Integrating Vibrant and Sunnybrook
We are glad to announce a significant milestone for our organization: Vibrant is moving forward in our plans to integrate with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. This decision comes after an extensive consultation period with our clients, community, and partners late last year. Through an in-depth consultation through 41 unique engagements (totalling 2,886 vibrant touchpoints!) over November and December last year, leadership connected with Vibrant clients, community, staff, members partners, and government representatives to discuss the integration, the impact on Vibrant, and what a successful integration would look like Here are some of the key themes that emerged:
Continuity of all Vibrant programs and services is essential. We agree that each Vibrant healthcare, attendant care, and wellness program is essential to our mission and vital for the well-being of our community. Post-integration, we are committed to providing stability and ensuring all programs and services continue.
Independent Living Philosophy is central to how we serve. We are committed to continuing to empower individuals to make choices, take control of their lives, and participate fully in their communities. This will be central to our work going forward.
Vibrant voices and the continuation of our special culture need to be upheld. We value maintaining and enhancing Vibrant’s culture and community by amplifying voices through surveys, communication channels, and ongoing engagement.
Optimization of the Vibrant Health Centre at Yonge & Eglinton: We are committed to investing in and optimizing the health centre to better support client programs and services. This includes investing in the physical building to optimize how we use the space.
Opportunity exists for Sunnybrook to learn from Vibrant: Sunnybrook is eager to learn from Vibrant’s expertise in empowering individuals with disabilities and fostering independence.
Sustained focus on priority client populations of people with barriers to care: We will continue prioritizing services for individuals facing barriers to care, ensuring they remain accessible and impactful. This includes people with physical disabilities and seniors with complex health issues.
Sector engagement, partnerships, and advocacy: We are motivated to strengthen meaningful partnerships within our sector, and amplify advocacy efforts for resources that support Vibrant’s mission and clients.
A snapshot from one of the engagements with SAGE group at Vibrant.
Following the formal consultation, Vibrant’s Board of Directors, membership, and Sunnybrook’s Board of Directors each separately reviewed the feedback summarized above. Each group discussed the consultation feedback and then voted on the integration. We are glad to share that each group voted in favour of the integration going forward. The structure of integration will see Vibrant maintain its own legal status as an organization. Vibrant will maintain its operations at the Vibrant Health Centre at Yonge & Eglinton, and the Vibrant Attendant Care Services at our Jarvis, Carlton and Coxwell sites.
The integration is planned to officially take place on April 1, 2025. Work up until this date will be to establish the strategy and work to continue to provide quality services without interruption.
In this interim period, Lori Brady, Sunnybrook’s VP, Community Integration, Partnerships & Outpatient Care, has extended her responsibilities to concurrently act as Vibrant’s Interim CEO. Sunnybrook has also extended other back-end support from Sunnybrook’s team, including leadership support in finance.
To guide this transformative journey, we will be creating a new Vibrant Advisory Committee that will report to the Sunnybrook and Vibrant Board of Directors. More information about this committee, which will include seats for Vibrant clients and leadership will be provided in the weeks ahead.
By April, Vibrant also plans on sharing our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. This comprehensive plan will build on feedback gained from clients, staff and community over the last year, building on the strategic plan drafted last year, and will guide our efforts ahead. The plan will allow us to focus on providing holistic health and community services to enable independence and well-being for individuals with barriers to care.
We will share further details about the integration and our Strategic Plan in an upcoming webinar on March 19, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Please click here to register and join us as we explore how this integration will enhance the services offered, strengthen our community impact, and create new opportunities for those we serve.
We continue to update our Integration page with new information, opportunities for feedback, and a comprehensive FAQ section to answer any general questions you might have.
We are committed to continuing to communicate with clients through our eNewsletters, and continue to welcome questions and feedback.