ANNUAL REPORT 2018 - 2019 Cover photo by: Mehrraz Ahangar our vision A strong community where all belong and thrive. North York Community House (NYCH) is committed to building strong, vibrant commu- nities – serving over 20,000 residents in northwest Toronto every year. We help trans- form lives by working with people, understanding their needs, and supporting them in achieving their goals. For over 28 years, we have been opening doors for new Canadi- ans; supporting youth, parents and seniors in becoming active, engaged citizens; and creating opportunities for residents to improve their lives and lead positive change in their neighbourhoods. WHAT’s INSIDE 11 A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & BOARD PRESIDENT 3 REFUGEE INITIATIVES 5 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TEAM GETS OUT THE VOTE! 7 LOTHERTON YOUTH COUNCIL 9 ALL FOR SENIORS 11 INNOVATION AT NYCH 13 TRUTH & RECONCILIATION WORK AT NYCH 15 VOLUNTEERING AT NYCH 17 OCASI AWARD 18 IMPACT METRICS 19 THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS & DONORS 22 SCOTIABANK TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON 23 OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS 24 FINANCIAL STATEMENT a message from our executive director & board President We’re always proud and excited to share with several new members and will introduce you the highlights of our work and experiences them at our Fall AGM. from the past year. As you’ll see from the rest of our annual report, our staff and volunteer A second goal was to begin developing teams have been busy working with the amaz- our next strategic plan, which will carry us ing members of our community and have intro- through the next five years. While many duced some new and exciting initiatives. We strategic plans focus on the business at have continued to expand our civic engagement hand, our vision for this plan is to push those work and our work with refugees and began boundaries and explore our greater vision a new project called Grounded Space – all of for our community and for NYCH. We are which are showcased in the following pages. committed to creating a culture of innovation, which we believe should start with the lead- Much of the work of NYCH’s Board of Directors ership of the organization. This is an exciting and senior management over 2018 and early process and we look forward to producing a 2019 has focused on some ‘behind the scenes’ strategic plan that will build on our strengths, projects, including the Board’s goals, our strate- enable us to flourish during turbulent times, gic priorities, and the development of our new and challenge us to aim higher. theory of change and evaluation framework. This work is designed to further strengthen the orga- Finally, the Board identified the need to learn nization, and position us to continue to grow and more about the context in which we do our provide top quality services to our community. work – the trends and issues happening at the municipal, provincial and federal levels The Board of Directors worked toward several that impact everything we do. We sought in- key goals last year, one of which was to recruit put and advice from experts across the sec- new members to the board, as some of our ex- tor and had many lively conversations about perienced directors had finished their terms. Our the changes in the non-profit sector, and how Board Development and Recruitment committee they affect NYCH and the communities we began a thorough and ongoing process of defin- serve. This is an ongoing process that will ing the skills and qualities we need at the board broaden our perspective on how best to level, reaching out to find qualified candidates, navigate the current climate and plan for the and conducting interviews to ensure we bring future. passionate, curious and dedicated individuals onto our team. We’ve been thrilled to welcome In 2018, the senior leadership team, along 1 NYCH Annual Report 2018-2019 Detail from Letters to Kipling. Painting by Afebuame G. with the Board and staff teams, developed our munity members to create positive change in new Theory of Change, which articulates a vision challenging times. They take on new respon- for what we want to accomplish and how we’ll sibilities and continue to learn and grow all get there. It also outlines a map of the different while delivering an incredibly high standard pathways people can take through our organiza- of service. We are also extremely thankful for tion to achieve their goals. Our Theory of Change our team of volunteers, who continue to pro- helps us to improve our services, and gain clarity vide support across NYCH in so many ways, about where and how our work makes a differ- and bring an astonishing range of skills and ence. This, in turn, allows us to better serve our experience which benefit our community and community and its changing needs. You can see our organization. our Theory of Change on our website at nych.ca/ theory-of-change. We look forward to another year of excit- ing and innovative work, continuing to build Additionally, we spent considerable time creat- towards our vision of a strong community ing an evaluation framework and becoming more where all belong and thrive. evidence-based in our planning and reporting. This work gives structure to the data we’ve al- Many thanks for your ongoing support, ways collected and provides us with richer data about the impact of our work and the needs of our community. It also enables us to make more informed decisions, and more effectively high- light the difference we make in people’s lives. We cannot reflect on the past year without think- ing of all the people who have made our work possible. We are so grateful for the amazing work of our staff, who continue to work with our com- Shelley Zuckerman Nina Chandarana Executive Director Board President NYCH Annual Report 2018-2019 2 refugee initiatives 2018 – 2019 has been an exciting year for the ref- like food, housing, and supplies - espe- ugee initiatives team as we continued our work cially for children. Our settlement workers with refugee communities through after-school have been actively involved in providing re- programs, summer camps, financial literacy pro- sources and information, ranging from trips grams, employment workshops, and wellness to Value Village, to filling out work-permit and self-development groups. applications. NYCH staff organized a win- ter holiday party at the shelter in 2018 In addition to providing settlement services, the and distributed gift baskets and winter team focused on building confidence in adults clothes generously donated by RioCan and and young people who are experiencing a dras- community members. The party was a time tic change in social and economic status. They of fun and laughter, and a much-needed created safe spaces for participants to work break from the stresses of everyday life at through personal and shared trauma and offered the shelter. opportunities for partners and families to connect with each other and the community. During 2018 – 2019, we have provided op- portunities for participants to share their Through the use of digital storytelling, stories and talent with larger audiences in photovoice, art, music, and theatre, children and the city. After learning to make and play youth explored themes such as identity, self-ex- instruments with the Canadian Arab Or- pression, and the importance of personal and chestra and Arts Etobicoke, the children’s shared narratives. Participants were able to pro- group performed at the Foodie Festival host- cess difficult experiences of grief, loss, and dis- ed by Rexdale Community Health Centre. placement in creative and artistic ways. Addi- The youth and women’s wellness groups tionally, community members have come to trust presented their paintings at the Capital and bond with staff and each other, creating an One headquarters downtown in an exhibi- atmosphere of family and friendship. This has tion titled, The Colors Within - Sharing Ref- helped reduce stigma around mental health and ugee Stories through Art. These opportu- wellness, and indicates that community members nities have helped build confidence and are becoming more open to seeking support. a sense of belonging in the participants as they begin to take ownership of their We have seen a great need for settlement ser- stories and new identities. vices and support in shelters that house refu- gees with increasing demand for basic needs NYCH hosted a community awareness 3 NYCH Annual Report 2018-2019 Youth at the opening reception of The Colors Within - Sharing Refugee Stories through Art event in April 2018 called Once Upon a Ref- While our work with the refugee com- ugee in recognition of Refugee Rights Month. munity has been encouraging there is Community members shared their experienc- still much to do. In the midst of the worst es of displacement and resettlement through global refugee crisis the world has seen, and storytelling, digital stories, music, and art. growing intolerance to the refugee situation, The evening was a powerful and moving we must create space and opportunities for testimony to the strength and resilience of refu- those who risk everything to survive. gees. NYCH Annual Report 2018-2019 4 civic engagement team gets out the vote! 2018 was an important year for our city and prov- NYCH staff facilitated a Democracy Talks ince with the municipal elections held in October workshop for municipal council candidates and the Ontario general elections held in June. of Ward 8 before they answered questions The Civic Engagement team, with the support of from the audience at the all-candidates Toronto Neighbourhood Centre’s (TNC) Neigh- meeting that the staff helped organize.