CAFFI Community Network and Town host Spring Inclusion Summit on the Pathway to Adulthood

June 11, 2026 · 0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Caledon and the CAFFI Community Network (CCN) came together to host their closing spring inclusion summit, focusing on recent successes and the pathway to adulthood for young adults with differing abilities.

CCN is a growing local group of caregivers that advocates for intentional partnerships in the journey for right fit activities and programs for young adults with differing abilities in Caledon.

Their focus has been on the transition to adulthood for these individuals, and relying on community experts to come together, to “shape a transition of belonging, purpose and priority.”

Over the past year, the CCN has presented and advocated to solve for the growing need for daytime and after-school programs for individuals aged 18 and older, including those with multiple exceptionalities, given the challenges in options remain limited and include barriers to participation for many.

Collectively, through the experienced learnings, the group says they realized that there is a demonstrated need for skills development that we can achieve, recreation that can incorporate life skills, social integration, and community belonging within PA days, summer, and ultimately, aim through these learnings to achieve a more specialized program locally that complements school board and municipal services.

Mike Brunetto with CCN added there is a difference between equality and equity, and equity “involves allocating the right resources on individual needs with tailored tools and techniques for a person centred approach.”

At the summit, the Town of Caledon presented on its inclusive recreation services and how it is applying its learnings.

Brunetto says that at the network, they are so grateful for their partnership and to be working with the Town’s Parks, Recreation and Culture department.

“We are immensely grateful for our passionate stakeholders who were able to attend, and the many who are willing to continue to make a difference with us”

CCN also used the summit to discuss the importance of building a true inclusive community.

“Our families who require augmented support must push harder. We are the primary force that influences change, but we cannot achieve change alone,” said Brunetto.

“We needed a voice, we needed to be recognized and valued in order for us to make changes,” he adds.