INSPIRING POSSIBILITIES, CHANGING LIVES.

2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT

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CONTENTS

ABOUT US

MESSAGES

AGENCY OVERVIEW

GOVERNANCE

TREASURER’S REPORT & MANAGING RISK

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

CHILDREN & YOUTH

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

SETTLEMENT SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

SYRIAN SPONSORSHIP

INDEPENDENT LIVING

HOMELESS PROGRAMS

NEIGHBOURHOOD LINK HOMES

QUALITY & INNOVATION

VOLUNTEERS

FUNDERS

DONORS

STAFF

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Vision:A resilient, just and caring society where inclusion and diversity are nurtured and celebrated.

Mission:The Neighbourhood Group serves people at every stage of their lives, promotes independence and dignity, and engages the skills and talents of our neighbours to build a vibrant community.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUP’S (TNG’S) DEDICATED STAFF

WE ENCOURAGED 330 COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BECOME MORE CONFIDENT,

FIND THEIR OWN VOICEAND ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES THROUGH OUR ACTION FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD CHANGE INITIATIVE.

35 CHILDREN FROM OUR KICK START AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM SAT WITH RAPT ATTENTION AT A VIOLIN CONCERT BY INTERNATIONAL PERFORMER, DR. DEVORINA GAMALOVA. FOR MANY IT WAS THEIR FIRST LIVE PERFORMANCE EVER.

TNG’S PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKERS PROVIDED

SIXTY-EIGHT DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS HELPED OUR STAFF AND PROVIDED 7,069 HOURS OF SERVICE.

MORE THAN 240,000 HOURS OF CARE AND HELPED OVER 2,000 CLIENTS LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOMES WITH DIGNITY. WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED

OVER 25,000 CLIENTS ACROSS THE CITY, FROM VICTORIA PARK TO DOVERCOURT, AND FROM BLOOR TO THE LAKE, INCLUDING THE TORONTO ISLANDS. WE MADE MORE THAN 475,000 MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS IN OUR CITY.

YOU CAN’T MOVE FORWARD WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE AN IDENTITY. OUR PAID PROGRAM (PARTNERS FOR ACCESS AND IDENTIFICATION) MADE SURE 7,000 CLIENTS, MANY OF THEM HOMELESS, REPLACED THEIR LOST ID.

TNG PRIDES ITSELF AS A LEARNING CENTRE. WE COACHED 124 PLACEMENT STUDENTS AND THEY PROVIDED

WE BENEFIT FROM THEIR ENTHUSIASM, KNOWLEDGE OF BEST PRACTICES, AND VARIETY OF SKILLS; THEY GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE BY WORKING WITH CLIENTS IN REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS.

AND OVER 1,200

MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERED 28,759 MEALS

TO 231 CLIENTS.

24,751 HOURS IN OUR PROGRAMS.

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Messages from the Chair & the Executive Director

What a tremendous year for The Neighbourhood Group!

We have successfully accomplished many of the tasks that were part of the amalgamation of Central Neighbourhood House and Neighbourhood Link Support Services, and we are now excited to be looking ahead at the many opportunities that await. Strategic planning exercises are well underway to help us set the path for the next 3 to 5 years. It is always energizing to stop and take a look at our considerable history, examine our goals, and determine our direction for the future.

There is no doubt that we face many challenges. The changing funding landscape will require us to demonstrate our abilities in the pursuit of scarce resources. We also

know that the need for programs and services continues to grow in our community, so we look to partnerships and new initiatives to try to address these needs.

I would encourage you to visit our website – www.theneighbourhoodgroup.org – it provides a vivid demonstration of the many wonderful things our team is doing.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to thank our dedicated staff and volunteers as well as our partners and funders for all they do in making The Neighbourhood Group the greatest group in town!

Respectfully Submitted,Mary Christie, Board Chair

At the end of our second year as The Neighbourhood Group, staff and Board members have come together to make this a strong organization, focussed on building inclusive, thriving communities. Our ongoing integration of programs and services is bringing staff together to serve the people of our expanded community with the same compassion, respect and innovative spirit as always.

Though not without challenges, it’s been a successful year of growth. We’ve increased our capacity to build stability by bringing on a Director of Development and Communications, and our capacity for innovation and growth with our new Director of Special Initiatives.

They join an amazing staff of 400 and a volunteer force of over 1,200 to make our community a better place to live and work. As we move forward into an even more demanding year, I’m so glad to have them by my side!

Finally, a sincere thank you to our Board of Directors for their thoughtful governance and support of this work. We couldn’t do it without them!

Respectfully Submitted,Elizabeth Forestell, Executive Director

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Great things happen when we work together

The Neighbourhood Group is a Toronto-based charitable organization with a 106-year history.

A fusion of Neighbourhood Link Support Services and Central Neighbourhood House, our vibrant, multi-service agency provides a wide range of programs and services that create opportunities to improve and enhance people’s lives and help them to live independently and with dignity in the community.

We serve some of our city’s most vulnerable groups through programs including Meals on Wheels, after-school care, community dinners, specialized programs for at-risk youth, employment programs, homemaking and affordable housing. We remain committed to ensuring equitable access to support for all groups regardless of their culture or background. Our recent accreditation award from CARF Canada further exemplifies our dedication to outstanding performance and quality of care.

C H I L D C A R EEnriching, quality childcare and after-school care services offered in a licensed setting with access to subsidized spots.

Ontario Daycare Centre Winchester Daycare Centre

CO M M U N I T Y S U P P O R TProviding practical support, counselling and nutritious, tasty dinners for people who are marginalized.

Community DinnerFamily Support Programs Easy-Access Voicemail Program

C H I L D R E N & Y O U T HMeaningful activities, community engagement and support for children, youth and their families including those who are considered to be most vulnerable.

B-Safe Boyz 2 MenGEMSGirls NightKick Start After-School ProgramKidz Klub After-School ProgramLeaders in Training Summer Camps Tutoring Young Women’s Clubs Youth Outreach ProgramWeekend Youth Club

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CO M M U N I T Y D E V E LO P M E N TBringing residents together to address issues affecting them and their neighbourhoods, working together to build a healthy, vibrant community.

Action for Neighbourhood Change Community Access Program Community Garden Voluntary Trusteeship Program

E M P LO Y M E N T S E R V I C E SFull-service Employment Centre to help people find meaningful jobs, including specialized programs for newcomers, at-risk youth and those with mental health problems.

Career Counselling & Job DevelopmentJob Works Resource & Information CentreMoving Forward Youth Works

H O M E L E S S S E R V I C E SHolistic, client-centred approach to providing support to those who are homeless, at risk of being homeless or under housed.

Vulnerable Seniors Housing SupportStreet Survivors Partners for Access and Identification (PAID)

S E T T L E M E N T S E R V I C E SEssential support for newcomers to help them adjust to life in Canada, learn and connect to services while providing ongoing support.

New Knowledge, New Steps English Conversation Circles Healthy Lifestyle Workshops Women’s Club

H O U S I N GProviding supportive and affordable housing to seniors, singles and families.

Cecelia Murphy Building, 11 Coatsworth CrescentCommunity Link House, 2802 Danforth AvenueJean Dudley House, 143A Stephenson AvenueNorm Houghton Complex, 11 Main Street and 680 Kingston RoadO’Connor House, 570 O’Connor Drive

I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G A N D S E N I O R SReaching out to seniors and adults living with physical and/or mental challenges, helping them to live independently and with dignity in the community.

Adult Day Program Akwasti Cantonese and Mandarin ProgramsClient Intervention and Assistance Congregate DiningHome at Last Homemaking Housing Access and SupportIn Home ServicesRespite Care Security Checks Social & Recreational ProgramsStroke Survivors Supportive HousingTransportation and Toronto RIDETrue Davidson Meals on Wheels Vulnerable Seniors Program

History

In 1911, Central Neighbourhood House (CNH) was founded in response to the appalling living conditions of newcomers living in downtown Toronto. For the past 106 years, CNH has continued to work side by side with our neighbours, helping to build a community where the lives of frail seniors, at-risk children and youth, homeless people and newcomers are valued.

Neighbourhood Link Support Services began in 1975, when residents of Toronto’s east end took action against the isolation of many of Toronto’s seniors. Since that time, the organization has supported seniors to live independently and with dignity in their own homes. Over the years, the programs and services have expanded to support newcomers, children and youth, those who are unemployed and marginally housed.

Central Neighbourhood House c. 1929 - 1970, courtesy archives, City of Toronto

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Governance

Our Board of Directors is made up of dedicated, passionate volunteers who are committed to the work we are doing for our community. Our Board is comprised of 12 members representing financial, non-profit, legal, human resources, public services sectors and the neighbourhoods we serve.

The Board is responsible for the overall health of The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) and is charged with defining the goals of the organization, establishing the strategic plan and setting policies.

New members to the Board of Directors can be elected each year at our Annual General Meeting with all members of TNG being eligible to run. Board members identify gaps in expertise, perspective and diversity and make recommendations for recruitment. Once elected to the Board, new members are given a thorough orientation to the organization, and continue to have access to educational and training opportunities throughout their term.

The Board adheres to a succession plan that identifies and prepares Board members for leadership positions including serving on Board Committees, as Board and Committee Chairs and in Executive Officer positions.

TNG Board meetings are held six times per year. The agendas for upcoming meetings are posted on our website, generally by the Wednesday prior to the meeting. Minutes of meetings are posted to the website once they have been approved by the Board.

Meetings are open to the public, except for those parts held in camera. Community members are welcome to participate. Please see our website for further information. Our Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016:

MARY CHRISTIE, ChairPHILIP FERNANDEZ, Vice-ChairMARGUERITE REA, Vice-ChairMETE YORGAN, Vice-ChairROBERT GORE, TreasurerJENNIFER RAE, SecretaryMAUREEN ARMSTRONG PATRICIA DANNTIM HUGHESLLOYD ILEKYSTHIERRY KAGUBARICHRISTINA LAWRENCEATRISHA LEWISSAMIRA VISWANATHANIREEN WIEDITZ

BOARD COMMITTEES 2015-2016:

EXECUTIVE: MARY CHRISTIE (Chair), MARGUERITE REA, PHILIP FERNANDEZ, METE YORGAN, ROBERT GORE, JENNIFER RAE, ELIZABETH FORESTELL (Ex Officio)

FINANCE: ROBERT GORE (Chair), MARY CHRISTIE, JOHN PELTIER (Ex Officio), LEIGHTON TAYLOR (Ex Officio), ELIZABETH FORESTELL (Ex Officio)

FUNDRAISING:MAUREEN ARMSTRONG (Chair), JENNIFER RAE, PHILIP UNRAU, ELIZABETH FORESTELL (This committee folded into The Neighbourhood Group Foundation in 2016)

INNOVATIONS FUND: SAMIRA VISWANATHAN (Chair), RUTH LEE, PAMELA GAWN, EDWIN HUANG, PHILIP UNRAU, ELIZABETH FORESTELL

We are thankful for the leadership of our Board of Directors.

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Managing Risk

The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) carries out a comprehensive risk management assessment every six months. The report is generated by senior management and shared with the Board at their next meeting, or sooner if any urgent or catastrophic issue is identified.

TNG recognizes the following key risks to the organization:

Chronic underfunding of health sector programs constitutes a major threat to the health of our organization. Last year nearly 60% of our revenue came from various Ministry of Health-funded streams, most of which have been frozen for the past four years. Our costs continue to rise for these programs, made worse in past years by legis-lated wage increases that are funded only partially or not at all. We continue to struggle to subsidize these programs because they are vital to the wellbeing of our community members, particularly seniors with complex needs.

A significant portion of our costs relate to child care services. Ontario’s decision to have full-day kindergarten (for children 3.8 years and older) continues to have an impact on our attendance and income, though that is slowly improving with numbers rising in our Before- and After-School programs.

Two years after the amalgamation of Central Neighbourhood House and Neighbourhood Link Support Services, the bargaining units of those two agencies have merged to become CUPE Local 7797. By early 2017 we will be bargaining with the new local, and because it will be a completely new collective agreement, it will be both time consuming and disruptive. This is made more difficult by the aforementioned funding freezes that leave us without adequate resources to offer the healthy compensation packages our employees deserve.

Treasurer’s Report

The Neighbourhood Group (TNG), an amalgamation of Central Neighbour-hood House and Neighbourhood Link Support Services, has now completed two years as a combined entity.

TNG completed the 2015-16 year of operations with an approximately

break-even net operating income result. To achieve this we drew upon our cumulative Foundation and Trust reserves. The Community Care Access Centre contract continues to create challenges for the organization; however, our financial position reflects reserves sufficient to support continuing program activities, as well as to allow new initiatives to be taken where the opportunity for program enhancement arises.

Our long-term goal is to increase these reserves through fundraising in our affiliated charitable Foundation, to provide added support for program enrichment, to ensure flexibility in the services we provide to our clients, and to assist should program funding be more uncertain in the future. The 2016-17 year-to-date results already show a significant increase in donation and fundraising revenue and we are hopeful for continued growth into the future.

It has been and will continue to be my honour to be part of this organization that I see as key to meeting the needs of those in need in the neighbourhoods we serve.

Sincerely,Robert Gore, Treasurer

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Wages and benefits 85%

Occupancy costs 4%

Program expenses 5%

Purchased services 2%

Travel 2%

Offices and general 1%

Other 1%

EXPENSES

Fees 47%

Grants 39%

United Way 6%

Other 8%

REVENUES

FINA

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The Neighbourhood Group Community Services

E X C E R P T E D S TAT E M E N T O F O P E R AT I O N S

Statement of Operations

REVENUE

Fees

Grants

United Way Support

Other

Total revenues

EXPENDITURES

Wages and benefits

Occupancy costs

Program expenses and employer incentives

Purchased services

Travel

Offices and general

Other

Total expenditures

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures for the period

$8,864,0307,477,068 1,153,7321,530,673

6,666,8005,467,993

848,013 990,963

19,025,503 13,973,769

19,025,4967

16,207,236719,295

1,001,171300,021388,997252,574156,202

11,877,560

540,309

651,351

287,385

255,848

220,098

140,604

13,973,155

614

Twelve monthperiod endedMarch 31, 2016

Nine monthperiod endedMarch 31, 2015

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The Neighbourhood Group Community Services

Excerpted Statement of financial postition

Statement of Financial Position

ASSETS

CURRENT

Cash and cash equivalents

Marketable securities

Accounts receivable

Prepaids

Restricted investments - held as collateral

Due from Central Neighbourhood House Trust

Total Current

Restricted Investments - Day Care expansion

Equipment and leasehold improvements

Total Assets

LIABILITIES

CURRENT

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Deferred contributions

Due to Central Neighbourhood House Trust

Total Current

Fund held in trust Day Care expansion

Deferred capital contributions

Total Liabilities

Fund Balances

Net Assets

Total Liabilities and Fund Balances

$ -615,031

1,419,537174,723 402,134

97,541 2,708,966

678,392 380,262

90,000

151,316

152,701

$3,012,983

$581,390

546,102

1,060,748

132,443

407,555

102,279 2,830,517

239,850

192,586

$3,262,953

668,022

498,499

90,000 1,148,654

151,316

127,934

1,427,904

1,256,521

239,850

181,510

1,677,881

1,585,079

$ 3,012,983

1,585,072

$ 3,262,953

March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015

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Cool Things Happen Here! The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) embraces kids throughout their developing years. Some of our participants were as young as three months when they first came to one of our two Daycare locations. And they are likely to progress to either our After-School Kidz Klub or Kick Start Programs. When school finishes for the year, they often attend one of our Summer Day Camps. These programs provide the basis for healthy growth – physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially.

If English isn’t a first language or there are challenges in other subjects, wonderful volunteer tutors are there to give the extra boost that’s sometimes required. Our Homework Club is a regular part of the After-School Programs – we expanded this year and added it to the weekend programming.

As children begin to develop and mature, we expose them to new interests like dance, civic engagement, leadership development, arts or crafts, cooking or kick-boxing. Girls Night is for those 10 to 13 and our GEMS Group engages young women aged 14 to 18. Kick Start and Boyz 2 Men challenge and engage youth 13 to 16. We ask our participants to tell us what they want and need and we listen when they tell us – they help to shape our programming.

“My name is Akua and I am 12 years old. I have been going to the GEMS Program for two years. I like it because the workers have become like family, and teach me things like cooking and the importance of loving myself. I have gained so much confidence here. I even played in the basketball tournament where we won! I’ve learned how to make healthy food choices so I can feel good about myself and can teach others. GEMS is a great place to hang out with different girls and learn new things together. It makes you feel comfortable because no one is judging you. The GEMS Program is awesome!”

- AKUA

Children and Youth

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GEMS is awesome

In the Taylor Massey neighbourhood, there’s a scarcity of programs for young people. The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) helps to fill that gap with Kick Start and our Youth Outreach Workers (YOWs) who provide support and assistance with resources, referrals, and community programs and initiatives. Our YOWs started Go Purple, an anti-bullying awareness event open to youth 12+, but we welcome parents and caregivers, too. And this past year we partnered with Warden Woods and East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club to run the Barbershop Program to provide hands-on learning for haircutting. A key assignment was to plan and execute a free community give-back event, providing local youth with free haircuts. The eight successful participants walked away with a professional barber kit, and some of them talked about starting their own business!

This past year we received funding from the Toronto Arts Council for the I Heart Artz Program. Leader Paul Byron and local artists provided an introduction to fascinating media like sneaker art, spoken word, mural art, and graphic illustration and commix. The I Heart Artz Program culminated in an art exhibition and performance held on May 28th at 349 Ontario Street, Central Neighbourhood House.

Our collaboration with Council Fire continues with First Fire Dancers and Maintain The Flow refining their hip-hop and performance skills. The First Fire Dancers are a troupe learning traditional Hoop Dancing in addition to Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary styles. The group is a partnership program with Council Fire Native Cultural Centre. This past year saw the formation of a Juniors Group, ages 7-14 and they are now mentored by some of the Seniors Group ages 15-18. Maintain The Flow is a peer-led group doing all their own choreographing and designing. It has helped to teach leadership and team-building, as well as building self-confidence, commitment and discipline. The group started at the beginner level and have already advanced to the intermediate level in competition.

Sneaker art, commix, graphic illustration and dance – how cool is that?

“In every way possible, my family put me in the best program. I have experienced so many things that I would have never experienced without Kick Start. I also feel more confident than I ever have since being in Kick Start and I get to help other kids.”

- NAIMAH

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Naimah’s Story

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Helping groups. Organizing community. Supporting individuals. Advocacy. Any single one of these activities can be powerful, with the capacity to accomplish life-altering results. When put all together you have a truly outstanding collective of actions that we call Community Development.

In early 2016, after the death of a young man in the Lumsden community, our Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC) Program and our Youth Outreach Workers established “Smokey’s World”, a safe space for friends and healing, for establishing community connections, and building positive relationships. The group runs weekly, reducing high risk behaviours and forging positive bonds.

Working collaboratively across the city, ANC brings together residents, local businesses, service providers and community groups within the Taylor Massey area to foster change, turn ideas into action, and develop a healthier community.

In St. James Town, Moss Park and Regent Park, we work with partner agencies and

community groups to build strong neighbourhoods; community gardens, visits to working farms, bake oven events, art creation, democracy festivals and other gatherings bring us together.

Delicious home-cooked meals are served up weekly by friendly volunteers at our Community Dinner. The dinner is for those who need a hand-up, including those who are precariously housed, isolated seniors, people on limited incomes and newcomers.

“Last year, one of my clients told me that she could not wait for Christmas to come because it would be her first Christmas dinner in 20 years.”

- Nana Shamba, Program Coordinator

Light Up the Park

On a summer evening in June, Regent Park was buzzing with energy and excitement. The DJs from U for Change set up turntables and the first pulsating beats caused heads

to turn and necks to snap. The women from Banglaar Saad, a local Tamil cooking collective, started to prepare food for the night’s Iftar, the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. The first logs were set and the fire was lit. Just after 9 pm, the music stopped and the countdown began: 5-4-3-2-1! The crowd let out a roar and an amazing array of food was offered to the guests in the park. “Light up the Park!” animated the park with music, free food and sparklers and glow sticks for the kids – an inspiring celebration of inclusivity, and just one of the events to emerge from our Bright Ideas Symposium.

“It was beautiful to see families feel comfortable and safe to pray in the park. My partner said this was one of the best community events ever. This moment made me feel proud of our community and to be Canadian. The diversity and effortless cross-cultural sharing in these few hours warmed me as much as the spicy biryani. The community needs events like this – for all of us.”

- Edwin Huang, Community Development

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Reaching out

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Making a new home

With strong settlement roots and a focus on engagement and community-building, The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) is in a unique position to offer a continuum of support for newcomers.

Newcomers, moving from familiar surroundings, and oftentimes fleeing unspeakable circumstances, face a daunting process to start over in a strange new place. At TNG, we understand the myriad challenges they face, with housing, employment, language, transit and adjusting to a new way of life.

Our New Knowledge, New Steps Program helps newcomers navigate the job market and assists with barriers including language, skills development and education. Unique to the program is a focus on building communication skills, including idioms and jargon. Last year, the program expanded beyond recent newcomers to include those who have been living in Canada longer, but are still facing similar barriers to employment.

Our Women’s Club provides a welcoming, safe space where women can connect, make friends and gain valuable knowledge about schools, healthcare and more. Workshops and one-to-one support are provided in Swahili, Amharic, Tagalog, Bengali, Somali, Tamil and Mandarin.

Through word games, storytelling and activities, Conversation Circle provides a fun and effective way to practice English, while helping newcomers connect with each other and learn about services.

“I’ve learned more in conversation circle than ESL classes.” “Best circle in the city! So much fun and we learn too.”

– Conversation Circle Participants

The Healthy Lifestyle Program is about creating ways for people to connect, learn from each other and grow. Our fabulous volunteer yoga instructor

helps participants improve their health through exercise and nutrition.

Pre-Beginner Computer and Keyboarding Workshops help build skills and confidence, all while having some fun.

Adeleh left a professional career in her home country to marry and live in Canada. After years of abuse, she was a single mom, alone and scared. With limited language skills, low self-esteem and a lack of understanding about how to find work, she connected with the New Knowledge, New Steps Program. She successfully completed the program and now holds a well- paying office administration job. Adeleh says “the staff at New Knowledge New Steps believed in me and are the reason for my success today”.

Adeleh’s Journey

Located at 3036 Danforth, our Employment Centre offers many programs and services for people seeking employment.

Our Resource & Information Centre provides easy access to computers, internet, newspapers and fax machines: whatever you need to search for jobs, get connected and more. Helpful résumé writing and interviewing skills workshops get you on the right path. Last year, 4,215 job seekers visited our Centre and 3,115 people attended our workshops.

Delivered in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Moving Forward is a specialized eight-week pre-employment and workplace training program for people with mental health issues. In addition to career exploration, basic computer skills training and job

searching, the program addresses specific barriers to employment, through a focus on success strategies and one-to-one support.

Youth Works is a pre-employment program tailored for youth who are not in school, lack post-secondary education and are having trouble finding work. Critical to this program is the two-month paid work placement, certification and ongoing one-to-one support.

Career Counselling and Job Development services provide employment counselling, job search preparation, and job/career development, as well as hiring fairs featuring employers from across all sectors. Last year, The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) Job Developers worked with 1,100 clients helping 759 find work and assisting 165 to return to school.

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Finding meaningful work

TNG Job Developers worked with 1,100 clients helping 759 find work and assisting 165 to return to school

Efthalia was laid off from a company she thought she would retire with. Devastated, she connected with TNG’s Employment Centre. With the guidance and support of our staff, Efthalia returned to school and applied to train as a paralegal. Currently completing a two-year program and about to graduate, she had this to say:

“The best day of my life was when I walked in there. Finding good, secure employment has always been my dream and I am so excited to be graduating soon. I couldn’t have done it without the support of the Employment Centre staff”.

Starting Over

In the summer of 2015 we decided to get back to our roots as the second oldest settlement house in Toronto. Spurred by the terrible crisis in Syria, we set a goal to raise funds to sponsor a Syrian refugee family. Overwhelmingly strong support from the community including Danforth East Community Association (DECA) and the Cabbagetown NASRA took us four times beyond our goal! This incredible generosity raised just over $160,000 – enough to sponsor three families.

Friends of The Neighbourhood Group is a group of volunteers, staff and friends who have joined with The Neighbourhood Group in this vital initiative. Sponsoring a refugee family means helping them with every facet of the first year of their new journey and supporting them in their efforts to feel at home in Canada; language training, school for children, employment training, housing and social integration.

And we have a new community partner in The Arab Community Centre. They are an invaluable source of information and assistance and have led us in orientation sessions so that we’ve become familiar with Syrian culture and customs.

In the Spring of 2016, our efforts were further helped by funding from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada for a pilot settlement program, and later by United Way Toronto York Region, to carry on this work for one year. This allows us to not only give some concentrated support to the families we sponsor, but to reach out into the community and help other Syrian refugees.

Working with Lifeline Syria, we’ve been matched with our families, are learning their stories, and are anxiously awaiting their arrival in the coming months. What a warm welcome they will get!

Thanks to the expertise and many hours contributed by the committee who gave generously of their time to plan and organize:

Julia Bass, Murray Campbell, Leith Drury, Mona Elshayal, Kim Galvez, Bruce MacDonald, Joanne Pratt, Jennifer Rae, Judith Robertson, Pamela Gawn, Chantel Guthrie, Sabah Hassan, Rob Hewitt, Safia Hirsi, Jenny Lewis, Veronica MacDonald, Vu Nguyen Tran, Susan O’Rourke, Nana Shamba, Tsvetelina Trifonova, Philip Unrau and Elizabeth Forestell.

Very special thanks to the many generous donors who were inspired to bring hope to people touched by this tragedy.

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Getting back to our roots

Please see :www.theneighbourhoodgroup.org/funders to view the list of Syrian Sponsorship donors

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Independence, Respect and Dignity

In a society that values independence, dealing with age and condition-related frailty is a challenge. At The Neighbourhood Group (TNG), we believe in exploring every avenue to support people in their desire to age with dignity in their environment of choice.

Helping people define what matters most to them in the quest for a purposeful life is at the core of the Independent Living Knowledge Centre, launched in December, 2015.

In Home Services

TNG’s Personal Support Workers (PSWs) are fundamental to helping people age at home. In 2015, we provided more than 240,000 hours of service, helping nearly 2,000 clients stay anchored, providing day-to-day support with a generous spirit. From bathing, dressing and preparing light meals, to homemaking and respite care, our PSWs make life better. We keep people safe with daily check-in phone calls, along with crisis intervention, case management, advocacy and non-therapeutic counselling when needed.

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Independent Living and Seniors “My father and mother, both in their 80s, live together in their own home. When my father suffered a terrible allergic reaction to a drug, he was in severe pain with his skin peeling off and was bedridden for weeks. His home care was very demanding, stressful and extremely difficult.

Of course, our family rallied round, but I can’t say enough about the excellent care we’ve received from Helen, our PSW, who comes on a regular basis. From the start, Helen and my father clicked and they have developed a close personal relationship. Her support, and particularly the special attention she gives to his personal care, has made all the difference through this challenging time. My Dad relies on her enormously.

I am happy to say he is now recovering remarkably well. We are all so thankful for the excellent and special support.”

- CLIENT’S SON

Care at Home

pg 18 Adding Value to People’s Lives

Our Adult Day Programs offer new life to many who have become isolated due to stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other disabling conditions. Members can connect, develop new interests, take part in fun and interesting activities, and find joy in the companionship of others. Activities are tailored to the specific needs of groups six days a week including evening offerings.

Our Stroke Survivors Club has been making a difference to those dealing with the physical, emotional and cognitive challenges of stroke for more than 30 years. The sessions are fun, involving and motivational – and the Club is renowned for its Summer BBQs, holiday and birthday parties and sense of camaraderie. Our partnership with Sutherland Chan School yields free professional massages geared to the unique needs of stroke survivors.

Our programs, which provided 7,873 days of care last year, are made even better by our partnership with George Brown College, as we’ve provided placements for Activation students for more than 20 years. Their contribution is priceless!

Nourishing Body and Soul

Getting connected and staying healthy is the theme of Senior’s programs like Pui Hong, which keeps things lively with monthly lunches, music, art classes, outings and newsletters in Cantonese and Mandarin. Our Elderly Person’s Centres provide accessible social and recreational activities that promote wellbeing and community engagement.

True Davidson Meals on Wheels is on the move, expanding its service south of the Danforth right down to the Lake. Last year, 68 volunteers delivered 28,759 meals to 210 clients. Local personalities including Janet Davis and Joe Cooper pitched in with deliveries as well. Volunteers develop meaningful relationships, and are able to alert staff when they find clients in distress so help can be provided.

For seniors who can get out, sharing a table and a nice meal at our Congregate Dining Program provides both nutrition and social companionship.

Winifred, 92, has lived alone since her husband died in 2012. She uses a walker for stability and says it’s not always easy to get out and about. An avid fan of Meals on Wheels, she receives meals twice weekly. “The meals are healthy and tasty. In fact, I’ve put on a bit of weight over the last couple of years!”

Meena had been malnourished and depressed, rarely getting out of her housecoat, always feeling down. After a few months of Meals on Wheels, Meena is a changed person. She answers the door looking lively in daytime clothing and makeup, greeting volunteers with a huge smile. Not only has Meena’s nutrition improved dramatically, so has her outlook on life. Meals on Wheels nourishes the body and also the soul.

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Winnifred’s Story

Meena’s Story

In 2015, we served up 15,938 delicious meals through congregate dining and 28,759 through Meals on Wheels with the help of our supporters and volunteers.

Getting There is Half the Fun

The Neighbourhood Group’s (TNG’s) Transportation Department, one of 14 Toronto Ride partners, gets people to medical and rehabilitation appointments, therapy sessions, adult day and health and wellness programs, shopping and much more.

Our drivers discover social interaction is as important as getting clients to their destination safely. Clients appreciate staff who take the time to engage in conversation and get to know them during the drive.

“Alem is such a good listener, a real gentleman” - A TNG Ride user

Some seniors are both financially strapped and physically challenged. The Transportation Department has come up with a workable solution, coordinating with a local food bank to deliver food hampers at no charge to seniors needing help.

‘In the inner beauty of happiness they grow old’

The Akwasti Program was designed to help the very frail and vulnerable elderly who would otherwise qualify for extended care in an institutional setting, but want to remain at home. Akwasti supplements existing support with the extras needed to make their wishes a reality – more hours of personal care, case management and other interventions. It takes special staff and volunteers to participate in Akwasti, an innovative approach that allows clients to live at home until they’re close to the end stage of life. Some have called it the last hurrah in the fight for independence.

Jian came to us just days before his discharge from a rehabilitation hospital, where he had spent several months after suffering a severe fall during the winter. In his absence utilities were cut off and his house severely damaged by a frozen pipe that had burst, leaving the first and second floor flooded and too dangerous to occupy.

Our Case Worker and a Maintenance staffer took on the huge job of resolving this emergency situation: they settled Jian at Jean Dudley House, restored the utilities, hired a reputable contractor and ensured that Jian was kept in touch every step of the way in the renovation and remodeling of his beloved home.

As his house was nearing readiness, we knew we would miss Jian terribly: he had built very strong relationships with the Supportive Housing Manager and the Personal Support Workers who were part of his day-to-day routine at Jean Dudley House. We introduced him to our Akwasti Case Manager. The fiercely independent Jian agreed to accept further support to remain in his home, where four years later he continues to thrive.

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Jian’s Story

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There was a time when if someone was homeless, living on the street, they were assumed to have something wrong with them – usually related to alcohol and drug addiction. Society’s response was to treat with medications, life skills workshops and counselling, with the idea that eliminating the addiction would render the client ‘housing ready’. About a decade ago that philosophy went through a radical shift, with a priority on securing housing, giving people choices and letting them make decisions guiding their future; the idea now is that by giving encouragement, support, guidance and reassurance, people will thrive.

Our Street Survivors Program provides necessary supports once a person has been housed. We help to establish support in all areas, laying solid foundations for a strong future. We visit participants in their homes, provide landlord/tenant mediation, informal counselling and advice. We network and advocate on their behalf to improve quality of life.

“The ache for home lives in all of us.” - Maya Angelou

For those 55+, homeless or under-housed and seeking housing, our Vulnerable Seniors Program is one of only a few in Toronto specializing in assisting seniors. And the steps to find suitable, affordable housing often start with the very basics: replacing lost or stolen identification, applying for income security such as Ontario Works or Disability, setting up a bank account, and working with our Voluntary Trusteeship Program for money management. We provide support every step of the way.

The Partners for Access and Identification (PAID) Project is a unique, City-wide program that helps homeless people get the identification they need to access health care, sources of income and other essential services. Without basic identification, such as birth certificates, health cards and social insurance numbers, it is impossible to access basic services or find housing or employment. Each year, we hold 40 PAID Clinics across the City and serve over 8,000 homeless people.

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Homeless to housed

“We believe in the empow-erment of participants by relating to their life journey and assisting them in taking control of their own situation.

One participant had worked all his life as a taxi driver. Always on the edge of poverty, when he lost his driver’s licence for health reasons he thought he was doomed. The tiny room he could afford cost $500 of his $546 monthly cheque. Only his Spartan existence allowed him to survive.

His approval for a rent-geared-to-income Seniors’ Unit in his childhood neighbourhood was almost too good to be true. Now despite living on very little, he is one of the happiest people in Toronto.” TOBY MULLALLY Street Survivors Manager

Living with Dignity

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Neighbourhood Link Homes and The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) have a unique 25-year partnership managing affordable supportive housing. Properties are owned by Neighbourhood Link Homes, with management and support provided through TNG; it’s a collaboration that works beautifully and is so seamless, most people forget we are separate entities.

With a team of highly qualified staff, our residents are in great hands. Access to personal support, congregate dining, case management, social and recreation programs, as well as the added comfort of friendly staff and volunteers who check-in daily, brings independent living home.

In 2015, Neighbourhood Link Homes was nominated for the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Award of Excellence, which recognizes ‘an innovative non- profit housing corporation that responds to tenant or community needs with imagination and insight’.

The Nominator, Housing Services Corporation, said:

“Since 1975, Neighbourhood Link Homes has demonstrated inspired community leadership in East Toronto neighbourhoods. The organization not only provides safe and affordable housing to seniors and families in need, but has also developed a range of programs and services that offer unique solutions to over 11,000 community members annually”.

Our Homes:

Cecelia Murphy Building, at 11 Coats-worth, offers a variety of apartments for seniors, with access to all TNG support services, including on-site dining, bingo, carpet bowling, special events and more, keeping our seniors active, engaged and happy!

Community Link House, at 2802 Danforth Avenue, is a specialized 25-unit apartment

building, offering a safe home to previously homeless or marginally-housed seniors with complex needs. Through a partner-ship with the Community Occupational Therapists Association, we help residents integrate into the community, and live independently and with dignity.

The Norm Houghton Complex comprises 11 Main Street and 680 Kingston Road. Kingston Road houses independent seniors, with support available as needed. 11 Main Street is a 62-unit, rent-geared-to-income and market-rent building for families and singles. It’s a perfect housing combination!

For seniors who require 24-hour non- medical support, Jean Dudley House and O’Connor House are lovely home settings, where residents receive personal care, nutritious meals, and a wide range of social activities.

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Safe, affordable housing with an added caring touch

Living with Dignity

Achieving the CARF Stamp of Approval

Achieving the highest quality of service underlines everything we do at The Neighbourhood Group (TNG). We just had time to catch a breath from our successful amalgamation in 2014 when we began planning for our CARF Accreditation Survey in 2015. CARF International (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) surveyors examined over 1,200 standards of our policies, practices, communications, governance, human resources, data management and many other aspects of the services we provide to people in their homes. We were delighted to have been awarded the maximum three-year accreditation; our plan for 2018 is to increase our scope of accreditation to include Adult Day Programs at both Central Neighbourhood House and Neighbourhood Link Support Services. This is a rigorous process and our highly focused team wants to be fully prepared. We were awarded exemplary compliance as a result of the community engagement work we do with our annual Bright Ideas Symposium – we want to see that repeated in 2018!

For a link to the full report please visit www.theneighbourhoodgroup.org

Building Quality and Innovation

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“It is apparent that TNG is very committed to service excellence and that it is its culture to do whatever is necessary to meet the needs of clients and other stakeholders”.

- CARF INTERNATIONAL

Innovation

We’ve just celebrated our 5th Annual Bright Ideas Symposium. Our neighbours and innovators from across the City joined together for a day of stimulating presentations and thoughtful and insightful discussions.

In 2016, our Innovations Fund sponsored a Community Bake Oven Series. Six events took place this summer at the recently opened bake oven in Regent Park, in the evening when everyone can participate. We hosted up to 350 community members per event, making pita pizza, bruschetta and curry with fresh naans. The ripple effect was amazing and taught others in the community to use the bake oven and hold their own events.

Moving Forward Strategically

A focus on quality and innovation is a key component of our strategic thinking. We’ve just embarked on our strategic plan that will move us forward for the next five years 2017 – 2022. We’ve been connecting with stakeholders from all areas: funders, participants, community partners, organizations, politicians, and our neighbours and friends. We’ll examine recent events, look at trends within the community and do an environmental scan to guide the process. We’ll be presenting elements of our new strategic plan at our Annual General Meeting in October, 2016.

Our Personal Support Workers Recognized as Heroes

Each year the Community Care Access Centre presents the ‘Heroes in the Home Caregiver Recognition Award’ to Personal Support Workers and caregivers who provide kind, compassionate care to help others live fulfilling and dignified lives. This year, three of TNG’s Personal Support Workers -- Namgyal Chonzom, Feven Tesfai and Eslyn Noray - were honoured for going above and beyond in their shared care of a palliative client.

Nominated by CCAC Co-ordinator J. Cyriac, their Heroes in the Home Recognition plaques were presented by Stacey Daub, CEO of the CCAC, at an awards ceremony held in May.

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PSWs frequently work in difficult and challenging situations without expecting or receiving the recognition they deserve. We congratulate Namgyal, Feven and Eslyn for their compassion and their dedication to making the lives of their clients better.

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Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.

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Our valued volunteers truly are the backbone of many of our wonderful programs at The Neighbourhood Group. We are so grateful to those who give freely of their time, talent, enthusiasm and caring to help those in need.

1,211 volunteers provided an astounding 25,726 hours over the past year. That’s an equivalent of over 14 full-time staff.

We count on our volunteers to deliver essential services to the community:

• Delivering a nutritious meal to an isolated senior through Meals on Wheels• Helping newcomers learn English or to use computers• Distributing toys and other treats to people who have so little during the holiday season• Assisting at-risk children with homework• Visiting vulnerable seniors or escorting them to medical appointments • Serving a tasty dinner to marginalized people at our Community Dinner• Doing income taxes for people who are struggling to make ends meet ….and much more!

Our dedicated volunteers come week after week, month after month; some for as long as 5, 10, 15 and even 20 years.

Mrs. Kwan, Yee Shew; Ms. Guan, Nong Qiao; and Ms. Chen, Feng Yi have volunteered for 20 years at our Chinese Seniors Programs. This past year we celebrated by nominating them for the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards

Our Volunteers

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At 14, Maleeka didn’t think she was good at anything. She began volunteering at our Kidz Klub After-School Program, where she soon realized how much she enjoyed working with kids. And she also realized how good she was at it. Maleeka speaks of the dedicated staff at the Kidz Klub who gave her the guidance and support she needed to succeed. Maleeka has made a huge impact on the children she has worked with over the years, and thanks to our partnership with Canada Summer Jobs, she was able to land a job as a Summer Camp Counsellor with us. Maleeka plans to pursue her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher…and we’ll be right there cheering her on!

“We’ve met so many amazing people who want to give in any way they can. And it’s always wonderful to see how much our clients truly appreciate what our volunteers do. Volunteers help us build a stronger and more united community.”

CHANTEL GUTHRIE, Volunteer & Special Events Coordinator, Central Neighbourhood House

TSVETELINA TRIFONOVA, Volunteer Convenor, Neighbourhood Link Support Services

Making Good Things Happen

Our DonorsOur FundersWe are truly grateful to our generous donors for their support of our programs and services. You make it possible for us to provide quality care to those in need in our community. As the needs of those we serve grow more complex and the cost of providing service continues to rise, fundraising will continue to be a critical source of support for our organization. TNG gratefully receives donations directed towards Central Neighbourhood House and Neighbourhood Link Support Services. Please know that every gift matters.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of our donors.

The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) would like to acknowledge the vital support of our funders. We are able to provide innovative, essential service for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds because of this ongoing, consistent source of income. Thank you to our generous funders.

Centre for Independent Living TorontoCity of TorontoCP24/CHUM Charitable FoundationEmployment OntarioFred VictorHeart and Stroke FoundationHuman Resource Development CanadaMinistry of HealthMinistry of Training, Colleges and UniversitiesOntario Trillium FoundationSenior Link FoundationService CanadaThe RBC FoundationToronto Central Local Health Integration NetworkToronto Star Fresh Air FundUnited Way Toronto & York RegionWeirFoulds LLP – The Rainbow Foundation

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Nancy AckermanSoni AhmadGillian AllenJoan AllisonK. Anthony Tara AnthonyMaureen ArmstrongAlana ArmstrongMichael ArthursLauren Baker Lavell BaldockWendy BanhDavid & Linda BennettYaping BianDina BilenkisBrian BissellLeah Black-HauserPaul BlochlingerLizz BryceEdwin BullJohn BurnsRobert ButlerJenny CamRichard CarterG. CeronYuet Sim ChanGreg CharlesShi Lien ChauBarb CheatleyLi Yun ChenVictor ChenShu Juan ChenMo Yiu ChiuJoe ChowSammy ChuRobert ClarkGordon ClarkeJames Cockfield

Ma Cong C. Sandra CostaShannon CraigBob CroninJennifer CruickshankBlentin CukoKathleen CumminsCharles DaffernTran Ngoc DamSusan De RosaJean DempseyMarisa DodaroRonald DraycottPhilomena DrazichAlan DunlopRichard DurkTom EdwardsPetr EkimovSheri EllisEvenden EvendenHerman FerraoVincent FokElizabeth ForestellTom & Shirley ForestellPamela GawnGorby GhotraWinnie GiangMarina GlogovacBob GoreKam GowMonica GroenNong Qiao GuanSandra HamiltonBurhaan HandulleLee Allison HoweHui Kum HuangTran HuuJoyce Ing

S. JohnsonJane JungTodd KeeleyDave KenningtonSinh Hue KhiemYan KimVictoria KnightDiggy LallussisHuu Thi LamDuong LamAmanda LaRondeBarbara LaRondeSiau Chan LauNancy LaverneBo Sing LeeJeffrey LevittKathryn LewisWen LiKe LiKathy LiuChris LiuAndrea LloydKhue LuXiao Jing LuMing LuiMark LundePei LuoMarion LynnVeronica MacDonaldIsabelle MackenzieFelix ManhicaTsui MayAdrienne B. MaynardTom McCallumMark McCueMegan MitchellSemi MohamedWayne (Toby) Mullally

Joanne MurphyPierre NadeauYuk Ling NgJohn NguyenBik Fung NyeAileen O’GormanPhilemon PangJoy PatelJohn PeltierChoy PengJose Peraza & Analia ZamoraWendy PietteBarb PimentoChuen PoonJennifer PotterDoreen PotterWing Yee QuanJennifer RaeSally RagudoJanet RichterJoan P. RidoutCarol RooneyLisa RossWendy RymalDebbie ScanlonMing Hui ShenBirgit SiberIris SpenceDr. Catherine SteeleChristian StoufferMargaret TempletonNu ThangLuu ToYuk King TongMui TranTrang TranKinh Trieu

Khanh TrinhTony TsakanikasPhilip UnrauTieu Anh VanAgnes Van’t BoschMarilyn VasilevichTon ViDu Viet LangRandy VuJen WalkerSuzie WangColin WebsterElizabeth WebsterMargaret WendoverStephen WickensJeff WillowsSuk Fong WongKowng Sun WongQiong Yu WuLai YeungChungwan YungLi Yun ZhangVicki ZieglerRochelle Zorzi Estate of Ms. Lois M. Becker Estate of William Guy Walton Royal Bank of CanadaGreat-West Life, London Life Kingston Road United Church Women Inscape Corporation Main Street Burger Shoppe

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OUR

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KAARINA LUOMADIRECTOR,

SPECIAL INITIATIVES

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ELIZABETH FORESTELLEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LEIGHTON TAYLORDIRECTOR,

OPERATIONS

GERRI BADCOCKDIRECTOR,

PROGRAMS &SERVICES (NLSS)

PHILIP UNRAUDIRECTOR,

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

(CNH)

VERONICA MACDONALDDIRECTOR,

INDEPENDENT LIVING

SHERI ELLISDIRECTOR,

HUMAN RESOURCES

AND ORGANIZATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

LAINA GIBSONDIRECTOR,

DEVELOPMENT AND

COMMUNICATIONS

Maria Elena Abadillo, Muni Abdal, Alia Abdi, Abdi Abdikadir, Saada Abdullahi, Alem Abebe, Lathiba Aboobakker, Ergat AbrahaJanette Adams, Michelle Adams, Almaz Adkeme, Patrick Adu, Hiwot (Kiwi) Afework, Soni Ahmad, Suhera Ahmed, Sophia AikensTiruwork Akalu, Florence Akanugwo, Nazneen Akhtar, Rumina Akhtar, Yasmin Alameddine, Jafar Alawi, Freweini Alemayo, Fassika Alemu, Sharifa Ali, Maureen Ali, Beverley Allen, Wayne Allen, Sharon Allison, Saedia Almakdeshi, Margarita Alvarado, Ethiopia Amin, Thusha Anantharajah, Debbie Anderson, Joan Antoine, Santa Aryemo Oloya, Saba Mesfin Asgedom, Candice Auguste, Rosa Aviles, Kumba Ayume, Kaisha Aziza, Gerri Badcock, Safa Bafagih,Tiblezisak Bairu, Bobbette Balgrove, William Ballard,Emilia Balmeo, Helen Balucay, Khalid Barra, Howard Barrett, Gabriele Battista, Pauline Bayagos, Hasina Begum, Mina (Ming Quan) Bian, Elinor Binayan, Joy Bissessar, Maleeka Black, Jillian Blake, Melinda Blondin, George Boicu, Verna Boothe, Patricia Braithwaite, Arben Bregu,Vena Britton, Robert Butler, Charlene Butts, Victoria Byers, Carmela Caguioa, Ruby Callender, Amanda Capes, Victoria Castillo, Onny Castillo, Gricelda Ceron, Nolet Chambers, Kwan-Kit Chan, Lan Chan, Evadne Chanderbhan, Ngewang Choden, Lobsang Chodon, Namgyal Chonzom, Danuta Chow, Tammy Clarke, Christine Cleland, Franclyn Clement, Lily Cohen, Michelle Colonna, Maria Corbo-Ibanez, Sandra Costa, Celene Cuenca, Blentin Cuko, Niena Cummings, Joyce Cunningham, Bindu Reginald D’Cunha, Eunice De Guzman, Bernaliza Delacruz, Marilyn Delizio, Stanislau Desouza, Sarah Di Stefano, Danisha Dixon, Tsering Dolker, Samkar Dolma, Jennifer Dorrell, Mendesa Drummond-Reid,Andre Dufour, Sachewell Dunkley, Babsie Dwarka, Suzi Edwards, Oke-Oghen (Flora) Efijemueh, Zuoye Ekubor-Esimein, Sheri Ellis, Merla Esguerra, Florida Etchorre, Sheryl Evangelista, Molly Evering, Amalmel Eyasu, Vilma Fabro, Lorie Fairburn, Jacqueline Farray, Nicole Favero, Ashley Featherstone, Howard Fine, Wilson (Waishing) Fong, Elizabeth Forestell, Makeeba Foster, Elethia Francis, Irvin Gahit, Michael Gallacher, Nashana Garrick, Pamela Gawn, Ghenet Gebreluel, Almaz Gebremeskel, J. Donna George, Yvonne George, Bezashe Gerbie, Fessahatzion Ghebremedhin, Ted Giannakopoulos, Laina Gibson, Tsehaynesh Girmay, Nigisttiky Goitom, Tocha Goldberg, Pearline Gooden, Diane Grant-Newhook, Janette Grierson, Chantel Guthrie, Omera Habyirimana, Rahma Hagi, Senait Haile, Li (Flora) Han, Myrna Harriot, Dylan Harte, Abdurahaman Hassan, Sabah Hassan, Mohammed Hassen, Casera Hayden, Helen He, Donna Heavens, Chandra HeeralalViolet Henningham, Isabell Henry, Gaetan Heroux, Robert Hewitt, Fatuma Hied, Patricia Hill, Shelly Hill, Jessica Hines, Safia Hirsi, Kay-Ann Hodges, Hang-Ying Hon, Edwin Huang, Amy (Jiang Mei) Huang, Joan Humphrey, Paul Hundert, Anne Hurl, Camille Hutchinson,Anna Iassu, Michelle Ilios, Sonia Jackson, Faithlyn James, Tessa James, Kathy Jay, William Jeffery, Bannard John, Sharon Johnson, Renee Johnson, Joy Jones, Eno Jorgji, Jubin Jose, Mulu Kachura, Aster Raesu Kahassy, Himan Kahisu, Zenebech Kassa, Kathleen Kaus, Janet Keenan, Charmaine Kelegan, Alzia Kennedy, Beatrice Kesiime, Razeena (Pauline) Khan, Jaclyn Kim, Leanne King, Susan Kizza Nagawa, Veronica Knight, Lucille Knight-Green, Raymond Koyo, Vijaya Kugan, Amanda LaRonde, Marivic Larosa, Paul Larsen, Denise LaTouche, Toyin Lawal, Gertrude Lawrence, Tine Lee, Shane Lee, Senait Legesse, Meron Lemma, Jeff Leonard, Mazel Leslie, Jenny Lewis, Tashi Lhamo,

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Vivien (Mingxia) Li, Ye Li, Shauna Littleton, Bi Yu (Becky) Liu, Kaarina Luoma, Anna (Yan Zhen) Ma, Veronica MacDonald, Joyce MacDonald, Michael Maloney, Krysten Marks, Brad Mascarin, Birgit Matthaes, Yasmin Mawji-Sajoo, Yanley Mayea-Buchillon, Eddy A. Mbabzi, Wendy McAulay, Desrai-Ann McCallum, Sophie McCormack, Valrie McDonald, Karry Ann McKenzie, Beatrice McLean, Robert McLellan, Jelly Medrano, Cindy Melo, Robert Metcalfe, Robin Miller, Janicka Mills, Desimira Milusheva, Naghmeh Mohajer, Yasmin Mohamoud, Geeta Motieram, Juliet Muchake, Bryann Muirhead, Elisabeth Mukakabego, Jane Mulindwa, Toby Mullally, Marlene Mullet, Allan Munro, Susan Munro, Donika Murati, Jacqueline Murray, Evelyne Mwizero, Kelsii Naeimi, Christine Nakalema, Deborah Nambozo, Carlos Nascimento, Africa Navarro, Nazuk Nazuk, Joy Ndagire, Luula Neggash, Susan Nembhard, Annalicia Nembhard-McLean, Vu Nguyen Tran, Mergere Nilo-Neypes, Rosemary Njovu, Nikeisha Noel, Eslyn Noray, Laura Oceguera-Flora, Rachel O’Connor, Ebere Okonkwo-Nevo, Mary Olango, Helen (Liknam) On, Asare Oppong, Gloria Oprin, Susan O’Rourke, Cheryl Osae-Brown, Kelly O’Sullivan, Evangeline Pajas, Corazon Palita, Tsering Palmo, Phebe Pang, Kumar Paransothy, Nausheen Patil, Lindsey Patterson, Daisy Patterson Tamar, Isabel Paulo, Danielle Payne, Julia Phillips, Margaret Pimentel, Linda Postma, Cathy Prescod, Fabio Prieto, Kevin Pyke, Hasina Quader, Regina Quainoo, Rizalina Quero, Fatima Rabaya, Almaz Raeggesa, Samina Rafaqat, Maran Rajadurai, Jerome Ramadhin, Larisa Reznichenko, Durdana Rizwan, Winsome Roache, Kathleen Roath, Tracey Roberts, Merle Rogers, Sharon Rollock, Susan Rooplal, Kimberley Rudolf, Irene Ryner, Nasrin Safary, Seble Hagos Sahilu, Divina Salileng, Marilyn Salvador (Ugale), Anita Sam, Vicki Sanders, Marta Sebhate, Nana Shamba, Fatmia Sharif, Ying (Selena) Shen, Samira Sherif, Frehiwot Shiferaw, Zavian Sibley, Andi Sila, Ashley Simmonds, Gail Simpson, Magdel Skeete, Louise Sloley, Rommie Smith, Margaux Sommen, Sabitri Somur, Ava-Jean Stewart, Yvonne Stewart, Christian Stouffer, Lorelie Subingsubing, Moe Sukraj, Roshnie Sukraj, Afroza Sultana, Momtaz Sultana, Vilma Tadeo, Genevafay Tallow, Derrick Richard Taylor, Leighton Taylor, Mary Rose Tejada, Almaz Teklemar, Kim Tenn, Stacy Terriah, Feven Kebreab Tesfai, Gergish Tesfay, Elilta Tesfay, Yodit Tewolde, Sharon Thompson, Quoc Dieu Tran, Tsvetelina Trifonova, Mae Trowers, Solomon Tsadike, Sonam Tso, Glory Udoh, Estelita Ugbinada, Philip Unrau, Revelita Vadil, Miguel Valiente, Peter Votsch, Cala Waithilingham, Anne Walters, Jinghua Wang, Kang Wang, Mary (Ping) Wang, Philip (Lihui) Wang, Amina Ware, Kristin Watkins, Joyce Watson, Keisha Watson, Wendy (Xianfen) Wei, Elsa Weldeslasie, Lemlem Weldeselassie, Ellen White, Sylvia Williams, Jacqueline Williams, Sandy Williams, Ilayda Williamson, Janet Wilson, Veronica Wilson, Kelly Wilson, DeWayne Witter, Sonia Wright, Qiong (John) Wu, Long Wu, Xiao Mei (Amy) Wu, Jian (Victor) Xiao, Maggie (Chun) Xu, Snow Xue Tian, Cheryl-Ann Yaacoub, Nivetha Yamunarasan, Xiumei (Ellen) Yan, Honghua (Lily) Yan, Annie (Q) Yang, Wen Yang, Yan Na Yang, Yangchen Yangchen, Monica Yearwood, Nick Zaios, Yongmei (Helen) Zhang, Chrischun Zhang, Yan Zhang, Ling Zhao, Ying (Sophia) Zhao, Chen Zong, Jianjun Zou

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TNG workplace is represented by CUPE Local 7797.

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A huge shout-out to all our extraordinary staff and volunteers who go above and beyond, each and every day.

Get involved with The Neighbourhood Group

Make a difference today in the lives of those we touch by making a donation to support our vital programs and services.No matter the size of the gift, every bit counts. Your kind support will help.

$50 will provide 7 nutritious meals to a frail senior delivered by our caring, friendly volunteers

$75 will ensure that a child from a high-needs area can attend summer camp for one week

$150 will allow us to serve a delicious meal to 85 people struggling with the very basics of survival

$500 will guarantee that at-risk youth can attend our specialized programs: Boyz 2 Men and GEMS (Girls Empowered for More Success)

To donate, please visit our website at www.theneighbourhoodgroup.org or call 416.691.7407 ext. 216.

Volunteer with Us

…and make a difference in your community

At The Neighbourhood Group, we have a variety of rewarding volunteer opportunities including:

• Delivering Meals on Wheels to frail seniors• Serving community dinner to those who are struggling• Visiting with homebound seniors• Assisting in our After-School Programs and Summer Camps• Escorting seniors to medical appointments• Supporting stroke survivors, those with Alzheimer’s and frail seniors in our Adult Day Programs• Helping newcomers learn English• Supporting our work in the office ….and much more!

For more information about volunteering please go to: http://www.theneighbourhoodgroup.org/become-a-volunteer/or contact:

AMANDA LARONDE (to volunteer at our Central Neighbourhood House location)416. 925. 4363 ext. 117 oralaronde@cnh.on.ca

Neighbourhood Link Support Services3036 Danforth AvenueToronto ON M4C 1N2416.691.7407

PHOTO CREDIT: DONNA BRAYBROOK dlkphotos.com

Twitter:@CNH_1911@NeighbourhdLink

Facebook: TheNeighbourhoodGroup

Central Neighbourhood House349 Ontario StreetToronto ON M5A 2V8416.925.4363

TSVETELINA TRIFONOVA (to volunteer at our Neighbourhood Link location)416.691.7407 ext. 236 orttrifonova@neighbourhoodlink.org

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