COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF TORONTO

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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Issue # 37, April 2006

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the thirty seventh edition of the electronic newsletter from the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto. At the beginning of each month, this e-bulletin provides news on the activities of the CSPC-T and our partners, as well as access to new research and policy products and networks, in print and web-based forms. We hope it is useful. And we value and welcome your feedback at the email address below.

To subscribe to this bulletin, send an email with your name, organization, address, and telephone number to cspc@cspc.toronto.on.ca with the message

SUBSCRIBE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

If you wish to stop receiving the bulletin, send the message UNSUBSCRIBE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

If you do not have regular access to email and you wish to receive this bulletin, please contact Margaret Hau at (416) 351-0095 x 211, and she will arrange to send it to you by fax. If you want a printable version of this newsletter, please go to:

http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/CSPC-T%20Newsletters/Newsletter%202006.htm

Please note the deadline to submit information for the next e-Newsletter is April 28, 2006.

CONTENTS

1.               News from the Council

2.               Upcoming Events

3.               News from our Partners

4.               Conferences and Calls for Papers

5.               Information Resources

5.1   New Reports and Publications

5.2             Websites of Interest

6.               Contact Us

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1. NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL

New Staff at the Council

The Council is delighted to welcome three new members to our staff this month:

Armine Yalnizyan has accepted the position of Director of Research with the Council. She has worked with governments at the federal, provincial and local levels, with international NGOs and community-based organizations and coalitions, always with the goal of making policies better respond to the needs of the most marginalized members of society. After 10 years as a program director with the Social Planning Council of Metropolitan Toronto, she authored a ground-breaking report in 1998 on income inequality in Canada, entitled “The Growing Gap”. In 2002 she became the honoured first recipient of the Atkinson Foundation Award for Economic Justice and received the Morley Gunderson Prize in 2003. A respected economist and media commentator, her current primary research focus is on the economics of health care.

“The range of skills, experience, and initiative that Armine brings to the Council is phenomenal. Her passion for social and economic justice issues, grounded in meticulous research, has earned her a reputation as a leader in public policy research in Canada” said John Campey, CSPC-T Executive Director. “I can’t imagine anyone better qualified to offer leadership to the Council’s research agenda. Armine will be an enormous asset, not just to the Council, but to progressive social policy work in Toronto, Ontario, and right across Canada.”

Armine is making the transition from the Atkinson Foundation to the Council over the next few months, starting at the beginning of April. Her contribution is already making itself felt, and we look forward to working with her as the Council continues to progress.

Christine Davis commenced her duties as our new Community Planner for the North York area on March 6^th. Christine has worked with the Toronto District School Board as a School Community Advisor, and also worked with the Women Abuse Council of Toronto. She is also familiar with the North York area, having done community development work in the O’Connor Community.

“Christine’s wide range of experience in community work with a wide range of constituencies will be extremely helpful as the Council rebuilds its presence in North York,” said John Campey, CSPC-T Executive Director. Christine’s major responsibility will be working as coordinator of the Black Creek West Capacity project. This project is an initiative of the Black Creek West Coordinating Committee (a partnership of York University, Jane-Finch Mall management, TD Bank, the Network of Community-Based Organizations, faith groups, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, representatives of a variety of City and Federal government departments, and community residents), funded by the City of Toronto’s Social Development Program, and trusteed by the Delta Family Resource Centre. She is working closely with both the coordinating committee and the four working groups for the project (Programs and Services, Toward Economic Independence, Safe and Healthy Space, and Toward Showcasing the Black Creek Community).

Tracy Carriere-Smith is joining the Council as a Reseacher, focusing on Phase III of the “Kidbuilders” project. Tracy also brings a wide range of experience to this position, having worked as an elementary school teacher, as a Community Development Worker and Researcher for the Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries, and as Instructor of a graduate course “Social Exclusion, Marginalization, and Resistance” at the University of Toronto. Tracy has also been involved in public policy research and analysis at the Provincial level on education and civic engagement, and has a background in ESL and homelessness issues. We know that she will make a significant contribution to the research work of the Council, and join in welcoming her to the team.

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Community Planning and Diversity Conference

Partnerships for Inclusiveness, Social Justice, and Community Well-Being

CSPC-T is pleased to be the host organization for this exciting conference. This is the first international meeting of community social planning leaders and practitioners throughout the United States and Canada. In communities all across the United States and Canada, social planning councils are leading and supporting community initiatives to address community issues and bring about positive change. This conference will provide a first opportunity for community planning leaders and practitioners from both countries to explore key issues, gain new perspectives, information and tools, find new colleagues, and learn from one another.

When: Thursday May 4, 2006 to Sunday May 7, 2006

Where: Radisson Admiral Hotel, Toronto, Canada

Co-Sponsors:
Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO)- Canada

National Association of Planning Councils (NAPC) - United States

For more information, please visit: http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/Events%20&%20Opportunities/Events.htm

Space is limited, so register early!

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CSPC-T Annual General Meeting – May 16, 2006, and Call for Nominations to the Board of Directors.

The CSPC-T is an incorporated and registered non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to:

§ independent social planning and community development;

§ social research and policy analysis;

§ community education and advocacy; and

§ development and coordination of human services.

The CSPC-T is governed by a 15-person volunteer Board of Directors elected by individual community and organizational membership at the Annual General Membership Meeting (AGM). The CSPC-T’s Annual General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16^th at the Ontario Bar Association, 20 Toronto St. – Suite 200, Toronto. There will be 4 vacancies on the Board of Directors (three for a three-year term and one for a two-year term). This is a call for nominations to fill these vacancies by election at the AGM.

All CSPC-T Board members serve as individuals committed to the purposes and mission of the CSPC-T and to the important role of independent community social planning in helping to shape the quality of life for all of Toronto’s residents. Although Board members do not represent any particular community, constituency, or organization in Board service, the composition of the CSPC-T Board should reflect as much as possible the character and nature of our community. In that regard, in recruiting candidates for nomination to the Board, the Nominations Committee will apply the following considerations:

§ People of colour who bring a perspective that encompasses the general experience of visible minority groups in the City, not strictly the concerns and interests of a single or a few groups.

§ People from various ethnic identities and cultural traditions and backgrounds.

§ People who understand from their personal experience, work, and/or volunteer activity issues important to vulnerable or marginalized community members (e.g. disability, gay/lesbian sexual orientation, low income, age, etc.).

§ People who live, work, or volunteer from all parts of the City geographically.

§ People from a variety of professional or sectoral perspectives, such as labour, business, public service, faith communities, academia, social justice movements, etc

§ Gender balance.

Volunteer Board members, of course, bring many skills and talents to their Board responsibilities. Organizational strengths in areas such as access and equity, strategic planning finance, fundraising, legal, communications, human resource development, etc. are welcome.

This year the Nominations Committee is particularly interested in candidates from the business sector; with legal experience; from the faith community; and seniors. The committee is also interested in candidates with fundraising and information systems experience.

Individuals who are nominated and agree to stand for membership election to the

CSPC-T Board will be making a commitment to a one, two or three-year term. They will agree to attend monthly two- to three-hour Board meetings and to contribute an additional two to three hours a month to CSPC-T committee, task group or other Board-related volunteer work.

Interested individuals may submit their candidacy or nominate others to the

CSPC-T Board by completing a Nomination Form (available on the CSPC-T Website http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/Events%20&%20Opportunities/Call%20for%20Nominations%20-%202006.htm ) and submitting it by Friday, April 28^th, 2006.

Mario Calla

Nominations Committee Chair,

Community Social Planning Council of Toronto,

2 Carlton Street, Suite 1001

Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3

All nominees will receive an acknowledgement.

For further information, contact:

Maria Serrano, Office Manager/Executive Assistant

Community Social Planning Council of Toronto

Tel: 416-351-0095 ext. 223 or fax: 416-351-0107

E-mail: smaria@cspc.toronto.on.ca

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The Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement Forum

On March 28, 2006 the CSPC-T, in collaboration with a range of provincial community partners hosted a forum on the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement which was signed November 21, 2005. Over 170 participants from province-wide organizations with particular concern with the learning needs of newcomer communities came together at the Metro Central YMCA to share information and strategies to promote effective community and school-based initiatives.

The morning session consisted of panel presentations from senior Provincial and Federal civil service staff who described the roles of the respective governments (including municipalities) as this agreement is put into action. Debbie Douglas, Executive Director of OCASI, pointed out that the Settlement sector has long suffered from a lack of funding and that this agreement was a positive step forward.

In the afternoon, participants broke out into smaller discussion groups to examine the details of the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement in-depth and from different perspectives. The outcome of these discussion groups was a consensus that the Consultation Process needed to be transparent, creative and inclusive of all voices. These discussion groups also pointed out that the agreement does not address the needs of seniors, women (lack of childcare), refugees, and citizens who require language instruction.

A detailed report on the Forum proceedings will soon be available on the CSPC-T website. A follow-up meeting is planned for the morning of Tuesday, May 2^nd.

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1652 Keele Street Open House

To celebrate their move into 1652 Keele Street, seven community agencies, listed below, held an Open House on April 5. The turnout was marvellous and the big lobby was overflowing with more than two hundred and fifty people. Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was Fergy Brown, former Mayor of the former City of York. Dignitaries in attendance were:

• Mayor David Miller
• Joseph Cordiano, MPP - Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Regional Minister for GTA
• Mike Colle, MPP - Minister of Citizenship & Immigration
• Khalil Ramal, MPP – Parliamentary Assistant to Mike Colle
• Councillor Frank Di Giorgio
• Councillor Frances Nunziata
• Alison Weiss, EA, MP Alan Tonks
• Trustee Elizabeth Hill

A short presentation was also made by University of Toronto students from the Architecture, Landscape and Design Program who presented a scale model and architectural drawings based on the vision collectively articulated by the ‘Group of Seven’ in a charette organized by the students.

The program concluded with entertainment of South Asian dancing, poetry recital by two young women of Caribbean and Somali descent, dance-fitness demonstration by the Latino women’s group, and Somali women’s group dancing and singing.

CSPC-T Community Planner Yasmin Khan, gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the 1652 Keele Group of 7 Tenants.

The 7 Groups located in 1652 Keele Street are:

Community Action Resource Centre

Community Social Planning Council – York Office

For Youth Initiative

Somali Immigrant Aid Organization

SIWA-Somali Immigrant Women Association

Woman Abuse Council of Toronto

York Hispanic Centre

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New Community-Led Study Calls for Increased Resources to Support Afghan
Youth
On March 9, Sabawoon Afghan Family Education and Counselling Centre, East
Metro Youth Services, Community Resource Connections of Toronto and CSPC-T launched a new report: Bridging the Gap: Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Afghan Youth.  
 
Two hundred members of the Afghan community participated in the launch and agency fair at the Scarborough Civic Centre.
 
This community-led project engaged 211 Afghan youth from across Toronto, 82 Afghan parents and 16 service providers in a study of the mental health needs of Afghan youth.  The study identified the strength and resilience of the Afghan community, the community's history as survivors of several wars and displacement, and the current struggles faced by Afghan youth.
 
Major findings include:
· 31% of youth reported experiencing war trauma which was significantly
 correlated with mental health, social and academic problems
· 63% of youth reported that their families had experienced war trauma
· 9 out of 10 youth (vast majority male) reported exposure to violence
 either as a victim, survivor, witness or perpetrator
· Low self esteem and anxiety rates were higher among newcomers than youth
who had been in Canada for a longer period of time
· 9% of youth reported accessing help for mental health problems, but nearly
two-thirds did not find the help they needed
· One-third of youth reported having trouble adjusting to the Canadian
school system
· 15% of youth reported frequent experiences of Islamophobia in school
· One in five youth reported being suspended or expelled from school
· Nearly 1 in 5 youth reported having belonged to a gang, however almost half of these youth did not report any trouble with the law or committing acts associated with gang activity
· More than 1 in 4 youth reported that arguments with parents and extended family became violent
 
Study recommendations include a focus on culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services, anti-oppression policy implementation and increased supports in the school system, and outreach and education to the Afghan community regarding mental health issues and services.  
 
For the full report visit:www.socialplanningtoronto.org (under Research & Policy Updates)

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CSPC-T and Aisling Discoveries Release New Report on Homeless Children and School Success
On March 27, CSPC-T and Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre released the Kid Builders Phase II report: Supporting the School Success of Homeless Children in Scarborough.  A gathering of 40 teachers, shelter staff, parents, community members, funders and media came together at Burrows Hall Community Centre for the launch of this new report on the educational needs of homeless school-age children in Scarborough.  While there is extensive research on homelessness, the Kid Builders Phase II project with its focus on homeless children and school success is the first of its kind to beconducted in Canada.   One hundred and sixty-one people took part in the study including parents (primarily mothers), children (6-12 years of age), shelter staff, teachers, school administrators and external experts. Families and staff from 5 Scarborough family shelters and 4 local schools took part.
 
Major findings include:
· 31% of youth reported experiencing war trauma which was significantly
 correlated with mental health, social and academic problems
· Domestic violence and inability to pay rent were the most common reasons
 for seeking shelter
· 55% of parents and 45% of children had stayed in a shelter in the past
· 40% of children attended 3 or more schools since Kindergarten
· Children’s school success is negatively affected by:
ØEmotional costs of losing one’s home and related losses, such as
neighbourhood friends, pets, teachers
ØTrauma associated with prior experience of living in a situation of
 Violence
ØFacing uncertainty, such as an unexpected move from a shelter
ØChanging schools, as it interrupts the child’s learning and requires
ØAdjustments to a new environment during a period of stress
ØInability of schools to access student records in a timely manner
ØLack of space, privacy and computers for study coupled with high noise levels in shelters
ØStigma associated with living in a shelter
ØExtensive waiting lists for special supports and other school programs
ØPoverty, as it limits families’ ability to pay for basics such as winter
 clothing
 
The study puts forward several recommendations to improve the school success of homeless children and address the policy failures that contribute to family homelessness. Ultimately, political action is needed to deliver safe and affordable housing, income security programs that meet basic needs, and initiatives to prevent and effectively respond to violence against women. Systemic change is essential to promote the school success of all children.
 
For the full report and executive summary visit: www.socialplanningtoronto.org 
(under CSPC-T Reports). 
 
 The Phase III Kid Builders study, funded by the United Way of Greater Toronto’s Social Research Initiative, is currently in development.

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2. UPCOMING EVENTS

Uprising Documentary Festival 2006

The third annual Uprising Documentary Festival, featuring award-winning documentaries from Latin America and the Caribbean, began on Friday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ashanti Room at 836 Bloor St. West (near Ossington subway station) and will continue until Friday, May 5, 2006.

The only one of its kind in North America, the Uprising Documentary Festival features stories that document a continental movement of social and political change, from Mexico through the Caribbean to Argentina.

April 14 Venezuela The Haitian Mirror (Spanish with English subtitles)

April 21 Argentina Memory of the Riot (Spanish with English subtitles)

April 28 Jamaica Fire & Blood (English)

May 5 Brazil Occupied Factories (Portugese with English subt.)

For more information contact Robin Nieto at: 416-516-7172

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Department of Social Work, Sick Kids Hospital

National Social Work Week

The Department of Social Work at Sick Kids Hospital is celebrating National Social Work Week:

Date & Time: Wednesday, April 19, 2006, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.    

Main Auditorium
Carole Harrison Memorial Lecture: Dr. Faye Mishna
Topic: Bullying - What Do We Know and What Can We Do?

Visit the Rotunda after the lecture for Refreshments and to check out the Poster Display featuring innovative Social Work research projects.

For more information contact: Barbara Neilson, Department of Social Work, Hospital for Sick Children at: bneilson@sickkids.ca

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Toronto Coalition for Equity in Education

Community Forum: Systemic Education in Public Education

The Toronto Coalition for Equity in Education presents an Action Forum: What Part Can We Play: Addressing Systemic Racism in Our Public Education System?

This forum is for parents and students to come out and explore themes such as:

The Safe Schools Act

ESL, International Language and Black Cultural Programs

Employment Equity

School Curriculum

Date & Time: Saturday, April 22, 2006, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Location: Malvern Family Resource Centre (1321 Neilson Rd.), Scarborough.

To RSVP or for more information contact Michelle at: michelle@urbanalliance.ca or call (416) 703-6607 x 3.

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CANES Home Support Services

Spring Fever ‘06’

CANES Home Support Services presents “Spring Fever ‘06”, a gala evening to launch the 2006 gardening season.

Date & Time: Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 7:30 pm

Location: Plant World, 4000 Eglinton Ave. West (at Royal York Rd), 

This event which is being hosted by Plant World includes seminars by gardening experts, complimentary wine and cocktail fare, a silent auction, raffle, and a 15% discount on all regular priced Plant World merchandise.

Tickets are $60 and available from CANES at 416-743-3892 or at Plant World.

All proceeds support CANES programs and services for seniors and adults
with disabilities.
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Centre for Health Promotion, University of Toronto

Ontario Health Promotion Summer School 2006

The Centre for Health Promotion at the University of Toronto announces Ontario Health Promotion Summer School 2006 with introductory courses (“preschool”) in Health Promotion. This year’s theme is “Creating Supportive Physical and Social Environments”. Summer School includes a wide range of lectures, applied workshops, networking opportunities and recreational and cultural events to engage community workers, health practitioners, students and academics, policy-makers and managers.

Date: Monday, June 26 – Thursday, June 29 2006,

Preschool: Sunday, June 25, 2006 (optional)

Location: BMO Institute for Learning (courses and accommodation)

Early Bird Registration ends April 27.

For more information contact: Lisa at (416) 469-4632, or e-mail: hpss@rogers.com or

Website: www.utoronto.ca/chp/hpss

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Wellesley Central Health Corporation

Toronto Community Health Profiles: Workshops

The Wellesley Central Health Corporation, a partner in the Toronto Community Health Profiles Partnership will hosting the following workshops with the aim of facilitating access to information for health planning with the overall goal of producing action to reduce health inequalities.

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 16, 2006, 9 am- 12:30 pm

Workshop: CBR 216A Health Data and Maps for Planning: Women’s Health.

This workshop will use the www.torontohealthprofiles.ca website with a special focus on women’s health and gender inequities across Toronto neighbourhoods and communities. The workshop will introduce gender based analysis, explore how to identify indicators, interpret what the data means and demonstrate how this information can be used to reduce health inequities.

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 9 am- 12:30 pm.

Workshop: CBR 216B Health Data and Maps for Planning: Older Adults.

This workshop will use the www.torontohealthprofiles.ca website with a special focus on the diversity of the characteristics and health needs of seniors in neighbourhoods across Toronto. The workshop will explore how the indicators were defined, interpret what the data means and demonstrate how this information can be used in community health planning across the health continuum.

Half-day workshops are $15 and include a resource package and a credit towards a certificate in Community Based Research.

To register go to: www.wellesleycentral.com or call Lynn at (416) 972-1010 x 221.

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A Commitment to Training and Employment for Women (ACTEW)

Planning Women’s Livelihood Programs: A Professional Training Symposium

ACTEW will be holding a two-day professional development symposium for women’s training providers in Toronto. The symposium will provide women’s programs with the opportunity to hear about the newly signed Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) and Labour Market Partnership Agreement (LMPA) and what these changes mean for women and women-focused programs in Ontario.

Date: May 24-25, 2006

For more information please contact Deanna Yerichuk, Program Manager, at deanna@actew.org or 416-599-3590.

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3. NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

Laidlaw Foundation

Public Meeting: Update on the Ornstein Report

The Laidlaw Foundation presents a public meeting at which Michael Ornstein (Institute for Social Research, York University) will present his latest research, followed by commentaries from:

Rick Egan (St. Christopher House and MISSWA project)

Debbie Douglas (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants - OCASSI)

Amanuel Melles (United Way of Greater Toronto)

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 25, 2006, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Innis Town Hall, Unviersity of Toronto, 2 Sussex Avenue (St. George Subway)

ASL Translation will be provided; Wheelchair Accessible

For further information contact: Kim McBrien, Administrative Assistant, Laidlaw Foundation (416) 964-3614 x 305

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Employment Supports, Toronto Region Ontario Disability Support Program

Dispute Resolution Volunteers Needed

Employment Supports of the Toronto Region Ontario Disability Program (ODSP) is looking for interested candidates to volunteer for service on the Dispute Resolution Committee. The Employment Supports Dispute Resolution Process is an “arms-length” mechanism to review eligibility disputes between the program and applicants/clients. This includes decisions related to basic eligibility, suspension, and/or cancellation of employment supports services.