The Jane Finch Ministry is a community ministry of the Toronto West Presbytery with the United Church of Canada.  It is situated in the Firgrove Community, of Toronto Community Housing Company (TCHC) and works quite closely with the Firgrove Tenant's Association.  Although this public housing community of 382 households is the immediate catchment area, the ministry provides support and is also involved in initiatives taking place in the larger area of Jane and Finch.  The role of the ministry is to provide community development and community organizing support, offer pastoral care and do advocacy through coalitions and networks.  Many of the programs and initiatives are done in partnership with others.

A good example of initiatives done in partnership is the Back to School drive. Due to the wonderful organizing of some of the Firgrove residents and the generous support from the Painter and Allied Trades Union and several United Churches, 700 backpacks filled with school supplies were given away at the beginning of the school year. The painters union also provided three $1,000 scholarships to Firgrove youth going to college and university.

Another example of partnerships was the Community Building Retreat which focused on community safety by strengthening women’s roles within the community. In June, 33 women from 6 Jane and Finch social housing communities attended the retreat at the YWCA Geneva Park. The event was organized by three resident leaders and with training from United Way they provided the facilitation for the event.  A staff person from Toronto Public Health and several female workers from local organizations were resources in the process and provided workshops at the actual event.

A third example of community/agency partnerships is the development of the Firgrove Learning Centre. The existing Firgrove recreation center is in the process of being transformed into a learning center for all ages and groups in the community. An advisory committee made up of residents, the ministry, the local school, several organizations, two departments of Toronto Community Housing and a city community development officer has been formulated and is steering the process.  Funding from the TCHC Social investment Fund, the Comart Foundation, rental income of the centre and local housing support has made it possible to fund a half time coordinator for the next two years. A local resident Lorraine Anderson was hired in June for this position and the official opening of the renovated space was in August.  Several new programs have been developed and the space is rented out to community residents for celebrative functions.

Our monthly supplementary food day continues to help out about 20-30 families each month.  Our free income tax clinic done in conjunction with the Chartered Accountants Assoc. assisted about 60 individuals in filling out their tax forms.  Halima Abdela (the office Coordinator and bookkeeper) and I provide information and referral to people who drop by the office or phone in.  A variety of issues are dealt with such as legal matters, immigration, housing concerns, employment, schooling, skills training, parental support, conflict mediation, access to food, translation, etc.

This summer the Firgrove Tenant Association was engaged in fund raising to subsidize a community trip to a Marineland in which 200 people participated.  Thanks to TCHC for contributing half of the travel costs for three of the buses.   Again this summer the Tenants Association held their family retreat at the 5 Oaks retreat centre.  In partnership with the Tenant Association, and the local housing recreation program and TCHC, the Community Ministry hosted the winter festive season celebration in which Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza was celebrated and small gifts were given out to 130 children. The meal for the event was prepared by the residents and included curried goat, jerk chicken, stewed chicken, fried chicken, BBQ’d chicken, spanish rice, rice and peas, several salads and an assortment of baked goods.  Earlier in the fall we provided 85 gifts to some of the Islamic children of Firgrove in support of their Eid Celebration.  In addition to the festive season and Eid celebrations, with support from Humber Valley United and the Chum Xmas Wish Fund, the ministry provided Xmas gifts for 180 children.

I continued to be an active member of the Network of Community Based Organizations. I have been one of the community representatives for the York University satellite project that eventually saw the successful opening of the York TD Community Engagement Centre in Yorkgate mall this fall.  As this work came to an end I was subsequently appointed to York University’s President Task Force on Community Engagement.  I still play an active role with the Black Creek Community Capacity project, which is being done in conjunction with community organizations, City staff, York University, TDSB, TD Bank, local businesses, faith leaders and community residents.  In addition to being on the coordinating committee I chaired the Economic Working Group and one of its sub committee: the Community Loan Fund.  Brenda Spotton Visano from York University has played a significant role on this committee and engaged several of her students in important research.  Through the valuable connections of Sunder Singh, the Executive Director of the Elspeth Heyworth Centre, we are looking at creating a partnership with Access Capital in establishing a local chapter of a micro lending program in the Black Creek area.  We are hoping to begin dispersing funds to assist small business development in the spring of 2009.

With Presbytery involvement I have been co-chair of the South West Presbytery Commission which is overseeing the development of a new presbytery as Toronto conference restructures from 9 presbyteries into 4.  Because of this commitment I have temporarily resigned from the Presbytery Social Justice and World Affairs Committee.  I continue to be on the Congregational Renewal and Community Development advisory committee with the National Church and am chairing the Community Ministries National Reference committee.  I preached in 5 congregations this year and had 5 speaking engagements.  Thanks to Ghana Calvary United for their support in assisting me with a funeral for a young Ghanaian man who died this winter.

Thanks to all the congregations who provided financial support through the Community Ministries Sunday and a special thanks goes out to Beverley Hills, Fairbank and Humber Valley for their continued support.  Also a special thanks to churches that provided additional support at Christmas time.  Some of the proceeds from the sale of Thistletown United and Century United were used to support street outreach and flowers for memorials, a Somali Soccer Tournament, Kiddy Caribana, the Women’s group in Firgrove, the International Women’s day event in Jane and Finch, the Five Oaks Tenant Association family retreat and their monthly meetings, a peace carnival, a spoken word event, Dusk Dances, two local organizations and several community meetings.  Thanks to all those who contributed to the back to school supplies drive and scholarship fund, especially the Painters and Allied Trades Union.

Thanks to all the individuals, organizations, congregations and funding bodies who have contributed to the ministry with either time or financial gifts.  It is with your support that this ministry can take place. A special thanks also for the vision of the Toronto West Presbytery and the ongoing core financial support from the Toronto West Presbytery Corporation and the United Church Mission and Service Fund that has allowed this ministry to happen.

Respectfully submitted by Barry Rieder - Jane and Finch Community Minster

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