2010 BENEFICIARIES

Below are the recipients of grants from funds raised at the 2010 Riverdale Share Concert.

Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service (BBYOS)

A community-based agency established in 1989 to provide comprehensive services to high-risk youth and their families in the high-density, low-income area of east Toronto. BBYOS provides intensive individual, group and family counselling and therapy, community outreach, life skills training and crisis intervention that offer options to these at-risk young people and their families. Visit www.bbyos.org

Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service—Boys and Girls Group

A weekly group for boys and girls between 10 and 13 years in a community of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. It focuses on group counselling, self-esteem, self-worth and image, health/nutrition, peer support, violence and abuse (physical, emotional and mental). The goal is that these children develop non-violent communication and conflict resolution skills, a healthy sense of self and feel a sense of empowerment and control in their lives. Visit www.bbyos.org

Book Bag and Reading Club - Parent Resources Drop-in Centre

A community program initiated in 2006 by literacy teacher and children’s author Seilah Currie, for newcomer families in the Gerrard Street East area of Toronto. Children read engaging books that are tailored to their individual skill levels to ensure that reading attempts are enjoyable and successful. Volunteers from the community work one-on-one to help with any challenging vocabulary before the books are sent home for extra practice. Picture books for pre-schoolers and chapter books for proficient readers are also available to borrow.

Broadview Community Youth Group (BCYG)

This charity created in 2007 provides summer and holiday camps, as well as specialty programs on weekends and will soon provide after-school programming for children between the ages of four and 12 in east Toronto. Programs are offered in one of three streams - health and fitness; creative and performing arts; and fun educational. The BCYG is the only youth-oriented group of its kind within this community, and as a result, fills a large void by providing programs and services geared towards children and youth. Visit http://www.bcyg.ca/

Nellie's - Ending Violence

Since 1973, Nellie’s has been operating programs and services for women and children who have and are experiencing oppressions such as violence, poverty and homelessness. Nellie’s is a community-based feminist organization which operates within an anti-racist, anti-oppression framework. Its Ending Violence Support Group exemplifies its dedication to using education and advocacy to affect social change when working with survivors of abuse, as well as learn and discuss different ways to end violence in their lives. Visit http://www.nellies.org/

Ralph Thornton Centre - Children and Youth After-School Program

This program was developed in order to respond to the need for safe, educational and enjoyable activities for South Riverdale Children, especially those who face challenges due to school problems, family income and social marginalization. This program runs five days a week and matches primary school children with trained volunteers to help with homework, and participate in a variety of social, artistic, recreational and environmental activities. Visit http://ralphthornton.org/

Ralph Thornton Centre - Riverdale Youth Children Mentor Program

this program helps newcomer children from the Chinese community adjust and adapt to their new Canadian culture. One-on-one support is provided as students are given English language work that is catered to their individual needs and abilities. Cultural adaptation and social skills are developed through various interactive group activities. Visit http://ralphthornton.org/

South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre

A family support program that offers a parent-child drop-in, parenting workshops and a book and toy lending library. Open five days a week and Saturdays in the winter, the centre is open to families with children from birth to six years. The staff offers referral services and informal counselling to all families. Visit http://webhome.idirect.com/~srcpc/
Past Beneficiaries

Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service (BBYOS)

A community-based agency established in 1989 to provide comprehensive services to high-risk youth and their families in the high-density, low-income area of east Toronto. BBYOS provides intensive individual, group and family counselling and therapy, community outreach, life skills training and crisis intervention that offer options to these at-risk young people and their families.

For more information contact: Rod Cohen, 416-465-1410, or visit www.bbyos.org

Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service—Boys and Girls Group

This is a weekly group for children of various racial and ethnic backgrounds age 7-10 in the community. The group focuses on group counselling, self-esteem, self-worth and self-image, health/nutrition, peer support, violence and abuse (physical, emotional and mental). The goal is that these children will develop non-violent communication and conflict resolution skills, and a healthy sense of self.

For more information contact: Rod Cohen, 416-465-1410, or visit www.bbyos.org

Broadview Community Youth Group (BCYG)

This group created in 2007 provides camps and after-school programming for youth between the ages of 5 and 12 in the East York and Danforth areas, using the Broadview Housing Co-operative as their home base. Programs are offered in one of four streams physical and health, creative and performing arts, educational and social. The BCYG is the only youth-oriented group of its kind within its community, and as a result, it fills a large void by providing programs and services geared towards youth.

For more information contact: Craig Logue, 416-907-8002, or visit www.broadviewyouth.com

Dundas School Spontaneous Art Program

This program sees children ages 5 to 12 on a weekly basis while they are at school from September to June. By giving children an opportunity for spontaneous self-expression through the use of simple are materials, therapists remain committed to their focus on the implementation of primary prevention at relatively early stages of a child’s development, when these problems may be more easily communicated and successfully resolved.

For more information contact: Joel Segal, 416-393-9565

Ralph Thornton Centre—Youth and Community Art Project

Now in its second year, this program will provide youth ages 13 to 19 the space to express themselves through various art projects such as community art, photography and theatre, and to develop leadership and life skills. The broad goal is to engage youth and to let them have a voice in the community.

For more information: 416-392-6810 or visit www.ralphthornton.org

Ralph Thornton Centre—Riverdale Youth Children Mentor Program

This program is designed to assist grade 7 & 8 students from the immigrant Chinese community who need support in developing their English language skills, school work and cultural adaptation. The two day a week program matches students with a volunteer mentor one day to provide support with his/her schoolwork. The other day consists of group activities that focus on cultural awareness, life management and problem solving skills.

For more information: 416-392-6819 or visit www.ralphthornton.org

South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre

A family support program that offers a parent child drop-in, parenting workshops and a book and toy lending library. Open 5 days a week, and Saturdays in the winter, the centre is open to families with children from birth to six years. The staff offers referral services and informal counseling to all families.

For more information call: 416-469-3776 or visit webhome.idirect.com/~srcpc/