COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF TORONTO

 

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Issue # 35, February 2006

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Welcome to the thirty fifth 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/newsletters.htm

 

Please note the deadline to submit information for the next e-Newsletter is February 26, 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

 

Opening the Doors to Ontario Schools: Community Use of Schools Program Year One Impacts and Opportunities

A 2005 Research Report

 

On January 31, 2006, the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto and the SPACE Coalition hosted a media conference at Central Technical School, to release results from new research on the impact of Ontario’s Community Use of Schools Program.  The media conference was chaired by Susan Fletcher, Chair of the SPACE Coalition and Executive Director of the Applegrove Community Complex.  Speakers at the event were Frances Lankin, President & CEO of the United Way of Greater Toronto, Alok Mukherjee, Chair, Toronto Police Services Board and Tam Goossen, Board Chair, Community Social Planning Council, who presented the survey highlights and recommendations.

 

The Community Use of Schools report outlines the results of a survey of community organizations across Ontario (with a primary focus on Toronto), assessing the impact of the Provincial government Community Use of Schools Program (CUSP) that funds School Boards ($20 million annually) to reduce fees for community organizations using school space.  The report is both moderately supportive and constructively critical of the CUSP – indicating that the program has begun to make a real difference, but that it needs to be more widely publicized and, ideally expanded.

 

The event was well attended by the media, and the findings of the report received significant coverage in broadcast, print, and ethnic media across Ontario.  Also in attendance were representatives from the Toronto District School Board, the Ministry of Health Promotion, Community Development Halton, as well as representatives from community groups, such as Basketball Ontario and Special Olympics Ontario.

 

Copies of the Full report, the Executive Summary and the media release are available at the Council’s website: www.socialplanningtoronto.org, as of January 31st.  For more information about the report contact André Lyn at alyn@cspc.toronto.on.ca or 416-351-0095 x 216.

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Who will step up for Toronto’s Communities?

Social Planning Council of Toronto Election Forum on Community Issues

 

More than 130 people from agencies, community groups, social justice organisations, and individuals attended a four-party election forum on Wednesday, January 11th at the Metro Central YMCA organized by the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto, in collaboration with over 30 other community organizations.

 

Organizers were trying to present an opportunity for the community services sector to hear representatives of the Liberals, Conservatives, New Democrats and the Greens explain how relevant their platforms were for our communities. On the panel were Liberal MP Maria Minna, Toronto Beaches-East York, and NDP candidate Michael Shapcott, running in Toronto Centre. The Conservative Party failed to send a representative after an initial commitment to participate, and the Green Party’s Sharolyn Vettese did not appear due to a scheduling mix-up, but subsequently provided her responses to the questions posed by the sponsoring organizations.

 

The event was moderated by Tam Goossen, board president of the Council and past president of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations.

 

Chair of four parliamentary committees, Maria Minna concentrated her opening remarks and most of her responses to questions on the substantive efforts made over the last 12 years to address community sector issues, and the perspectives being put forward by the Liberal Party in this election.

 

In his opening remarks Michael Shapcott identified key issues coming out in this election. He stated that people are feeling neglected, abandoned, and betrayed by the Liberals’ failure to keep their promises. Jack Layton, he pointed out frequently, was delivering on their issues, unlike the Liberals.

 

Tam Goossen, the moderator, then called on sponsoring organisations to provide prepared questions to the two candidates to deal with issues of importance to the sector. Those representing the sponsoring organizations were: Debbie Douglas of OCASI (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants), Yves Savoie of Family Services Association, Nathan Gilbert of the Laidlaw Foundation, Heather McGregor of the YWCA of Toronto, Sharon Simpson of Labour Community Services, and Diana Gatti of Gateway Café.

 

Questions were also taken from the audience with representatives from the disabled community, women’s shelters, left wing activists, Black males, homeless people and others. The more spontaneous and unrehearsed nature of these questions added some added passion and energy to the session.

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CERIS – Malvern Youth Leadership Project (MYLIFE)

Public Seminar

 

On Friday, January 27, CERIS presented a public seminar on the Malvern Youth Leadership Project (MYLIFE) that showcased the work of young people in a marginalised community through participatory action research.  This event, titled Challenging Social Exclusion in One Toronto Neighbourhood: Lessons from Malvern, was one in a series of public discussions of issues related to the work of CERIS (Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement) – Toronto.

 

Speaking to an audience of more than 70 people was: Anthony Hutchinson, professor of social work at Ryerson University; Mimi Szeto, journalism student at Ryerson; Danusika Makendiran, a student of life science at U. of T. Scarborough; Stephanie Salmon, placement student in social work from York University, and; Richard De Gaetano, Scarborough Planner for the Community Social Planning Council.  The meeting was moderated by Prof. Myer Siemiatycki of Ryerson.

 

As described by CERIS, The Malvern Youth Leadership (MYLIFE) Project is an ambitious community-based, participatory action, youth empowerment/research project. Over three dozen youth from Malvern have taken the lead in developing, conducting and analyzing research aimed at voicing the experiences, needs and hopes of youth in the neighbourhood. This seminar explored themes of: neighbourhood life as experienced and expressed by youth; institutional responses to local youth; community-based research as a vehicle for social inclusion.”

 

CERIS is a partnership of the three major universities in Toronto, with 105 individual and organisational affiliates, working with 250 community groups in the GTA and beyond.  With Toronto being Canada’s most important immigrant reception centres – more than 40% of the annual 200,000+ immigrants arriving settle here – CERIS’ work of settlement and immigration research, policy development, and support are very significant. 

 

For further information contact: Dr. Usha George, Director, 246 Bloor Street West, 7th Floor, at (416) 978-3273 or fax (416) 971-3094. Information about CERIS-Toronto can be found on their website at http://ceris.metropolis.net

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Continuing Progress with HRSDC/Service Canada

 

The January 30 meeting of community-based employment and training organizations concerned with the HRSDC Call for Proposals process, held at Metro Hall, heard details of further progress on relationships between the new Service Canada and community sector.  Interim Fairness Advisors Don McCreesh and John Walker provided a detailed plan for the work and establishment of the office of the Permanent Fairness advisor, and a number of representatives of community organizations that have been involved in the joint training sessions on the new procedures spoke to the positive changes that are taking place in the application process, the administrative procedures, and the simplified funding formula. 

 

The Interim Advisory Committee members present reported on the continuing work of that committee on outcomes, the composition of the permanent Advisory Committee to be established by April, continuing work on transition issues, and the joint training initiatives taking place.  The “Reference Committee” that has been working on the issues being addressed by the Interim Joint Service Canada/Voluntary Sector workgroup met after the broader community meeting to address some of these issues in greater detail – focusing on the “implementation lag” between establishment of the new guidelines and procedures and the time needed to train and familiarize both agency and Service Canada staff in the interpretation and implementation of the changes.

 

The next meeting of the Reference Committee will be Monday, February 27, at 9:30 AM at the CSPC-T Offices at 1001-2 Carlton Street. 

 

Interim Advisory Committee Update:

 

The interim advisory committee met in Ottawa on Wednesday, January 18, to continue work on implementation of the recommendations from the Joint Working Group’s final report.

 

TRAINING AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

Training roll-out around the new administrative cost framework continues at a quick pace. Application materials for sponsors are also being updated and distributed.

 

The e-learning package about administrative changes is now available from the Service Canada web site at:

http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/epb/sid/cia/change/toc.shtml

 

The instruction package for applicants provides details on the new cost category structure, eligible cost listing, description of costing options (the new “flat rate” options), a new budget template, and a case study for organizations wishing to submit their own flat rate to Service Canada for consideration. The materials are available at:

http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/epb/sid/cia/CCSB/applicantinstructionsheet.shtml

 

REGIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS

 

A number of sessions for voluntary sector sponsors and Service Canada project officers have taken place in Ontario and British Columbia. To whatever extent possible, these sessions are being offered as “joint” learning opportunities, with voluntary sector representatives from the administrative burden sub-committee taking an active role in supporting agencies and POs on the changes. Training materials are also being further refined to incorporate feedback and clarification questions raised by participants at these sessions.

 

FAIRNESS ADVISORS

 

The interim Advisory Committee is happy to announce that Don McCreesh has accepted our offer for the position of Voluntary Sector Interim Fairness Advisor. Don is an experienced human resources professional with more than 30 years of leadership experience as a volunteer in our sector. He has been involved with the Senior Sector Steering Committee of the Voluntary Sector Initiative, as well as the YMCA at local and international levels, The Learning Partnership, Career Edge, Altruvest, the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, and Imagine Canada.

 

The job description for the permanent Fairness Advisor position has been finalized and should be posted publicly very soon. It is expected that the permanent Office of the Fairness Advisor will be established in April 2006.

 

PERMANENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

The matrix for the selection of members for the permanent advisory committee is being finalized. A call for expressions of interest will be issued very soon so that the permanent committee can also be in place for April 2006.

 

SYMPOSIUM TO EXPLORE OUTCOMES

 

As part of the Outcomes Sub-Committee’s work to develop a results-based contribution agreement, a one-day symposium has been proposed as part of the interim committee’s upcoming meeting March 17-20 in Vancouver. The symposium will provide an opportunity for the sub-committee to further explore various outcomes-based models and inform further enhancements to Service Canada’s contracting with sponsors.

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Staff Changes and opportunities at the CSPC-T

 

Congratulations to Andre Lyn, who has been working with the Council for the past eight months on a contract basis, on his appointment to a permanent Researcher/Policy Analyst position with the Council.

 

The Council is also currently seeking to hire a full-time Community Planner for North York.  This position will have a particular focus on the Black Creek neighbourhood, and is a one-year contract position.  Details of the position are available on the CSPC-T website http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/Index2.htm under events & opportunities and on Charity Village.  Deadline for applications is Friday, February 17. 

 

 

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2.  UPCOMING EVENTS

 

City of Toronto

Budget 2006

Join the conversation about the City’s proposed 2006 Operating Budget at one of four public sessions being held across Toronto. These public sessions will provide the people of Toronto with the opportunity to learn about the budget challenges/discuss the choices facing City Council and share their thoughts/ideas with Mayor David Miller and Budget Chair Councillor, David Soknacki.

 

East York Civic Centre

850 Coxwell Ave. (Coxwell & Mortimer)

Wednesday, February 8, 2006

7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

 

Scarborough Civic Centre

150 Borough Drive (McCowan & Ellesmere)

Thursday, February 9

7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

 

On Friday, February 16, 2006 there is also an opportunity for public comment on the details of the 2006 proposed budget at the joint meeting of the Budget Advisory/Policy and Finance Committees of Council at Toronto City Hall. Please call 416-392-6662 to schedule your deputation.

 

If you have special needs, please let the City know by calling 416-392-4990 and leaving a message. TTY: 416-338-0889.

 

The CSPC-T has prepared a flyer on some key issues in the city budget process and  opportunities to participate in the budget process.  It can be accessed on our website at www.sociaplanningtoronto.org.

 

For more information, please visit: www.toronto.ca/budget2006/index.htm

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St. Christopher House & Centre for Urban and Community Studies at U of T

Downtown West Neighbourhood Changes Community Meeting

St. Christopher House and the Centre for Urban and Community Studies (University of Toronto) are holding a Community Meeting about Downtown West Neighbourhood Changes on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Christopher House, 248 Ossington (at Dundas).

 

They have funding for community research projects to explore local changes such as rising real estate values and population changes. They would like to work with the local community (agencies, program participants, volunteers, community members at large) to understand the effects of these changes and to explore possible responses to these changes in order to promote inclusive and diverse communities. 

 

For more information about the Neighbourhood Change Project, visit www.urbancentre.utoronto.ca  or www.stchrishouse.org 

or contact Rick Eagan, St. Christopher House, at (416) 532-7586 x238

or Maureen Fair, St. Christopher House, at (416) 504-3535 x233. 

 

You can also pick up copies of a special edition of the House to House newsletter about this project at any St. Chris location and many other local community spots.

 

Please contact Rick at (416) 532-7586 x238 if you need childcare or interpretation.   

This St. Christopher House location is fully wheelchair accessible.

Light refreshments will be served.

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Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation

Youth Resilience Forum

Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation cordially invites city staff and community partners to participate in a forum on "Youth Resilience" on February 8th, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Lawrence Heights Community Centre.  The guest speaker is Dr. Michael Unger, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Dalhousie University, Halifax.  Dr. Unger is an internationally acclaimed researcher and scholar on nurturing resilience among youth. 

 

For more information, call: (416) 395-6027

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The Somali Youth Coalition

Third Annual Youth Recognition Awards

The Somali Youth Coalition, a partnership between the Somali Youth Association of Toronto (SOYAT), Midaynta and Children’s Aid Society of Toronto proudly presents its Third Annual Youth Recognition Awards on Friday, February 10, 2006  at 6 p.m. at Sangeet Banquet Hall (181 Rexdale Blvd.).

 

This Recognition Award Ceremony will celebrate youth achievements and help motivate and inspire younger generations.

 

For more information, contact Ali Farah or Guled Warsame at (416) 247-6333 or email info@soyat.org

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Access Without Fear

Community-Labour Forum

This Community-Labour Forum is being co-sponsored by CUPE Ontario International Solidarity Committee, Don't Ask Don't Tell-Toronto, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation-Toronto, No One is Illegal-Toronto to mobilize against the international and local impacts and injustices of globalization and to discuss the need for city-wide access to vital services for non-status immigrants through the implementation of a Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy.

 

This policy would make city services available to all residents without discrimination based on immigration status. City programs would not require immigration-status related information and city employees would not share the immigration status of those accessing city services with federal and provincial enforcement agencies.

 

When: February 11, 2006 (10AM-4PM)

Where: Ryerson University (Rogers Communication Centre)

       80 Gould Street Rm 204 (Off Church St. North of Dundas St.)

 

For more information visit: www.dadttoronto.org and to register visit: intersolnet_toronto@yahoo.com  Please specify if childcare is required.

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Ontario Health Coalition (OHC)

Community Town Hall Meetings on the LHINs and Health Restructuring: What does it mean for Toronto?

The McGuinty government’s proposed Bill 36 ushers in a new period of major restructuring in health care. The Bill will give the government the power to merge, transfer funding, contract out and reorganize health care services.

 

Come to a meeting of health care professionals, caregivers, support workers, patients and community members to:

1)     Share your thoughts and ideas on the LHINs legislation.

2)     Discuss what health care will look like in our community under the LHINs.

3)     Plan how we can have an impact on the legislation and restructuring

 

Toronto: Thursday, February 9th, 1 PM
OWN Co-op, Meeting Room, 115 The Esplanade
(one block south of Front Street by St. Lawrence Market)

 

Toronto: Thursday, February 23, 5:30pm
Northern District Library, Room 200, 40 Orchard View Blvd
(west off of Yonge, one street north of Eglinton)

For more information, contact the Ontario Health Coalition at (416) 441-2502 or by email at: ohc@sympatico.ca

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Homelessness Action Group

Advocacy Workshop

This workshop will give you the information and tools to speak out to your elected representatives about the pressing need for more affordable housing and other solutions.

 

You will learn:

- what advocacy is and why it's important

- ways to advocate and how to be effective

-tips on letter writing, deputations, meetings and other techniques

- who's who in the municipal, provincial and federal governments current

-issues and how to respond

 

Date: Sunday, February 26, 2006

Time: 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Place: Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Ave. (one block north of St. Clair, west of Yonge)

 

To register contact the coordinator at: coordinator@homelessness.on.ca

 

Deadline for registration is Friday, February 17, 2006.  Space is limited.

Registration fee is $10 or pwyc at the door.

If you have any other questions, to obtain registration forms or to obtain posters to distribute contact the Coordinator at 416-463-9240.

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Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, Toronto Region

Strengthening Families Together Education Program

This 10-session education program is for family members and friends of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who are in a caregiver role.  Its goal is to provide up-to-date Canadian based information on the topics associated with living daily with a mental illness. 

 

A new session of this course will commence March 1 and will run every Wednesday evening until May 3. This course is free to all and materials will be supplied. Location to be announced.

 

Please contact the Toronto Regional office at (416) 449-6830 ext. 250 to receive a registration form or to receive additional information about the program.

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Neighbourhoods and Health Research Interest Group, Centre for Urban Health Initiatives.

Presentation on: Why Poverty is Bad for Children

 

Although there is abundant evidence that poverty is inimical to healthy child development much less is known about why this is so.  This talk by Dr. Gary Evans, professor of Environmental Design and Human Development at Cornell University, examines the proposition that a unique and key aspect of childhood poverty is exposure to the accumulation of physical and social risk factors.  The confluence of risk may be an important, underlying explanation for why poverty is bad for children.

Date: February 20, 2006
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 AM
Location: Campbell Conference Facility, Munk Centre for International
Studies, University of Toronto, 1 Devonshire Place,

Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3K7 Canada

RSVP no later than Friday, February 10 to Galen Trull at cuhi.admin@utoronto.ca or (416) 978-7223.

For further information contact: Galen Trull, Centre Coordinator, Centre for Urban Health Initiatives at: www.cuhi.utoronto.ca or Ph: 416-978-7223 Fx: 416-946-0669

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Forum: An Anti Oppression Framework for Addressing Black Youth and Violence. This is a forum to dialogue and come up with a united approach. We need to take proactive measures to react and push community leaders and politicians to respond.

What do communities and community agencies need. The hope with this forum is that the bringing together of community organizations will form a new comprehensive response

and a policy framework to address these issues from a progressive anti-racist anti oppression perspective.

 

March 21, 2006, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. with food provided

Ryerson University, Jorgenson Hall, 380 Victoria Street, POD 250

Childcare subsidy available call 416 979-5000 x 4778

Sign language interpreter and wheel chair accessible

 

Chaired by Akua Benjamin

Director of the Ryerson University School of Social Work

 

Speakers

Trevor Gray

Black Queer Youth Initiative, Supporting Our Youth

 

Grace-Edward Galabuzi

Ryerson University

 

Notisha Massaqoi

Women's Health in Women's Hands

 

Remarks by Mayor David Miller

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St. Stephen’s Community House

Global Divas 2006

St. Stephen's is holding Global Divas 2006, an international celebration of women and song at Kool Haus on Thursday, March 30, 2006.

 

Now in its fourth year, Global Divas celebrates women and the rich diversity of TorontoHeadlining the show is Grammy-nominated and Juno award-winning jazz virtuoso, Jane Bunnett and her band, The Spirits of Havana.  She will be joined onstage by a talented ensemble of divas, each with a distinctive performance style that is sure to delight the senses. 

 

Gala tickets are $125 ($75 tax receipt). Gala tickets include a reception with the Divas, delicious culinary treats, the Globe Trotter's Market and VIP seating for the concert.

 

Concert only tickets are $30.

 

To order tickets please contact Valerie Weiss at (416) 925-2103 ext. 238 or fax the attached ticket order form to (416) 925-2271.

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Sick Kids Hospital
Child Psychiatry Day

The Division of Child Psychiatry at Sick Kids Hospital is holding a Child Psychiatry Day on Thursday, April 6, 2006. The itinerary is as follows:

 

The Fotheringham Address:
Surviving Psychosocially Toxic Environments: A Study of Delinquents
Presented By:
Dr. Hans Steiner
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Child Psychiatry and Child Development of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Stanford University School
of Medicine
 
Faculty Presentations:
-Normality in Adolescents: An Oxymoron?

-Holy Elephant?  Holy Cow! Transcultural Issues in Adolescent Mental Health
-Putting The Person in Personality Disorders:  Are Teenagers Disordered Characters?
-Interrupting the Inter-Generational Cycle in High-Risk Adolescent Pregnancy
-Evidence-based Updates on the Management of Eating Disorders in Adolescents

 

For more information, contact: Simone Kist, Administrative Coordinator
Telephone:  416-813-7530       Fax:  416-813-5326     Email: simone.kist@sickkids.ca

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Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award

Call For Nominations 2006

The Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award, established to celebrate and encourage the outstanding efforts of organizations that work with needy children in Ontario, is now entering its eighth year.

 

The annual award, the largest of its kind in Canada, provides a one-time gift of $50,000 to a charitable organization that has implemented an activity that significantly improves the life prospects of children at risk.

 

The gift will allow the winning organization to build on its success. The funds may be used to further develop its activity, educate the public or influence other organizations that help economically disadvantaged children.

 

For more information about how you can nominate an organization that deserves special recognition for its work visit: http://www.atkinsonfoundation.ca/what_we_fund?PROGRAM_ID=9

Or contact the Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award,

Christine Avery Nuñez

The Atkinson Charitable Foundation,

One Yonge Street 15th Floor, Toronto ON M5E 1E5

Tel: (416) 869-4584; Fax: (416) 865-3619

E-mail: cnunez@atkinsonfoundation.ca

 

The deadline for nominations is April 10, 2006

 

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3.  NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

 

 

Daily Bread Food Bank

Become a Survey Volunteer

The Daily Bread Food Bank holds an annual survey of people who rely upon food banks. Volunteers are needed to conduct the questionnaires. A survey shift is between 2 and 3 hours long.

 

WHY:

Daily Bread collects the survey data and publishes reports based upon the information.

The statistics collected highlight issues that affect food bank recipients. This information is used to help promote changes by government that improves the lives of children and adults living in poverty. They are also used to educate the public on Toronto’s chronic hunger crisis so they can push government for change.

 

WHEN:

February to mid-April - Hours of shifts vary to suit you.

 

WHERE:

In more than 50 food banks across the GTA.

 

WHO:

Survey volunteers should be 17 years or older and fluent in English. A special need exists for volunteers who speak a language in addition to English especially Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

 

To volunteer call: 416-203-0050 or e-mail: research@dailybread.ca

 

For examples of reports based upon the survey results, visit: www.dailybread.ca

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The Maytree Foundation

New Five Good Ideas Sessions

Registration is now open for upcoming Five Good Ideas sessions in 2006. Five Good Ideas is a lunch and learn program where experts discuss powerful yet practical ideas on key management issues facing non-profit organizations. The sessions are most useful for management staff and board members at small and mid-sized agencies.

 

Workshops:

Creating An Inclusive Organization with Kay Blair, Executive Director, MicroSkills Development Centre

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 12 PM – 2 PM

 

Managing Union Relations with Francis Lankin, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Greater Toronto

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 12 PM- 2 PM

 

Improving your Presentations with Patrick Gossage, President, Media Profile

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 12 PM – 2 PM

 

Location:

St. Michael's College - Elmsley Hall, Charbonnel Lounge
81 St. Mary Street (St. Mary Street/Bay Street - 2 blocks south of Bloor Street).
Closest subways are Bay Station and Wellesley Station.

 

To register for one or more of the workshops please fully complete and submit a registration form by visiting:  http://www.maytree.com/fgi/sessions.asp#register

 

Space is limited so register early.  There is no cost for the workshop and a small lunch will be provided.

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Learning Enrichment Foundation

Project Management Training

A program for ICT Professionals providing training in IT Project Management is being provided by the Learning Enrichment Foundation.

 

The purpose of the program is to assist recent immigrants or established Canadians who are trained and experienced in the IT sector who want training and experience in Project Management.

 

The next Day Program starts Monday, February 6, 2006

Hours: 9:00 AM-2.00 PM (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)

 

The next Evening Program starts Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Hours: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (Tuesday and Thursday)

Following Start Date: April 4 

 

For further information visit: www.lefca.org/pmp

 

Regular intakes are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week, starting at 9:30 AM. Appointments at other times can be arranged - contact the Foundation at PMLEF@leftek.ca or 416-760-2567.

 

 

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4.  CONFERENCES AND CALLS FOR PAPERS

 

Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse

Moving Upstream Together Conference

Feb. 21-22, 2006 at 89 Chestnut Street, University of Toronto

Moving Upstream Together is a unique, bilingual working conference to celebrate the 20th anniversaries of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse. In this conference, you can listen to provocative and exciting speakers; celebrate and learn from innovative actions and successful partnerships that have improved societal health; meet new people and network with friends; help identify the changes Ontario needs to create strong social and policy commitments for prevention and health promoting initiatives.

 

MAKE A DATE IF YOUR WORK IS RELATED TO:
*       Health promotion, social services, child development, community or public
health, poverty, housing, disease prevention, inclusion, policy, research, social advocacy
AND
*       you're interested in real and lasting social change
*       you want to break down silos and be effective with other sectors
*       you'd like to hear success stories about innovative programs and policy
enhancement
AND
*       You want to move upstream to create health and prevent social problems before
they happen

 

The deadline to register is Tuesday, February 14, 2006. Space is limited.

 

For more conference information visit:

http://www.opc.on.ca/english/about_us/upstream/index.htm

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The Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education /

L’Association Canadienne pour l'Étude de l'Éducation des Adultes  CASAE/ACEEA

Ontario Regional Conference

The CASAE/ACEEA is holding an Ontario Regional Conference, “Great Expectations” and Competing Accountabilities: Challenges for Community Agencies” on Friday, March 3, 2006. This conference will analyze the funding structures that are in place to support the work of community agencies. The conference is intended to bring together community agency staff, funders, policy makers, academics and activists who wish to explore issues of funding in relation to community agencies.

 

Who:  This conference is for students and faculty in the field of community development, Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education (CASAE) members, community agency staff, funders, government policy makers, unions, and foundations.

 

When:  Friday, March 3, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at Siegfried’s Restaurant in George Brown College.

 

Where:  Financial Services Building, St. James Campus of George Brown College North side of Adelaide St. West., just west of Sherbourne Street

 

How much: $10.00 (pay at the door)

 

Register with Kath Milek at kmilek@gbrownc.on.ca ASAP as spaces are limited.

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Frontier College Community Literacy Conference
Building Bridges, Connecting Communities

Frontier College Students For Literacy UTSC, in conjunction with Frontier College, is pleased to invite you to the "Building Bridges, Connecting Communities" community literacy conference. Participation is free-of-charge, and is open to the Scarborough community.

 

Saturday, 11 February 2006, 9.30 am to 6.30 pm
University of Toronto at Scarborough (Management Wing)

 

The aim of the conference is to provide an opportunity for participants (i.e. service providers and administrators, parents, youths, teachers and educators, and students, staff and faculty members at the University of Toronto) to come together to discuss, organize and learn about literacy issues, techniques and models in the spirit of learning and community development.

 

The focus of the conference is primarily on children and youth, and will consist of a panel discussion in the morning (Topic: "Literacy and Social Change") followed by two series of workshops in the afternoon. 

 

Information about the panel speakers and workshops can be found at: www.utsc.utoronto.ca/sfl/litindex.html.

 

Space is limited, so please register early. Registration packages can be downloaded at the website listed above. Registration deadline has been extended to Wednesday, February 8.  

For enquiries, please contact Casey Sabawi via email at conference@frontiercollege.ca or at 416 923 3591 Ext.305

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Aboriginal Policy Research Conference

Ottawa, March 20 - 23, 2006

In March 2006, INAC and UWO, having joined hands with the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), will once again bring influential researchers, policy makers, leaders, and academics together for the 2006 Aboriginal Policy Research Conference. The coming Aboriginal Policy Research Conference will engage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers and policy makers in the pursuit of better, more appropriate research, evidence-based policy and policy outcome assessment. The last conference had an unprecedented 600 delegates. This APRC could reach 1000 delegates from across Canada and world-wide.

 

More information visit: http://www.ssc.uwo.ca/sociology/aprc-crmpa/

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St. Joseph’s Health Centre

Community Integration Conference

The Community Integration and Urban Health Department at St. Joseph's
Health Centre is hosting a conference on Community Collaboration in Action: Care Across the Social Determinants of Health. The full conference will
include two concurrent information sessions and interactive workshops.
There will be 12 different learning topics to choose from!

 

Date:   Friday, May 12, 2006
Time:   8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Location: The Old Mill Inn, Toronto

 

Registration forms and a detailed brochure outlining the full schedule will be available on the St. Joseph's Health Centre Web site at: www.stjoe.on.ca.

 

For further information contact Yvonne Warford, Educational Programs and Events Coordinator at warfoy@stjoe.on.ca or 416-530-6486 ext. 4500.

Register by the early bird date of March 24, 2006 and pay only $110.00.
After March 24th the registration fee is $135.00 and final registrations
will be accepted until May 5, 2006.



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5.  INFORMATION RESOURCES

 

5.1      New Reports and Publications

 

Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)

Youth Do Get the Bug for Democracy

In November 2005, CPRN brought together 160 randomly chosen Canadians between the ages of 18 and 25 to discuss their vision for Canada and what they need to do to make it a reality. Three days of discussions left no doubt about their commitment and it also clarified the conditions that need to be met if youth are to take their place in our political life.

 

A recent commentary by Mary Pat MacKinnon, Director of the Public Involvement Network, and Judith Maxwell, former President of CPRN, recounts some of what was learned at the Dialogue and Summit and its implications for our political leaders and their parties.

 

To access or download a copy of their commentary, Youth Do Get the Bug for Democracy, visit: http://www.cprn.org/en/doc.cfm?doc=1378

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Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)

Risk and Opportunity: Creating Options for Vulnerable Workers

The final report in CPRN’s research series on vulnerable workers has been released.

Risk and