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Elderly woman in red is walking and being guided by another woman who is wearing a yellow shirt and olive green pants.

Mission and Values

Learn about our mission and the values that animate everything we do.
The Knipp Family wearing matching CNIB Lake Joe Sweaters

‘Home away from home’ This family spends summers at a camp that’s a haven for their kids with low vision

Every summer, at the start of her family’s vacation, Sarah Knip stops to take a photograph of the large welcome sign that arches over the laneway leading to CNIB Lake Joe. That moment is the first in a string of Knip family traditions at the fully accessible camp located on the northwest corner of Lake Joseph in Muskoka.
An image of Bree

Meet Bree: CNIB Lake Joe’s Camp Program Manager

CNIB Lake Joe is thrilled to introduce Bree Leblanc, our new Camp Program Manager. With her vibrant personality, love of puns, and a passion for camp, Bree is already making a positive impact on our community.
A person’s hand holds a red bicycle bell. The bell is mounted on the bicycle handlebar. 

Don’t forget to ring! A public awareness initiative for safer cycling on The Confederation Trail

Ringing your bicycle bell is a small gesture of respect that makes shared outdoor spaces more enjoyable for everyone. A bell ring alerts pedestrians of a rider’s presence and serves as a courteous heads-up, preventing sudden surprises, collisions, and injuries. Always ring your bicycle bell when passing pedestrians along The Confederation Trail! 
A smiling Sam Smadella in the mountains in the backgound

Sam Smadella: Bringing Music to the Ears of CNIB Lake Joe’s Virtual Campers

Sam Smadella is a recreational therapist who has always had a passion for helping others. Whether it's in palliative care, child care, or diverse communities, Sam always finds herself making an incredible impact wherever she goes.
A collage of two photographs featuring two graduating partnerships. Left: Cheri smiles and sits on a bench, and her guide dog, Sassy, sits on the pavement to her right. Sassy is a black dog in harness. It’s lightly snowing, and Cheri is wearing a red winter jacket and gloves. Right: Maxine and her guide dog, Symba, a yellow dog, pose for a photo together. Symba is in harness.

Class of 2024

At local celebrations across the country, 23 new partnerships (15 guide dogs, seven buddy dogs, and one ambassador dog) graduated as part of the CNIB Guide Dog Class of 2024.
Jane Casey, Board member, CNIB Lake Joe Advisory Board

Jane Casey invites you to “Get on Board”

The CNIB Lake Joe Advisory Board (LJAB) is currently recruiting new members. Jane Casey, LJAB member and long-time CNIB Lake Joe alumnus shares why she joined the Board and why you should consider this opportunity too.
Anne Lindsay and Colin Cripps (part of the Jim Cuddy Trio), David Throssell and his wife Cassidy, and Jim Cuddy at CNIB Lake Joe.

Meet David Throssell

David Throssell, Executive Consultant at IG Private Wealth Management – Throssell Group, has a long-time history with CNIB and played a special role as the presenting sponsor of CNIB Lake Joe’s 2023 Cookout With Cuddy fundraising event. Thrilled that David will be our presenting sponsor again for the 2024 Cookout With Cuddy encore event, we wanted you to learn more about him and why he couldn’t resist the chance to support CNIB Lake Joe.
 Vivian playing her ukelele on the lawn at CNIB Lake Joe.

Volunteer Profile: Vivian Chong

It has been said that in order to truly grow, we must be willing to stretch. Vivian Chong, past CNIB Lake Joe guest, long-time CNIB Lake Joe volunteer and yoga practitioner has been stretching her whole life and encourages everyone to “expand yourself!”
Khrisstina sitting in the front of a canoe holding a paddle in her hand. She is turning around to smile at the camera. The water is sparkling and there are green trees on her left.

Khrisstina Engel: Live, laugh, love at CNIB Lake Joe

In 2014, at the age of 38, Khrisstina's world was forever changed when a stroke caused her to lose her sight. The following two years were a tremendous struggle, marked by a profound loss of direction and the challenge of navigating life without sight. In 2016, she took a pivotal step by attending CNIB Lake Joe, a decision that would redefine her perspective on her ‘second life’ after losing her sight.
From left to right: (L-R) Emilee Schevers, Tavish Gillan, Taylor Gaudon and Jade Ondrik by the outdoor pizza oven at CNIB Lake Joe. They are wearing blue t-shirts with the word “Fearless” in print and braille.

“This is where we met our people.” CNIB Lake Joe online and onsite

The COVID-19 pandemic was all about keeping everyone safe at home, but for the Gillan family – and hundreds like them – it was the start of a whole new way to connect with others sharing a sight loss journey.