Food for Life, discusses how the volunteer-powered, grassroots-driven organization thrives on the spirit of teamwork. With an unparalleled network of support from individuals, corporations, and various foundations in the Halton region, Graham shares that Food for Life's operation is defined by their collaboration; through their trusted alliances, the organization is able to turn every $1 dona...

Lino connects with the other Directors of Cribwolf Foundation, Sunil Balakrishnan and Matt George (Co-Founder) to review Cribwolf Talks’ very first webcast “Providing a Person-Centered Housing Solution” released a year ago. The trio revisit, reflect on, and provide expanded context for many of the important insights Bryan Keshen (President and CEO of Reena) presented in his candid discussion with Lino regarding the critical need fo...

David Petkau , discusses Christian Horizons' changing culture that is based on the belief that People who experience disabilities belong to communities in which their God-given gifts are valued and respected. Christian Horizons' change in strategic direction focuses on allowing the people they service to have choice and a voice on services and what which community they wish to live in.

To learn more about Christi...

Gary Gladstone is the Principal Consultant of Gladstone Consulting and the Head of Stakeholder Relations for Reena. Gary is a strong community advocate; addressing the housing and employment challenges faced by persons with disabilities.  

Gary is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive with over 25 years of non-profit, corporate, government and volunteer leadership experience; a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubi...

As a survivor of severe and sustained abuse, Sandra discusses the importance of being connected to community to rebuild a sense of belonging and purpose. She shares her personal journey and the hope that being both an advocate and voice for other survivors brings her, and her continued desire to inspire, encourage, and empower others on their own healing journeys.

To reach Sandra for feedback, or for speaking engagements, ...

Lately, there has been resounding discussion on the historical devastation from the Residential Schools of our Indigenous Peoples, historically a more vulnerable population.  Similar challenges are also faced today by persons with disabilities being subjected to multiple violations of their rights, including acts of violence, abuse, prejudice and disrespect because of their disability, which intersect with other forms of discrimina...

Matt George discusses the options for buying a home or building a home in an inflated real estate marketplace. If you are looking to get some information on the costs associated with building a home vs. buying a home and require some guidelines on creating a barrier-free, accessible environment for anyone with a disability, this is the podcast for you.

Guidelines for renovating or building an accessible home:
https://w...

Join Matt George as he revisits the affordable housing crisis affecting the IDD community and discusses how it relates to Ontario's affordable housing crisis, which has become increasingly pervasive over the past several decades. Much of the problem is a result of reduced government investment in affordable housing and lower income individuals have consistently been bearing the brunt of the crisis, facing unaffordable rent/mor...

Jim Caruk, Founder of Renos for Heroes joins Lino on Cribwolf Talks, for a discussion on the various challenges faced over the years by Renos for Heroes, a not-for-profit organization providing renovation and building services for the military men and women who have sustained injuries while serving our country.

Many Canadian military personnel have incurred life-altering disabilities while serving in the Canadian military. Some of t...

Lino is joined by Safehaven’s CEO Susan Bisaillon who provides valuable information about their organization, a not-for-profit that has provided residential and respite care to individuals with complex needs for over 30 years. At Safehaven, their resilient clients live full, meaningful lives, not defined by developmental disabilities and medically complex care needs.

Safehaven is proud to provide exceptional residential care, respit...