Everyone Belongs in the Community

Please join us as we welcome guest speaker Donna Marcaccio from Rygiel Supports for Community Living who will speak on "Everyone Belongs in the Community!".

Donna is the Executive Director at Rygiel Supports For Community Living and has been in that role since 1990. Her career began as a volunteer  at Rygiel while in high school, working as a student throughout University and getting involved in various committees and programs locally and provincially. She graduated from McMaster with a degree in Sociology.  Donna, later completed a post baccalaureate program in Clinical Behavioural Sciences, a Non- profit Management certificate program and A Human Resources Program. Shortly after university, Donna was employed full time at Rygiel. This was the period when the agency began its de-institutionalization program. Donna was instrumental in carrying this through.

Over the years, Donna became certified in values based training and has voluntarily been part of the Southern Ontario Training Group bringing this important training to her agency and to families and staff within the sector across the province and beyond.

Donna continues to be involved in various committees locally, provincially and nationally addressing advocacy issues, policy formation. The most important contribution to Donna’s interest, learning  and professional development has come from her relationship with her sister Marcia who has a developmental disability.

Donna, her daughter and sister live together here in Hamilton.