Celebrating a Century of Spectacular Care with Client Rita Reynolds and Miss Smith
For over 100 years, VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) has been at the heart of our communities, offering excellent care and unwavering support to individuals of all ages. A lot has changed since our modest beginnings in 1925, with just 15 homemakers providing support to new mothers. Today, as one of the largest not-for-profit providers of publicly-funded care in Ontario, our team of over 3,000 dedicated home care specialists deliver personal support, nursing, rehab and community support services to vulnerable populations in need.
As we celebrate this monumental 100 year milestone, we reflect on the visionary leaders, staff and home care specialists who have shaped our legacy.
Below is a glimpse back to 1958. Client Rita Reynolds had this to share about the care her family received from “Miss Smith,” and a story that embodies VHA’s purpose of delivering care at home, with heart.
My family relied on VHA for help a number of times in the mid-to-late 1950’s. Your company was known as the Visiting Homemakers Association then.
In the photo, from the right are Rita, Robert, Greg (now deceased) and the baby sitting on Miss Smith’s lap is Marilee.
I wanted to send you a picture of a wonderful VHA homemaker, Miss Smith, but could not find it. As children, we would hope that it would be Miss Smith who came. You can see how happy we were to have our picture taken with her. We were quite upset when it couldn’t be found – including my older brother, Robert, who has just turned 75.
My parents (Eugene and Leona Burns – now deceased) were very grateful to Miss Smith and VHA.
Miss Smith came later in 1958, and I believe in 1959 as well.
Marilee feels she has a vague memory of being rocked by her and shares our warm feelings.
Miss Smith represented the best of VHA and how incredibly important was the compassionate care provided to families and especially the children. The range of services VHA provides has evolved over time. But I know from working with you, that VHA remains deeply rooted in the values that brought us someone as caring and memorable as Miss Smith.
Best,
Rita Reynolds
This is an original message received from Rita on May 24, 2024.