Connections - Spring 2013 - LOFT Community Services

C O N N E C T I O N SLOFT COMMUNITY SERVICES NEWSLETTER • VOLUME 34 • SPRING 2013Stigma and CommunityIN THIS ISSUE• LOFT launches new website at www.locs.org• New Feature: e Donor Corner - featuring Kip Southam• Stigma hurts• 22nd Annual Christmas Concert re-cap• Program events in March

Kay Roesslein is the Director of twoLOFT programs: McEwan Housing andSupport Services and St. GeorgeHouse.LOFT’s McEwan Housing and SupportServices program recently produced a setof videos called “Confronting Stigma” onthe effects of stigma with a clear refrain:“It Hurts.”Stigma and Communityby Kay Roessleine individuals served by McEwan areHIV+ with mental health and addictionissues and histories of homelessness. Oneof the ways they experience stigma isthrough the denial of services most of ustake for granted: a home, doctor, birthcertificate and SIN card, an income and acommunity of support.Our case managers have oen been presentwith members when they were deniedhealth care services. Unfortunately, peopleworking in the health care system can besome of the harshest judges, and it falls toour case managers to ensure these needsare met.85% of our members are “concurrent”;meaning they have both mental health andsubstance abuse challenges. Interestingly,few speak of their mental health issues.Being categorized as “crazy” is worse thanbeing labeled an “addict.” e complexitiesof stigmas are profound, and so is the effecton an individual’s self esteem.e most important thing we do to supportclients experiencing stigma is to create acommunity that does not judge ourmembers but embraces each individual andhis or her strengths. And have no doubt;when it comes to McEwan members thestrengths are many.e McEwan videos are the products of ourcommunity. ey feature our communitymembers courageously sharing theirpersonal stories of the pain of stigma. Morethan that, they are conceived, produced,directed and filmed by communitymembers with financial support from theM.A.C AIDS Fund.Hopefully, aer viewing the videos, peoplewill think twice and not add to the hurt,but look past their assumptions to see thereal person.To see the videos, please visit www.locs.organd go to the Resources page in the About Ussection of our website.Please join us at the Diversity and Equity inMental Health/Addictions Conference 2013on May 3 and the AFHTO Addictions andMental Health Conference May 28 whereMcEwan members will be presenting onStigma & Community.For the Full Text of Kay’s article, please goto the LOFT website and click on theWordpress button, bottom right.Homegrown: The Journey Homeby Gena MacorettaI became affiliated with LOFT CommunityServices when I was going through a ratherdifficult time in my life. As it turns out, I was apart of their Mental Health and Justiceprogram for six years (2005 – 2011). ey werethere for me when others weren’t. I feelgrateful for having found this organization.ey help so many who may not seem on theoutside as being injured, but a lot of us had ourwings clipped by unpleasant situations weexperienced growing up. So for this, I saythank you LOFT for helping me find my wingsagain. And a special thanks to Laurie Snyder(ed note: Gena’s worker) for her guidance,help, support and understanding.What also came out of the experience was theopportunity to keep working on my book. Ittook me twenty years but I finally finished andit has been published. I am in new territorynow…but I did it, my dream has come true.My book Homegrown: e Journey Home isan exploration of possibility, human potential,spirituality and self-empowerment.It is my hope that when people read my book,it will give them some positive encouragementand make them want to be a better person andto never give up on yourself or your dreams.Keep going no matter what, because dreamsreally can come true.Homegrown: eJourney Home isavailable forpurchase throughthe Amazon orIndigo websitesand at OrigoBooks at 48Lower JarvisStreet, Toronto.

22nd Annual Christmas ConcertTHANK YOU STEPHAN!Stephan Gustajtis is a long-time Christmas Concert volunteerwith LOFT. Every year, he takes time out of his schedule to serveas the Technical Consultant to the Ryerson Theatre Schoolstudents.1) Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?I own my own design and consulting firmcalled Creative LX Ltd. , which provideslighting design and implementationsolutions to a wide variety of clients. I doa lot of work on various concerts andshows and permanent installationsincluding the Much Music Video Awards,Big Brother Canada and the McNeilAvian Center at the Philadelphia Zoo.The concert finale with all a the artists on stage!e 22nd Annual Home for theHolidays Christmas Concert thispast December was a night filledwith stellar performances andaudience caroling. St. JamesCathedral served as the setting andthe Dean of Toronto and Rector ofSt. James Cathedral, e VeryReverend Douglas Stoute, warmlywelcomed everyone at thebeginning of the concert. eChristmas trees twinkled and thelighting “on stage” was spectacular.is concert is LOFT’s signaturefundraising event. We rely on thegenerosity of our corporatesponsors, the artists who volunteertheir time and talents for our causeand all the wonderful people whopurchase tickets and makedonations. anks to all of oursupporters, this year’s concert raisedclose to $80,000! ese funds arecritical in helping us fill fundinggaps and allowing us to continue toprovide the excellent services forwhich LOFT is known.ank you to the outstanding performersof this year’s concert:soprano Joni Henson, pianist YuvalFichman, singer Ben Dyck, jazzsinger Lauren Margison, tenorRichard Margison, singer MicahBarnes, singer om Allison,actor/singer David Keeley, sopranoJean Edwards, and organist TimElia. A special thank you goes toKelly Walker, Master of Ceremonyand Artistic Director, who putstogether a great line-up every year.is year we were lucky enough tohear client stories from tworesidents. e first was a story froma young man from Beverly Lodge,and the second came from a womanwho is a resident at one of ourseniors programs, CrosslinksSeniors Housing and SupportServices. ese were touchingmoments during the concert andeach story garnered a standingovation from the audience.is night would not have beenpossible without the great technicalsupport provided by the studentsfrom the Ryerson eatre School,and our faithful volunteers TedKrawchuk (Front-of-HouseManager), Bill Corcoran(Production Designer), and StephanGustajtis (Technical Consultant).Two board members, James Anokand Michelle Henry, acted asgreeters and Ryerson students andvolunteers from LOFT staff acted asushers.We hope you enjoyed the night asmuch as we did! Make sure to markthe date for the 2013 concert. Our23rd Home for the HolidaysChristmas Concert will take placeon Monday, December 2, 2013!2) How did you become involved with LOFT and the concert?I was in my last year at the Ryerson Theatre School when I gotthe role of Technical Director for the LOFT concert in 1999. Thefollowing year, Peter Fleming, RTS’ Production and OperationsManager, called and asked if I would like to be a consultant onthe 2000 concert. Since then I have tried to help out every year.3) What is your role in the concert?I am there for the students and act as a reference manual andresource for them. My role is primarily to ensure the successfulimplementation of the lighting system. I am there for theproduction meeting as well as the load-in on Sunday eveningand I try to stop in on Monday, which is the day of the concert.4) Why do you continue to help out every year?I really enjoy the experience – both in helping the students learnand in helping LOFT.5) What do you enjoy most about your experience with us?I like seeing the students take a vision they have in their mindsand watching it become a reality through their hard work.Knowing that what I’ve taught them will help them when workingon future productions is a good feeling.Concert SponsorsLEAD SPONSOR• Goldman Sachs Canada Inc.RECEPTION SPONSOR• Freedom InternationalBrokerage CompanyMAJOR SPONSORS• David & Stephanie Keeley• Don Fraser & Connor, Clark &Lunn Private Capital Ltd.PERFORMANCE SPONSORS• Adair Morse LLP• John & Angela Caliendo• Life Design Systems &The BPC Group• Grant Thornton LLP• The Hon. MargaretNorrie McCain• Morguard Investments Ltd.PRINT SPONSOR• The Printing House Ltd.LIGHTING EQUIPMENTSUPPLIER• Jack A. Frost Ltd.SOUND EQUIPMENTSUPPLIER• RP DynamicsSPECIAL THANKS TO:• Amato Pizza• Bond Hotel• The Hotel Victoria• Cathy Inkster-Tarrant• Michael Hudson Photography• Peter Hideg,Advantage Electric• St. James Guild ofChange Ringers• St. James Cathedral

The Donor Corner featuring Kip SouthamIn the first of what we hope will become a regular feature in Connections, To this day I we still speak think with about long-time him. LOFT donor, Kip Southam.LOFT: ank you for speaking with ustoday, Kip. We’d like to begin by askinghow you first became involved with LOFT?KS: It really goes back to the 1980’s. Afriend of mine was involved with LOFT andshe told me about a kind of “befriending”program at John Gibson House, where theywere matching volunteers with clients. Ithought it sounded interesting so I signedup.I have never been able to think in terms of “us” and “them” or “thosepeople.” I have always felt that that line between mental health andmental ill health is very thin, and that anyone can cross into mentalill health. I have never thought, for example, that “it will neverhappen to me.”I was matched with a guy named Dan McDonald and it turned outthat he and I had very similar lives: we had both worked inadvertising, we both loved jazz. He was a most interesting character,with a fabulous sense of humor, and a very wry and insightfulperspective on his own mental illness and on the mental healthsystem.LOFT: What do you think sets LOFT apart from other charities?KS: I have been impressed by a number of things about LOFT. eorganization is very inclusive; nobody ever seems to be turned away. Ihave been impressed by the wide variety of services and the widevariety of people who receive services; people with addictions, withHIV/AIDS, seniors. Yet, LOFT does it well. It isn’t spreading themoney and talent too thinly. In each area, there is a real focus.Also, LOFT is about as far away as you can get from institutionalizingand warehousing people.LOFT: What prompted your first gi to LOFT?KS: I am drawn to agencies that do grass roots work and that may notget the kind of funding some more high profile organizations get.And of course, the stories you hear of the clients are always extremelyinteresting. I am always moved by the clients who share their storiesat the annual LOFT Christmas Concert, for example. e things theyhave had to deal with and their spirit never ceases to amaze me.LOFT: ank you so much for your time, Kip, and thank you forsupporting LOFT.When Making Your Will, Consider the ‘Charity Child’ Concept“If I had to choose between giving a portion of my estate to thegovernment in taxes or to a charity like LOFT, which would I prefer?”As we think about making a will, most of us consider how to divide our estate amongfamily and friends. But what about including a ‘Charity Child’?e concept is simple. Here is an example. rough their estate planning, a couple withthree children divides their estate into four. Upon the death of both spouses, each of theirchildren will receive one quarter of the estate. e fourth quarter is dedicated to theirfavourite charities.A gi to a ‘Charity Child’ – a charitable bequest – means the estate will receive acharitable tax receipt. is will help offset taxes to be paid. eir three children will notonly receive the portion allotted to them, they will also be able to celebrate the impact oftheir parents’ philanthropic legacy, and the difference it will make in the community.Joe and Mary have 3 children, and to offset taxes, will makegis to their favourite charities, still leaving the bulk of theirestate to their kids.When you become a donor to LOFT, you have a direct impact on people in need. Most LOFT clients have complex challenges including mentalhealth issues, physical illness, addictions, poverty and homelessness. In this world of ‘specialization’, people with complicated needs sometimes justdon’t fit.is is where LOFT comes in. anks to our donors, LOFT is able to reach out to people in great need who cannot get access to services. Charitablebequests help to ensure that LOFT will continue to fill this role for many years to come.For further information on how to make LOFT your ‘Charity Child’, please contact Jane Corbett, Director of Development at 416-979-1994, ext 227,or jcorbett@locs.org.Special thanks to Helen DeBoer-Daggett for permitting us to share her “Charity Child” concept.

Something and NothingSomething and Nothing met in a crowd.“Hi, Something,” “Hi, Nothing,” they both said aloud.Something gave Nothing something so proudthat Nothing, now having something,said to Something out loud,“My friend, I am no longer nothing,” and he bowed.Jane Dziedziola,Wilkinson Housing and Support Services clientLOFT client, Carol Anne Monet, had a beautiful display of stainedglass artwork at the North York Central Library during the monthof March. e one pictured above is titled “Metamorphosis”.Here, I have a family...“I was not so powerful before I moved here. Istruggled like hell. I really, really struggled.Somehow I managed to land into something solid.It is not perfect, and I have had many trials andtribulations. But it is better than I have ever hadsince I arrived in Toronto in the mid 60's. Thereason being is, here, I have a family. I havesolidarity with a bunch of my sisters. I was sohandicapped because I didn't have the language inthis society, which was a foreign society to me tonegotiate [in every way] and now it appears thatthis foreign language I am able to negotiate. It haseverything to do with this magnificent family that Ihave found. I could not be richer than I am now. Ifa big ball of fire was to consume me, I would leavethis earth elated and blessed.”M., a client of Wilkinson Housingand Support ServicesA Train of Thought & CabaretFor the third year in a row, e Wilkinson Drama Group,comprised of clients and some staff from Wilkinson Housing andSupport Services, performed at Buddies in Bad Times eatre indowntown Toronto on March 22nd.With a background in professional theatre, volunteer MorganBargent acts as playwright and director. is year the play isentitled A Train of ought and inspiration for the play wasdrawn from the lives and experiences of consumer/survivorsinvolved in the production.e cast began rehearsing in the Fall in order to be ready for thebig show in the Spring. e cabaret section preceding the playfeatured some funny comedians, poets, a guitarist, monologuesand an inspirational life story.is production is always a true collaborative effort by everyoneinvolved!is issue of Connections went to print on the day of the show. Fora follow-up and pictures, please check out our blog on the LOFTwebsite at www.locs.org.Annual General MeetingTuesday, June 25, 20137:00 pmSt. Lawrence Hall, 3rd Floor157 King Street East (at Jarvis)Downtown TorontoSPEAKERS’BUREAULOFT has a group of enthusiastic speakerswho would be happy to present to your clubor church group about the work we do andthe people we help.For more information, please contactVolunteer Speakers’ Bureau Coordinator,Paul Kight at pkight@loftcs.org or416-979-1994 ext. 250SUPPORT LOFTPlease consider making a donation inorder to help those in need.Donations can be made online atwww.loftcs.orgby phone or mail:LOFT Community Services15 Toronto Street, 9th FloorToronto, ON M5C 2E3Phone: 416-979-1994, ext. 222Fax: 416-979-3028