A chat with Joan Kelley Walker and Angela Bonfanti
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Award-winning philanthropist and humanitarian, Joan Kelley Walker, sits down with Angela Bonfanti, Senior Vice President, CNIB Foundation Programs for an intimate chat about COVID-19 and how it has impacted the sight loss community.
Joan has had a lifelong awareness of the challenges that people with sight loss experience as she has watched her mother, Rosaline, navigate a sighted world while being legally blind. Joan initially volunteered with the CNIB Foundation as an emcee for our CNIB Muskoka event in support of CNIB Lake Joe. Since then, she has become much more involved in supporting our programs. Joan and her husband, Don, are valued team members who champion everything we do.
The Census of Population is taking place in May 2026 and will continue over the summer months. Data from the census are essential for all levels of governments, as well as businesses, community groups and organizations. Completing the census is a legal requirement for all residents of Canada. All residents of Canada are required to complete the census questionnaire, according to the Statistics Act.
To better support the delivery of CNIB programming and services across the Maritimes, CNIB’s office and SmartLife Centre at 342 Grafton Street in Charlottetown will be closing effective June 8, 2026.
We want to assure our community that although the physical office and SmartLife Centre location is closing, CNIB programming will continue to be offered through a hybrid delivery model that includes in-person programming and events at community locations, through the CNIB Mobile Hub, and alongside virtual programs.
Since launching in 2020, Catch the Ace has awarded more than $4.6 million in prize money to weekly and progressive jackpot winners across Ontario, with the cycle nine final jackpot reaching a whopping $328,825! The new Catch the Ace weekly autoplay feature makes it easier than ever to stay in the game! Opt-in at checkout and your tickets will be automatically purchased and entered into every weekly draw until the Ace of Spades is found.
Due to the redevelopment of the building leased by CNIB at 1525 Yonge Street, the CNIB GTA Community Hub will permanently close on July 1, 2026. While the CNIB GTA Community Hub may be closing, we want to reassure our community that CNIB programs and services will continue without interruption. Beginning June 1, all local in-person programming will be offered at alternative locations in the GTA, including at CNIB’s national office at 1929 Bayview Ave., as well as local community spaces like libraries and community centres and through the CNIB Mobile Hub.
CNIB Guide Dogs has officially adopted a new internationally recognized digital identification card for its guide dog handlers. Developed by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), the joint digital ID card serves as a standardized form of verification that a handler’s guide dog or assistance dog has been formally trained by an ADI or IGDF accredited organization.
