IS SU E
by
03 2016
People & Organizations in North Toronto
Introduction to POINT
This issue Midtown Toronto Youth Council P.1
People & Organizations in
What’s new with POINT? P.2
North Toronto is a non-profit
Senior Seminar Series P.3
community information service agency. POINT’s objective is
Contact Us P.4
to serve the people of the community by improving and increasing awareness of the social and health services in
MTYC to tackle youth mental health issues
North Toronto, through
The Midtown Toronto Youth Council, a
MTYC has decided to address this need by
information, education and
recently established initiative of POINT, is a
raising awareness about youth mental health,
platform for youth to address community
challenging the stigma (another common
issues that matter to them. This year, the
barrier to seeking help), and providing
council has decided to bring attention to youth
resources where youth can access support
mental health.
services. MTYC is in the midst of creating a
community engagement.
TOPICS WE CAN HELP YOU WITH:
newsletter featuring stories of their peers who
Housing
The evident gap in youth mental health
have experienced mental health challenges;
Employment
services was brought to light in our initial
facts about the prevalence of mental health
Legal
meetings where the needs of youth in North
issues
Toronto
information about what services are available
Children
were
discussed.
Following
the
removal of Delisle Youth Services in TDSB Youth
amongst
youth,
in
addition
to,
and how they can access them.
secondary schools, youth have largely felt left
Seniors
out of the conversation regarding alternative
MTYC will also give youth the opportunity to
Newcomers
support services. TDSBs initiatives such as
express their interpretation of mental health
Recreation
implementing a ‘mindful moment’ activity in
through hosting a contest. The contest asks
Health
between classes and a ‘mental
health
participants to answer the question “What is
Volunteerism
awareness week’ are perceived as superficial
mental health?” by submitting a creative piece
Band-Aid attempts to address a critical gap in
that captures what mental health means to
youth support services.
them. Submissions can range from art, poetry to images and film. First prize winner will
MTYC acknowledges the TDSB’s initiative to
receive either an iPad or Tablet. This contest
replace Delisle Youth Counsellors with school
is supported by National Bank’s One for
social
Youth Grant. For more information, please
workers.
However,
youth
have
expressed concerns with seeking help from a school
representative,
such as
confidentiality as well as reluctance to speak honestly about school-related issues.
contact jrovet@pointinc.org.
lack of 200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org
How has POINT made an impact?
“I learned so much from the instructor. He was very patient with me and explained concepts very clearly. Thank you!” -Introduction to Smartphone student
“I don’t usually cook for myself, but I’ve tried some of the recipes alreadythey really are simple and delicious! I’m really looking forward to trying new dishes.” -Recipient of Made With Love: Cookbook by and for North Toronto seniors
Dear Community Members, I am excited to update you on the many new initiatives happening at POINT. We have expanded our community partnerships with new organizations on board who are ready to work with POINT to address unmet human services needs in Midtown Toronto. The new Midtown Executive Network Forum aims to provide a platform for fostering fresh connections and strategic discussion exchanges between Executive Directors and Board Chairs. A series of Executive Breakfast meetings will foster the coming together of leaders in our community to share new strategies and knowledge, as well as, provide valuable opportunities to construct new interagency collaborations. POINT Senior Services (PSS) is an informational exchange initiative open to both agencies/organizations servicing seniors and senior members of the community. PSS will entail a senior seminar series whereby seniors and member agencies can engage in dialogue with guest presenters to discuss relevant topics. Please join us for our upcoming launch! The newly rebuilt POINT website, to be introduced in June 2016, will deliver novel and more extensive information about a wider range of organizations and their programs and services. New POINT programs for newcomer families will be launched this coming summer. Stay tuned… If you are interested in joining POINT as volunteer Board Committee Members on these initiatives or other activities, please contact me at dwerner@pointinc.org or call 416-487-2390. Sincerely,
Diane Werner “Thank you so much for your AGM! help with my resume and cover letter. My English is not so good and I really appreciate you taking the time to sit with me.” -Newcomer client
Diane Werner Executive Director
SAVE THE DATE! POINT’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday June 14th 2016 at the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Avenue West.
SENIOR SEMINAR SERIES Health Care
Thursday April 14th 2016 10:00am-12:00pm Seminar #1 Navigating the System: From CCAC to LHIN Guest Speaker: Susan Fitzpatrick, CEO, Toronto Central LHIN
& Seminar #2 Health Law: Your rights & what you should know Guest Speaker: Mary Jane Dykman, Partner, DDO Law Firm North Toronto Memorial Community Centre 200 Eglinton Avenue West (Multipurpose Room)
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!
To register please call 416-487-2390 or email jrovet@pointinc.org
EXECUTIVE BREAKFAST SERIES Tuesday May 3rd 2016 ǀ 8:30am-10:30am The Syrian Refugee Situation Guest Speaker: Debbie Douglas, Executive Director, OCASI North Toronto Memorial Community Centre 200 Eglinton Avenue West (Multipurpose Room) To register email dwerner@pointinc.org or call 416-487-2390
POINT Newsletter Issue 3 Year 2016
200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org
POINT Newsletter Issue 3 Year 2016
POINT Reaches Out From December 2015 to March 2016, POINT conducted an outreach initiative amongst Toronto Community Housing Buildings in North Toronto. POINT is an organization which for a long time has been associated with services addressing seniors. However, POINT has many programs and services which can greatly benefit community members from all walks of life. This outreach initiative is the first of many efforts to connect with the various other groups which live, work and study in North Toronto.
Many Toronto Community Housing residents are unaware of the support services that are available in North Toronto. POINT’s services widely range from our free seasonal Income Tax Clinic to our Great Garden Adventure summer program for children. Supplementary to the services we provide, POINT acts as a liaison which connects community members to the programs and services in the surrounding area.
Our aim is to extend the meaning of what it is to be a community information service agency. Not only will POINT act as an informational hub, but a catalyst in progressive project planning, implementation and evaluation that effectively targets key issues. With new partnerships forming daily, POINT will be involved in many exciting new programs that respond to the changing demographics of our neighbourhood. We look forward to working with groups which share our values of community engagement, inclusivity, diversity and advocacy.
CONTACT US POINT is located within the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre at 200 Eglinton Avenue West (1st Floor), Toronto, ON, M4R 1A7 416-487-2390 point@pointinc.org www.pointinc.org www.facebook.com/POINT.NorthToronto www.twitter.com/POINT_Toronto www.linkedin.com/company/people-&-organizations-in-north-toronto-p-o-i-n-t
People & Organizations in North Toronto