The Sharron Cooke Annual Legacy Award was created to memorialize the vision and collaborative spirit of the late Sharron Cooke, former OARC President, and was conceptualized (with Sharron’s help!) as a way to honour the people who live and work in Ontario long-term care (LTC) homes. The award recognizes teams who have demonstrated a commitment to authentic communication, relationship-building, establishing trust, and inspiring a sense of hope. This award is based on these principles and supported by the influence of Residents’ Councils in every LTC home.
The Sharron Cooke Annual Legacy Award (SCALA) recognizes a long term care home engaged in a shared home-level, grassroots project or initiative where residents and team members work collaboratively—or where residents take a leading role—to shape and enhance their home community.AWARD : The Award Recipient (LTC home team) will be consulted to select a prize item (valued up to $500) that helps to bring people together to build community in their home. We recognize that prizes are not ‘one size fits all’ and the intention of this Award is to afford flexibility to select a prize that best suits your home’s current needs and resident preferences. ELIGIBILITY: In conjunction with the purpose of the Award, applicants must also meet the following eligibility:
- Applications must include a Team Member(s) and Resident(s)
- The applicants must work/reside in a long-term care home in Ontario
- Applications should around 750 words
- Recipients of the Sharron Cooke Legacy Award may apply for the award again 2 years after receiving the Sharron Cooke Legacy Award
CRITERIA: Application packages must include the following :
- Application form jointly completed by a Team Member(s) and Resident(s)
- Description of how the initiative has positively influenced your home in at least one of the following areas: Building trust and inspiring hope; Enhancing communication; Building compassion and empathy; Facilitating resident to resident peer support and friendships
- Include direct feedback/quotes from residents as well as team members to illustrate the impact of your collaboration/project
- Include pictures to support your application – email to jlangston@ontarc.com in a .jpeg format
IMPORTANT DATES:
- June 8, 2026: Applications Open
- August 21, 2026 – 5 pm: Applications Close
- August 24 to 28, 2026: Award Selection (internal review)
- Week of September 7, 2026: Applicants Notified/Prize selection
- Week of Sept 14, 2026 (Residents’ Council Week 2026): Winner announced
Click the "Next" button to apply
