New: First Step to Home

How the program started?

The Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program was created when local businesses in the Greater Toronto area requested to support WoodGreen clients and their families over the Christmas holiday. Whether businesses participating in the program wanted to give back to the community to support a great cause, get involved in an outreach work initiative or teach their children the importance of giving to those less fortunate, these random acts of kindness made the Adopt-A-Family Holiday program what it is today!

Media Coverage: “Connecting givers to neighbours in need” Toronto Star, December 24, 2008

Who is the program helping?

Now in its fourth year, this truly meaningful program has helped over 175 families and their children. The clients we have helped were either unemployed, homeless, living in shelters, struggling with a mental health issue or a combination. Many don’t know where their next meal will be coming from or where they will find shelter at night. They do not have access to basic necessities such as dry socks, clothing or soap to stay clean. Many clients survived the tsunami. They came to WoodGreen with nothing but the clothes on their back, filled with grief over the loss of a loved one. Many have no friends or family to turn to, and as a result their feelings of isolation and aloneness are exacerbated, at a time when many are turning to their social relationships for support.

We are proud to share that the following WoodGreen programs received support in 2007:

• Volunteer Services
• Homelessness and Housing Help, specifically clients using our Rent Bank and Info Link Services
• Immigrant Services, specifically clients in our LINC program and Settlement Services
• Mental Health and Developmental Services

Update from a client

The gifts we received in 2007 received were god-sent gifts! Coming from a war-torn country and after having lost all our property, jewels and savings, this program gave each member of the family gifts. TTC tickets, movie passes, gift cards, toys, kitchen items and winter clothing were very valuable.

Since December our life is definitely better. We feel safe and respected. We are working hard improving our English, going to work and our children are studying. WoodGreen has been providing us with the information we need – such as applying for health cards, getting information to attend ESL/LINC classes, finding subsidized daycare space, applying for SIN cards, finding employment, getting career guidance … and much more! Our goals for the next year will be to speak fluent English, get better jobs, see different places in Toronto like the CN Tower and the Skydome.

Many thanks to the family that “adopted” us. You truly saved our lives!!

Client from Immigrant Services

New this year … Adopt-An-Individual

WoodGreen supports individuals with developmental and/or mental health challenges who live independently in the community or who are homeless or street-involved. We work together to achieve life goals such as employment, education, housing, and community participation. All of the individuals are on fixed incomes and live well below the poverty line. Most are isolated and have few support systems which means they have little or no friend, family or neighbors to ask for help. In some cases, WoodGreen may be their only support. These individuals spend the holidays alone in their apartments or on the street. Many people we work with feel very down or depressed during the holiday season because they are so isolated and alone.

There is a great need to help these individuals, especially during the holiday season. You can choose to sponsor a single adult through WoodGreen's Adopt-A-Family Holiday. Simply indicate your support on the registration form.

How does your gift directly impact these families?

The gifts the families receive give them the freedom to buy food to make a hot meal, buy clothes to keep them warm, buy diapers for their newborns and give their children a gift this Christmas. In addition, non-perishable food baskets filled with an assortment of goodies give the families a little extra to put in their cupboards

How can I make a difference and get involved?

1. Click HERE to download the Registration Form and fax to (416) 572-0066.
2. By faxing your Registration Form, you are agreeing to ‘adopt’ a WoodGreen family.
3. WoodGreen will provide you with information on the family in crisis, how they became involved with WoodGreen and their requests. These requests are specific and tailored to the families’ urgent needs.
4. Due to hygienic reasons, we do not accept stuffed animals.
5. Deadline to register is Friday, December 5 at 5:00 p.m.
6. All gifts must be received by Wednesday, December 17 at 4:00 p.m.
7. All gifts must be new and non-perishable.

Is there a limit on how much I need to give?

There is no financial minimum or maximum. We do however ask that you provide gift certificate(s) to purchase food.

I am not sure what to buy for the family. Can you give suggestions?

Our goal is to provide these families with gifts to help make their lives a little easier, a little less stressful and to help them feel joy during the holiday season. The requests are not extravagant but will mean the world to our clients. Requested items may include:

Can I get a tax receipt for my contribution?

WoodGreen Community Services cannot issue tax receipts for gift certificates or items purchased for the families.

Many thanks to our incredible donors!

Click HERE to see who supported the program in 2008.

While the gifts are so important to the families, the real meaning for our clients is in knowing that someone cared enough to get involved and help them in their time of need.

If you are interested in this project, please contact:

Susan Melnick
Manager, Resource Development
Telephone: (416) 645-6000 ext. 4005
Email: smelnick@woodgreen.org

First Step to Home

What is First Step to Home?

Opening in March, WoodGreen’s First Step to Home will help 28 homeless seniors get off the streets permanently.

The first of its kind in North America, First Step to Home will combine safe and affordable housing with on-site health services and wrap-around support to transform the lives of seniors who have endured life on Toronto’s streets, year after year. First Step to Home will operate in the newly restored and renovated hotel at 650 Queen Street East. After many years of aging on the streets of Toronto these seniors will have a warm, safe home at 650 Queen Street East. They will be arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs.

When these homeless seniors move in to First Step to Home, they will settle in to a warm bed with clean sheets. They will have a coffee in their own clean cup. They can take a shower and use fresh towels. These are luxuries that have been out of reach until now After staying with us for four years and actively participating in the supports First Step to Home offers, these seniors will have the skills they need to live independently – they will never have to live on the streets again.

For more information, please call 416-645-6000 ext. 2500 or e-mail us at firststeptohome@woodgreen.org

To make a donation to First Step to Home, please contact Amy Pauli at the WoodGreen Foundation at giving@woodgreen.org

First Step to Home At A Glance:

• 28 units of affordable, clean, bright and furnished housing
• Supports such as counseling, social recreational activities, community volunteer opportunities, hot meals and food programs and access to all of WoodGreen’s programming
• 24-hour WoodGreen staff on site … and much more!

Come see for yourself!

Before WoodGreen purchased the property, The New Edwin Hotel at 650 Queen Street East was an atrocious rooming house operating well below legal standards, housing more than 45 people in substandard conditions.

Thanks to a generous donation from Fran & Ed Clark, WoodGreen has revitalized and transformed this building while keeping the beautiful elements of the original architecture sound.

Please join us for a community open house on Thursday, March 4 at 5:00 p.m., and witness the transformation for yourself! This family-friendly event will feature interactive art created by local artists, a tour of the building, the opportunity to explore the history of the property and its importance to the community … and much more!

Date: Thursday, March 4
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Admission is free, but housewarming gifts such as new pillows, blankets, sheets or other household essentials would be deeply appreciated.