Fred Victor Centre (FVC), located in the east end of Toronto, is a multi-service organization dedicated to assisting women and men living in poverty and committed to building a more just and caring society. I ask executive director Mark Aston how FVC is different from other social service organizations in Toronto. “It has a history of helping people in the Toronto area for over 100 years. It’s quite an achievement,” he says. The wide range of services, programs and facilities offered by the centre aim to increase the options and resources for community members with particular emphasis on housing, employment, and individual assistance. “The centre’s community development model for service delivery,” explains Aston, “involves service users in development and evaluation. It allows for a more holistic approach to individual need through a wide scope of services including housing, individual supports, harm reduction, and social, recreational and vocational programs.” With regard to housing over the last few years, FVC has witnessed a growing number of women seeking shelter and support. It runs a 40–bed hostel, where women receive emergency shelter, food and assistance. The centre also provides a women’s day program, offering women a safe and welcoming place to go during the day. The Hostels to Homes program, a joint project of FVC and Sistering, helps women who are living on the streets or who have inadequate housing, find and maintain safe and affordable housing. Jacqui Nelson, a hostel support coordinator says, “The women in the hostel are dealing with a wide range of experiences and issues. Some are dealing with abuse, others with loss of housing, and some have severe mental health issues. If we do not have a bed available, we still offer support to these women in referrals. We will find a place for them somewhere else.” Nelson continues to explain how the women feel relatively safe and comfortable at the hostel. And, it has a lot to do with the staff workers. “The support workers are always flexible and accommodating to individual women’s needs,” she says. FVC also provides affordable housing for 194 women and men in shared apartments. It offers drop-in programs —one for men and women, and one for women only — a place for community members to meet and learn how to access community services. When looking at the other community programs provided by FVC, Michele Heath, director of community services says, “Community members participate in how programs are shaped and developed. Most members are usually marginalized or disconnected from society. Their participation means that they have a say in deciding what affects their lives.” Here’s a quick overview of some of the other programs and services. FVC has a food program, including a Friends Restaurant, which serves healthy and affordable meals and offers credits to those members who are unable to pay. The breakfast programs offer free meals three days a week. There’s an employment centre that provides members with free access to computers, fax machines, and other equipment, as well as job skills training and literary classes. The Computer Club keeps members connected to up-to-date technology allowing them easier access to develop job skills. Open House is available five days a week in the afternoons. Staff members provide individual support services in addition to running regular programs such as a men’s discussion group, the camera club, sewing, movie day, food Fridays (members plans the menu, shop, cook and clean), and Garden Angels (members plant and maintain a garden at a downtown church). Staff members also plan outings, celebrations and other events. Members can participate in producing the Alias Community Newsletter or they can pursue other creative self-expression classes such as theatre, art and photography. They often have a chance to showcase their works at exhibitions around town. And, the Centre just celebrated its eigth Annual “Centre Gala” at the Gardiner Museum. The event attracted over 200 people and was a great success. It raised over $70,000. Says Aston, “This event is held to support our Women’s Day program and women’s hostel. Both provide absolutely essential services to some of the most marginalized women in Toronto. Since opening the hostel in 1997, we have provided shelter to over 1200 different women and the day program provides services to over 100 women each day.” FVC continues to develop its partnerships with numerous social service organizations in Toronto such as St. Michael’s Hospital, Share Care, ONPHA, other shelter and hostel agencies, community health centres, and multi-service agencies such as Sistering, St. Christopher House, and Woodgreen. The centre receives its funding primarily through federal, provincial and municipal programs, the United Way of Greater Toronto, corporations, foundations, individual donations and church groups. Volunteers also play a vital role in the operation of the centre. To make a donation or to find out more about how you can volunteer at FVC, you can visit www.fredvictor.org or call 416-364-8228. I ask Mark Aston where the centre is headed.
Image courtesy of Fred Victor Centre.
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