Relax, Recharge, Renew

Relax, Recharge, Renew is Destination Toronto’s signature social responsibility initiative, providing a much-deserved break to local parents or primary caregivers of children with complex special needs. Working in partnership with the tourism community (hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc.), Destination Toronto facilitates a gifted weekend package for these caregivers to experience Toronto.

The weekend package includes a limousine pick up, a two-night hotel stay, tickets to museums or other attractions, and meals at local restaurants. Participating families are identified by one of several high-quality, provincially-funded respite care centres. 

The Impact

For many participants, it’s the first time in years that they’ve taken a pause from 24/7 childcare and many describe the weekend as transformative to their mental health.

Thanks to our community's support, 36 families are scheduled to experience a weekend getaway in 2023, adding to the more than 600 families who have received respite since the program began in 2008.

“Incredibly grateful to all your sponsors for supporting this perfectly named ‘Relax, Recharge, Renew’ weekend. Raising a child with challenges cannot be done alone and this weekend creates the possibility that families will take time for themselves and surrender to the idea that their child will be ok without them, and might even thrive without them for a short time." - Toni

“I feel completely grateful to have gotten this opportunity. It is wonderful that organizations like yours and all the ones we encountered this weekend can give a single parent such as myself a little getaway from the regular hustle and bustle of raising a child with special needs. It's had a huge impact on my outlook. As much as I missed my little girl, I feel ready this week to tackle any obstacles we may endure.” – Kelly-Anne

“Thank you so much for putting together a wonderful itinerary! If our children could understand, they would say 'thanks for doing something so nice for our mom and dad.' It takes a village to raise a child, even more so a child who has special needs. Thank you for being a part of our bigger village. Thanks for filling our tank for the next stretch of the journey!” – Michelle

Recognition

In its years of operation, Relax, Recharge, Renew has been recognized by a variety of prestigious local and international organizations for exceptional corporate social responsibility. Awards and recognition include:

  • Power of A Silver Award – ASAE (U.S.-based association)
  • Commitment to the Community Award – IMEX (presented in Frankfurt, Germany)
  • CSR Award for Community Affairs – PR News (presented in Washington, D.C.)
  • Tourism Innovator of the Year – Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
  • Destination Champion – Destination Marketing Association International

If you wish to make a contribution to the program either in kind (providing hotel rooms, tickets, restaurant meals) or a monetary donation, we would love to hear from you. Please contact program manager Annie Ewing at aewing@destinationtoronto.com or 647 271 4417.

THANK YOU!

We could not do this without the many generous contributions from our partners. Thank you to the donor partners below:

  • Ace Hotel
  • Aga Khan Museum
  • Aloette
  • Aloft Vaughan Mills
  • Amsterdam Brewhouse
  • Art Gallery of Ontario
  • Bata Shoe Museum
  • Bennington Limo
  • Casa Loma
  • Centreville Amusement Park
  • Chelsea Hotel
  • City Sightseeing
  • City of Toronto Historical Museums
  • CN Tower
  • Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
  • Delta Toronto
  • Distillery Restaurants Corp.
  • Dufflet Bakery
  • E11even
  • Fairmont Royal York Hotel
  • The Fortunate Fox
  • Gardiner Museum
  • Go Tours Canada
  • Hilton Toronto
  • Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel
  • Holiday Inn Downtown Toronto Centre
  • Holiday Inn Express Downtown Toronto
  • Hotel X Toronto
  • Hyatt Regency Hotel
  • InterContinental Toronto Centre
  • Ki Modern Japanese & Bar
  • Kimpton Saint George
  • Koerner Hall/the Royal Conservatory of Music
  • Liberty Entertainment Group
  • Little Canada
  • Luxury Coach
  • Meridian Hall
  • MCI Group
  • MRG Hospitality
  • OEB Breakfast Co.
  • Old Spaghetti Factory
  • Oliver and Bonacini
  • The Omni King Edward Hotel
  • One King West
  • Ontario Science Centre
  • PAI
  • Paramount Middle Eastern Kitchen
  • Park Hyatt Toronto
  • Queen Mother Cafe
  • Quinn’s Steakhouse
  • Real Sports
  • Reptilia Zoo Vaughan
  • Royal Ontario Museum
  • Service Inspired Restaurants Corp.
  • Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
  • Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel
  • The Shore Club
  • Soulpepper Theatre
  • Steam Whistle Brewery
  • TK Events
  • Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel
  • Toronto Bus Company Ltd.
  • Toronto Island Stand Up Paddleboard
  • Toronto Marriott City Centre
  • Toronto Marriott Markham
  • Toronto Zoo
  • The Westin Harbour Castle
  • Yorkdale Shopping Centre
  • Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel
  • Young People’s Theatre