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
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
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.
Eva Smith
November 30, 2011 By
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
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.
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.
Family Matters Report
November 30, 2011 By
The 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 stories about the Family Reconnect Program
For immediate release: Eva’s Phoenix Finds a New Home
November 30, 2011 By
Toronto 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.”
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.
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