Investing in Frontline Team Members

Through a charitable donation of more than $100,000 made in 2025, OLTCA is helping fund a minimum of six annual education bursaries for frontline team members working in Ontario's long-term care homes. These bursaries provide financial support to individuals seeking to advance their skills, education, and career development while continuing to deliver exceptional care to residents.

Honouring the Champions of Senior Living

The Senior Living CaRES Fund was created to honour the extraordinary dedication of people who care for older adults every day. These are the champions of senior living: individuals whose compassion, resilience, and commitment improve the lives of older adults across Canada.

Established in 2020 in response to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senior Living CaRES Fund has become an enduring expression of gratitude from across the senior living sector. While the pandemic sparked its creation, the Fund's purpose extends far beyond it.

The Fund's mission is to invest in team members so they can provide the highest quality of life for Canadians in senior living communities.

Celebrating Our Commitment to Long-Term Care

On June 23, 2025, OLTCA announced its donation of more than $100,000 to the Senior Living CaRES Fund during a special celebration at Madison Village in Stoney Creek, Ontario. The announcement highlighted the importance of investing in the dedicated individuals who make a difference in long-term care every day.

Video: OLTCA's Senior Living CaRES Fund announcement at Madison Village, June 2025.

Making a Meaningful Impact

Since 2020, the Senior Living CaRES Fund has provided emergency financial assistance and education bursaries to frontline team members working in long-term care homes and retirement communities across Canada.

Figures reflect the Senior Living CaRES Fund's national impact since 2020.

Meet Nickeisha: A Career Built on Care

At Madison Village, a long-term care home in Stoney Creek, Nickeisha is known as the "GPS of the home." As an Administrative Assistant, she supports residents, families, and colleagues with compassion, dedication, and a commitment to making a difference.

In 2023, Nickeisha received a Senior Living CaRES Fund bursary to pursue leadership courses at Mohawk College. Her story demonstrates how investing in team members creates opportunities for professional growth and strengthens the long-term care workforce.

Celebrating the 2025 Bursary Recipients

Congratulations to the dedicated team members recognized through the 2025 Champions of Senior Living Bursary Program. The following recipients represent Ontario senior living communities and demonstrate the commitment to continued learning and professional development across the sector.

Why Investing in Team Members Matters

When we invest in frontline team members, everyone benefits.

Care providers gain access to education, mentorship, and opportunities that help them grow their careers. Employers benefit from retaining experienced and dedicated staff. Residents receive more consistent, compassionate care, while families gain peace of mind knowing their loved ones are supported by skilled professionals.

The Senior Living CaRES Fund is supported by operators, vendors, industry partners, foundations, and individual donors who believe that strengthening the workforce is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen seniors' care.

Education Bursaries for Ontario Long-Term Care Team Members

OLTCA encourages members to explore the Senior Living CaRES Fund Education Bursary Program and share application opportunities with eligible frontline team members.

These bursaries are available to eligible frontline team members working in Ontario long-term care homes and are intended to support professional growth, continuing education, and career advancement.

We encourage operators to share these opportunities with their teams and support employees as they pursue their educational goals.