Global Divas Celebrates 5th Anniversary in Style! - St. Stephen's ...

iNFall/iN the HOUSESt. Stephen’s Community House NewsletterGlobal Divas Celebrates 5th Anniversary in Style!Winter 20072007 Global Divas (L-R) Suba Sankaran, Jane Bunnett, CBC Radio 1 Host and Emcee for the evening, Garvia Bailey,Rita Chiarelli, Telmary, Emeline Michel.June 12, 2007 was a magical evening,brimming with the sounds of women andsong from around the globe. The weatherand lakeside setting contributed to makingthis the most memorable event in GlobalDivas history.Celebrated as one of the city’s premierworld music events, Global Divas is aneclectic mix of global melodies, performedby some of the most talented womenartists representing different parts of theworld. Jane Bunnett, one of Toronto’smost celebrated jazz virtuosos, hasgenerously directed and headlined thisevent since it first began.“I am very proud to be a part of thisfantastic show. Every year we get a chanceto discover wonderful new voices andemerging talent who often go on togreatness. Not only is Global Divas vibrantand exciting, it also generates funds forSt. Stephen’s Community House and buildsawareness of its important services,” saysBunnett.All proceeds from Global Divas gotowards supporting the Youth Arcade atour Augusta Centre, located in the heartof Kensington. Since 1990, the Arcade hasbeen offering innovative programs thatencourage at-risk neighbourhood youth tothink critically, act responsibly and adopthealthy lifestyles. Our after-school andlunchtime drop-in model provides teenswith a safe place to go during theseotherwise unsupervised times.The evening would not be possible withoutthe generosity of our sponsors and donors,who help us in so many ways, from thefabulous food for the reception, promotionof the event or silent auction prizes. We aregrateful for their support.Please see the back panel of this newsletterfor a complete list of our generous sponsors.“ At Scotiabank we help build richer communities by investingin and supporting areas that are most important to ouremployees, customers, communities and Canadians - health,education, social services and arts and culture,The Global Divas fundraiser is a wonderful initiative that supports the successfulprogramming at St. Stephen’s Community House, which significantly impacts the lives ofmore than 32,000 people in our community each year.”Jeff Bartja, District Vice President, Scotiabank Group, Presenting Sponsor

Presenting SponsorDivas Groove SponsorZev and Arlene DanielsFood Partners2007 Global Divas SponsorsMusic Lovers SponsorsHostThe John McKellarCharitable FoundationIn the House in Your MailboxWould you like to be informedabout events like Global Divas andother exciting developments atSt. Stephen’s Community House?We would like to provide youwith the information in electronicformat. To subscribe, simply send ane-mail to:development@ststephenshouse.comwith the subject line “In the House”and you’re in business!In the House is a publication ofSt. Stephen’s Community House91 Bellevue Avenue, Toronto,ON M5T 2N8www.ststephenshouse.comWriting: Elaine Banks, Sheila ReesMedia PartnersEditing:Sheila ReesLoretta ChangBill SinclairLiane RegendanzDesign:James Laforet, Jafla Graphicswww.jafladesign.comSt. Stephen’s Community HouseCreating Opportunities. Strengthening Communities.91 Bellevue Ave.Toronto, ONM5T 2N8Our mission is to work withindividuals and communitiesin downtown west Torontoto identify, prevent andalleviate social and economicproblems by creating andproviding a range of effectiveand innovative programs.iN the HOUSEIn the House is a publication of St. Stephen’s Community House91 Bellevue Ave. Toronto, ON M5T 2N8www.ststephenshouse.comSt. Stephen’s Community House is proud to bea member of United Way of Greater Toronto.

Foundations Provide Solid Support for Our HouseGraduates and Staff of our Connections Program, March 2007.Many of St. Stephen’s Community House’s core programsstarted, and continue to thrive, with the support of privatefoundations. These non-governmental funding partners donot simply fill funding voids. They provide funding to pilotinnovative new programs; work to change public-policy; helpto build organizational capacity; encourage civic engagement;and support initiatives that promote systemic change.The funding provided by multi-year foundation grants enablescommunity organizations to plan ahead; to demonstrateprogram results and community impact; to build significantresources; and to enable our programs to be more far reachingand effective.“We like to build long-term partnerships with foundations thatsupport our work,” says Executive Director Liane Regendanz.“These are more than just funding relationships. A s they getto know the front-line staff and programs, and the outcomeswe are aiming to achieve, you can see their commitment andinvolvement grow. In my experience, this kind of engagementleads to a much more genuine and open partnership and onethat is more satisfying for the foundation and the agency.The success of a program they are investing in then becomes ashared accomplishment.”A multi-year grant from the Maytree Foundation was the originalbackbone of our Connections employment program that started16 years ago. This 20-week program, which is now one of themost successful of its kind in Toronto, helps young newcomerson social assistance learn computer applications, customer servicetraining and try out a job placement, all the while honing theirEnglish skills.Emerging funds can grow into long-term commitments too. Sevenyears ago, the Tippet Foundation was asked to assist our YouthServices program which, at the time, was experiencing a financialcrisis and was at risk of closing. After visiting the Youth Arcadeand meeting the youth and program staff, they recognized theuniqueness and importance of the program and provided criticalfunds that allowed the program to continue. In the years thatfollowed, the Tippet Foundation made incremental donationsto the Youth Arcade, the arts-based Revelations and the YouthConflict Prevention Project. “I went to St. Stephen’s House onmany occasions and was very impressed with the work they

were doing. They cover so many bases, from youth to seniors’programs. They really do a great job,” said Walter Thompson,President of the Tippet Foundation.In 2005, the Tippet Foundation made a five-year pledge tosupport the core programs of the Youth Arcade. This sprungfrom the Foundation’s plan to grant multi-year funding toagencies with which they had a close association. St. Stephen’sCommunity House was one of the first to receive this kind offunding.Foundations are often inspired bya program’s promise of becomingself-sustaining.“Agencies typically spend a lot of time chasing money. Weknew St. Stephen’s Community House was doing an excellentjob providing very effective programs, and that the five-yearcommitment would allow them to focus on those programs,and not on finding ways to fund them,” added Thompson.Foundations are often inspired by a program’s promise of becomingself-sustaining. The Trillium Foundation recently provided startupfunds to extend our Conflict Mediation Service to includeco-parenting counselling that focuses on custody disputes, fulfillinga major unmet need. Their support will allow us to offer this newservice on a sliding scale based on income, guiding us to eventuallybecome self-sufficient through revenue generated by user fees.Foundation gifts do not always take a monetary form. A projectbeing funded by the Metcalf Foundation will provide leadershiptraining for homeless drop-in participants at places likeSt. Stephen’s Corner Drop-In. This support will enable participantsto develop their communication skills, teach them how to accessand speak to government officials, and express their needseffectively. Recruitment across Toronto homeless drop-ins iscurrently underway.We are grateful for the partnering and dedicated support ofour foundation donors, which helps St. Stephen’s to continueto advance, strengthen and expand services, and to reach morepeople in need.“Agencies typically spend a lot oftime chasing money. ...thefive-year commitment wouldallow them to focus on thoseprograms, and not on findingways to fund them”Walter Thompson, President,The Tippett Foundation.Activities in the Youth Arcade would not be possible withoutsupport from foundation donors and The United Way.

Little HandsCreate el FrescoMasterpieceThere are many waysto make a contribution.Some donate money andsome give of their timeand talents.Rochelle suggested a mural as the project format and left it toSt. Stephen’s staff to decide which program she should workwith. “When they suggested working with kids in the childcarecentre, the theme of a garden seemed obvious.Rochelle Rubinstein’s gift came in the form of what she calls a“magic garden” - a painted mural gracing the fence beside theChildcare Centre at St. Stephen’s Community House BellevueAvenue location.Under her guidance and armed with the tools and supplies thatshe had donated, the kids in the childcare program brought themural to life over two days of sketching and painting.Rochelle’s relationship with St. Stephen’s began when she madea donation as a show of friendship shortly after she moved intothe neighbourhood. “I would walk by the House everyday andwas curious. They have a strong presence in the Market andI had heard good things about the work that they do,” sheexplains.Her donation led to an invitation to tour St. Stephen’s,acquainting her with the various programs and agency staff.She was impressed by what she saw and offered her servicesas an artist, and admits “I’m very glad they took me up on it!”The mural is like an imaginary gardenthat grows and evolves...The mural is like an imaginary garden that grows and evolvesalong with the real one growing below it. Now there will alwaysbe a garden there, even in the winter.”Rochelle, an internationally-established artist and art therapist,saw this as a good opportunity for the kids to collaborate on avisible, lasting achievement and to make a contribution to a majorwork. The kids were given creative freedom and encouragedto use their natural spontaneity while creating the piece. “Somebudding talents were discovered,” says Rubinstein, reflecting onthe experience, “It was a lot of fun.” She looks forward to seeingthe mural in different seasons, and the pleasure others will getfrom it.You can learn more about Rochelle Rubinstein and her art on herweb site: rochellerubinstein.com.

A Warm Welcome to New Board MembersSt. Stephen’s Community House is fortunate to be supported by a tremendousgroup of senior volunteers who, together, make up our Board of Directors. Thisthoughtful and committed group is led by Keith Durrant, whose tenure asPresident began at our annual general meeting at the end of June 2007.Keith Durrant“Why did I join St. Stephens Community House? At the time of joiningthe board, I lived in the Kensington neighbourhood and my son Lucasattended the Bellevue daycare as a preschooler. When I become awarethat SSCH was looking for board members, I jumped at the opportunityto be able to give back.“We are thrilled to welcome the following new board members:Rochelle Rubinstein.Charles Gordon“I am extremely proud to join the Board of St. Stephen’s Community House. Thisoutstanding organization offers a diversified range of meaningful services and activitiesthat genuinely improve the life of new and disadvantaged citizens in Toronto andparticularly in the Kensington community. I have been so impressed with theprofessional, passionate and committed people I’ve met within St. Stephen’s who worktirelessly to meet the organization’s vision and sense of purpose. This has been a keyfactor in St. Stephen’s success. As a new Board member, I look forward to contributingin any way I can.”Julia Maxwell“Joining the Board instantly made a lot of sense to me. I am a professional social workerby day. And as someone who lives and works in the neighbourhood, it gives me thechance to express my gratitude to St. Stephen’s for the role it plays in maintaining thehealth and vitality of this community.“Nadine Sookermany“I enjoy serving on the Board of Directors at St. Stephen’s Community Housebecause it is a wonderful opportunity to support the important and integral work you doin the community. I have been aware of St. Stephen’s Community House for many yearsthrough my work in the social services community and have always been impressed withthe multi-service components of your organization; how you effectively serve so manydiverse groups under one roof through the wide range of programs that you offer. “Babur Mawladin“I joined St. Stephen’s Community House because I strongly believe and support itsmission in serving communities in need. St. Stephen’s Community House has built itsreputation and credibility in the community and it is a privilege to be part of its continuedsuccess. “Board of Directors:Keith Durrant, PresidentBarbara Mellman, Vice PresidentRosemary Chan, SecretaryCelia Denov, Assistant SecretaryPhilip Howell, TreasurerDrew York, Assistant TreasurerRichard GilbertCharles GordonBabur MawladinJulia MaxwellKennedy MohochiTracey ReesNadine SookermanyRemembering Advisory Council Member Eddie GoodmanFamily and friends of Edwin “Eddie” Goodman gathered at the AugustaCentre on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 for a memorial tribute to agreat friend, supporter and advocate for the House. Eddie was along-term member of St. Stephen’s Community House’s Advisory Counciland an influential humanitarian. Dedicated to helping others, Eddie wasprofoundly philanthropic and his generous gift contributed significantlyto the purchase and renovation of the Augusta Centre.

Man in the Know sees Both Sidesof the Monthly Giving CoinJames Julien is a committed St. Stephen’s Community Housedonor - and a fundraising professional. As the Principal Consultantat Public Outreach Fundraising Consultancy, it is James’ business toensure that his clients, some of Canada’s leading charities, derivemaximum benefit from their fundraising efforts, and to see thatdonor dollars are used to their greatest possible effect.A Kensington resident for 12 years, James says he became aSt. Stephen’s donor because “I was inspired by the spirit anddedication of the people I met who make St. Stephen’sprograms happen. Their work is inspiring and I knew they weredoing their very best to use donations to make the biggestdifference they can.”James is a member of the Opportunity Fund and promotesmonthly giving as the most convenient, effective way to donate.“With monthly giving, I can make much more of a differencethan I can with single donations. The simple fact is I never have asmuch money to spare at one time as I can give over the course ofthe year. When I give smaller donations through the OpportunityFund, it feels like less of a sacrifice but it’s very satisfying when I seehow much I’ve given at the end of the year,” said James, addingthat “Monthly giving just makes donating so easy, and since theyknow I’ll keep supporting, I save St. Stephen’s the money theywould otherwise spend asking me to donate.”The reliable income generated by the Opportunity Fund allowsfor long-term planning and enhancements to programs like theCorner Drop-In and L.L. Odette Place Services that are especiallyimportant to James. “I like to think of my monthly donation as anongoing connection to that work. Joining the Opportunity Fund isa really great way to be able to say “I helped do that.”Leaving a Lasting GiftA growing number of Canadians are looking for a rewardingway to leave a lasting gift to their charity of choice, whilereducing their taxes and maximizing the benefits to theirestate and its beneficiaries. St. Stephen’s Community Househas been fortunate to receive a number of planned giftsover the years, which have made a significant impact in ourcommunity.What is Planned GivingIt is a gift arranged now to provide support at some futuretime. A monetary bequest in a will is a popular and easyway to make a planned gift.Remembering Catherine CraggRememberingA staunch supporter of the community, CatherineCragg generously remembered St. Stephen’sCommunity House in her will. Catherine wasactive in the community as the president of thelocal ratepayers’ association. She is fondlyremembered walking her dog, Guthrie, in theneighbourhood. Catherine’s choice to leave abequest ensures that her involvement in thecommunity lives on.