News
Applications closed for the 2020 Summer Family Relief Bursary
The response we received to the Dream Serenade COVID Summer Family Relief Bursary was overwhelming, with more applications coming in one day than we typically see all Summer Season. The application is now closed.
We are continually striving to find new ways to get much needed support out to the community during this challenging time. If you have already indicated that you are willing to be contacted by us, we will keep your information on file to notify you of new initiatives moving forward. If you would like to provide us with your email now for future notices, please complete the adjusted form under the ‘Bursary’ tab on our website.
We look forward to future opportunities to support you and your family.
Now accepting applications for the COVID Summer Family Relief Bursary
The Dream Serenade COVID Summer Family Relief Bursary has been created to help support our community with necessary expenses during this challenging time. New applications are now being accepted online through the ‘Bursary’ tab on this website. This program replaces the usual Summer Bursary support for Summer Camps and Programming.
Who can apply?
Toronto District School Board students with a physical or developmental disability are eligible. Bursaries will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Efforts will be made to distribute new bursaries to as many schools in the GTA as possible.
How much is available?
A $500 bursary is available per eligible family. Successful applicants will receive cheques by mail directly to the parent or guardian listed on the application. All cheques will be mailed out in July.
Applications are being accepted now until June 30, 2020 (or until all available bursaries have been distributed) and may be submitted online through the Dream Serenade website. Please direct any further questions to dreamserenadetoronto@gmail.com.
Introducing the Dream Serenade COVID Summer Family Relief Bursary!
Dear Dream Serenade families,
We know this is a challenging time for you all. In an effort to better support the immediate needs you are facing we have made some important changes to the Dream Serenade year-round funding efforts including the upcoming Summer Bursary program.
This year, the program will be replaced by the newly created Dream Serenade COVID Summer Family Relief Bursary of $500 per recipient family to assist with expenses related to food, caregiving, supplies and equipment needed during this time.
To streamline this process, we are pleased to announce that the 100 families that received the Summer Bursary last year will automatically receive the new COVID Summer Family Relief Bursary with NO new application required. All we need from you is your up-to-date mailing address and the name of the school your child attends so we can send the $500 cheque in the mail. Recipients will be contacted over the next couple of weeks by the Dream Serenade coordinator to confirm this information.
Last month, a $5000 contribution focused on families within our community schools was made by Dream Serenade to the Food for Kids-COVID Response program organized by the Toronto Foundation for Student Success. These recipients will also be eligible for the upcoming automatic Summer Family Relief Bursary with no new application. New families that do not fall within either of these previous parameters will be able to apply for the Dream Serenade COVID Summer Family Relief Bursary with an online application available through the Dream Serenade website in June.
We will continue to strive to support and celebrate the Toronto community of children with developmental and/or physical disabilities and their caregivers. If you have any questions or suggestions on efforts moving forward, you can always reach us at dreamserenadetoronto@gmail.com.
Wishing you and your family all the best in these challenging times,
The Dream Serenade Team
An update to our Dream Serenade families
We know this is an especially difficult time as we navigate new daily routines and challenges. We are with you and want to help.
We will be adjusting this year’s Summer Bursary program to accommodate more immediate and direct funding to support families in our community. We still expect to open the Summer Bursary later in the season for additional support through the summer months, and will continue to review this program as circumstances change to make sure we are best serving you.
Please feel free to DM or email us at dreamserenadetoronto@gmail.com to let us know of any ideas you might have to best support you now and through the coming months.
Over the next week, we will let you know about some of the other active programs we are assisting to provide some support and relief.
Love to you all, please stay safe. ❤️
Tickets on sale now for the 6th Annual Dream Serenade Benefit Concert
Toronto’s annual Dream Serenade benefit concert is back for its sixth year supporting and celebrating the Toronto community of children with developmental and/or physical disabilities and their caregivers. This year, on Saturday, November 2 at 8pm, the concert will feature sets from Matt Berninger (lead singer of The National), July Talk, Barenaked Ladies, Hayden, Shad, U.S. Girls, Donovan Woods and very special surprise guests. Once again, Dream Serenade will take place at Roy Thomson Hall, sister venue to its regular home at Massey Hall while it undergoes an historic revitalization.
Tickets for Dream Serenade are on sale now at the Roy Thomson Hall box office, by phone at 416-872-4255 or web at roythomsonhall.com.
Dream Serenade has become one of Toronto’s most highly anticipated annual events, combining a celebration of a hard working community while raising money and awareness for schools and services for children with developmental and/or physical disabilities and their caregivers. The popular annual event has now expanded to support other like-minded schools and care-centres in the GTA and raise funds that directly assist Toronto area families with a large summer camp bursary fund. This past summer, Dream Serenade audiences helped send 100 children to summer camp and/or specialized summer programming.
To support Dream Serenade with a tax-receipt eligible online donation, please visit us here.
Tickets for the 6th Annual Dream Serenade benefit concert on sale tomorrow
Tickets for the 6th annual Dream Serenade benefit concert will be on sale Friday, September 13 at 10am EST through the box office at roythomsonhall.com or by phone at 416-872-4255.
Performers will be announced later this month.
