Inside the Circle – April 7, 2026

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.

Under Armour 10K Marathon

• When: April 18, 2026
• Details: Roads affected along Bay and Queen down and along Lakeshore.

Toronto Marathon

• When: May 3, 2026
• Details: For shorter run, usually from Mel Lastman Square to Ontario Place. For 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.

The nomination period for Circle of Care’s Champions of Care Awards is officially open! 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.

Your safety and your clients’ safety are very important. This is a reminder that you are not permitted to lift clients or anything over 5 kg. Lifting can cause serious injury to both you and the client.

To learn more about our policy, please use the button below.

As the weather gets warmer, it also brings new safety risks to be aware of while visiting clients. Here are a few key springtime hazards to watch out for:

• Stormy Weather: Thunderstorms, heavy rains, and high winds are more common now. Check the forecast and stay safe during visits.
• Slippery Roads: Rain and mud can affect driving. Avoid cruise control, wear sunglasses to reduce glare, and drive with caution.
• Sun & Heat: Even spring sun can cause heat stress. Take water breaks, wear sunscreen, and wear protective clothing to cover skin.

Want to learn more? Check out the article from the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services using the button below.

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 Mask Fit must be renewed every 2 years.

Below are the upcoming training dates you can register for.

CPR Training – Upcoming Sessions

North York – Tuesday, December 16, 2025

700 Lawrence Ave W, Unit 440 (The Career Foundation)

Directions: East Tower entrance → elevator to 4th floor → exit right → second set of glass doors → first room on the left

• 09:00–12:00

• 13:00–16:00

North York – Tuesday, April 17, 2026

700 Lawrence Ave W, Unit 440

• 09:00–12:00

• 13:00–16:00

Mask Fit Testing – Upcoming Sessions (Head Office)

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

• 11:00–11:30

• 11:40–12:10

• 12:20–12:50

• 13:00–13:30

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

Use the button below to register online on the Circle of Care Training Hub.

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.”

Did you know that you have access to exclusive discounts through Perkopolis?

Right now, you can get 15% off New Balance plus free shipping on orders over $100. It’s a great option if you’re looking for comfortable, supportive footwear for work or everyday wear.

If you haven’t signed up for Perkopolis yet, it’s free for you, and gives you access to a wide range of discounts on shopping, travel, fitness, and more.

How to Register

Sign up for our GoodLife Fitness Corporate Membership! You can enjoy a 25% discount on any GoodLife Fitness membership with a $0 enrolment fee.

Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, improve your mental health, or just get moving, this is a great benefit to take advantage of. You can also add 2 family members to your plan!

When you’re ready to register, make sure you have your employee ID ready. Your employee ID number (not your voicemail or badge number) can be found in your Dayforce profile or at the top of your paystub.

If you have any questions or need help, please reach out to our HR team at HRDept@circleofcare.com for assistance.

Investing is an important way to grow your money over time. Here are some simple ideas to help you get started:

• Diversify Your Portfolio: Do not put all your money in one place. Invest in different things, like stocks, bonds, or savings accounts. This can help reduce risk.
• Understand Risk Tolerance: Think about how much risk you are comfortable with. Some investments can go up and down quickly, while others are more stable. Choose what feels right for you.
• Use Retirement Accounts: Consider contributing money to accounts like an RRSP or TFSA. These accounts can give you tax benefits and help your savings grow faster.
• Keep Learning: Learn about investing and follow market news. You can also talk to a financial advisor for advice that fits your situation.

Making smart choices and planning ahead can help you build a strong financial future.

Sometimes, it can feel hard to talk about how we feel. Many people try to deal with their mental health alone, even when they need support.

This short video highlights some common signs that you may need support and reminds us that asking for help is okay. It also shares simple ways to start that conversation and connect with the right support.

Taking that first step can feel uncomfortable, but it can also make a big difference.

As a healthcare worker, you spend a lot of time caring for others. However, it is also important to take care of yourself. Burnout is common in healthcare and can affect your health and your work.

This video from Psych2Go shares simple tips to help prevent burnout. Take a few minutes to watch and learn ways to manage stress and protect your well-being.

Taking care of yourself helps you stay healthy and continue providing the best care for your clients.

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

High Five for PSW Tameka Annakie

“Tameka is a team player, funny, and dedicated PSW. Shares her knowledge and experience selflessly, ensuring every client’s needs and routine is utmost priority. High five, Tameka, you’re appreciated!!!” – Tessa Williams

High Five for PSW Jassica Atkinson

“Jassica is amazing. I requested Jassica for all future visits.” – Client

High Five for PSW Angelyn Segui

“I requested to have Angelyn as often as possible.” – Client

High Five for PSW Saodat Abdukodirova

“We received very positive service from Saodat.” –  Client’s daughter

High Five for PSW Anastacia Medrano

“Anastacia is caring, loyal, and intuitive to my needs.” – Client

High Five for PSW Sherri Man-on

“Sherri takes initiative and completes tasks thoroughly.” – Client

High Five for PSW Sushila Thapa GC

“Sushila is very nice. I requested more visits.” – Client

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.

Who do we contact when we are not mentally well? Are there any resources or people we can talk to? It’s so overwhelming sometimes.

Life can get overwhelming sometimes and we want to make sure you feel supported. We have a whole section devoted to mental health resources available here: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/2025/09/23/wellness-at-work/#mentalhealth

You can receive free support from the Waypoint Centre: https://www.waypointcentre.ca/services/frontline-wellness There is the ability to complete a self-referral form and book an initial appointment here: https://search.caredove.com/1door-all/service/24906

You can also reach out to your supervisor for support.

How do I change my availability? I want to add more.

To change your availability, you will need to complete an Availability Change Request form. You can complete the form on this page: https://psw.circleofcare.com/index.php/availability-form/

Holocaust clients have a long list of housekeeping tasks, cleaning, etc. How does this apply to a PSW’s role as focused on personal care only?

PSWs are able to do light housekeeping duties as part of their role. Our Holocaust clients tend to have longer scheduled visits, which can allow for laundry to be done, or for cleaning or light meal preparation. If you are unsure about whether the tasks you are being asked to do are within your scope of work, you are welcome to contact your supervisor. Any tasks that have been added to the care plan are within the scope of your duties.

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.