ISSUE
by
02 2015
People & Organizations in North Toronto
Introduction to POINT
This issue Nella Cucina Cooking Class P.1
People & Organizations in
What’s new with POINT? P.2
North Toronto is a non-profit
Holiday volunteer opportunities P.3
community information service agency. POINT’s objective is
Contact Us P.4
to serve the people of the community by improving and
social and health services in
Cookin’ Up Something Good for the Holidays
North Toronto, through
It’s holiday season and that means the smell
cous served with orange and ginger glazed
information, education and
of delicious food is in the air! No matter what
salmon. If there were any way to make this
holiday you celebrate, good food is a central
meal more delicious and decadent, it was our
component. Along our New Horizons theme
dessert. With the help of our skilled teachers,
increasing awareness of the
community engagement.
“Seniors’ Culinary Adventures: From City to
we experimented making our own crepes
TOPICS WE CAN HELP
Country
an
which were filled with lemon curd and topped
YOU WITH:
opportunity for 20 lucky participants to bring
with raspberries with a sprinkle of powdered
Housing
out their inner chefs and get cooking!
sugar.
Employment
and
Back”,
POINT
offered
th
On October 27 , POINT arranged for a
There was much to be learned by this
Legal
hands-on interactive cooking lesson to be
experience;
Children
hosted at the Nella Cucina Culinary School
1. Cooking is a great way to build an appetite!
Youth
(876 Bathurst St.) We all met at the cooking
2. The feeling of accomplishment which
Seniors
school and were instantly overwhelmed by
comes from preparing food for oneself!
Newcomers
the beautifully arranged kitchen studio where
3. Cooking does not have to be difficult.
Recreation Health Volunteerism
our class would be hosted. Each station had
*Just remember to read through the entire
a display of fresh and colorful fruits and
recipe first, and follow steps one at a time!
vegetables (all locally-sourced), along with pre-measured ingredients which were to be used in our recipes. We were taught that setting up our ingredients in this manner is called “mise-en-place”, meaning “everything in its’ place.”
This day would not have been possible without the assistance of Brianne, the event coordinator at the Nella Cucina Culinary School. We would also like to acknowledge our amazing teachers, Carly & Ilana for all of their guidance, patience and for truly making
We did not waste any time, jumping into
this experience such a success!
preparing for our first course, which was a delicious Carrot and Fennel soup.
This
followed by an exceptional Moroccan cous
200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org
How has POINT made an impact?
“Thank you for being so patient with me. You explain things very slowly and clearly. I look forward to my next lesson with you!” -Basic Computer Class student
“It was so wonderful to get to go on a trip with other seniors who I have formed a friendship with at the Wednesday lunches.” -Fresh City Farms Day Trip participant
Meet Molly Molly came to POINT in search of a volunteer opportunity this summer. She has been an undeniable asset to POINT and the North Toronto community. Molly is currently volunteering as one of our basic computer class teachers. Tell us about yourself! M: Apart from being a POINT volunteer, I am currently in the midst of completing my 2nd year of obtaining a Masters of Public Health. It is an online course offered by the University of Victoria. Prior to my degree, I worked and lived in South Korea for two years teaching English. In my spare time, I enjoy skiing and biking! What prompted your interest in volunteering? M: I was eager for an opportunity where I
could use what I’ve learned to give back to the community. What do you like about volunteering with POINT? M: I am grateful to have the opportunity to utilize my teaching skills. It has been a very rewarding experience, largely because the students I have taught have all been eager to learn and genuine in their intention to become computer literate. I am also proud to be involved with an organization like POINT. The staff are friendly, welcoming and truly passionate about helping the people in their community.
What helps you manage school and volunteer commitments? M: Time management is always beneficial when balancing school and volunteer commitmentsespecially when your courses are taken online! I view my volunteer commitment as a break from my school work so I look forward to my volunteer shifts! The biggest help to managing my time is the flexibility that POINT has offered me. POINT has been incredibly helpful in accommodating my shifts around my school schedule which has made it easy for me to fulfill my volunteer shifts. Any plans for the holidays? M: If the weather allows for it, I’d love to go skiing, but I’ll likely be spending time with family and friends. I’m really just looking forward to having some time to relax
What’s new with POINT? “This presentation was very good and well worth my time! I now know how important it is for me to keep better track of my expenses and not to be too trusting of people who ask for my [financial] information” -Credit Canada Workshop attendee
COMPUTER ROOM NOW OPEN LATE! th
You asked- we listened. As of October 28 , our computer room will be open to the public every Wednesday until 8pm!
MIDTOWN TORONTO YOUTH COUNCIL Midtown Toronto Youth Council (MTYC) is a new initiative of POINT which encourages youth to take an active role in realizing the programs and services they want to see in their community. Interested in getting involved? Complete an online application at bit.ly/yourmtyc
SOCIAL MEDIA Check out POINT’s new social media! www.facebook.com/POINT.NorthToronto www.twitter.com/POINT_Toronto www.linkedin.com/company/people-&-organizations-in-north-toronto-p-o-i-n-t
COMING SOON… NEW POINT WEBSITE! Stay tuned for more details.
Volunteer Opportunities this Holiday! Central Neighbourhood House CNH does a little bit of everything, including lending a hand to new Canadians and providing assistance to seniors in the community. CNH is currently looking for volunteers who can help out with delivering small holiday gifts to clients' homes. Access to a car is a plus. Contact: 416-925-4363, cstouffer@cnh.on.ca Holiday Helpers Holiday Helpers lets you play Santa this season! This organization delivers Christmas packages to low income families, and relies on volunteers for wrapping and delivery. Contact: 416-214-3659, volunteers@holidayhelpers.org Sistering Sistering's drop-in centre offers a safe daytime space for marginalized, homeless, or low-income women in Toronto. Its upcoming events include a hot holiday meal and gift-giving distribution, both of which could use a little help from volunteers. Contact: 416-926-9762 x239 callain@sistering.org Canadian Mental Health Association Instead of donating your time for the season, the public is asked to make a small donation for which a CMHA staff member will visit a client in his or her home and bring a few thoughtful holiday items. Donations can start at $25. Contact: 416789-7957, rlindsay@cmha-toronto.net
Have a suggestion? We want to hear from you! For all recommendations, suggestions for improvement, article ideas and more, please contact our C.I.S. Coordinator at jrovet@pointinc.org We thank you in advance for your input!
Chair’s Corner: Season’s Greetings! At this wonderful time of year I want to take the opportunity to say thank you for your support, participation, service and generosity. As the first year of POINT’s 3 year Strategic Plan it has been a year of beginnings. We have re-established the role of the Community Information Service (CIS) coordinator and made other staff, programs, service and facility improvements. This prepares us to continue to successfully implement our plans. We invite each of you to participate and/or volunteer in our programs. Please let us know if you have ideas of programs or services that would benefit our community. We’d love to hear from you. Warm wishes, Anka Jamnik POINT Chair
POINT Newsletter Issue 2 Year 2015
200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org
POINT Newsletter Issue 2 Year 2015
PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTH TORONTO STAFF DIANE WERNER-----------------------------------------------------EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JORDANA ROVET---------------------------------------------------C.I.S. COORDINATOR MOUMITA MOSTAFA----------------------------------------------ADMINISTRATION JOHN PATTON-------------------------------------------------------IT MANAGER
POINTing THE WAY! POINT acts as a catalyst- putting people and services together. In practical terms, we work together with local residents, social service agencies and other organizations to make things happen. We assess out community 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) and in-person and telephone response service. For all community information needs, please contact our CIS Coordinator at jrovet@pointinc.org
CONTACT US POINT is located within the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre at 200 Eglinton Avenue West (1st Floor) Toronto, ON M4R1A7 416-487-2390 point@pointinc.org www.pointinc.org
People & Organizations in North Toronto