What Safehaven does

Safehaven is a Toronto-based, Ontario-registered charitable non-profit founded in 1989 that provides residential, respite, and transitional care to children, youth, and adults with medical complexities and disabilities. It operates six locations across the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Thornhill, Etobicoke, Woodbridge, North York, and Vaughan), serving approximately 60 residential clients and over 100 families annually through 24/7 nursing-supported group living, short-term respite stays, the TCMCC transitional care program (in partnership with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital), and the only Chronic Vent Program in Ontario for ventilator-dependent children. Adult services were added in 2017 to address clients aging out of pediatric care, and adult operations were consolidated at the Lou Fruitman Residence in Thornhill through a partnership with Reena in January 2023.

The organization's core technology stack centers on clinical safety and training rather than software products: an electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) system for medication management and simulation-based training technology for caregiver preparation in complex medical situations. Safehaven also maintains a music therapy and therapeutic audio program for clients, and has partnered with Marvin AI (ThinkData Works) to layer AI-powered analytics onto operational and decision-making workflows. Services are delivered at no cost to eligible families, and Safehaven does not charge for care.

Safehaven is funded primarily through Ontario Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services contracts, supplemented by United Way Greater Toronto Area grants, individual and corporate donations, and major foundation philanthropy (Azrieli, Barrett, Krawczyk families). It received $12M in additional Ontario government funding in 2023 and $21M from the Government of Ontario in August 2025. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors with no parent company or private equity ownership. Achieved Accreditation with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada in June 2022. Leadership is led by CEO Susan Bisaillon (former UHN, Trillium, and Oakville Trafalgar executive) with Medical Director Dr. Ronik Kanani (appointed July 2023) and VP Philanthropy Lindsey Coulter (appointed 2025).

Name

Safehaven

Legal name

Safehaven

Website

https://safehaven.to

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Safehaven is a Toronto-based non-profit founded in 1989 that provides 24/7 residential, respite, and transitional care to medically complex children and adults across six Greater Toronto Area locations, operating at no cost to families and funded primarily by Ontario government contracts and charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialized Pediatric and Adult Disability Care Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Sick-Day Backup Childcare (HSAAAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Overnight Sick Child Care (Emergency Overnight Coverage) (HSAAAJAL), Affordable / Low-Income Assisted Living (Medicaid Waiver Focused) (HLADABAE)

Keywords

• Residential care services
• Respite care programs
• Transitional child healthcare
• Medically complex children
• Developmental disability support

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: Primary funding from government healthcare and social services programs, including Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, to support residential and respite care services.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations, fundraising events, and charitable foundation grants that support programs and capital improvements.
3. United Way Partnerships: Funding through United Way Greater Toronto Area to support community-based programs and services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Safehaven is a not-for-profit charitable organization that provides round-the-clock residential care, short-term respite care, and the Transitional Care for Medically Complex Children (TCMCC) program for children, youth, and adults with medical complexities and disabilities. Services are delivered across six locations in the Greater Toronto Area at no cost to eligible families, supplemented by specialized programs including the Chronic Vent Program for ventilator-dependent children.

Product overview

Safehaven is a not-for-profit organization providing residential, respite, and transitional care services for children, youth, and adults with medical complexities and disabilities. The core service offering consists of three interconnected programs: Residential Care (Supported Group Living) providing 24/7 round-the-clock care in community-based homes; Respite Care offering short-term stays for families needing relief from continuous caregiving; and the Transitional Care for Medically Complex Children (TCMCC) program, launched in partnership with Holland Bloorview, bridging hospital stays to home life. Safehaven also offers awareness products including the One in 100 storybook and Where Hope Lives board game to educate communities about medical complexity. The organization operates six locations across the Greater Toronto Area serving approximately 60 residential clients, with a focus on individuals with conditions including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and those requiring life-saving technology such as tracheostomies and ventilators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• One in 100: A seek-and-find storybook created to raise awareness about children impacted by medical complexities
• Where Hope Lives
• Transitional Care for Medically Complex Children (TCMCC)
• Chronic Vent Program

Products and services

• Residential Care (Supported Group Living) Round-the-clock care 365 days a year for children and youth with developmental disabilities and medically complex care needs, delivered in community-based residences by staff trained to meet each client's medical, physical, emotional, and social needs.
• Respite Care Short-term stays lasting from a few hours to several weeks that provide relief to families and guardians providing 24/7 care to their disabled or medically complex child at home. Includes recreational and leisure activities such as music therapy, Snoezelen multi-sensory exploration, and community outings.
• Transitional Care for Medically Complex Children (TCMCC) Program in partnership with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital that facilitates the transition of children from prolonged hospital stays to home and community life. Children can stay up to four months while developing a care plan with their family.
• Chronic Vent Program Specialized program supporting children dependent on ventilators in a community setting, including care for tracheostomies and ventilators. Safehaven is the only organization in Ontario offering this program, providing care for eight clients with specialized respiratory needs.
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Education Program
• One in 100 Storybook A seek-and-find storybook created to raise awareness about children with medical complexities, their challenges, and the importance of compassionate community care. Features a visual journey highlighting the experiences of medically complex children.
• Where Hope Lives Board Game A board game that helps parents have meaningful conversations with children about disability, difference, and inclusion. Players journey toward Safehaven collecting Safe Space and Wild cards while navigating obstacles, with each game including 'A Guide to Inclusivity' for parents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provides care for over 100 families annually across multiple service types

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafehaven partners with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital on the TCMCC (Toronto Central Medication Curriculum) program, providing specialized training and education for staff managing complex medication needs.
• ReenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Reena, a developmental disability services organization, to operate the Lou Fruitman Residence in Thornhill, providing residential care for adults with developmental disabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Canuck Place Children's Hospice: British Columbia's pediatric palliative and respite care provider for children with life-threatening illnesses. Directly comparable to Safehaven in mission, service model (respite, residential, end-of-life care), and complex pediatric medical specialization, though serving BC rather than Ontario.
• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital: Toronto pediatric rehabilitation hospital and Safehaven's TCMCC program partner. Comparable in serving medically complex children in the GTA with specialized nursing, therapy, and complex care programs; operates as a hospital while Safehaven operates as a residential nonprofit.
• Emily's House (Philip Aziz Centre): Toronto pediatric hospice providing residential respite and end-of-life care to medically complex children. Closest GTA peer to Safehaven in terms of service mix, residential setting, and medically complex pediatric population, despite smaller scale.
• Darling Home for Kids: Ontario-based charitable home providing respite, residential, and palliative care to children with complex medical needs. Directly comparable nonprofit peer operating in the same regulatory environment and serving the same medically complex pediatric population, though based in Milton rather than Toronto.
• Reena: Toronto-area developmental disability services organization operating the Lou Fruitman Residence in partnership with Safehaven. Directly comparable in residential services for adults with developmental disabilities and complex care needs, operating in the same GTA geography.
• Surrey Place Centre: Toronto-based health centre serving children and adults with developmental disabilities and complex needs. Comparable in GTA geography, clinical/therapeutic service delivery, and serving individuals with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs.
• Community Living Toronto: Toronto-based nonprofit providing residential and community supports to adults with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in residential service model and GTA focus, with overlapping adult client population now served by Safehaven post-2017 licensing.

Broad incumbents

• March of Dimes Canada: National nonprofit providing a broad portfolio of services for people with disabilities, including residential, employment, and recreation programs. Comparable in mission and nonprofit funding model, but operates at much larger scale across Canada with a wider service portfolio than Safehaven.
• CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario): Major pediatric hospital and research centre in Ottawa serving children with complex medical needs, including a complex care program. Comparable in serving medically complex children in Ontario and a potential TCMCC expansion partner for Safehaven.
• Easter Seals Ontario: Long-standing Ontario disability services nonprofit providing accessible camp, recreation, and residential/respite programs. Comparable in nonprofit funding model, Ontario focus, and serving children and youth with physical disabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/safehavento
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCExample
• Facebookfacebook.com/SafehavenTO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safehaven

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safehaven