The Jane Finch Ministry is a community ministry of Toronto Conference’s South West Presbytery with the United Church of Canada. It is situated in the middle of Toronto Community Housing’s Firgrove Community and works quite closely with the Firgrove Tenant's Association. Although this public housing community of 380 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. Although the community suffers from issues related to poverty, it is rich in culture with over 70 different languages and dialects spoken and representation from 110 nations. The neighbourhood does however experience systemic barriers towards social inclusion. With the United Church’s historic involvement in the Social Gospel movement and it’s commitment to social justice and working in partnerships with poor and oppressed communities, the presbytery, through this ministry has tried to stand in solidarity with the Jane and Finch community in their struggles and issues since 1982. 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.
This was an exciting year of recognition for me in that I was granted a Honourary Doctorate degree of Sacred Letters from the Huntington University in Sudbury. It was in honour of my years of community services. The degree was conferred at the Firgrove Community Learning Centre on Oct. 24th and was celebrated with residents I work with, community colleagues and members of the United Church. Thanks to those who organized the event. Since most of my accomplishments have been done in partnership I am in deep appreciation for all who contributed over the years to make it possible for this great honour. Being that this recognition was from outside of the church, shows the respect and appreciation that the wider community has for the ministry.
This has been the second year in the development of the Firgrove Community Learning Centre where the existing recreation centre has been in the process of being transformed into a learning centre for all ages and cultures. It has been a hub of activities coordinated by a local resident, Lorraine Anderson who has been doing an incredible job. The place is rented out to community residents for celebrative functions and new programs initiated include: a sewing program, yoga classes, drama classes, science classes, a recording studio for youth and a weekly drop-in tea with guest speakers. In the fall the St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club took over from Toronto Community Housing in the running of the after school program. The Learning Centre has an advisory committee made up of residents and several agencies and institutions that are engaged in the Firgrove community. With this initiative there has been a commitment to empowerment of residents and we hope in the future to secure the needed funding to keep the project going.
This year 1,000 back packs filled with school supplies were given out in the beginning of the school year to several social housing communities in the area. Thanks to Maryan Hilowle and the summer student Cherise Gordon for coordinating this program. At the Back to School BBQ five $1,000 were provided to youth going to college and university by the Painters and Allied Trades Union who had demonstrated good community service. Both of these initiatives were done in done in collaboration with the Community Ministry, Firgrove Tenant’s Association and the Painters Union. The ongoing support of the Painters Union has helped to level the educational playing field for some of the children and youth in Jane and Finch by providing basic supplies and scholarships.
Our monthly supplementary food day with North York Harvest Food Bank continues to help out about 30 families each month and is coordinated by Martha Gaday. 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.. Hailma and Donna May coordinated our free income tax clinic done in conjunction with the Chartered Accountants Association that assisted about 60 individuals in filling out their tax forms.
There’s and old saying: “If you cannot eat with people you cannot organize with them”. As a ministry of presence, helping to support celebrations with the community has been important. This summer the Tenants Association held their family retreat again at the 5 Oaks retreat centre. Due to inclement weather the larger Firgrove community trips were cancelled. In partnership with the Tenant Association, St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club and Toronto Community Housing, the Community Ministry hosted the winter festive season celebration in which Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza was celebrated and small gifts were given out to 140 children. The meal for the event was prepared by the residents and consisted of curried goat, jerk 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 98 gifts to some of the Islamic children of Firgrove in support of their Eid celebration. Considering the cultural and faith diversity of the community it has been important for the ministry to recognize different traditions. In addition to the festive season and Eid celebrations, with support from Humber Valley United and the CP24/Chum Christmas Wish Fund, the ministry provided Christmas gifts for 131 children to families in need.
Some of the proceeds from the sale of Thistletown United and Century United, held in trust for small community development initiatives, were used to contribute to street outreach and flowers for memorials, the Firgrove Tenant Association monthly meetings, a community peace fair, a community safety project, a school breakfast program, a school trip, the Firgrove recording music studio, the micro-credit program, sending a resident to the Community Ministry Energy Event, legal support for a tenant, a funeral reception, a Somali medical relief program, a Jane Finch church coalition and guest speakers.
I am no longer active with the “Making Connections” food access program and the “Jane Finch Street Involved Youth Issues” coalition.” However, these two initiatives, which the ministry was a founding member of, still continue. During 2009 I continued to be an active member of the Network of Community Based Organizations that seeks ways to collaborate and collectively advocate for systemic changes. I was part of the governance committee for the York TD Community Engagement Centre in Yorkgate mall and was appointed to York University’s President Task Force on Community Engagement. To be appointed to positions such as this was in recognition of the important and credible work that the Community Ministry has been engaged in over the years.
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, Toronto District School Board, local businesses, faith leaders and community residents. In addition to being on the coordinating committee I chaired the Economic Working Group and the steering committee for the Black Creek Micro-credit program. This program will be guaranteeing loans to community members who have sound business ideas but unable to access credit from banks. This year we were able to negotiate with Access Community Capital Fund to partner with us in developing a local chapter. A local loan review committee was established and trained this fall and an initial $30,000, for guaranteeing loans, was secured from the national United Church’s Sharing Bread grant and the Toronto West Presbytery Corporation. We hope to build upon that pot of funds as we start granting loans in 2010. This program is a “hand up” not a “hand out” and builds upon the strengths, skills and assets of the community.
I preached in 5 congregations this year and had several speaking engagements. With Presbytery involvement I co-chaired the South West Presbytery Commission that oversaw the development of a new presbytery as Toronto conference restructured from 9 presbyteries into 4. In the new presbytery I co-chair the Congregational Renewal and Community Development committee. With the national church I am on the Congregational Renewal and Community Development advisory committee and chaired the Community Ministries National Reference committee. The reference committee organized the biennial national community ministry consultation “Energy from the Edges - Hope on the Rock” event that took place in Newfoundland during September. The National Reference committee and both Congregational Renewal and Community Development committees are exploring ways to better promote the work of community ministries as well as facilitate a dialogue of what strengths and gifts that community ministries can provide to congregational life.
Thanks to all the individuals, organizations, congregations and funding bodies who have contributed to the ministry with either time or financial gifts. Although I have named a few people and organizations, there are many more that deserve credit. It is with all of your support that this ministry can take place. Special thanks 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 Dr. Barry Rieder - Jane and Finch Community Minster
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 416-747-5616
www.twpcommunityministry.org
Thanks to all who contributed financially
To the core operating expenses:
Toronto West Presbytery Corporation
Mission and Service Fund of the National United Church
The Toronto United Church Council
United Church Congregations: Beverley Hills,
Bloordale,
Humber Valley,
Fairbank,
Heart Lake,
Humber Crest,
Humber Vale,
St. Lukes,
St. James,
Westway
Individual donations
Participant contributions
For special projects:
Firgrove Community Learning Center:
Toronto Community Housing’s Social Investment Fund
Toronto Community Housing’s Children’s and Youth Department
Comart Fund
Toronto Community Housing’s local property management office
Rental income from special events
St Alban’s Boys and Girls Club
Back to School Supplies project
Painters and Allied Trades Union (and 48 friends)
2136150 Ontario Limited, Anco Contracting Inc., Avant Drywall Systems Limited, Belmont Plastering Inc,
Benefit Plan Administrators Limited, Benmar Drywall Systems Ltd, Capital Drywall Systems LTD.,
Carpenters & Allied Workers, Carpenters Local 397 Traububg & Union Promotion Fund,
Citymark Construction &Drywall Ltd, Cobell Drywall Ltd, Decor Drywall 1996 LTD, Dino Valentino Raponi Memorial,
DivaConstruction Ltd, Drywall Acoustic Lathing & Insulation, Emerson & Associates Inc., Epic Industries Inc,
Erik Management, Foremont Drywall Inc., Gem Kin construction, I & I Construction Services Limited,
Interior Finishing Systems Training Fund, International Union of P and A.T.D.C. 46, Koskie Minsky LLP,
Limosano Plastering & Stucco Incorporated, Lincoln Arrow Interior Construction Ltd, Maple Drywall Inc.,
MaxanDrywall, Maxum Drywall, Melin Interior Systems Inc., MGL Construction Inc., Mose Drywall Systems Ltd,
Net Drywall & Acoustics Ltd, New Generation Group, Northstar Wall Systems Ltd, Norwest Drywall Ltd,
Oakdale Drywall & Acoustics Ltd., Oxford Interiors Ltd, Royal - Thom Construction, Select Drywall & Acoustics Inc.,
Sina Contracting Ltd., System Drywall & Acoustics, Tampa Interior Systems Inc., Target Drywall & Acoustics Ltd,
TDSB, Top-Line Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Trans-Ontario, Trican Masonry Contractors Inc., & United Drywall Ltd.
Toronto District School Board
Individuals
Black Creek Micro-Credit program
Toronto West Presbytery Corporation
National United Church’s Sharing Bread Grant
Comart Fund
Scholarship program
Painters and Allied Trades Union
Women’s Community Building one day retreat
Toronto Community Housing
Firgrove’s Women’s group
Painters and Allied trades Union
Individuals
Small community development initiatives
Century and Thistletown Trust fund
CP 24/Chum Christmas Wish Fund
Huntington University
