For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJB

Throughout His Word God has made it clear His plan for our lives is wholeness, spirit, soul, and body. That includes our minds, our brains. But traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability globally and in Canada, two per cent of the population lives with a TBI including veterans. There are 18,000 hospitalizations for TBI each year caused by brain tumours and other neurological illnesses, automobile crashes and other accidents and the physical force of spousal and parental abuse. And more.

While Jesus the Healer is in the business of the process of healing, He often uses people and organizations to meet the needs of those dealing with health issues that frequently go beyond the traditional health care system.

Since 1984 Dale Brain Services, which has its original roots in the London based Westmount Church and the Agape Foundation, has provided a continuum of high quality, client-centered services to persons affected by an acquired brain injury (ABI). By providing services that are accessible, evidence-based, and responsive to the changing needs of clients, community, and partners, DBIS supports individuals to maximize their strengths and live healthy, meaningful lives. But the need for services is growing and so is the waiting list.

13th Annual Dale Brain Services Moving Forward Fundraiser

In recognition of June as Brain Injury Awareness Month, family, friends, caregivers, and the community are invited to participate in the 13th annual Dale Brain Services Moving Forward Fundraiser on Friday June 24, a fun day long virtual and in person walkathon event that supports Dale’s Enriching Lives Fund (ELF) and awareness of acquired brain injury and stroke.

The Virtual Walkathon Zoom begins at 11 a.m. Participants will join the Zoom meeting by clicking HERE. . The meeting ID is 832 2451 6894. The passcode is: 852514

The In-person Walkathon will begin at 1 p.m. at the DBIS Centre for New Tomorrows, 345 Saskatoon Street, with staggered times between 1 and 7 p.m.

Click HERE to register and sign up for a time for either or both walks go to or phone Stacey 519-668-0023 extension 119

DBIS Enriching Lives Fund

The Dale Brain Injury Enriching Lives Fund (ELF) benefits 450 clients annually directly through a variety of services and programs. A subsidy program meets immediate and basic client needs including food, clothing, or housing insecurities. Virtual and in person events or activities are offered throughout the week and throughout the year many clients might not otherwise have access to.

ELF donations are used to subsidize client programming, client rent/food on a short-term basis, or can go towards subsidizing basic client needs of clothing and other personal needs, dentures, and household goods.

Programs Offered include:

• Assisted Living
• Transitional Services (Community and Residential)
• Intensive Community Transitional Services
• Group Services (Adult Day Program)
• Life after Stroke (Adult Day Program)
• Supported Independent Living
• Counselling Supports
• Caregiver Supports
• Consultation and Training
• Short Term Case Management

DBIS History

In 1980 the members of the Church at Westmount (now the AGAPE Foundation) saw the need for community-based services for adults living with the effects of an acquired brain injury. Funding was secured from the Ontario Government in 1984 and a site was provided by the members of the Church at Westmount. One of the first such programs in the province, this site became a transitional living centre called The Dale Home, named after the owners of the property. From its grassroots inception, The Dale Home was a leader in innovative approaches to service delivery.

By 1990, the services provided by The Dale Home had outgrown the farmhouse. Through a major donation by the AGAPE Foundation the Dale Home Board members and staff designed and built The Dale Centre, still located at 815 Shelborne Street in London. Operational funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health enabled Dale to continue to provide, enhance and expand their services to ABI survivors.



In 1996 developments in the field of ABI and current terminology led to a decision to change the name to Dale Brain Injury Services (DBIS). In the mid 1990’s the Ontario government determined that it needed to create community based rehabilitation services as most individuals surviving severe brain injuries were still travelling to various states in the United States for rehab. DBIS was successful in receiving funding to become one of the eight community-based agencies for ABI rehab in the province and received many clients who were repatriated from United States rehab facilities.

In 1999 DBIS opened the first internationally accredited brain injury clubhouse, the Nigel and Rhonda Gilby Centre for New Tomorrows. (CNT) Cornerstone Clubhouse at 345 Saskatoon Street.

In 2002 a supported independent living program was begun as an outreach in Sarnia. Seven years later through a variety of partnerships with housing providers and the City of London, DBIS started offering affordable housing to clients dealing with housing instability including a 20-unit apartment building. Since 2010, enhanced Outreach funding has made it possible to offer affordable housing and respite services to individuals dealing with ABI and their families across southwestern Ontario.

In 2019 DBIS began the specialized Life After Stroke (LAS) Adult Day Program at CNT with funding from the South West Local Health Integration Network. It also received new funds to begin a new intensive In Home Residential Transitional Program.

“DBIS exists to support people with brain injuries to enrich their lives through developing skills and making connections. It has progressed through many changes since those early days and is committed to continued growth in the future. What has remained constant, and will not change, is our commitment to our clients and our role in helping them to build their futures.”

DBIS is located at 345 Saskatoon Street. For more information phone 519-668-0023 or go to www.daleservices.on.ca You can also email contact@daleservices.on.ca.

About the Agape Foundation of London
For we must share if we would keep that blessing from above. Ceasing to give we cease to have. Such is the law of Love.

Dale Brain Injury Services was an inception of the Agape Foundation, the benevolent arm of London’s Church of Westmount in 1980.

The purpose of The Agape Foundation of London is to assist in the development of the London area community through grants and special awards to non-profit, charitable groups concerned with education, the arts, recreation, social services, health and the environment.

The founders of the Agape Foundation of London were part of a faith organization that sought to express their faith through living and acting in a way that would continuously improve their lives and the lives of people in their community. The Church at Westmount held less traditional worship services that included contemporary music and guided discussions rather than sermons and homilies. All of this was intended to explore how their service, their daily endeavours could help better their lives and the lives of others in the community.

The foundation literally revolves around the word Agape, a classical Greek word that has no equivalent in the English language. There are likely as many interpretations of Agape as there are individual relationships with God. Unconditional, selfless love committed to the well being of others is one definition the foundation has accepted to describe itself.

The Word Agape is sometimes seen as interchangeable with charity. Where charity has a contemporary connotation of giving to meet needs of the less fortunate, Agape goes far beyond that and is all embracing as it seeks to help others improve their well being.

“In essence then as we (The Board of Directors) look for the “Agape” in each application, we are looking for the manifestation of God’s love for each and every creature.” C.S. Lewis used Agape to describe what he believed was the highest level of love known to humanity. A selfless love, a love that was passionately committed to the well being of others.

Another definition of Agape states “Whereas every other form of love requires something from its object, agape requires nothing, neither beauty, nor sameness of blood, nor sameness of mind.

“So when we seek to find the “Agape” in an application, we are looking for an unconditional, non-exclusive act that will improve the well being of people within the Greater London area.

The Agape Foundation of London is a small charitable organization with a big heart for community. The purpose of the Foundation is to assist in the development of London through grants and special awards to non-profit, charitable groups in the areas of arts, recreation, social services, health, and the environment. If an organization does work which improves the quality of life in our community, the Foundation welcomes the application for.

The Agape Foundation of London makes grants for start up costs both capital and operating to new organizations intending to provide services or facilities that respond to a documented need in the community.

Individuals and organization who apply for a grant from the Agape Foundation of London are asked as part of its application how their project fits the purpose and vision of the Foundation.

Considered organizations must have a CRA charitable registration number and be governed by a Board of Directors. It must provide benefit to the community of London, Ontario and its citizens.

“Our grants are rarely over $10,000. We prefer to fund small, grassroots organizations which seek to meet immediate human need. We give higher priority to ‘seed money’ for new projects, programs, and initiatives. We do not fund capital campaigns.” For more information about registration criteria go to https://agapelondon.ca/grants.php The Agape Foundation of London is an independent, registered charitable organization and is not affiliated with any other organization or institution. It is administered by a Board of Directors and operates under Registration Number 88977 4196 RR0001.

Directors who serve on the Board of The Agape Foundation are volunteers who are dedicated to furthering the purpose of the Foundation and improving the quality of life in London. For further information or clarification with respect to the submission of a grant application, please contact Grants Chair, Jay Campbell, by e-mail at nanandjay@sympatico.ca.