The Bernard Betel Centre is a multi-service, multi-discipline seniors’ centre for adults age 55+ that provides cultural, recreational, educational, and wellness programs. The population we serve is diverse including immigrants, newcomers, and Holocaust survivors. We serve a wide range of ethnic, culturally and linguistically diverse seniors. Many of our seniors exhibit cognitive and physical disabilities, are racialized and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, including people with lived experience and those that experience homelessness. Many of the seniors we serve are low income and or living in poverty in north Toronto and southwest York Region, primarily from the former Soviet Union.
The diversity of our community reflects the number of languages that our membership speak. In 2023 we documented 56 different languages spoken amongst our membership. In addition, the Bernard Betel Centre staff speak 19 different languages reflecting the diversity of our community.
At the Bernard Betel Centre, we are committed to creating a community where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. We stand firmly against all forms of discrimination, racism, and intolerance. Our organization strives to be a warm and welcoming space for people regardless of cultural, religious, and/or racial background or affiliation.
Anti-Racism
We recognize the systemic racism and inequalities that have disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) in Toronto and Canada. We are dedicated to contributing to confronting and dismantling racism in all its forms. This includes actively listening, learning, and partnering with marginalized communities.
2SLGBTQ+ Inclusivity
We proudly support, serve, and welcome the 2SLGBTQ+ community and affirm the identities of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender expression. Our organization works to ensure that all 2SLGBTQ+ people feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves. We support initiatives that promote 2SLGBTQ+ visibility, safety, and inclusion.
Indigenous Communities
We honor the cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonization and the ongoing struggles Indigenous communities face today. As part of our commitment, we seek to build respectful relationships, promote reconciliation, and support Indigenous-led initiatives, and land acknowledgements.
The Bernard Betel Centre values and embraces diversity, equity and inclusion as fundamental to our mission. Our values define the organization. These values highlight our strong commitment to create an organizational culture that is based on social justice, inclusion, respect, safety, equity, and celebration of diversity. Our commitment is to also create a barrier-free work environment. We are committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of our staff by fostering a healthy, inclusive, and dynamic workplace, free from harassment and discrimination, whether intentional, unintentional, or systemic.
As part of our ongoing journey toward equity and inclusion, we will continually assess and improve our policies, programs, and practices. The Bernard Betel Centre staff and leadership team is committed to ongoing learning (and unlearning). We invite our community to join us in this work, as we seek to create a world where everyone can thrive without fear of discrimination.