HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOD-025-19Staff Report
If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility
Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131.
Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: November 4, 2019 Report Number: COD-025-19
Submitted By: Marie Marano, Director of Corporate Services
Reviewed By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO Resolution#:
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Lease of office space on the second floor of 132 Church Street,
Bowmanville to the Autism Home Base Durham
Recommendations:
1.That Report COD-025-19 be received;
2.That approval be granted to lease to the Autism Home Base, office space located on
the second floor of 132 Church Street for a period of three years beginning Jan 1,
2020 and expiring December 31, 2022 and that the lease agreement is in a form
acceptable to the Municipal Solicitor;
3.That subject to Council approving recommendation 2, the Purchasing Manager in
consultation with the Director of Operations be given the authority to extend the
lease agreement for up to two additional one year terms to expire on December 31,
2024
4.That the Mayor and Municipal Clerk be authorised to execute the lease agreements
on behalf of the Municipality; and
5.That all interested parties listed in Report COD-025-19 and any delegations be
advised of Council’s decision.
GG-499-19, C-394-19
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report COD-025-19
1. Background and Comments
1.1. The Autism Home Base Durham (AHB), a non-profit organization was formed in 2012
with a focus on helping adults with autism live active lives by creating opportunities,
discovering new interests, and be engaged in the community. AHB is governed by a
volunteer board of community leaders and professionals and serves 160 members
across Durham region and Peterborough.
1.2. AHB has expressed a desire to lease the unused space on t he second floor of the
building for office and program space to more deeply serve families in Clarington by
offering a family drop-in with access to resource lending library; networking events and
peer knowledge exchange; live and virtual information sessions (employment, housing,
estate planning, life skills); family-led visioning and action committees; volunteer
orientation and training events; sensory-sensitive & adapted social and recreational
activities; board, staff and community stakeholder meetings. During the course of
meetings, AHB advised of pending November grant deadlines for funding that could
help them furnish the space and support new program delivery.
1.3. It should be noted that the John Howard Society is presently occupying the lower level
and sections of the first and second floor at 132 Church Street.
1.4. A requirement to rent approximately 3968 sq. ft. on the second follow was requested by
the AHB with a proposed annual rent of $14,481.63 or $1206.80 per month. This
proposed rent of $3.65 per square foot would be comparable with the rent that the
Municipality is charging the John Howard Society. Subsequent yearly increase would be
based on the Consumer Price Index All Items Ontario, as published by Statistics
Canada.
1.5. The estimated base rent per square foot of rentable area is competitive with market
rents in the general location of the building for buildings of comparable age , condition
and size.
Report Overview
Request approval of a lease of office space on the second floor of 132 Church Street,
Bowmanville to the Autism Home Base Durham for a period of five years expiring December
31, 2024.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report COD-025-19
1.6. Based on discussions with the AHB, a minimum three year lease with the option to
extend for up to two additional one year terms is also being proposed in order for AHB
to maintain continuity and to accommodate the long term needs of the program.
1.7. AHB has been advised of the presence of asbestos containing materials in the building
and even though it is contained and part of our Environmental Management Plan, it is
recommended that remediation of the area be done subject to funding being available
as noted in report OPD-007-19. It is expected that this work could take between 3-4
weeks to complete.
2. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by the Director of Operations who concurs with the
recommendations.
3. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that approve be granted for the Municipality to enter into
a lease agreement with the Autism Home Base for office space and at the price per sq.
ft. noted above.
Staff Contact: David Ferguson, Purchasing Manager, 905-623-3379 ext. 2209, Email:
dferguson@clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Case for support
Attachment 1 – Unity for Autism letter of support
The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision:
Autism Home Base Durham
Attachment 1
The development of this autism hub is a critical
step in our journey to more deeply serve adults
with autism and their parents/family caregivers
across their lifespans.
Our innovative space will be carefully curated by
our members to create a safe, welcoming and
inspiring environment where relationships
flourish; important conversations about enriched
life plans take place; social skills are practiced;
and shared interests emerge.
The Autism Hub will offer -
•a parent/caregiver drop-in with access to our
resource lending library
•a drop-in for autism self-advocates (with
community job board and meet-ups)
•networking events and peer knowledge
exchange
•live and virtual information sessions
(employment, housing, estate planning, life
skills)
•family-led visioning and action committees
•volunteer orientation and training events
•sensory-sensitive social and recreational
programming (yoga, music)
•board, staff and community stakeholder
meetings
A MOUNTAIN OF NEED
In preparation for developing our network,
we surveyed families of adults aging out of
secondary school. 33% of those surveyed
reported spending less than an hour a day
away from home.
Families were looking for a way to connect
with peers, a couple of times a week for an
hour or two at a time. A space where they
would be welcomed and successful.
In 2012, as their adult children with autism
began to age out of school, a group of
families in Clarington banded together to
build a supportive network where they could
come together to explore common interests
through regularly scheduled sports and
recreation programs.
Autism is a life-long, complex neuro-
behavioural condition that can lead to
debilitating frustration and feelings of social
isolation, not only for these individuals, but
also for their aging family caregivers.
Today, Autism Home Base (AHB) serves 160
members across Durham Region and
Peterborough. Families connect at high-
quality programs that are safe, non-
judgemental, flexible and adaptive to ensure
participant comfort and success.
Created by families to serve other families,
AHB is governed by a board of directors who
volunteer their skills, time and leadership.
"There's something that just works
well when families who have shared
similar experiences get together."
"There are no questions, and no
judgements. It's a safe place for us to
enjoy each other's company."
Our programs and activities are constantly evolving to meet family interests and
preferences. Art, music, sports, wellness, social, leisure programs, as well as community
outings are offered year-round seven days a week.
An annual membership fee of $100 helps cover some of the cost for our program leaders
and facility rentals. There is no other 'per program fee' thanks to support from our
volunteers, funding partners and donors.
There are no personal support staff. Family/caregivers attend and participate alongside,
because they know best when, if, and what kind of support is needed.
"This program has made a huge
difference in both our lives."
"We have new friendships, places to
go and we've found new interests."
Caregivers report experiencing a non-judgmental and supportive environment,
reduced isolation, development of supportive relationships, and opportunities
to engage in activities with a community.
The adults with autism experienced an enhanced quality of life, enhanced
mental health (e.g., less anxiety) and physical health (e.g., weight loss),
reduced isolation, and the development of supportive relationships.
The results from a 2017 research study by Trent University measured the
impact of our programs for families (full report is available on our website).
Ontario Trillium Foundation is
funding a second study of our
program. Results will be
available August 2020.
•We support lifelong relationships of families and
friends
•We are member-driven, for families, by families
•We are committed to inclusion across the
spectrum
•We honour individual rights and preferences
•We are stronger together
Jessica Vreugdenhil, President
Linda Schrama, Treasurer
Lynne Lyon, Secretary
Terry Batley, Director
Gordon Humphrey, Director
Regional Cllr Joe Neal, Director
Nelly Vanheuvlen Thiele, Director
Todd Willsher, Director
Judith Hanson, CEO, Ex-officio
Adults with autism and their families lead rich,
active lives in an accepting, supportive
community.
To create opportunities where our members are
inspired to discover new interests, engage in the
community, build friendships, and develop
lifelong supports.
The member families work to fundraise through
an annual letter campaign to friends and family,
an annual event, community events, bi-weekly
Bingos, and grant writing.
We receive grants and supports from Unity for
Autism, Ontario Trillium Foundation,
Municipality of Clarington, Town of Whitby,
Town of Ajax, City of Oshawa, Newcastle Lion's
Club, Bowmanville Rotary, Ajax and Pickering
Rotaries,Mississauga's of Scugog Island,
Veridian, TD Canada Trust, Ontario Power
Generation, corporate leaders, and private
family foundations –including William Hayball,
and Harry Foster Foundation.
Grants/Fdns
39%
Mun Gov't
11%
Fees
4%
Donations
21%
Events
25%
✓Established operating
reserves
✓Prudent investments
✓Financial policies
✓Notice to reader
✓Annual operating plan,
budget and targets
linked to Strategic Plan
We work to minimize expense
through partnerships with
venues and engagement of
volunteers.
AHB employs four part-time staff
and contracts freelance
instructors and consultants to
ensure prudent spending.
26 42
160
7.5
87
138
8 12 30
0
50
100
150
200
2015 2017 2019
# Members Revenue ($000)# ofvolunteers
•Letters of Support from Autism Ontario and
Unity for Autism
•SAAAC Opens with support from City of Toronto
(Press Clipping)
South Asian autism group finds new hope in
vacant Scarborough building
Charity fighting community stigma against autism in children
COMMUNITY FEB 28, 2017 BY MIKE ADLER SCARBOROUGH MIRROR
Started in the basement of a Scarborough home eight years ago, the South Asian Autism Awareness
Centre (SAAAC) has grown ever since.
The community’s need is that big. Space in the charity’s current Ellesmere Road facility isn’t.
Now the City of Toronto is helping SAAAC move to a larger
building near Scarborough Town Centre, one that’s sat unoccupied
for at least a decade.
“When your parents come into this lobby, they will feel like kings and queens,” Glenn De
Baeremaeker, a local councillor, promised SAAAC supporters touring the industrial unit on Feb. 22.
One was Erasiah Kobikrishna, a parent who joined SAAAC when it was a one-woman operation run
by executive director Geetha Moorthy.
Kobikrishna’s autistic son Niroshaanth, or Niro, was then nonverbal and very low-functioning. Thanks
to SAAAC, Niro, at age 19, now enjoys dance and music therapy, sports, and one-on-one therapy.
The charity is a gathering place for parents of autistic children. “It’s a big relief to talk to each other,”
said Kobikrishna, adding the 150 volunteers —excluding parents, who often help out themselves —
“are passionate to do this job.”
South Asian Autism
Awareness Centre executive
director Geetha Moorthy
(left), Scarborough Centre
Councillor Glenn De
Baeremaeker and centre
clinic manager Neshanth
Shanmugalingam tour a
vacant building on Feb. 22,
which could soon be the
Scarborough service
organization's new home.
“A lot of the (autistic) kids are still hiding. The parents don’t bring them out,” he added.
One reason for that is stigma attached to autism, which many South Asians blame on a child’s
parents or their past actions. “People judge you,” said Moorthy, who’s determined to educate the
community on autism, and parents on their autistic child’s rights.
An accountant and teacher of Indian traditional dances, Moorthy organized dance programs for
children with autism, but never saw South Asian families there, she said.
But a dozen came to her first South Asian dance workshop in Scarborough. She later took children
into her basement, and the park across the street.
By 2010, the group, then operating from the basement of a Hindu temple on Middlefield Road,
could hire therapists part time, and in 2012 SAAAC moved to Ellesmere, where it serves 250
families with free or subsidized programs.
With early intervention, autistic kids show huge progress, but SAAAC has 100 families on a
waiting list, and everything at its current facility “is limited,” Moorthy said.
De Baeremaeker, accompanied by another Scarborough councillor,
Neethan Shan, said city staff, with Mayor John Tory’s support, have
agreed to fix the vacant building at 705 Progress Ave., spending
$150,000 on structural issues.
Retrofitting SAAAC’s new home will cost more than that, but rent for its
11,000 square feet will be the same as for its current 5,000 on
Ellesmere.
Before amalgamation, the former City of Scarborough and its school board bought 10 acres on
Progress east of McCowan Road for a school and park.
De Baeremaeker said the retrofitting money will come from surpluses in rent charged to nearby
city-owned industrial units, many of which will be demolished for the park in 2019.
Toronto city council must still approve the funds in June, but De Baeremaeker is confident they
won’t be refused, and that SAAAC can move in by this Christmas.
October 10, 2019
Re: Autism Hub Project - Letter of Support
To Whom it May Concern,
Unity for Autism was very pleased to hear of Autism Home Base Durham’s family hub project and encourage
your support of this important initiative. Most individuals on the autism spectrum require care, supervision or
support through their entire lives; many require a great deal.
Adults with autism are among the most vulnerable to social isolation. Most do not naturally engage in activities
where lifelong relationships are formed. Families and caregivers are struggling to provide for themselves and
to plan for the future of their loved one. The current supports do not come close to meeting the needs of an
estimated 70,000 individuals affected in Ontario, 50,000 of whom are adults (ADDMNS, 2002).
Autism Home Base Durham is a grass-roots charity developed by families and adults living with autism.
We believe their concept of a welcoming, multi-purpose hub space where families can connect, network, share
resources, make plans, find friendships and explore new interests will well serve adults across the autism
spectrum and throughout their lifetimes.
Unity for Autism funds programs across Canada that enhance the development and well-being of individuals
with Autism. We have provided funding to Autism Home Base Durham for three consecutive years. Our Board
appreciates the unique family-inclusive approach that empowers and connects those living with autism. Autism
Home Base Durham has consistently demonstrated the ability to meet and exceed granting metrics. They have
provided timely reporting.
We are pleased to provide this letter and urge you to join those working to make a profound difference for so
many persons touched by autism and the heroes that support them.
In gratitude,
Karen St-Denis
Executive Director
Unity for Autism
1 (514) 799-4000
www.unityforautism.ca