Champions of the community create facility for seniors in Durham

BY PAUL JUNOR

KPW Communications shared the press release of the opening of the first non-profit long-term home with the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.

I interviewed Sacha Singh, President, and CEO of D&S Group to learn more about the process that led to the approval of a non-profit long-term home. Sacha shared with me his background prior to being involved with this project. He is of Trinidadian and Italian background and grew up in the Toronto area. He has been a licensed realtor with RE/MAX West Realty Inc. for seven years.

He told me that his journey as a developer has seen him involved with several projects across the Greater Toronto Area. It was on April 22^nd, 2022, that the Province of Ontario issued this innovative and creative one-of-a-kind long-term care license in the history of Ontario. This unique project is being developed and managed by D&G Group. The project will be a collaboration between the D&S Group and Atlantic Mas Foundation, a non-profit community organization.

Aisha Heywood, family spokesperson for the Atlantic Mas Foundation states in the press release, “The Atlantic Mas family has supported the community for many years in various areas. We are excited that we now have a new and meaningful road to travel, which will benefit the elders we respect and care for so much.”

Sacha is excited about this project and the location has still not yet been determined in order to ensure that it satisfies ministry development guidelines. He states in the press release, “I am truly proud to be a part of this important initiative for the Afro-Caribbean community. We have surrounded ourselves with champions of the community to ensure we create the absolute facility for our seniors. Our objective is to provide a beautiful living environment that anyone would be proud to call home.”

Sacha told me that there were over 200 hundred people present at the announcement, and it was delightfully catered with Caribbean cuisine. Sacha told me that it is fitting that this long-term care be built in Durham given the increasing population of Black elders who are part of the demographics.

Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge states, “I’m proud to support this project, as it will provide much needed long-term care beds to Durham residents while supporting our region’s vibrant Afro-Caribbean population as they age. Today’s announcement speaks to our government’s commitment to ensure that seniors receive the best culturally appropriate care in their own communities.”

Sacha told me that Dr. Alvin Curling is supportive of the project, “This significant announcement is welcomed by the Afro-Caribbean Black community. The contribution of the community to the health care sector is well documented. This project will certainly help to address the desperate long-term care need in our community.“