Inside the Circle – April 14, 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 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.

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

We are committed to preventing workplace violence and harassment, and ensuring your work environment is safe. Any act of violence committed by or against anyone is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Recently, our Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) determined that community employees like you are at a “medium risk” for workplace violence and harassment. We have created an annual training, risk assessment, and communication campaign to increase awareness of these hazards and promote employee safety and well-being.

Our JHSC also tracks and ensures necessary follow-up on any reports of workplace violence and/or harassment. In the past 3 months, there have been 152 reported incidents, mostly involving incidents between clients and employees. We are committed to sharing these metrics with you on a quarterly basis.

Please review our JHSC meeting minutes below to learn more about incidents and corrective actions related to workplace violence and harassment.

• Latest JHSC Meeting Minutes

Every effort has been made to identify possible sources of violence and to implement procedures to control the risks. Please also review our policies below.

Let’s work together to prevent workplace violence.

• Workplace Harassment and Violence Program
• Our Workplace Violence Policy
• Our Workplace Harassment Policy
• Safe Operating Procedure – Working Alone
• Safe Operating Procedure – Client Aggression

Improper lifting techniques can lead to back injuries, muscle strains, and long-term pain. Follow these simple and effective lifting techniques to help keep yourself safe and prevent injury.

• Before lifting, determine whether mechanical aids such as hoists, lift trucks, or dollies can be used to reduce strain on your body.

• Position your feet shoulder-width apart for stability.
• Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes to avoid falls.
• Test the weight of the object before lifting – don’t lift beyond your comfort.

• Grasp with both hands – keep the object stable.
• Keep the load close to your body and centred for better control.
• Slide or pull the object toward your stomach before lifting – this helps activate your core muscles.

• Hold the load between your shoulder and knee height – avoid lifting above your head or below your knees.
• Keep your back straight – don’t twist while lifting.
• If you need to turn, step or pivot instead of twisting your body.

• Do not bend at the waist to lift objects from the floor.
• Instead, bend your knees and use your legs to push up.

• Don’t Bend at the Waist – Always squat instead of bending over.
• Don’t Lift Above Shoulder Level – Use a step stool or ask for help.
• Don’t Overreach – Keep the object within arm’s length.

1. Reduces back and muscle strain
2. Prevents injuries that could lead to time off work
3. Keeps you strong, safe, and able to provide the best care to your clients

Prevention starts with you. Slips, trips, and falls are common injuries in the workplace, but they can be prevented.

• Mind your surroundings: Avoid distractions while walking and stay alert for hazards such as spills or uneven surfaces.
• Avoid rushing: Trips and falls often happen when people are hurrying from one place to another. Take your time and move carefully.
• Clean up spills immediately or report them to the appropriate personnel: Prompt action helps prevent accidents for everyone.
• Wear proper footwear: The right shoes make a difference—choose footwear with good traction to help prevent slips and falls.

Our Safe Footwear Policy is about the importance of choosing footwear that suits your work environment. For example, closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles are crucial for direct client care areas. Wearing shoes that fit well and are properly maintained is equally important. Please review our policy below to understand the specific footwear requirements for your work area.

Remember, choosing proper footwear is an investment in your safety.

Here are signs and symptoms of some of the more common preventable diseases. Learning about these can help you to recognize them earlier:

Mumps (virus)

Spreads through coughing, sneezing, or saliva.

Symptoms:

• Swelling in the cheeks or jaw
• Fever and headache
• Muscle aches and fatigue
• Trouble chewing or swallowing
• Loss of appetite

Tetanus (bacteria)

Enters the body through cuts or wounds. A booster is needed every 10 years.

Symptoms:

• Painful muscle spasms
• Stiff jaw, neck, or stomach
• Trouble swallowing
• Fever and sweating

Diphtheria (bacteria)

A serious infection of the nose and throat.

Symptoms:

• Thick grey coating in the throat
• Sore throat or hoarse voice
• Swollen neck glands
• Trouble breathing
• Fever and chills

Measles (virus)

Very contagious. Spreads through the air and surfaces.

Symptoms:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

Hepatitis A & B (virus)

Infections that affect the liver.

Symptoms:

• Fever and fatigue
• Nausea or stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Dark urine

What to do

• If you or a family member has these symptoms, contact a doctor right away
• Always report changes in your client’s condition to your supervisor

Being a caregiver can affect your health and well-being, as well as your relationships with family and friends.

It is important to care for yourself as well as your clients. When you prioritize your well-being, you can provide better care and maintain a healthy balance in your personal life. You may experience stress and burnout at times, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Eat right: Balanced nutrition helps you maintain energy during long shifts and physically demanding tasks.
• Exercise: Moving your body, even for short periods, can reduce stress, help prevent injury, and improve your overall strength.
• Sleep: Getting 7–9 hours of rest can be difficult with changing schedules, but prioritizing quality sleep helps you stay alert and resilient at work.
• Connect: Talking with a co-worker, family member, or support group can help reduce feelings of stress and isolation.
• Set boundaries: Try to separate work and personal time. Focus on working when you are at work, providing care when caregiving, and resting when you are off duty.
• Prioritize: Avoid setting unrealistic expectations. Focus on what is most important each day to reduce stress and feeling overwhelmed.
• Make time for your own health needs: Just as you encourage your clients to care for themselves, remember to check in with your own healthcare provider to support your health and well-being.

Taking small steps to care for yourself ensures that you can continue providing the best support to others while maintaining your wellness. Watch the video and use the resources below to learn more about prioritizing your well-being!

We’ve heard from our PSWs that it’s important to recognize every work anniversary—not just milestone years—and we’re happy to make that change. Each work anniversary is a meaningful reflection of the commitment, compassion, and care you bring to your work every day.

Starting this week, we’ll be celebrating all staff anniversaries each week (Sunday to Saturday). Below, you’ll find team members marking their work anniversaries between April 12 and April 18.

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

April 12

• 5 Years (Milestone Anniversary!): Jasmin Salvador

April 13

• 11 Years: Karen Alicante, Lucila Aversion, Kia Baptiste, Magelin Cacal,  Evgenia Konikov, Ethel Lapat, Julienne Maunes, Elsie Mencias, Lorna Opena

April 14

• 12 Years: Sahara Ayob, Marissa Boven, Ruby Cervas
• 17 Years: Elizabeth Pascua

April 15

• 7 Years: Mercedes Benitez, Harrieth David, Augustina Imhanbobhehor, Catherine Maquiraya, Shirley Xie
• 35 Years (Milestone Anniversary!): Gloria Morales

April 16

• 8 Years: Adeline Cajes, Rama Khatiwada Timsina, Luz Pacito, Cherry Torrilla

April 17

• 20 Years (Milestone Anniversary!): Yordanos Fissehazion

April 18

• 9 Years: Joyce Amponsah

Individuals celebrating milestone anniversaries will receive a one-time cash award to their pay cheque at the end of the quarter. Payment amount will depend on service length.

High Five for PSW Alicia Lowe

“Alicia was lovely and connected very well with my spouse.” – Client’s spouse

High Five for PSW Irene Akiatan

“I appreciated the Irene’s assistance during my Feb. 27 visit.” – Client

High Five for PSW Anisha Chanda

“I really like Anisha and I’m impressed with her work.” – Client

High Five for PSW Julieta Baptista

“I would like Julieta as my regular worker.” – Client

High Five for PSW Luz Pacino

“We received excellent care and overall, very satisfied with Luz.” – 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.

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.