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 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 year, after 3 years of development there was the successful launch of the Black Creek Micro Credit program in the Jane Finch Community.  Micro-credit programs guarantee loans to community members who want to start or expand a sound business but unable to access credit from banks.  This program has been developed in partnership with Access Community Capital Fund and the Black Creek Community Collaborative project, which has been a collaborative partnership of community organizations, City staff, York University, Toronto District School Board, local businesses, faith leaders and community residents.  Since 2005 the Ministry has been part of this collaborative that seeks to build on builds upon the strengths, skills and assets of the community.  Last year we had 5 applicants to the micro-credit program and momentum is growing.  The program has a local loan review committee and an outreach committee. The outreach committee has been conducting small business workshops in the community and has a drop-in to support budding community entrepreneurs twice a month.  In addition to Toronto West Presbytery Corporation and the National United Church that provided initial investments in the program, several other community members and churches have also contributed to the program in the form of investments.

For the last three years the ministry has been part of a collaborative in transforming the existing recreation centre into a learning centre for all ages and cultures.  The Firgrove Community Learning Centre has now become the ‘Heart of the Community’ a place for interacting, educating, entertaining and socializing to engage more residents in Firgrove and Jane Finch wide.  This transformation was made possible through the collaborative effort of residents in the Community and several organizations and institutions.  Lorraine Anderson has been the coordinator of the centre and doing an incredible job.  The place is rented out to community residents for celebrative functions and programs include: a sewing program, yoga classes, a weekly drop-in tea with guest speakers, St Alban’s Boys and Girls club afterschool program, high school upgrading for adult women and a youth music studio.  Last winter the Learning Centre hosted a community gathering with the Mayor and in the fall an Anniversary event for the centre.  Both events were blessed with some Spoken Word and Rap produced by community youth.

Speaking of transformation, the Toronto Police Services - Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS) provided resources and brute strength in landscaping the front yard of the ministry into more community friendly space.  The yard now integrates well into the common space outside of the Firgrove Community Learning Centre.

Again 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 Cheriese Gordon for coordinating this program.  At the Back to School BBQ the Painters and Allied Trades Union provided five $1,000 and two $500 scholarships to youth going to college and university 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 the community minister 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.  There was also a community trip to Centre Island.  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 75 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 137 children to families in need.

Some of the proceeds from the sale of Century United and Thistletown United, held in trust for small community development initiatives, were used to contribute to the Firgrove Tenant Association monthly meetings, a school breakfast program, the Firgrove recording music studio, Black history event, a community newspaper, Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women fundraiser, Firgrove Festival of Learning, St. Alban’s Boys and Girls club summer program, Firgrove Community Learning Centre and the Firgrove Tenant Association retreat at Five Oaks.

The ministry is 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 2010 the ministry provided support to the outreach and nominations for the York University TD Community Engagement Centre in Yorkgate mall and provided input into the development of York University’s President White paper on Community Engagement.  To be involved in these University initiatives gives recognition of the important and credible work that the Community Ministry has been engaged in over the years.

The ministry had 12 church related speaking engagements in 2010, which included Sunday morning preaching, speaking to women’s groups and outreach committees and a guest lecturer at Emmanuel College. With Presbytery involvement the ministry was involved on the Congregational Renewal and Community Development committee.  Involvement on the national church’s Congregational Renewal and Community Development advisory committee came to an end due to further restructuring of the national church but the ministry has continued to be involved on the Community Ministries National Reference committee.

Thanks to all the individuals, organizations, congregations and funding bodies who have contributed to the ministry with either time or financial gifts.  Although this report has 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 base support from the South West Presbytery and the 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, High Park Korean, Home, Humber Crest,
Huttonville, Lansing, Mayfield, North Runnymede,
Northminister, Richview, St. Luke’s, St. James,
Westminister, Westway, Windermere,          

Toronto Community Housing for donated space
Individual donations
Participant contributions

Firgrove Community Learning Center:

Century and Thistletown Trust Fund
Comart Fund
Kingsway Lambton United Church Women
Ontario Foot Clinic
Ontario Council of Painters and Drywall Industry
Rental income from special events
St Alban’s Boys and Girls Club
Toronto Community Housing’s Children’s and Youth Department
Toronto Community Housing’s local property management office

Back to School Supplies project:

Painters and Allied Trades Union (and 48 friends)

RBG, Skeates contracting Inc. Fiera Captial, Tampa Interior Systems, Select Drywall & Acoustics Inc., Koskie Minsky LLP, Systems Drywall & Scoustics, Mr. Leo F Blain, Benmar Drywall Systems Ltd., 1156558 Ontario Inc., Speed and Precision Construction Ltd., Oxford Interiors Ltd., Federation of Paintin and Decorating Contractors of Toronto, Haber Blain Insurance Brokers Limited General Acct., Nelmar Draywall Company Limited, Donmor Drywall, Fisher Drywall, Erik Management, 2926253 Canada Ltd./Ltee O/A Pro-Firestop, Maxum Draywall, Epic Industries Inc., Drywall Acoustic Lathing & Insulation Local Union 675 – Promotional Fund, Capital Drywall Systems Ltd., Carpenters & Allied Workers Local 27 General Fund, 1583147 Ontario Limited O/A Rescom Coatings, Maxan Drywall, Lincoln Arrow Interior Construction Ltd., Gem G Kin Construction, Cambridge Drywall Services Ltd., Emerson & Associates Inc., Foremont Drywall Contracting, Décor Drywall (1996) Ltd, Torino Drywall Inc., Carmen Contracting A Division of Carmen Dryall Limited, Dixon Drywall A Division 999852 Ontario Inc., United Drywall Ltd., Target Drywall & Acoustics Ltd, Cobell Drywall Ltd., Trans-Ontario Ceiling & Wall Systems Inc.,Diva Construction Ltd., Tempo Insulation & Drywall Ltd., Maple Drywall Inc., Donalco Inc., Cesaroni Contracting Inc., Downsview Drywall Contraction, Interior Finishing Systems Training Fund, New Generation Group – Marin (200) Inc., Rosmar Drywall Ltd., Oakdale Drywall & Acoustics Ltd., Granolite Company Limited, Sina Contraction Ltd., Four Seasons Drywall Systems & Acoustics Limited (Payables), Rockport Interiors Inc., 2136150 Ontario Limited, Axiom Drywall & Acoustics, Benefit Plan Administrators limited, Ancan Construction Inc.,

Human Resources Development Canada
Toronto District School Board
Individuals

Black Creek Micro-Credit program:

Access Community Capital Fund
City of Toronto
National United Church’s Sharing Bread Grant
Norval United
Toronto West Presbytery Corporation
York West Community Library
Individuals

Scholarship program:

Painters and Allied Trades Union

Firgrove’s Women’s group:

Jane Finch Community and Family Centre
Painters and Allied trades Union

Small community development initiatives:

Century and Thistletown Trust fund
Chartered Accountants Association of Ontario
City of Toronto CP 24/Chum Christmas Wish Fund