IS SU E
POINT BY POINT
01
Newsletter of People & Organizations in North Toronto
2015
People & Organizations in North Toronto
This issue
Introduction to POINT
Niagara Peninsula Day Trip P.1
People and
Community News P.2
Organizations in North
What’s New? P.3
Toronto is a non-profit
Upcoming Events P.4
community information
Services in North Toronto P.5
service agency. POINT’s mission is to
Contact Us P.6
serve the people of the community by
A beautiful sunny day in the Niagara Peninsula
improving and increasing awareness of the social and health services in North Toronto, through information, education and community engagement.
On July 29th, POINT organized a day trip to
straight out of a movie. We then got a sneak -
the Niagara Peninsula for North Toronto
peak into the art scene of blown glass where
seniors. We met at the community centre
we learned about the history of the art form
bright and early, before heading over to
and influential artists such as Louis Comfort
Parkdale Golden Age Foundation to pick up
Tiffany and Baccarat.
the rest of the participants. Once we all were settled on the bus, we set off to the
High tea was served in old fashion formality
Peninsula!
with white tablecloths, flower pots, china cups and serving tiers. We filled our bellies with
TOPICS WE CAN HELP YOU WITH:
Upon our arrival at Ridge Berry Farm, we
scones, sandwiches and freshly made jams
gathered under a tree so big our whole group
from berries picked in the yard.
Housing
could fit underneath it with ease. The shade
Employment
that it provided also served as a much
Following lunch, we got a chance to get our
Legal
needed escape from the heat of the sun.
hands dirty when we had the opportunity to go into the farm and pick some fruit for
Children Youth
With no time to waste, our group was brought
ourselves! After a long day in the sun, we all
Seniors
on a tour of the farm area, whereby we
enjoyed a beautiful scenic and air conditioned
learned about First Nations tribes and their
bus ride home.
Newcomers Recreation Health Volunteerism
history on the land. We discussed the wide variety of berries which are certainly not
It was truly a wonderful day for all who
found at your local Metro, such as, black
attended. A special thank you to all the staff
raspberries!
at Ridge Berry Farm and our lovely volunteer Yongwhan for making the day such a
The farmer and his wife both live on the property in a beautiful
Second Empire
Victorian home which looks like it came
success! 200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org
6 Steps to Turn a Volunteer Position into a Job
VOLUNTEERISM
How your volunteer experience can help you get a job.
Be Committed Organizations recognize consistency. Show up and demonstrate your dedication!
Build Relationships Make an effort to engage with different employees. Don’t underestimate the relationships you’re establishing.
Stay Connected Even if you stop volunteering, keep communication going between yourself and the organization.
Learn about the Organization Get a sense of the culture of the organization.
Many people have said that
Volunteer work can also equip you
Beyond
their
experience
with many of the skills that will
volunteering can also provide the
has been pivotal to their
make you an appealing candidate
opportunity to develop strong skills
success in their careers. But
in the job market. In the sector in
and experience in a huge range of
the real question is how? We
which you are volunteering, the
specific areas. Depending on the
explored and spoke to a
skills
number
of
relationships
volunteers
to
volunteer
Show Your Skills Think about how you can demonstrate more intangible skills.
skills,
the
area you’re working in, you can
develop
can
pick up skills in anything from
the
sometimes lead to paid work, but
administration, IT, public relations,
bottom of it. We learned that
even if that’s not your aim a stint of
running
people are finding ways to
volunteer
campaigning, writing and dealing
turn their volunteer work into
strengthen your CV.
long-time get
to
acquire you
work
can
What skills can I
employable
gain
through
giving back.
projects,
driving, plus many
from
volunteering?
“There are few
more. All of these
better ways to
skills
gain employable It depends on the
recruit people with volunteering experience on their CV rather than
boost
your chances on the job market.
kind of work you but
will
skills than by
A recent survey showed that threedo,
fundraising,
with the public to gardening,
actual work, as well as, gain skills
greatly
volunteering”
whatever
For those already in
that is it will always
Show enthusiasm, passion and energy for the work you’re doing.
core
and
you
quarters of employers prefer to
Be Passionate
these
work
provide a set of core skills that will
volunteering can bolster your CV,
be invaluable in the future.
giving you a new load of skills and
those without it. Voluntary work is experience that you normally only unlikely
the
main
factor
that
Practically
all
volunteer
work
persuades an employer to take on
requires you to develop the central
a particular applicant, but it will
skills
certainly help your chances.
communication
and
building,
of
At the very least, employers favor people
who show enthusiasm,
energy and drive and there are a few better ways to demonstrate those characteristics than by doing volunteer work.
of
team-working,
get from different jobs, and putting you in a much stronger position if you decide to move on.
relationship are
If you’re unemployed, volunteer
necessities in the job market.
work can help you get out and
Demonstrating
about. You never know- the people
all
which
that
you’ve
developed
these
skills
in
the
you’re meeting and working with
volunteer
sector
will
strongly
might have contacts who are
increase
your
appeal
prospective employers.
to
offering the kind of paid work you’re looking for.
How has POINT made an impact? “I have been coming to POINT for a couple years and I get so much help from your staff and I am so grateful for them. They make me feel respected and give me privacy. They listen to my concerns, no
Midtown Toronto Youth Council
question they always help me and make time for me to
POINT is in the process of
services in their communities. The
recruiting
are
result of this is that more and more
interested in participating with
youth are engaging in maladaptive
The council will appoint a Youth
fortunate to have their help
the
Midtown
behaviors and/or social activity.
Chair who will act as a liaison
when I was being
Toronto Youth Council (MTYC)
Not only are youth becoming
between the MTYC and POINT.
discriminated at home.
will provide an opportunity for
increasingly discouraged about the
Together,
POINT helped me to write a
youth to take an active role in
state
their
conversation about the gaps in
letter to my landlord and
actualizing
and
communities, but of the belief that
youth services, provide a platform
legal counsel so that I could
services which they want to
their thoughts, feelings and ideas
for youth to discuss the kinds of
start to feel safe at home
see in their community.
are either neglected or ignored.
programs and services that are
again. I have never had an
needed
organization help me so
youth
council.
The
who
programs
of
affairs
of
change in their communities.
talk to them. I have been so
we
and
aim
to start
desired
in
a
North
Many would agree that our city is
The MTYC is an attempt to
Toronto, in addition to, bridging the
much and I am so thankful.
failing to meet the needs of our
challenge
gap between youth and social
If I have any issues, I know
youth. More than ever it is likely for
opportunity to explore whether, if
service agencies.
I can always count on
a young adult to feel excluded,
given the opportunity, youth will
disengaged or apathetic about the
this
notion
and
an
take an active role in implementing
POINT to help me.” For more information, jrovet@pointinc.org.
contact
“Last summer, I was lucky to go on the day trip to the
What’s New with POINT?
Distillery District. It was my
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SOCIAL MEDIA
first time leaving my
Looking for ways to give back to your
Check out POINT’s new social media!
apartment and socializing in
community? POINT is looking for
www.facebook.com/POINT.NorthToronto
years. On the bus, I was
enthusiastic volunteers to assist with
www.twitter.com/POINT_Toronto
talking to staff about this
programming, outreach, teaching basic
www.linkedin.com/company/people-&-
and they invited me to a
computer classes and more!
organizations-in-north-toronto-p-o-i-n-t
community dining luncheon. I now come to the lunches
IPHONES, ANDROIDS & GADGETS
COMING SOON…
every week and am so
POINT is now offering classes to help
NEW POINT WEBSITE!
thankful to POINT for
you navigate the new world of
Stay tuned for more details.
inviting me.”
smartphones and social media!
Upcoming Events th
• 5 Annual Jazz Concert Fundraiser! Wed. October 21st | 7:00PM | 1585 Yonge St. POINT, in partnership with, Yorkminster Park Meals on Wheels and Have a suggestion?
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church Refugee Sponsorship Committee, invite
We want to hear from
you to our annual jazz concert fundraiser! This year will be featuring the
you!
Toronto All-Star BIG Band. This is an event you don’t want to miss! For more information and/or to purchase tickets, please contact our office
For all
416-487-2390 or Heather at 416-485-1573. Tickets are $35.
recommendations,
• North Toronto Seniors Cookbook!
suggestions for improvement, article
POINT is excited to announce that we will be compiling our own North
ideas and more, please
Toronto Seniors Healthy Cookbook and we’re looking for suggestions! If
contact our C.I.S.
you would like to be a featured author, simply follow these steps;
Coordinator at
1. Choose your favorite healthy recipe.
jrovet@pointinc.org
2. Ensure you have all details for the recipe, including ingredients, measurements and cooking instructions, written clearly (so that
We thank you in advance for your input!
3.
they are easy to follow). Send the recipe (with your name) to jrovet@pointinc.org. th
*Submission deadline: November 7 2015
Chair’s Corner: Greetings everyone, The fall has arrived and so has our new quarterly POINT newsletter. Read about the POINT events held this summer along with new and updated programs being offered this season. The POINT organization would like to thank the Midtown community, our volunteers and partnering agencies for their active involvement and ongoing support. Thanks! Please feel free to contact the POINT office and provide us with your input and feedback as to how we are doing. We encourage an open dialogue with all in the community to better understand what is needed and what POINT as an organization can offer to meet the needs. The POINT Board of Directors is also looking for people who would be interested in volunteering their time and expertise to work on various Board committees. If interested, please contact the POINT office. We look forward to hearing from you! Thanks, Anka JamnikPOINT Chair
POINT Newsletter Issue 1 Year 2015
200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org
POINT is providing advertising space for self-employed service providers in North Toronto. To enquire about advertising opportunities, please contact jrovet@pointinc.org
200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org
PEOPLE & ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTH TORONTO STAFF Diane Werner--------------------------------------------------Executive Director Jordana Rovet-------------------------------------------------C.I.S. Coordinator Moumita Mostafa----------------------------------------------Administration John Patton-----------------------------------------------------I.T. Manager
POINTING THE WAY! POINT acts as a catalyst putting people and services together. In practical terms, we work together with local residents, social agencies and other organizations to make things happen. We assess our community’s needs. We identify “gaps” in social services. We work with existing services to fill those gaps. And if a service doesn’t exist we work to create one. POINT provides up-to-date information to the community through the POINT Community Information Service (CIS), an in-person and telephone response service. For all community information needs, please contact our CIS Coordinator at jrovet@pointinc.org
LOCATION POINT is located within the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre at
200 Eglinton Avenue West (1st Floor) Toronto, ON M4A 1A7
CONTACT US 416-487-2390 point@pointinc.org www.pointinc.org
ISSUE
01 2015
POINT BY POINT Newsletter of People & Organizations in North Toronto People & Organizations in North Toronto