COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL
OF
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Issue # 41, August
2006
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the fortieth 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. 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
August 25,
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
The Family Service Association of
“
On the Front Lines of
“The non-profit
community service sector is like the elephant in the room. It’s a sector that everyone relies on, that
is huge in comparison to the economy and that has been punching above its
weight for more than a decade. Yet, the
woefully inadequate level of funding does not recognize the sector’s critical
role in our economic and social well-being,” says
Over the last
decade, numerous government services have been downloaded to
An accompanying
report entitled On the Front Lines of Toronto’s Immigrant- and
Refugee-Serving Sector highlights the effect of sector instability on
newcomer communities.
This report
notes that the already crucial role that
The Front
Lines project conducted surveys, focus groups and roundtable discussions
with front-line staff from a variety of agencies in
Focus
groups and a survey of 59 front-line and managerial staff from
Ø Government underfunding is leading to deteriorating working conditions which put the quality and availability of community services at risk;
Ø Funding cuts have led to sector stress and fierce competition for remaining funding sources;
Ø The shift from “core funding” to short term “project funding” has led to stress for workers in precarious jobs, inconsistent salaries across the sector, and instability of services for clients;
Ø Wage rates have not kept up with inflation. Low wages and lack of benefits contribute to deteriorating working conditions;
Ø Agencies are finding it difficult to attract/retain experienced staff. Staff turnover affects the quality of services;
Surveys
of 321 staff in 61
Ø 27% of the agencies rely on unstable “project funding” as their main source of income;
Ø 69% of participants earned less than $40,000/year. Almost 55% worked overtime, but 30% of those workers received no overtime pay, or time in lieu;
Ø 24% of participants were on temporary contracts. 21% were working more than one job.
Funding for the reports was provided
through the
Full reports available at: www.socialplanningtoronto.org
and www.fsatoronto.com, and media
coverage can be accessed at:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1153433434248&call_page=TS_EditorialOpinion&call_pageid=968256290204&call_pagepath=Editorial/Opinion&pubid=968163964505
and http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/Newspaper%20Articles/Social%20agencies%20face%20funding%20crisis%20Jul%2020,%2006.htm.
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Employment
Opportunities with the Council
The CSPC-T is currently seeking a Director of Community Engagement, and a Program Support Staff. Details of these positions can be found on our website at http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/Index2.htm under “events & opportunities”. Candidates from equity-seeking groups are actively encouraged to apply for these positions.
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2. UPCOMING
EVENTS
Prisoners
Justice Action Committee (PJAC)
Prisoners
Justice Week
August 10th, 2006 marks the 31st Anniversary of
Prisoners Justice Day (PJD). PJD began
in 1975 in Millhaven Penitentiary in
For 2006, the PJAC will hold Prisoners Justice
Week - six days of cultural events, demonstrations and workshops
Date: August 8 – 13
Join us in challenging arbitrary detention,
secret trials, racial profiling, police brutality, forced psychiatric
treatment, and the criminalization of youth and
For details on the week’s activities contact Antonia
at: pjd@ckln.fm
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Completing
the Circle –
Job
Fair/Youth Outreach
This event will involve
games (3 on 3 basket ball tourney, 3 point shoot out), talent show and special
guests.
Date & Time: August 12th,
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Location:
Dixon Park (Kipling & Dixon)
Free Food and Drink and
lots of prizes.
For information about this
event contact
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Maria
A. Shchuka Library
Teen
Summer programs
This summer, the Maria A. Shchuka Library is
offering workshops on music production hosted by award winning beat-boxer, DJ,
lyricist, and producer, Sean Maxim Mauricette aka Subliminal.
Date and Time: Thursday, August 17, 5:30 - 7:30
p.m.
There will also be a free teen movie
night. Snacks will be provided
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 30 from 6:00
– 8:00 p.m.
Location of both events: Maria A. Shchuka,
For further information contact Elsa Ngan at: 416-394-1000
or Email: engan@torontopubliclibrary.ca
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Visions in Green Present
Jerk & Jazz Festival
You invited to
one of
Date & Time: Saturday, August 19th, 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm
For more information contact, Angelita Elliott at: 416-431-1222
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The Métis Nation of
Sport Initiative
Bring your family and come out to an
afternoon of fun – Find Your Sport! Try Them All!
Date & Time: Saturday, August 12th,
starting at 12:00 pm
Location: Christie Pitts,
The event is free. For further information contact Heather
Purdon at: 416-977-9881 or by email: heatherp@metisnation.org
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Planet in Focus
Planet in Focus International Environmental
Film and Video Festival announces its 6th annual two-week hands-on
video production Youth Summer Workshop.
This is for youth between the ages of 14 and 18 who are in interested in
film and video and are passionate about the environment.
Date & Time: August 14-25, Monday –
Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Week 1
Fee: $100 for the two weeks (payable on the
first day of camp). Scholarships are
available (please indicate requests on your application).
To apply or for further information visit: www.planetinfocus.org, email: myan@planetinfocus.org, telephone Myan
at: 416-531-1769
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JVS
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
JVS Toronto cordially invites you to their JVS 59th AGM and 60th Anniversary kick-off!
Date: Wednesday, September 20
Location: Sala Caboto,
For further details visit: http://www.jvstoronto.org/index.php?page=148
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Campaign For Public
Education (CPE)
CPE
The 3rd Annual CPE (Pre-election) summit – Advancing Quality Public Education will feature:
Date & Time:
Sunday, September 24, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location:
For further
information visit the CPE’s website at: http://www.campaignforpubliceducation.ca/
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Women’s
Intercultural Network (WIN)
Traditions
in Transition Video
WIN, an umbrella organization whose members
are women from diverse racial, cultural, and ethnic communities has embarked on
a video project to record the experiences of senior immigrant women in
For further information or an application
form, kindly contact Olga Gil at: 416-766-6858
or via email: olga.gil@sympatico.ca
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FUNDING
Team Spirit
Call for Community Sport Program
Proposals
Team Spirit: Aboriginal Girls in
Sport is a
national project designed to increase community sport opportunities for
Aboriginal girls and young women (ages 9-18). Team Spirit is a
partnership between the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and
Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) and the
CAAWS and the
In addition to program funding,
successful organizations will benefit from:
• A Team Spirit consultation hosted in
2006/2007 to discuss the needs of Aboriginal girls and young women, build
partnerships and community support, develop action strategies, and access CAAWS
resources including the On the Move Handbook.
• Ongoing support and communication with CAAWS and the
• Profile through Team Spirit Project
communication, including a project website, press releases, and a promising
practices resource that will be developed to support the implementation of
community-based programs for Aboriginal girls and young women in other
communities across
• Participation in the Team Spirit monitoring
and evaluation strategy to assess community program and national project
success.
Proposals are due August 8, 2006
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Human Resources and Social Development
Understanding
the Early Years (UEY) Call for Prposals
Understanding the Early Years (UEY)
is a national initiative that enables members of communities across
The focus of UEY is community capacity building using local research on young children. The broad objectives of UEY are to:
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3. NEWS FROM
OUR PARTNERS
Conference
Board of
Roundtable on Socio-Economic Determinants of
Health
While there is great emphasis from government
on the funding and restructuring of the health care system, more emphasis is
needed on the socio-economic determinants of health. Social and economically
disadvantaged people have less access to health resources, they are less
healthy and they die earlier than people in more privileged socio-economic
positions.
The Conference Board of Canada has created a
new network that will allow key stakeholders to gather together and share
challenges, but also offer solutions to these issues.
To receive an invitation to this meeting or to
find out more about becoming a member, please contact gagnon@conferenceboard.ca or go to:
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/RSEDH/rsedh.pdf
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Current
Programs
Formed in
1999 following the amalgamation of the City of
For more
information on membership, the Symposium or to find out how you can make a
difference by becoming a volunteer call 416-351-0095 x
215.
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Centre for Social Justice
(CSJ)
Call
for Volunteers - Become a Community
Educator for Social Justice
Students
for Social Justice, a project of the CSJ with support of
the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, the Ontario English Catholic
Teachers Federation, and many other groups, is an exciting new initiative to
encourage young people to become more informed and more active on social
justice issues. The project will train university students and recent graduates
to deliver workshops at local high schools about issues of inequality and democracy
in
The first training session of volunteers will take place from August 24-27 at the Social Justice Summer Retreat (travel, accommodation and food costs will be covered).
Please forward resume and statement of interest by email to students@socialjustice.org Applications received on or before August 4 will be given priority.
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The Maytree
Foundation
Maytree
Public Policy Training Institute
The
Maytree Public Policy Training Institute is an innovative learning program
designed for individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest and
engagement in public policy. The objective of the program is to provide
participants with the knowledge and skills required to develop, influence and
monitor public policy on issues relevant to their communities of interest.
The
Institute begins in October 2006 and will offer a comprehensive five module
training series of one and two day sessions over a six-month period.
Application deadline is Friday,
August 25, 2006 by 5pm.
For program guidelines and
application forms go to: www.maytree.com/MaytreeInitiatives/ppti.htm For more information contact Anita K.
Srinivasan at: anita.srinivasan@maytree.com or
by telephone: 416- 944-2627 ext. 245
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It’s Up to You
Help Us Let People Know How to Confirm Their
Eligibility to Vote
You can vote if you
are a Canadian Citizen, at least 18
years old, and you live, rent or own
property in
The City of
The City has received the preliminary list of
electors for the 2006 municipal election from the Municipal Property Assessment
Corporation (MPAC). This list, unfortunately, contains the names of 277,000 people with
unconfirmed qualifications.
Since only qualified voters can be included in the voters’ list, the
City is sending a letter asking these people to confirm their qualifications.
Anyone who does not return the letter by September 8 will be removed from the
list and will then need to have their name added during the revision period or
when they go to vote.
Help us get the
message out to individuals who may be affected.
For further information, please
contact the elections office at: 416-338-111 or visit the website:
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4. CONFERENCES AND CALLS FOR PAPERS
XVI International AIDS Conference
The AIDS 2006
Conference theme, Time to Deliver, underscores the continued urgency in
bringing effective HIV prevention and treatment strategies to communities the
world over. The International AIDS
Conference is one of the most important gatherings for the release and
discussion of key scientific developments in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
AIDS 2006 will bring together the movement of people responding to the HIV/AIDS
epidemic to share their lessons and together stake out the road ahead. In doing
this, the Conference directly affects the lives of those living with and
affected by HIV/AIDS. AIDS 2006 is a catalyst for change.
Date: August
13-18, 2006
Location: Metro
For details about
the conference go to: http://www.aids2006.org/start.aspx
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Centre
for Social Justice (CSJ)
9th
Annual Social Justice Summer Retreat
This annual event brings together people from a variety of social
movements – Activists from all walks of life. You, friends and family are
invited to join is for a wonderful time of relaxation and renewal.
Date: August 24-27th
Location:
The 2006 theme is Power in Movements: Movements in Power?
For further information and to register go to: www.socialjustice.org
or contact Ewa Cerda at justice@socialjustice.org
or call CSJ at: 416-927-0777 or toll free: 1-888-803-8881
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RUCKUS!
Youth Activism and Anti-Racism Conference and Events
Call
for Workshop Proposals and Involvement -
Ruckus! Anti-racism
conference is an annual conference and series of events held in the Greater
Toronto Area for high-school aged youth to address the lack of inclusion into
current social justice, community and environmental advocacy movements.
The project aims to
critically examine multiculturalism, race and social justice and introduce
participants into existing community work, and to provide spaces to find
creative ways of bringing anti-racism principles into community-based social
justice and environmental advocacy. Practically, we want to address "what
specifically can youth do" to become active in their communities. Ruckus!
also brings together community organizations and initiatives by youth under
one-roof to show-case the amazing work that is already being done with the
hopes of attracting more youth to "Do Something".
We are seeking both
organizations and youth who are interested in conducting a workshop at the conference. Proposals should be no longer than 1-2 pages.
Proposal
submission deadline is August 20th, 2006
Launch
Party and Events: September 17th – 20th, 2006
Conference:
September 22nd and 23rd, 2006
For more
information Contact Erica Stillo at: 416-316-1327 or stillo.erica@gmail.com
or visit: http://www.youthactionnetwork.org/ruckus
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The FCJ Refugee Centre
Conference on Gender and Migration
This conference will be unique in style and purpose, setting up an environment where participants will be challenged by theory, methodology, and a concrete invitation to action and practice.
Date: Thursday September 28th
Location: The
Brigantine Room, Harbourfront Centre
For more details or to register visit www.fcjsisters.ca/refugeecentre
or contact Heather Lash at: 416.469.9754 or by email: lash@silentspiral.com
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The Centre for the Study of Education and Work,
OISE/UT and The
Conference: Skills,
Jobs and Immigrants: What’s Working, Who’s Working?
This conference will:
· Provide a rare opportunity for participants from
different sectors to meet and discuss common concerns;
· Facilitate the development of more coordinated approaches between employers, labour unions, academics and community workers;
· Offer participants a chance to learn about
innovative projects that are working to move foreign trained professionals into
the trades, professions and occupations; create connections between unions,
immigrants/newcomers, youth, and community organizations; effectively integrate
people into the labour force; and influence policy and programme development;
· Promote the adoption and/or adaptation of successful and innovative approaches to the integration of newcomers into the Canadian labour force, focusing on how learning can facilitate more equitable access to jobs.
Date: October 12-13, 2006
Location: Hart House,
For further information contact Rhonda Sussman at: 416-923-6641 x. 2392
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Connect! - Exploring the Complexity of Diaspora
The UN mandated University for Peace
(UPEACE) is calling for submissions from emerging artists (less than 6
years of professional experience) for a group show from October 18th to 23rd. The exhibition will
explore the complex notion of diaspora, its multifaceted characteristics
whether it is observed from the country of origin or the host country. As a
catalyser for cultural, political, social and economical dynamics, diasporas
have the capacity to be both tools for peace and tools for conflict. This
dichotomy will be examined by emerging artists using different media to provoke
and stimulate the public dialogue on diaspora.
Connect! is conceived as an inspiring and provocative
companion to the High Level Expert Forum, Capacity Building for Peace and
Development: Roles of Diaspora, being organized by the International
Centre of UPEACE in
Application deadline is August 10th
For submission and information please contact Pierre Terver at: pterver@upeace.org or Pauline Ling at: 416-321-3372. You may also visit the website at: www.upeace.org
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Over the years, trainers and
consultants from the community, private and government sector as well as staff
from member agencies of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
(OCASI) and from other community organizations have presented many of the
training sessions and other activities at the OCASI Annual Professional
Development Conference.
OCASI invites you to submit a
session proposal for this year’s Professional Development Conference
Date: October 18, 19 and 20, 2006
Location:
Submission deadline is August 11th
The full text of the Call For Proposals is on the OCASI website at:
http://www.ocasi.org/index.php?qid=895&catid=166
en
français: http://www.ocasi.org/index.php?qid=896
For further
information please contact Afua Marcus, Tel 416-322-4950, ext 250, Fax
416-322-8084, or e-mail conference@ocasi.org.
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Art for Real Change Festival (ARCfest) 2006
5 Day Festival
ARCfest is a Social Justice Arts Festival that will
be held from October 23rd-29th in multiple venues in the Queen West Art and
Design District and Parkdale neighbouroods in
We are looking for provocative, radical, inspiring,
empowering, innovative and/or enlightening works from across the artistic media
(i.e., film, poetry, performing arts, music, visual arts and anything else you
consider art). Proposals must address local social justice/ activist/human
rights issues.
We encourage projects that are co-created or
co-produced by an artist together with an organization involved in social
justice pursuits (though this is not a requirement)
ARCfest is committed to supporting equity and
embraces submissions from diverse communities.
For more
information: email info@arcfest.org
or visit our website www.arcfest.org
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Building Bridges - A Labour Studies Conference,
This conference seeks to bring together academics, movement leaders and activists and artists to analyse the sources of division within and between labour and social movements, and to foster strategies for building more effective forms of solidarity. This conference will also be taking place at the same time at the 9th Annual Windsor Labour Arts Festival.
Date: February 2-3, 2007
Location:
Call for Participants
If you are interested in being a participant either as a Panellist or Discussant or for additional information about the conference, kindly contact Dr. Alan Hall at: hall4@uwindsor.ca, or Dr. Stephanie Ross at: stephr@uwindsor.ca, by August 15, 2006.