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Congratulations to Christine for being the mentor of the month for July! Christine is a huge help behind the scenes in the kitchen, making sure everyone has a clean dish to use! Christine hardly ever misses a shift and is a very reliable, integral part of the CHIRS clubhouse. Thanks for everything, Christine!

When you come to the Club, you never know what might be happening. Our ADS Student Dharini organized several weekly themed events such as: Friendship Week, Lucky Week, Mental Health Awareness Week, ABI Week and Eco Action. Our other ADS Student Delaney recently ran some jewelry making in the club. We have puzzles, games, music, and a great menu with amazing prices.

We have started some super fun new programs for the summer. Basketball with Munir on Mondays, Walk this Quay with Lisa on Tuesdays, Bowling with Emma and Rachelle on Wednesdays, our Thursday outings and City Hop on Mondays. At the Club, our students are sure to keep you engaged with upcoming Eco Week events, some beading, karaoke and more.

Congratulations to Dora for being awarded our Mentor of the Month for May 2026! Dora did some amazing work helping out with our Arts & Appies event. She was an integral part of the night, coming up with creative, tasty appetizers and delicious desserts! Most attendees favourite snack of the night seemed to be her bacon-wrapped potatoes, everyone wanted seconds and thirds! Thanks so much for all of your help Dora, and congratulations on your achievement!

by ADS Students Delaney and Dharini, photos by Lorraine On Saturday, June 6, CHIRS hosted its Annual Family Picnic – a day filled with fun, laughter, and great food! This year's theme was "Decades". Clients, staff, and family members were transported through time as they experienced music, dances, and entertainment from different eras. The day was packed with exciting performances and activities. Dave had everyone laughing with his hilarious banana-filled skits dressed as El

by David S On Sunday, June 7, our CHIRS band, The Kensingtons, performed at the Taste of North York festival that was held at Mel Lastman Square. In recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we were invited to perform several original songs written by members of our community. These songs reflected some of their personal experiences and journeys living with a brain injury. I want to take a second to recognize all of the members of the band who performed the songs: A

On June 8th, a flag was raised for Brain Injury Awareness Month. It is a month that is dedicated to raising awareness about Brain Injury and the challenges people face. Some of our CHIRS community joined members from BIST (Brain Injury Society of Toronto) at City Hall to proudly watch the flag being raised.

Using Creativity to build a life that both accommodates and inspires. Victoria O. received a severe brain injury in 2004, which, among other challenges, resulted in significant loss of vision. Since then, she has applied her strong creative instincts in a practical way to build a living space that works for her. For example, in her kitchen, everything used to be white, but, with her impaired vision, she found that uniformity made it more difficult for her; how can you find th

by ADS Student Dharini From Monday April 27 – Friday May 1, 2026, CHIRS staff and clients came together for a meaningful and sustainable Restyle Boutique event, focused on community and self-expression, organized by ADS staff members Dharini and Tasia! Over several weeks, staff and clients generously donated used clothing and non-clothing items, helping others refresh their Spring wardrobes at no cost. The basement space at Head Office was beautifully transformed into a welco

by Tasia D Our podcast group recently listened to CHIRS community member, Prateek's, podcast: You in my shoes with SATYA BRATA DAS The podcast group really enjoyed the experience. Most of the group found it relatable and liked how it shared supportive, useful information while offering a different perspective. The topic itself stood out as interesting, and many felt it could be especially helpful for people in the brain injury community. Some members shared that the content w

Check out MOST of our artists with their work! On Thursday April 9th, the clients and staff at CHIRS came together to celebrate Arts & Appies Evening, a magical evening of expression and creativity. This special event truly demonstrated how the power of art brings people together, with the room radiating energy and appreciation for one another. The incredible turnout of friends, family, and supporters made it clear how meaningful this event really was. For Arts & Appies, th

From Monday March 16 – Friday March 20, CHIRS staff and clients embraced the spirit of gratitude, connection, and good fortune as they celebrated Lucky Week! This was a fun-filled week that encouraged everyone to pause and reflect on everyday moments in life, big or small, that make us feel lucky and grounded. Our Club at Head Office was transformed with bright and festive décor, including shamrock and rainbow paper chains created by clients. To further spark reflection, clie

Arts & Appies is a showcase event of performances and creative work, ranging from music and dance to visual art and photography. It’s a chance to connect, support one another, and celebrate the incredible creativity within our community. Alongside outstanding talent, participants and guests will enjoy a selection of appetizers and refreshing drinks! Date: Thursday, April 9th, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Location: CHIRS Head Office, 62 Finch Avenue W With all this bein

How lucky were we to enjoy a Live Steel Pan Performance featuring Earl La Pierre Jr. (Pan Man on Duty) in the Club? It was an afternoon full of vibrant Caribbean rhythms and live music, along with delicious Jamaican patties to enjoy! Thank you to all who performed, organized, attended and danced!

Congratulations to Andrey B, our March Mentor of the Month! Andrey is a superstar helper; here is what Mentor Supervisor Dave had to say: Andrey you are such a deserving recipient of the mentor of the month! You carry a non-judgmental, positive and accepting energy that brightness every room you enter. You are a man who truly understands that the community is only as strong as its individuals. And knowing this, you have dedicated most of your life to making the world a ki

By: Brett Rathbone Michael T, author, was born in 1988, and had a severe traumatic brain injury when he was just 13 months old. He was in hospital for months and rehab for years. He has been a CHIRS client since 2013 . Michael Tam, CHIRS client and published author, examines one of his books (we, at the Bugler, can attest that everything about Mr. Tam’s books is of the highest quality) Michael’s injury affects his motor skills, vision, understanding and memor

Congratulations to Keith for being our mentor of the month for January! Some of our staff shared a few kind words about him: Keith is a wonderful mentor, dedicated helper, and positive role model at CHIRS. I enjoy working with Keith, we’re glad to have him on our team -Chelsea Keith sets the rhythm of the community. He brings us together through vibes and sound. -Tasia

By Brett Rathbone Marshall L., CHIRS client, and survivor of a massive stroke 10 years ago took-up the sport of wheelchair squash in 2023. In May of this year, he placed 2 nd in the first ever Canadian Wheelchair Doubles Squash Championship Invitational tournament. How did he do it? The Brainy Bugler wanted to know. Hard work and determination are what it boiled down to; plus playing once or twice a week for the past two years. Marshall also has a long history as an athlete:

From February 9th - 13th, CHIRS was filled with spirit and connection as clients and staff celebrated Friendship Week. It was a week that truly celebrated belonging, with everyone playing a meaningful role in making it special, whether through creativity, participation, or simple acts of kindness. In the Club, handmade decorations and thoughtful crafts brightened the space, including paper heart chains and a collaborative “Heart Wall” created from hand cutouts designed by cli