East End Network
The East End Network (EEN) is a group of organizations and agencies located in Toronto’s East End. It is a network that meets monthly to share information and ideas about local issues, projects and research that may be of interest to members in the network and the people they work with. The EEN strives to build and strengthen partnerships in the East End through information, collaboration and research. Below is a profile of some of our member organizations.
Community Centre 55
Target Population: Multi-purpose community centre for people of all ages and abilities. Main Activities at the Agency: summer camp 4 to 12 years; kinder camp 3 to 5 years; counsellor in training programme 13 to 15 years; children's licensed programmes including before, lunch, after school programme, jk/sk enrichment programme, nursery school; graffiti removal and information program; youth fun & fitness club; seniors fitness classes; book club; breakfast with the easter bunny; breakfast with hamper; neighbours night out; slobberfest; share a christmas; spring festivals; fall festivals. Contact: Evonne Hossack at (416) 691-1113 or evonne.cc55@bellnet.ca Upcoming Events: n/a
Councillor Paula Fletcher
Target Population: Residents of Ward 30 Main Activities at the Agency: We are the office of the Municipal representative of Ward 30 (Toronto Danforth), a very vibrant, diverse and progressive community with many issues. Councillor Paula Fletcher, a former school board trustee is the Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee, Board of Health and Toronto Community Housing Corporation. Our office works with and assists residents of Ward 30 and generally with the citizens of Toronto with municipal services and local advocacy. Contact: Pablo Vivanco at (416) 392-4060 or pvivanc@toronto.ca Upcoming Events: n/a
East Toronto Community Legal Services
Target Population: Low-income individuals who live within our boundaries (Victoria Park Ave to Don River, Danforth to Lake Ontario) Main Activities at the Agency: We provide free legal services to low-income people in our neighborhood, including legal advice or full representation before courts and administrative tribunals. We are funded by Legal Aid Ontario and run by a Community Board. We assist in the following areas of law: Landlord and Tenant (tenants only), Social Assistance and Disability Benefits, Employment Insurance, Canada Pension, Employment Law, Immigration/Refugee cases. We’re staffed by Lawyers, Community Legal Workers and Support Staff. We provide Legal Education. We can arrange legal seminars for community groups. We also participate in Law Reform and Community Development activities. We work with community groups to effect changes to laws that affect our clients. Contact: Luis Mayorga at (416) 461-8102, ext. 26 or mayorgal@lao.on.ca Upcoming Events: n/a
Mustard Seed
Target Population: Marginalized and general population who want to participate in the community. Main Activities at the Agency: 3 drop-ins; 2 of which are for women only; community kitchen club, community garden, sewing, arts and crafts, individual computer lessons, Foot Care, Prayer Group, Mediation, Library of Spiritual, Self-Help book Contact: Sister Gwen Smith or Christine Barta at (416)465-6069 or gsmith@csj-to.ca / infomustardseed@csj-to.ca Upcoming Events: n/a.
Newcomer Women's Services Toronto (NEW)
Target Population: Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto (NEW) is a non-profit, charitable organization operating from two locations, one on Danforth Avenue east of Pape Avenue and the other on Warden Avenue between St. Clair and Eglinton Avenues. NEW’s goal is to promote the social, economic and cultural integration, and personal well-being of women and their families who are new to Canada. Each year, NEW welcomes women from around the globe who want to learn, further their skills, share their experiences and make new friendships in a relaxed setting. NEW helps immigrant women and convention refugees. Main Activities at the Agency: Employment Services for Newcomer Women - Full-time and part-time program sessions are run regularly at NEW. Staff facilitators and guest presenters coach students in: Canadian workplace culture - Preparation of resumes, portfolios, and cover letters - Computer use - Job-search techniques and Interview skills. We also provide individual counseling and support - Work and co-op placements – Bookkeeping and Customer service training. We provide vouchers to cover the cost of evaluation of educational and professional credentials by World Education Services; Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) - NEW has three full-time LINC classes, covering levels 1 to 6 Each class is limited to 20 students. Certified LINC instructors deliver standard courses, adapted to the needs and interests of women-only groups. Childminding for children aged 6 months to 5 years is available on-site. Settlement Services- Settlement staff provide information and referral to Toronto’s many social agencies, government offices, and educational institutions to assist newcomers (both men and women) to address their settlement challenges. Seminars on areas of common interest are also offered periodically; topics include: Education - Health - Employment - Housing - Emergency help lines - Food security - Children’s services and Legal assistance. Donated clothing, furniture, household items are available to clients. Saturday Social Activity for Newcomer Women and Children - Saturday mornings at NEW on the Danforth brighten weekends with friendship, fun, refreshments, and opportunities to learn about life in Canada. Open to all newcomer women and their children, the Saturday drop-in helps participants to forge new friendships and enhance their language skills, while children (from 6 months to 12 years) are cared for by childminding staff and volunteers. Opportunities to Contribute and Learn - NEW offers its clients and their families opportunities to learn the value of volunteer activity in Canadian society. Newcomers who seek employment can also benefit from volunteer placements with other employers—some of these have led to permanent paid positions! Contact: In Scarborough: Eliza Yi at (416) 751-8886 or panest@newcomerwomen.org. In Toronto: Najma Jabeen at (416) 469-0196 or pa@newcomerwomen.org Upcoming Events: n/a
Ralph Thornton Centre
Target Population: The Ralph Thornton Community Centre (RTCC) is a dynamic neighbourhood centre involved in community development, social justice and environmental issues in South Riverdale. We work with fellow community agencies, local residents and action groups. We have a special emphasis on: the South Riverdale community residents and others who work and play in the neighbourhood, youth & children, Asian (Chinese) population, those who are unemployed,; low to middle income families; and working poor to name a few. Main Activities at the Agency: In the past 28 years, the Centre has been a nurturing ground for community based coalitions and action groups, as well as implemented agency programs and services. Topics we have historically and currently focus on: environment, food security, employment, affordable housing, arts and cultural, self-help & action groups and local planning. The Centre provides the following programs and services, many of which are planned and implemented in partnership with various groups and organizations in the Riverdale community: children’s programs (Riverdale Youth-Child Mentor Program, RAC Summer Camp, After school snack program, Homework Club and Youth Drop-in); community development projects through the Riverdale Community Development Institute; special events for children, adults, and families; Lewis Pearsall Computer Resource Centre; volunteer development; free or low cost community meeting space, and resource support; and rental space for private functions. Contact: Susy Glass at (416) 392-6810, ext. 231 or susyg@ralphthornton.org Upcoming Events: n/a
Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre
Target Population: Chinese and South Asian women and their families. We provide settlement services (referrals to legal, housing, health, immigration, and employment services), PED (pre-employment development), workshops for individuals on Ontario Works, VAW couseling (individual/group counseling with regards to violence against women in the community). Main Activities at the Agency: Community development projects (global pantry), Muslim girls youth groups in schools, special events for women and their families, volunteer development Contact: Akiko Takahashi at (416) 465-6021 or akiko@bellnet.ca Upcoming Events: n/a
South Riverdale Community Health Centre
Target Population: We offer services to residents living between Mortimer Avenue (north) and Lakeshore Boulevard (south); the Don Valley Parkway (west) and Coxwell Avenue (east). Our target population includes those who experience difficulties accessing conventional medical, social and community services due to low literacy or income levels; housing, family or drug use problems; gender, race, culture or mental health issues. Priority clients include new immigrants and the Chinese community; young children, their parents and caregivers; women and seniors; people without health insurance; clients who are homeless and/or are coping with drug and mental health issues. Main Activities at the Agency: The South Riverdale Community Health Centre (SRCHC) is a community-based organization that offers primary health care services and health promotion programs to a diverse community. We strive to respond to local issues and provide services in active partnership with our clients, patients, neighbours, community groups and professional organizations. SRCHC is a member of the Toronto Central Local Health Initiative Network. Contact: Melissa Tapper at (416) 461-3577, ext. 243 or mtapper@srchc.com Upcoming Events: n/a
Support Enhance Access Service Centre (S.E.A.S. Centre)
b>Target Population: Chinese, Vietnamese and Filipino Main Activities at the Agency: Family Service – Crisis Intervention, domestic violence prevention, family life education, men’s program, parents and children program; Neighborhood Support – Immigrant settlement and integration support; Community development – Volunteers recruitment, training & placement, community networking, community events organization, public high-speed Internet service and basic computer skills training; Youth Service – Drop-in, leadership & life skills training; Senior Service – Drop-in, educational workshops and recreational activities. Contact: Rebecca Lee at (416) 362-1375, ext. 25 or rebecca@seascentre.org Upcoming Events: n/a
Toronto East Counselling and Support Service
Target Population: Adults living with significant mental health issues Main Activities at the Agency: In partnership with clients TECSS offers: individual case management: including supportive counseling, goal setting, information and referrals, advocacy, assistance with connecting to other community services and resources. Groups are offered from time to time such as creativity and crafts, peer support, wellness and health, CBT for depression and anxiety Contact: Deborah Feinstadt at(416) 462-0461, ext. 21 or dfeinstadt@tecss.com Upcoming Events: n/a
Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships (TIGP)
Target Population: Children, youth, adults and seniors Main Activities at the Agency: TIGP invests in communities and people over the long term, offering intergenerational best practices, volunteer/staff training and proven successful and flexible program models that promote inclusion of all races and ages, such as: Friendly Visiting - Children and youth are matched with frail and active seniors for social and recreational activities on a regular basis. These group programs take place in the community and within long-term care facilities across Toronto; Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) - In this brokered program, youth and adults provide outdoor maintenance services for seniors (such as snow shovelling, lawn maintenance, gardening). Seniors pay an hourly rate for services that enable them to live safely in their homes; Community Service Volunteer Program - Youth and adult volunteers are placed within schools, community agencies and organizations upon completion of an application, screening and police reference check; SENIORS AND Families in Cyberspace - Youth and adults are trained as Internet Coaches to enable them to teach adults and seniors about computers and the Internet. Programs take place at various locations across Toronto; and other current programs and special events at TIGP also include: Grandparents Day Events, Annual Festive Dinner for community seniors and food drive for community seniors, Health and Wellness Programs (for specific groups of seniors), Community Service Volunteer Fairs; Community Gardening, CultureFest events. Contact: Dora Bailey at (416) 531-8447, ext. 2 or dora@tigp.org Upcoming Events: n/a
Toronto Public Health
Target Population: School and Youth Main Activities at the Agency: Our goals are to strengthen school communities’ capacity for living, learning and working and to promote the physical, mental, social and spiritual well being of children and youth. Contact: Lydia Fong at (416) 338-1617 or lfong@toronto.ca Upcoming Events: n/a
WoodGreen Community Services
Target Population: Families, newcomers, seniors, job seekers, those in need of mental health developmental services or homelessness and housing help Main Activities at the Agency:WoodGreen started off as an East-end neighbourhood centre in 1937 and while our mission has not changed, the breadth of our services and the way we deliver them has evolved dramatically. From one location at 835 Queen Street, we have grown to more than 15 locations throughout the East end of the city and hundreds of partners that we collaborate with to meet the growing needs of our clients. Our mission is to deliver services that promote wellness and self-sufficiency, reduce poverty and inequality, and build sustainable communities. We believe that the only way to achieve this mission is to work closely with our clients to understand the many barriers they face, and to help them access all the supports they need -- whether these include housing, child care, employment training, help with a child who has developmental challenges or care for seniors right in their home. At WoodGreen we are committed to providing our clients with equal access to services that best reflect their individual needs. We value diversity and inclusiveness, and we believe everyone has the right to be treated with respect, fairness and compassion. We are dedicated to excellence, working together with many other partners across the city in order to bring our clients the best services possible. Contact: Diane Dyson at (416) 645-6000, ext. 1252 or ddyson@woodgreen.org Upcoming Events: n/a
