Eva’s Eye Blog
Eva’s Director of National Initiatives is in Newfoundland for a Promising Meeting
May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Rachel Gray, Director of National Initiatives for Eva’s sends a note from Newfoundland:
Eva’s Initiatives is participating in the first ever National Meeting of Canada’s Community Advisory Boards and Community Entities. Hosted by the Canadian Housing Renewal Association, this meeting is about building and consolidating national efforts on preventing and ending homelessness across the country.
We have heard some amazingly inspiring stories about the possibilities for addressing homelessness!
- Shaun Loney and BUILD in Winnipeg; a social enterprise employment program retrofitting low income housing–creating dignity and jobs
- Tim Ross from Fredericton describing the impacts of their Supportive Housing Program that is helping homeless people find homes–and community
- Jennifer Hanrahan from Directions Youth Services in Vancouver and their extensive services to 1,800 young people every year through employment, education, health and art programs.
The networking continues tomorrow morning!
Eva’s is at the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association Congress in NL
May 2, 2012 By
The 44th Canadian Housing and Renewal Association Congress opened today in St. John’s–and the first order of business was the launch of CHRA’s new policy on youth homelessness.
Eva’s was asked to contribute to the policy development process last year and happily did so. This policy helps bring focus to youth homelessness nationally, speaking both to the ways youth come to be homeless and what they need in order to get out.
We are delighted to have helped make this happen and are looking forward to more collaboration with CHRA–and to the rest of Congress!
Parent Conference – Parenting your Teen
April 19, 2012 By
Smart Parenting for Stronger Families
Saturday May 12, 2012
8:30 am – 2:00pm
A conference presented by Parent Support Connection
featuring experts from media, health, education
and social service agencies.
Parenting adolescents &teens is always a challenge but we want
the best for our families —- Don’t miss this important event.
- Meet other parents
- Hear informative speakers
- Learn about parenting resources in our community
- Take away strategies and insights to help you build a stronger family
Hosted by: Parent Support Connection – A GTA based
organization providing education and support to parents
of youth and young adults since 1981.
Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Road
Toronto, ON M3C 1T3
Continental Breakfast
& Lunch Included
Members: $75
Non-members: $85
Five-year-old girl donates to Eva’s.
March 27, 2012 By
Audrey with her brownie
Concerned about how homeless youth survive in Toronto, a very compassionate five-year-old girl named Audrey Gage decided to forgo presents on her birthday and take donations for Eva’s instead.
At her pizza and cake making party at Loblaws, Audrey collected $125 so that Eva’s youth could have a place to sleep and something to eat. When asked why she wanted to give money to homeless youth, she quietly said, “ ‘Cause I care for them.”
Audrey hands her donation to Executive Director Maria Crawford
Her mother, Danielle Miller, says Audrey asks questions about homeless people all the time, like “Where do they sleep?”, “What do they eat?” or “Can we give them some money?”
When Audrey was asked what she would wish for homeless youth, she said shyly, “I wish they had a house. I wish they had a family and company. And the company could play games with them.”
You are an amazing little girl, Audrey, and we thank you very much for your compassion and your gift. You are already a role model.
Maria showing Audrey a picture of a former resident who has moved on to great things.
Many thanks to the Maloneys
February 24, 2012 By
We’re profiling donors Dennis and Donna Maloney this week for their dedication to homeless and at-risk youth. The Maloneys have been annual donors since 2006 and also graciously jump in where they are needed. Donna and Dennis have been supporters of Eva’s Print Shop for many years and have attended every youth graduation from the training program.
As parents, the couple understands the trials and tribulations of adolescence and how important it is that youth are influenced in a positive way. They also like knowing their donation goes right to where it’s needed most. When Jordan, an amazing youth staying at Phoenix was accepted for a Canada World Youth exchange program to Tanzania, he needed to fundraise $750 to be able to go. For some people $750 is not a lot standing in the way of such a grand opportunity. For Jordan, however, it stood as high as the CN Tower. A letter went out to the Maloneys and they immediately responded with a resounding yes. They would cover the entire fee.
Jordan was ecstatic. The 22-year-old’s career goals involve becoming a social worker and this six week opportunity will further his personal and professional goals as well as take him out of the country for the very first time. Jordan is very proud of his African background and is thrilled to be touring Africa and hopes to return with a better understanding of who he is.
Thanks so much to the Maloneys for making this dream come true for Jordan. You did a great thing for a deserving young man and for that we are very grateful.
An Award-Winning Essay on Eva Smith
February 13, 2012 By
David Grant, son of General Manager for Eva’s Satellite and Place–Clovis Grant–was one of three scholarship winners for this essay he submitted for RBC Black History Month to Sway magazine. Reprinted with permission:
Eva Smith: RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition Entry
RBC, with the support of Free the Children, asked students applying to college or university to tell us their stories of how black Canadians have helped define Canada’s diverse heritage. Every day, we’re publishing a new essay from the competition to celebrate our youth. Pick up your copy of Sway magazine in March to find out who the three scholarship winners are.
By David Grant
Age: 17
Grade: 12
A black Canadian who has helped define Canada’s diverse heritage and identity is Eva Smith whose compassion and dedication helped young people and marginalized Canadians achieve their goals.
Eva came to Canada, trained as a dental technician, in 1956 from Rio Bueno, Jamaica with the hopes of a better life. During this time, government policy was discriminatory; for those coming from the Caribbean, the only alternative was to enter the country as a domestic. In her spare time, while completing her domestic contract, Eva Smith attended Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and later became a counselor for the North York Board of Education.
Children were very important to her, especially when it came to the issue of staying in school. She saw it as a way for them to gain the discipline to reach their potential; she believed kids staying in school benefited society instead of being a burden to it.
Eva Smith
In 1987, she helped found the North York Emergency Home for Youth, but died six months before the shelter actually opened. In her honour, the shelter was named Eva’s Place.
Since then, the shelter has grown to be one of the largest youth shelter organizations in Toronto. Eva’s Initiatives, which now operates three shelters, all bear her name: Eva’s Place, Eva’s Satellite and Eva’s Phoenix.
Eva’s Initiatives has a program to share information with other organizations throughout Canada to help them improve their programs for at-risk and homeless youth.
I am impressed to see that her work is not only touching the lives of people in Toronto, but across Canada and the world. I had the privilege to volunteer many times at the Eva’s Phoenix Shelter. When volunteering there, it touched my heart to look around and take note of all the youth who are just like me, who have a place to live and another chance to succeed in society—all thanks to one special woman.
As a young Canadian with Caribbean roots, what I especially admire about Eva Smith is not only her hard work that gives youth a second chance to try to achieve their goals, but also that she never forgot her roots. She not only helped the youth, but also fought also for the rights of domestic workers living and working in Toronto’s Caribbean communities. She also helped to create the JCA (Jamaican Canadian Association), which helps provide support, training and employment opportunities for not only Caribbean people but people from all backgrounds. She was indeed an impressive woman, which is why I dedicate this essay in her honour.
The essays submitted pursuant to the RBC® Black History Month Student Essay Competition and provided herein are the original work of the students who have entered the Competition. Neither Royal Bank of Canada nor Sway assume any responsibility whatsoever for material that is false, inaccurate or violates or infringes upon the rights of third parties, including privacy and intellectual property rights.
New Online Course: Program Evaluation
February 13, 2012 By
In collaboration with evaluation practitioners, the Canadian Homelessness Research Network (http://homelessresearch.net) has developed an online course for homelessness sector professions interested in building their knowledge of evaluation theory and practices. This course includes a ‘hands-on’ component during which participants are guided through the process of conducting an evaluation in their own organization.
How is the course structured?
The course is comprised of four learning modules. Individual modules have been designed to build on one another and the experiential knowledge of course participants.
Module one introduces participants to program evaluation. Module two introduces participants to different program evaluation models, and supports participants to design a program evaluation for their organisation. Module three focuses on common research strategies used in program evaluations. In module three, participants will be supported to conduct an evaluation for their agency. The fourth and final module offers participants an in-depth look at the Outcomes Star evaluation model.
Who is the course for?
This course is for agency leaders and frontline staff who work in homelessness sector agencies acrossCanada.
The course has been designed to be most effective when a small group of professionals within an organisation take the course together. In this way, course learning can directly inform practice, and practice can be brought to bear on course learning.
What commitment does the course require?
To get the most from this course, participants should commit to spending at least 3 hours/week engaged in course-related activity. We suggest that organisations set aside time for staff to work through the modules during the workday. If more than one person at an agency is taking the course, we strongly recommend scheduling time for people to work together on the topics and/or to discuss their ongoing learning.
What outcomes can a participating organization anticipate?
Participants in this course will deepen their knowledge of program evaluation, establish professional connections with other homelessness sector professional acrossCanada, and develop and conduct a program evaluation for their agency.
What is the cost?
Although the exact costs have yet to be worked out, our funding model will be based on a cost recovery framework. The course will be competitive in terms of existing additional qualifications and professional development offerings. We anticipate that each module will range in price from $500 to $750. This will be a flat agency rate, regardless of the number of staff participating.
When will the course be online?
The Online Course in Program Evaluation for the Homelessness Sector will be online in 2012. Watch the Homeless Hub (www.homelesshub.ca) for more information on the launch date in the New Year!
Former Raptor and Maple Leaf talk to Eva’s youth
February 3, 2012 By
Lft to Rt: Muggsy Bogues, Second Harvest E.D. Jo-Anne Sobie, Mike Gartner
On January 21st, Second Harvest organized a food delivery and basketball clinic with Eva’s youth. Former Leaf Mike Gartner and former Raptor Muggsy Bogues spoke to about 20 youth from Place, Satellite and Phoenix. Muggsy spoke about challenges he encountered in making his dreams come true. The point guard measures 5 feet 3 inches tall, and had to battle to get coaches to take him seriously in a sport where players usually tower well over 6 feet. With determination and skill, he proved his worth.
Already accustomed to challenges greater than most people have to endure, the youth hung on to Muggsy’s every word. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment brought duffle bags full of basketballs and after the question and answer session, Muggsy showed some very excited youth ball handling skills.
Second Harvest also brought pizza and donuts which were happily torn into after the skills clinic.
A note of gratitude goes out to Second Harvest and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment for an important and fun day for our youth.
Eva’s Initiatives’ Awards for Ending Youth Homelessness
January 23, 2012 By
About the Awards:
Eva’s Initiatives and the Sprott Foundation are pleased to offer four awards of $25,000 each for organizations working with homeless and at-risk youth.
The goal of the awards is to recognize community initiatives that are:
- Moving beyond responding to the most basic needs of homeless and at-risk youth
- Demonstrating significant impacts in the lives of vulnerable youth
- Delivering programs or services aimed at preventing youth homelessness
- Breaking the cycle of homelessness among youth by integrating supports such as: housing, education, employment, family connections, and interventions to address mental health concerns and/or addictions.
Applications closed January 20, 2012. We are very pleased to announce that we received over 80 applications from youth-serving organizations who are trying to make a difference. We thank everyone for their time and effort in applying and wish you the best of luck in having your program chosen by the panel.
Clare’s story
January 9, 2012 By
Eager to give their 12 year old daughter a new life in Canada, Clare’s mother and step-father sent her from Trinidad to live with her father and step-mother. They were hoping for a better life for her: a good education and a good job.
What Clare encountered instead was more hardship. Her step-mother rejected her and conflict in the family eventually drove her father off. Clare stayed with a family friend until she could complete high school.
Clare then moved in with her step-brother and his wife, but their marriage ended and Clare found herself staring at the doors to Eva’s Place.
Unable to work due to her immigrant status, Clare volunteered at a hospice, food bank, Meals on Wheels and a hospital while staying with Eva’s. The gift of her time and commitment to these places inspired her to become a nurse.
In December 2010, Clare applied for permanent status in Canada and, after securing stable housing, plans to attend university.
