D&S Group, a Toronto brokerage firm, and Atlantic Mas Foundation, a Caribbean cultural organization, announced last Friday in Pickering the approval of a non-profit long-term care home in Durham that will provide ”designated spaces” for the Afro-Caribbean cultural community.

Atlantic Mas Foundation is the license holder for the project – the first of its kind in Ontario.

“The Atlantic Mas family has supported the community for many years in various areas,” said family spokesperson Aisha Heywood. “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.”

“I am truly proud to be a part of this important initiative for the Afro-Caribbean community,” said Sacha Singh, President and CEO of D&S group. “We have surrounded ourselves with champions of the community to ensure we create the absolute best facility for our seniors. Our objective is to provide a beautiful living environment that anyone would be proud to call home.”

“Our government has a plan to fix long-term care and a key part of that plan is building modern, safe, and comfortable homes for our seniors,” said Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care.

While other culturally appropriate long-term care homes exist across Ontario, there has not been one for the Afro-Caribbean community. The 128-bed home will be located in Durham Region, which has among the highest percentage of residents of Afro-Caribbean heritage in Canada.

Last Friday’s announcement is part of the Government of Ontario’s       $6.4-billion commitment to creating more than 30,000 new beds by 2028 and upgrading 28,000 long-term care beds across Ontario.

“This project will provide much needed long-term care beds to Durham residents, while supporting our region’s vibrant Afro-Caribbean population as they age,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge.

“The announcement speaks to our government’s commitment to ensure that seniors receive the best culturally appropriate care in their own communities,” he added.

Also supporting the project is Dr. Alvin Curling, the first Black Speaker of the Ontario legislature.

“This significant announcement is welcomed by the Afro-Caribbean Black community,” said Curling. “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,” he noted.