Inside the Circle – April 21, 2026

Have you nominated a coworker for Circle of Care’s Champions of Care Awards yet?

Through these annual awards, we recognize the exceptional contributions of our staff. We encourage you to nominate a colleague who you believe has gone above and beyond in their role, and who embodies one or more of our values of community, respect, excellence, and dignity. 

You can nominate as many colleagues as you would like.

Please note that we only accept individual nominations, so if you would like to nominate more than one person, you will need to submit separate nominations for each person.

The award winners will be announced in June and celebrated at a Circle of Care event and luncheon with Carey.

To nominate, please fill out the form that is linked below.

The deadline to nominate is Thursday, April 30.

After our recent update to the Dayforce platform, you now have more language options for your language preferences. There are 5 language options in addition to English:

• Spanish
• French
• Filipino
• Slovenian
• Slovencina

To update your language preferences, please follow these instructions:

1. Log into your Dayforce account and go to ‘Profile’
2. On the ‘Settings’ tab, click ‘Preferences’
3. Select a language option in the ‘Culture/Language’ drop down menu
4. Click ‘Save’
5. Log out and back in to confirm your changes

Raptors Playoff Street Events

• When: April to July (depending on the team’s success)
• Details: Roads might have significant blockage or closures around Scotiabank Arena, Union Station, Gardiner ramps, and generally, the downtown core area.

Toronto Marathon

• When: May 3, 2026
• Details: For the shorter run, usually from Mel Lastman Square to Ontario Place. For the longer run, affected roads start near Rosedale Subway to Ontario Place.

Sporting Life 10K Marathon

• When: May 10, 2026
• Details: Closures/affected roads along Yonge St.

To support your safety and meet requirements, Circle of Care provides free CPR training and free N95 Mask Fit testing through our vendor.

Your CPR certificate is valid for 3 years, and your Mask Fit must be renewed every 2 years.

How to Register

Text to Register for CPR/Mask Fit

Text 647-496-5189 with:

• Full name

• Email

• Training location

• Preferred time

or Call 905-272-9214

or Register online using the button below.

Registration closes 7 business days before the session.

Important Reminders

• Arrive 15 minutes early.

• After booking, tell your Service Coordinator if you need schedule changes.

• Choose a time when you do not have client visits.

• Your schedule will be blocked as Unavailable for the training.

• You will be paid after completion:
  • CPR: 3 hours
  • Mask Fit: 1 hour

• Payment appears on your paystub as “Miscellaneous.”

Fueling Balance: Nutrition, Hormones, and the Power of Smart Supplements

Tuesday, April 21

‍12:00 – 12:45 PM

Online

Register for this women’s health webinar to learn how nutrition can support your hormone health during perimenopause and menopause.

You will learn what is happening in your body during menopause, including changes in hormones and the brain. You will also learn how healthy eating and simple supplements can support your body during this time.

This session will give you easy, practical tips to help you feel better now and stay healthy in the future. Register and attend today using the button below.

Frontline Wellness is a free, confidential, and virtual program created just for health-care workers in Ontario, like you.

With Frontline Wellness, you can:

• Talk 1:1 with a professional for support, coping strategies, CBT tools, or system navigation (services also available in French).

• Join group sessions in a safe space to share, learn new skills, and strengthen resilience.

Getting started is easy. Complete a self-referral using the button below and book a time that works for you.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact them directly:

• frontlinewellness@waypointcentre.ca
• (705) 549-5144 | 1-877-341-4729 x 5000

Join this free webinar where you’ll hear from RBC Global Asset Management about what is happening in the markets today. They will explain current market conditions in simple terms and share practical strategies you can use during times of volatility and uncertainty.

Navigating Market Volatility & Economic Update

Thursday, April 23

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Online

Why Connection Feels So Hard Right Now: How to Feel Less Alone with Others

Monday, May 4

10:00 – 11:00 AM

Online

Feeling connected to others doesn’t always come easily, even when we’re not alone. This workshop explores what gets in the way of genuine connection and offers gentle, practical ways to build relationships that feel more mutual, authentic, and supportive.

Caring for Others is Heavy: Burnout, Emotional Load, and Helping Without Losing Yourself

Monday, May 4

2:00 – 3:00 PM

Online

Supporting others can be both meaningful and deeply draining. This workshop offers space to acknowledge the exhaustion, burnout, and emotional weight that can come with caring roles like yours. Through honest conversation and reflection, you will explore realistic, explore realistic ways to stay connected to yourself and others, without care feeling forced, performative, or unsustainable.

When It Feels Easier to Shut Down: How to Stay Open in Conflict

Friday, May 8

10:00 – 11:00 AM

Online

When many people are feeling exhausted, conversations can start to feel heavier or more difficult to navigate. This workshop invites participants to slow down and reflect on how stress, difference, and lived experiences shape the way we listen and respond to one another.

Each week, we’re proud to recognize the PSWs who are celebrating their work anniversaries. Every anniversary—no matter the number of years—represents the dedication, compassion, and commitment you bring to supporting our clients and community. Thank you for the important role you play at Circle of Care. This week’s list includes PSWs celebrating work anniversaries between April 19-25.

Congratulations to the following PSWs on their years of service with Circle of Care:

April 20

• 16 Years: Raya Vinokur

April 24

• 1 Year: Nawal Al Maqtari, Jane Andalya, Dorcus Asekenye, Anne Dela Cruz, Linalyn Elacion, Caroline Macare, Jasmine Mari, Lydia Nwaizu, Drashti Patel, Jenisha Patel, Sima Weig
• 3 Years: Jonnalyn Flor, Bishnu Maya Thapa, Arlene Veras, Nataliya Volokhova

April 25

• 2 Years: Olajumoke Akangbe, Jaiminikumari Patel
• 4 Years: Yulia Kuzmicheva
• 9 Years: Rowena Bachini, Mercedes Catolico, Jenifer Quibuyen
• 18 Years: Susan Sun

Individuals celebrating milestone anniversaries (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years) will receive a one-time cash award to their pay cheque at the end of the quarter. Payment amount will depend on service length.

We are pleased to welcome the following PSWs to Circle of Care:

High Five for PSW Ekemena Blessing Okpeka

“I’m extremely satisfied with Ekemena’s care. Ekemena is generous, kind, and excellent.” – Client

High Five for PSW Eugenia Laryea

“Eugenia provides us great service and has a strong connection with the client.” – Client’s son

“Eugenia is personable and very helpful.” – Client’s daughter

High Five for PSW Shuemna Wilson

“Shuemna is efficient, provides quality care, and we want Shuemna for all future visits.” – Client

High Five for PSW Lydia Nwaizu

“Lydia is fantastic.” – Client’s daughter

High Five for PSW Nicole Antoine

“We highly prefer Nicole, as she was very pleasant.” – Client’s spouse

High Fives for PSW Josephine Removal & PSW Hope Igiozee

“I want to express my gratitude for the care that Josephine and Hope provided prior to the client’s LTC transition.” – Client’s daughter

Has someone gone above and beyond at work? Give them a High Five!

The High Five program lets you publicly recognize staff members for their outstanding work. High Fives will be posted in your weekly Inside the Circle newsletter.

To give a high five, just click on the button below or use the link in the rotating banner on the Portal home page.

Please note: We do not accept anonymous submissions for this program. High Fives must be submitted by an individual person, whether they are a staff member or member of the community.

I’ve been an employee at Circle of Care for 7 years and I’m only getting 1 or 1.5 hours of work. That’s not part time. Part time is 3-4 hours a day. You expect us to travel to clients’ houses for 45 minutes just for one hour of work, that doesn’t make any sense.

If you are not receiving enough hours, and have already spoken with your coordinator, you should escalate this so an investigation can be done to see if there are hours available in a nearby caseload. You can connect with Service Coordination Supervisor Tariq Shafi (ext. 256).

Are all those who have worked 21 to 24 years at Circle of Care invisible? Their service doesn’t count, or they don’t exist. I’m so disappointed with you people.

Thank you for your feedback. We understand the importance of celebrating all work anniversaries not just those who are celebrating milestone anniversaries. We have recently made the change so that we highlight all work anniversaries each week.

Do PSWs still get paid when a client canceled less than 3 hours before the scheduled appointment?

Payment for cancelled visits depends on the cancellation policy and the duration of the visit. If a client cancels at the last minute, PSWs may still be paid depending on the length of the scheduled visit.

If a client cancels a GTE visit, it may still appear on your schedule initially. However, depending on the circumstances of the cancellation, it may not always be counted toward your payable hours.

PSWs are usually able to see their paid hours updated the next day. If you notice any changes to your hours and would like clarification, please feel free to reach out to your service coordinator or office and we would be happy to review it with you.

Have a question? Submit your questions or feedback anonymously below!

Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers. If your question hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you as soon as we can.