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Annual Reports

November 30, 2011 By


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Partnerships

November 30, 2011 By

Partners and supporters play a vital role in the programs and services offered to youth in the programs at Eva’s Phoenix. We are committed to working with partners from the public, private, labour and not-for-profit sectors. Their generosity provides opportunities for youth to gain the skills to manage their personal lives and to embark on a career, not just a dead-end job. It is a comprehensive package of support that allows the youth to become self-sufficient and financially independent.

Here are some ways that our partners support the work at Eva’s Phoenix:

Work placement opportunities:

    • Employers from a wide range of industries provide youth with work experiences that help them on the journey to building their careers, e.g. Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto Carpet Factory, Copywell, Timothy Eaton Infant and Toddler Centre, Ontario Community Centre for the Deaf, Active Tech Electronics, and many others

Skills Training:

    • Partners provide pre-employment training opportunities that help youth gain practical skills needed for specific jobs. Examples of this training include health and safety, WHMIS and computer applications, e.g. Canadian Auto Workers Union, Local 27 and Local 183

Life Skills support:

    • Our partners assist in providing youth with life skills training in areas such as financial management, nutrition, stress, conflict and anger management, credit counseling and many others, e.g. Youth Substance Abuse Program, City of Toronto Public Health Department, Second Harvest, Parkdale Community Legal Services

Referrals and resources:

    • Through a network of community partners and other groups, youth gain access to programs and supports that assist them along the journey towards independence and self-sufficiency, e.g. YMCA House, Covenant House, Dixon Hall, Evergreen Centre for Youth, The Furniture Bank

Housing supports:

    • Our housing partners provide us with living options for youth, to help them effectively transition to living in the community. They include Church-Granby Co-Op, St. Clare Multifaith Housing and St. Brigid’s Multi-Faith Housing

Funding:

  • Without adequate funding, Eva’s Phoenix would not be able to provide the programs we offer to young people. Service Canada has been a key funder for our employment program for more than 4 years. Raising the Roof is a key partner in providing funding for our program, as well as being a champion for solutions to homelessness across Canada. Please visit www.raisingtheroof.org to learn more about the tremendous work they are doing across the country – including the launch of the Youth Works program that supports organizations like Eva’s Phoenix.

Rewards of Partnership

Progressive companies are coming to understand that corporate social investment does more than simply improve company morale. By stepping beyond social responsibility into taking an active approach to community development, companies are also reaping tangible business rewards. Serving community needs fosters a climate of innovation within a company and it may also create business opportunities in new markets. Eva’s Phoenix is a facilitator, a mediator and a resource in such ventures, seeking out creative ways to work with partner companies and homeless youth that are beneficial to both.

If you are interested in becoming involved in any of our programs, please contact:
Andrew MacDonald
General Manager – Eva’s Phoenix
416-364-3899       ext. 262
andrewmac@evas.ca

Filed Under: Eva's Phoenix Tagged With: , , ,

Boards Members and Directors

November 30, 2011 By

Eva’s Initiatives Board of Directors

President: Rob Myers
Vice-President: Vacant
Treasurer: Vicki Rodgers
Past-President: David St. Armand

Directors:

Bill Furlong
Patricia Gloudon
Adrian Ishak
Pamela Leece
Robert Mongeau
Colin Phillips
Howard Quon
David Shiner
Graeme Young

Honorary Members:

Ed Smith
Edeva Smith

Filed Under: Who We Are Tagged With: , , ,

Statistics

November 30, 2011 By

It is estimated that 10,000 young people are currently ‘living’ in poverty on Toronto streets – that’s three out of every 100 Toronto youth, or the equivalent of eight average Toronto high schools. The statistics for this marginalized group are less than optimistic:

  • The youth unemployment rate is nearing 17% – almost double the Toronto average.
  • Suicide among street youth remains a major problem, occurring at rates over 100 times the national average.
  • The mortality rate for homeless youth is 13 times higher than other youth in their age group.
  • 23% of male youth and 43% of female youth on the streets show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • It costs more than $250 a day – close to $100,000 a year – to keep one young person in detention, more than three times what it costs to keep that same person in a shelter.
(Sources: Toronto Vital Signs 2004; Sean Kidd, 2003: Voice for Children report; Department of Justice: National Crime Prevention Centre, 2001)

There is a pressing need for new approaches and long-term solutions to help youth break the cycle of homelessness and make the transition from living on the streets to finding permanent housing and employment. Eva’s Initiatives prides itself on its ongoing efforts to seek long-term solutions by offering proactive and collaborative programs and services that respond directly to the needs of homeless and at-risk youth in our community – and provide the stability they require to move off the streets permanently.

Filed Under: Who We Are Tagged With:

Eva Smith

November 30, 2011 By
Eva Smith

Eva Smith

Eva Smith was a community outreach worker and counsellor who knew and understood people in despair, particularly youth. She was a woman of action, determination and persistence.

In 1987, she helped to found the North York Emergency Home for Youth. Her work and advocacy resulted in the construction of our first shelter, Eva’s Place, which was named in her honour. Eva Smith’s mission was to use her skills and her knowledge of how the social services system works to help people find solutions to their problems.

As our organization continues to grow and provide innovative approaches to meet the ever-changing needs of homeless youth, Eva’s Initiatives and the work we do stands as a proud tribute to her vision and pioneering work with homeless youth.

Toronto Star Article, December 31st, 1993

Filed Under: Who We Are Tagged With: ,

Our Mission

November 30, 2011 By

The mission of Eva’s Initiatives is to work collaboratively with homeless and at-risk youth to help them reach their potential to lead productive, self-sufficient and healthy lives by providing safe shelter and a range of services, and to create long term solutions for homeless youth by developing and implementing proactive and progressive services.

Filed Under: Who We Are

Our History

November 30, 2011 By

Eva’s Place first opened its doors in 1994 and in 10 short years we expanded from one to three shelters – with the addition of Eva’s Satellite and Eva’s Phoenix – each offering an innovative combination of programs and services for homeless and at-risk youth.

Since our first day of operation, Eva’s Initiatives has helped over 19,000 youth from the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada. Every year, approximately 2300 youth receive help with such diverse issues as substance abuse, finding a job, finishing school, learning life skills, receiving career training, sex education, exploring recreational opportunities and family re-connection.

Inspired by the legacy of Eva Smith, Eva’s Initiatives strives to keep her vision alive by providing a supportive, diverse and safe environment for the youth we serve.

 

Filed Under: Who We Are Tagged With: , ,

A mother’s struggle to help her son

November 30, 2011 By

Sally noticed that her son had trouble processing information from the time he was very young. Sam had difficulty following lessons at school, but it wasn’t until grade 5 that he was tested and diagnosed with ADD. At home, his father tried to discipline his uncooperative son through punishment and often through public humiliation. This created a lot of tension in Sally’s marriage because she vehemently disagreed with her husband’s tactics. While her husband viewed Sam as a “bad boy”, Sally knew the problem ran much deeper:

“My son is not a social person. He has difficulty forming relationships and school wasn’t easy for him. This has carried on into his adult life. He has difficulty maintaining jobs and interacting with people. I always knew there was something else and I refused to give up until I got the answer.

My husband didn’t believe in seeking professional help. We had two ways of parenting and this caused a lot of conflict between us. Eventually, my son got older and started defending himself. The problems between them went on for years and years. Sam skipped school, missed his curfew, had a relationship with a girl who my husband didn’t approve of…Then, my husband kicked him out of the house. I never forgave my husband for doing what he did.

Sam knew where I was working so he would come by in the morning and I would give him breakfast, let him wash up, and sometimes I would give him money. I was afraid to bring him home. If my husband found him, he would have beaten him and that would spill over into him emotionally abusing me and my daughter. I knew I had to find an alternative to help Sam.

My son was feeling resentful towards me because I didn’t prevent this situation from happening. But I’m a resourceful parent, so I looked around for the best place to stay for him. I was referred to Eva’s and I met Nancy [Family Reconnect counselor]. She provided me with so much support and Sam and I started counseling – separately and together. The psychiatrist at Eva’s diagnosed Sam with severe learning and comprehension problems. The diagnosis gave me reassurance…I finally understood my son’s anger. It wasn’t that he wanted to hurt someone, it’s that he didn’t have control over it. Through Nancy’s support, Sam gained confidence to stay in school and get his life back.

Sam moved back home and my marriage ended. My husband made me choose between him and my son. I chose my son and I don’t regret my choice. I lost just about everything, but I don’t begrudge it. Without Eva’s I don’t know how successful I would have been in keeping it all together. After experiencing something so horrible, it remains the most positive thing in our lives. Eva’s was a gift that was given to me. Not everyone has this type of gift in their back pocket.”

Sam married the same girlfriend he was dating when he was kicked out of the house and they have two kids. Sally works as an educational assistant for children with special needs and is the sole provider for her teenage daughter. 

Filed Under: Reconnect Toolkit, Stories Tagged With: , ,

Jesse: “Eva’s saved my life”

November 30, 2011 By

Jesse left a home characterized by physical and emotional abuse. He was the eldest child and his mother directed most of her anger towards him. She too had been abused as a child and was repeating what she knew. She always told him that he should leave home when he turned 16, so he did:

“I remember that moment. I guess I just snapped and started crying and pounding the crap out of my pillow. The whole idea about leaving home wasn’t my idea. It came from my mum. I lost scholarships, lost support from coaches — I lost it because I lost my mind.

I was a really good kid, a nerd who was into sports. But coming home was hell. The girl I was dating at the time, my first real girlfriend, influenced me. Her family life was totally different. She kept saying: ‘I don’t want you to live there anymore.’ So I lived on friends’ couches, some of their parents gave me rooms. But after a couple of months I was always told to find somewhere else to stay. I had a job and was trying to make money and trying to go to school. I didn’t realize that I needed to go out of my way to show appreciation to them for having me.

Eventually I stopped going to class and worked at a hotel. I had a basement apartment and paid rent but I blew through money faster than I was making it. I didn’t really know how to manage money or how to take care of myself. Then I quit my job — a terrible decision — and spent some time without a home. I slept in the library, in washrooms, sometimes I stayed up all night.

Eventually I found out about Eva’s Place and I stayed there for two years. Eva’s place saved my life. In a world where I couldn’t find love, suddenly it was there. Before I didn’t really open up to anybody but Nancy [a Family Reconnect counselor] eventually built a rapport with me. We started talking a lot. I trusted her judgment. Today she’s like my second mother.

Nancy asked if I wanted to discuss getting connected to my family again. My initial answer was ‘hell no’, but when my mum had another baby I gave Nancy permission to tell them where I was. She took me to the hospital when my brother was born. She talked to my mum and stepfather on the phone and relayed messages between us. That was helpful.

My sister and I are really tight. She’s getting married this summer. I’m extremely tight with all my siblings. I love them to death. They all sleep over once a month. Mum is OK with that. I’m sure she feels left out, but she’s happy that I have good relations with them. I thought I had a rough upbringing, but she had it really rough. I can’t expect her to be different. She did the best she could.”

Jesse came two credits short of finishing high school. After that, he worked in a restaurant and was a successful played poker for many years, but realized there were no good role models and it wasn’t a good lifestyle for him. He recently started working as a day trader and feels that it’s a good fit for him. He lives in a condo with a high school friend and turns 28 this month. 

Filed Under: Reconnect Toolkit, Stories Tagged With: ,

Managing family tensions in an immigrant household

November 30, 2011 By

Lisa immigrated to Canada from Asia with her parents at age ten. The move transformed their lives. In a story that is all too familiar with immigrants, Lisa felt disconnected from her parents who clung to traditional values, and alienated from her peers. She felt that her parents didn’t recognize her achievements or validate her as a person. In what she describes as “a misguided act of rebellion that lasted over five years”, Lisa formed ties with other youth who were headed for delinquency. Luckily, she realized that she had to make changes in her life and sought the help of Eva’s Family Reconnect Program. She tells her story in the Family Matters report:

“I didn’t start living with my parents until I was six years old, because both my parents had to work, so I lived with my grandmother…The main struggle when I was 13 or 14, really with my father, was a cultural clash. It was really difficult for me and even though I had really high grades at school they were so hard on me.

The conflict started getting physical and I actually got involved with child services…My dad was charged with, I guess, ‘assault’, but later the charges were withdrawn because I retracted my statement. My parents were just typical Asian parents and…they were just destroying me.

When I was in grade 11, I realized I just couldn’t be at home. I started researching shelters and Eva’s was the only one that was really helpful…I left a message with a counselor and she took me in the next day. The situation at home was really hostile and we worked out strategies of how to deal with it. So like instead of retaliating, I retreated to my room and chilled out. My parents aren’t really big believers in counseling. Being Asian, family matters are private, you don’t wash your dirty laundry in public…so I did the counseling myself but learned how to deal with a situation that I knew was headed for the street. I learned that although I can’t live with them ever…I’m letting go of the ego and the anger and realizing that sometimes they may have been right and I’m not always the victim.”

During two years of counseling and with support from Eva’s staff, Lisa turned her life around. She re-discovered her love of art and began painting using an ink brush. With this renewed confidence, her academics excelled. She graduated high school with honours and received a major national scholarship to attend any university in Canada. She is currently studying Psychology in a different province and hopes to become a Clinical Psychologist. She always credits Eva’s for her success saying, “all it takes is one person to believe that you can be something.” 

Filed Under: Reconnect Toolkit, Stories Tagged With: , , ,

Family Matters Report

November 30, 2011 By

Family MattersThe role of family in ending youth homelessness is largely ignored in Canada, according to a new report by York University calledFamily Matters.

Some 65,000 young people are homeless or at risk of homelessness across Canada. In Toronto, approximately 1,700 youth are on the streets on any given night, about half of them in emergency shelters.

Prevention programs, including family mediation and support for the development of healthy family relations, are likely to produce longer-lasting results and a quicker exit from the streets, according to the report. The Family Reconnect Program, run by Eva’s Initiatives in Toronto, was highlighted as o ne exceptional initiative that should be scaled up and replicated.

Read the press release

Read Executive Summary

Read the full report

Read stories about the Family Reconnect Program

Filed Under: Publications, Reconnect Toolkit Tagged With: , ,

For immediate release: Eva’s Phoenix Finds a New Home

November 30, 2011 By

Eva's NewsToronto ON, November 30, 2011— City Council  voted unanimously today to support a plan for the relocation of Eva’s Phoenix into a wonderful heritage building in the heart of a vibrant community in the King and Spadina area. “We are thrilled with the outcome,” said Executive Director Maria Crawford. “The property meets all of our needs and we are excited about what we will be able to do with it. It’s a great location in a welcoming neighbourhood, with close proximity to all of the supports and services we need for the youth.”

 

Donate to the Eva's Phoenix Relocation Fund

This represents a huge “Win-Win” on many fronts.  Taxpayers are benefiting from the substantial revenue the City will generate from the sale of the properties involved; the City has been able to use the opportunity to ensure the long term viable operation of Eva’s Phoenix and to refurbish and transform a wonderful old building into a vibrant new home for homeless youth.  Eva’s will be able to continue its long term work on ending youth homelessness, and the ground breaking work done at Eva’s Phoenix  will now be able to continue for years to come.  I am confident our youth will be very pleased.”

 

The new location for Eva’s Phoenix, at 505 Richmond St. W, is a heritage property, and will be shared with others in what will be a collaborative community process to ensure the most efficient use of the space and that the  historical significance and integrity is respected and maintained. We are looking forward to working on the design and retrofit, and are committed to involving the youth and the community in the process. “We will create an amazing and vibrant new home for our youth, as well as incorporating some new aspects and enhancements to our services there.”  A robust fundraising campaign will commence immediately to raise the necessary funds to complete the retrofit and relocation.

 

Crawford is grateful for all the expert advice and support received from the residents and former residents ofPhoenix, and all our supporters in the community. It truly is a win-win for everyone involved, most notably the youth we serve.  “We are very grateful for the support and assistance of the Mayor and City Council.  This outcome could not have come about without their support, and the collective effort of a vast network of citizens and supporters.  I am confident that many young people will sleep soundly tonight knowing that the long term future and viability of Eva’s Phoenix has been secured.”

 

For more information or to book an interview, please contact Kari Klassen, Communications Manager for Eva’s Initiatives at (416) 977-4497 x138.

-30-

Filed Under: Newsletters, Phoenix Relocation, Press Releases Tagged With: , ,

Terms and Conditions of Use

November 28, 2011 By

The website (the “Site”) for Eva’s Initiatives, currently located at www.evasinitiatives.com, is provided to you subject to your acceptance of and compliance with the following terms and conditions set out below. By accessing and using this Site, you agree to accept these terms and conditions, and represent and warrant that the Site will not be used for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree with these terms and conditions, please exit from this Site and do not access any other pages. Changes may be made to these terms and conditions without prior notice. It is your responsibility to check these terms and conditions for changes and updates. Your continued use of this Site will be deemed to be your unconditional acceptance of those changes.

Last Revised: July 18, 2003

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Filed Under: Site Legal Tagged With: , , ,

Privacy Policy

November 28, 2011 By

Eva’s Initiatives is committed to respecting the personal privacy of individuals using our website (the “Site”), currently located at www.evasinitiatives.com. Eva’s Initiatives recognizes the importance of protecting information that can be used to identify you (“Personal Information”). This Privacy Policy (the “Policy”) describes the Personal Information privacy practices relating to this Site.

By accessing this Site you are agreeing to be bound by this Policy, and consenting to the collection, use and disclosure of your Personal Information in accordance with this Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, please exit from this Site and do not disclose any Personal Information through this Site or access any other pages. Changes may be made at any time to this Policy without prior notice.

This Policy was last updated on July 18, 2003.

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Last Revised: July 18, 2003
Filed Under: Site Legal Tagged With: , , ,

Bulletin!

November 28, 2011 By

Let me start by saying a huge THANK YOU to all of you.  It is so important to have friends like you, and in particular friends who are so quickly moved to action!  Your response to our request was swift and substantial, and most importantly, it had a significant impact.   The Mayor and Government Management Committee received many letters, e-mails and phone calls.  The on-line petition has over 1,000 signatures.

As you know, the matter went to Government Management Committee yesterday.  Many young people appeared to depute before the Committee.  They were current and former residents of Eva’sPhoenix, (including one young man who traveled from out of town to depute).  I also deputed, as did the President of our Board of Directors.  Councillors Layton and Shiner were incredibly supportive, and both spoke passionately about the importance of Eva’sPhoenix, and the need to find a viable solution for its relocation.

The Committee passed a motion, which represents three significant achievements for Eva’s, as we move to the next step in this process.   Firstly, the entire Committee unanimously affirmed its commitment to Eva’s Phoenix, and it’s importance as a vital resource for homeless and at risk youth, secondly, the motion also makes it clear that the solution to be sought must be viable for Eva’s, and thirdly, the fiscal package must be one that we agree with.   I believe this provides a very focused framework, goal clarification and timeline for us to work together with Build Toronto.   There must, however, be an agreement reached before the matter goes to City Council on November 29th.  If no agreement can be reached by that time then City Council will decide what is to be done.

We have a lot of work to do in the next two weeks or so, but our position is much improved as a result of yesterday’s Committee motion, which your support helped to bring about.

For those of you who may not have seen/heard the media coverage we have received on this issue, I am including the links below.  I will keep you posted on the progress of our negotiations with Build Toronto over the next two weeks.

Some things just bear repeating, so, I feel compelled to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.  We are very grateful for your support.  Your support has also sent a very important message to the youth we serve – they too, are especially grateful.

Toronto Star Nov. 3rd, 2011

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1081146–fort-york-bridge-rises-from-the-dead

Globe & Mail Nov. 8th, 2011

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-youth-shelter-could-be-forced-to-relocate/article2230130/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A+RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2230130

CBC Radio’s Metro Morning with Matt Galloway, Nov. 9th, 2011

http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/audioplayer.html?clipid=2165966171

Toronto Star Nov. 9th, 2011

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1084130

Metro (Transit) Newspapers Nov. 9th, 2011

http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/1020526–nov-29-deadline-for-plan-to-relocate-shelter

The petition started by Friends of Eva’sPhoenix:

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43831.html

 

Maria Crawford

 

Executive Director,
Eva’s Initiatives

Filed Under: Phoenix Relocation Tagged With: ,

A message from Stacey

November 28, 2011 By

Thank You! For the best Christmas present I could ever wish for.

What I remember about my childhood started in Brantford, Ontario. I lived with my parents in a nice house with a garage that had a basketball hoop on the side and a big backyard with a swing and a sandbox. I remember feeling safe there.

Then when I was 8 my dad died. When I was 10 my mom was diagnosed with severe depression and I was moved in to my first foster home. I realize now that I was very angry, scared and lonely. I lashed out at people who tried to help me. By the time I turned 17 I had lived with 5 foster families, I’d barely finished grade 10 and I was signing myself out of the child welfare system, figuring I could manage much better on my own. Well, a bad attitude and a grade ten education don’t get you very far and so before long I was among the 10,000 homeless youth in Toronto.

From sleeping rough to a few nights on a friend’s couch and after moving from one shelter to another I was referred to Eva’s Initiatives. I’d heard about it from others but it sounded too good to be true.

I arrived last year in the middle of December with everything I owned on my back. Kari, a youth counsellor met with me. She asked me some questions, filled out some forms and then welcomed me to my new home at Phoenix. I gathered up my few belongings and followed Kari. She led me to what would be my own room in a shared townhouse. And that’s when it happened.

She handed me my own key, to my own room where I could leave my things, where I could close the door and know that I was safe. I looked at the key and I started to cry. This was my first key ever. This meant that I had something worth protecting, worth locking up and I have privacy if I wanted it.This was my best Christmas gift ever.

Since last December I have enrolled in a GED program to get the credits I need to qualify for college. I helped to plant and care for our community vegetable garden. I’ve made friends and I now know that nobody can make it on their own. We all need help sometimes. I am so grateful that Eva’s was there to help me.

In two weeks I will get my second key. This one will be for the front door of my new home —a shared house with two other students. And just in time for Christmas.

Please, if you can, make a donation to Eva’s today. Thank you.

Stacey

Make a donation online or email: donate@evas.ca

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With:

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