Community Services

We are long-time supporters of Youth Without Shelter (YWS), Rexdale and The Redwood, a shelter for women and children, Parkdale. For both we assemble 100 grooming kits, the first gift a client receives when seeking shelter. For YWS we provide a home cooked meal once a year and we support with tangible awards the Stay-in-School program. At The Redwood, we provide food vouchers to clients and help with fresh start baskets for women leaving the shelter.

In our Etobicoke community we provide, as our funds permit, good food baskets to families in need, via the Stonegate Community Health Centre.

Youth Without Shelter

"The youth that step through our doors are generally fleeing abusive homes, may have spent much of their young lives in the child welfare system, or have experienced many forms of violence and poverty. Most arrive at YWS with limited age-appropriate life skills and subsequently do not have the knowledge to look after themselves appropriately. The youth we serve come from across the Greater Toronto Area and from every economic and cultural background. YWS is located in the Jamestown area of North Etobicoke, a United Way Toronto designated priority neighbourhood. All youth come to YWS with their own individual needs including: immigration issues, substance use and abuse, mental illness, anger/behavioural problems, issues with the law, pregnancy and feelings of abandonment and trauma from abuse. All have the same need for a safe and stable environment.
At YWS the journey away from the street starts with our vision: to end homelessness, one youth at a time, one step at a time."

The Redwood

"Since 1993, The Redwood has been here to help women and children live free from domestic violence. Free from fear. Free from threat.

Leaving an abusive situation is one of the toughest things any woman or child has to face. The Redwood provides the emotional, practical and social support that families need to get their lives back on track – we offer free and confidential services in 170 different languages, including:

Programs that help children and youth rebuild their self-esteem, and break the cycle of violence through art and play therapy, counselling, and after-school tutoring.
On-going support to help women build confidence and self-reliance through employment readiness training, assistance in finding affordable housing, and opportunities to pursue post-secondary education.
Assistance to women and children trapped in an abusive home through outreach visits and educational workshops at local schools, libraries, housing co-ops, churches, mosques, and other community gathering places.

Over 80% of the women leaving The Redwood do not return to their abusive partners. At The Redwood, thousands of women and children found the way out."