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Archive for September, 2011

“Toronto Mom Now” supports Moms at Nellie’s

Posted on: September 28th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

Toronto Mom Now, a website for moms in the city, is launching soon and they are supporting moms at Nellie’s by donating $1 for every person who signs up to their e-mail list.

Filled with yummy places to eat, unique places to shop, and cool neighbourhoods to walk – (with or without your kids), Toronto Mom Now is a local guide for urban moms who love where they live!  If you love to discover the best neighbourhoods in the city and what they have to offer, Toronto Mom Now is the place for you.

Toronto Mom Now supports the important work Nellie’s does and is pleased to donate $1 to for every person who signs up to their e-mail list. Since 1973, Nellie’s Shelter has helped to rebuild the lives of over 15,000 women and children. As mothers themselves, the women at Toronto Mom Now know that every woman deserves a life free of violence and poverty for herself and her children.

Nellie’s is so pleased to be a part of such a wonderful initiative and we wish Toronto Mom Now much success as they launch their new website in October.   Please visit http://www.torontomomnow.com and sign up today!

Countdown to the Provincial Election: What YOU can do

Posted on: September 27th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

The Step it Up Campaign is a coalition of women’s networks, organizations, groups, and individuals who want to see “better, faster government action to end violence against women. ”  Created in 2006, the goal of Step it Up is to urge all political parties to take a firm stance against violence against women and to include a concrete action plan in their election platforms.

To encourage this process, the Step it Up Campaign has developed a Platform for Parties for the upcoming election on October 6th.  This platform includes recommendations on areas such as accessibility, poverty, housing, education, access to childcare, and funding for women’s services.

Step it Up is asking for Ontario voters to present this platform to their local candidates and ask them what they are doing to end violence against women.  We were so fortunate to have Anna Willats from Step it Up speak at our “Women Vote 2011” election forum earlier this month.  Please visit www.stepitupontario.ca for more information and resources.

Happiness is a form of courage

Posted on: September 23rd, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

“Happiness is a form of courage.”   -Holbrook Jackson

 Everyone at Nellie’s had such a great time at Take a Walk on the Riverside last year.  We can’t wait for this year’s event on October 22nd (more info here).

Nellie’s hosts “Women Vote 2011” election forum

Posted on: September 22nd, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

Do you know what time the polls open on Ontario’s Election Day?  Or which party has the most female candidates?  On September 13th, these and other questions were answered across the Grand Ballroom at 519 Church Street Community Centre during Nellie’s “Women Vote 2011” election forum.  The women and children who use our services were invited to learn more about the issues that will effect their lives in the upcoming Provincial election.

Women participated in an Election Game and excitedly answered questions about the different parties and their platforms.  Special speakers shared their wisdom about election issues and challenged and informed us.  Dinh Ngo, from S.E.A.S Centre spoke in Cantonese about election issues facing East Asian communities.  Anna Willats from the Step it Up! Campaign talked about important questions we could ask the candidates about ending violence against women.

(Dinh Ngo from S.E.A.S and Anna Willats from Step it Up with our Election Game spinner!)

The night ended with a thought-provoking Question & Answer session and a big thank-you to all the staff, volunteers, and speakers who helped to make the event a success.

The election happens on Thursday October 6th.   Don’t forget to vote and keep checking our blog every tuesday until then as we highlight important election issues and initiatives.

(Answers to the 2 questions: Polls open at 9am on election day and the Liberal Party has the most female candidates).

Daily Bread Toronto launches Fall Food Drive at Nellie’s

Posted on: September 21st, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

On Wednesday afternoon Nellie’s welcomed the Daily Bread Food Bank to  launch their Fall Food Drive as well as their new report on hunger “Who’s Hungry 2011: Profile of Hunger in the GTA.”  This annual report is based on information collected from food bank clients across the greater Toronto area.

According to “Who’s Hungry 2011”, the average monthly income for food bank clients is $925, with 72% of this going to cover rent and housing costs. This leaves only $5.67/day for food, clothes and other expenses. Last year the Daily Bread had over 1 million client visits, which is an increase of 130,000 from 3 years ago.

(Executive Director Gail Nyberg, and Acting Director of Research Richard Matern at Nellie’s) 

“Sixty-seven per cent of food bank clients are receiving social assistance of some kind. That means the ‘social safety net’ we supposedly have in this province has serious holes in it, and needs a transformation”, says Richard Matern, Acting Director of Research at The Daily Bread.

The Daily Bread Food Bank has set a goal of $400,000 and 400,000 pounds of food for their Fall Drive, which runs until October 14th. Financial donations can be made online here.  Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any fire hall or Loblaws, Valu-Mart, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore.

Nellie’s has been a proud member agency of the Daily Bread Food Bank since 2001.  Every month they provide us with 1080 meals for the women and children at our shelter.  Their support is so important to us as well as over 170 member agencies across the city.

You can find the full press release on The Daily Bread Fall Launch and Who’s Hungry 2011 Report, here.

Take Back the Night 2011

Posted on: September 19th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

 On Saturday September 24th, staff, volunteers, and women from Nellie’s will be participating in Take Back the Night at the Anne Johnson Health Station in association with the Toronto Women’s Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape.  Held yearly in many international locations since 1978, Take Back the Night events are an important way to draw attention to the devastating nature of violent crimes against women and to celebrate the  enormous strength of  survivors.

 According to Statistics Canada, 427,000 women over the age of 15 reported that they had been sexually assaulted in 2004 alone.  This threat to women’s bodies and minds puts real limits on what they can do – even walking the streets in their own neighbourhoods at night.

2011  marks the 31st anniversary of Take Back the Night.  This year’s theme is “The Liberation WE Choose“, which hopes to highlight the continuing struggles for justice faced by survivors of violence. 

(Nellie’s at Take Back the Night 2010).

Please join us at the Anne Johnston Health Station (2398 Yonge St. at Eglinton) to participate in a community fair at 4-6pm (everyone welcome), a rally from 6-8pm (everyone welcome), and a march from 8-9:30pm (for women, trans people, and children only). 

For more information you can call: 416.597.1171 ext 230

Thank you to our Summer Student Employees

Posted on: September 16th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”    -Confucius-

Orientation

Our student employees worked unbelievably hard this summer to support the women and children in our care.  We are so grateful for the talent, skills, ambition, and passion that they brought to Nellie’s.  A world without violence is possible, and these young women are working to make it a reality.

Emily worked on our Community Support & Outreach Team with women who were seeking assistance in the areas of immigration, legal issues, child welfare, and housing.  We are proud that Emily will be continuing her work with Nellie’s as a Relief Staff.

Maria worked with our Development Team to assist with fundraising, administration, and event planning.  Maria played a very important role in planning our Online Holiday Auction and will continue on as a volunteer at Nellie’s.

Erin worked with our Transitional Housing & Support Team to assist women to access safe and affordable housing.  Erin supported women throughout the intake and application process for subsidized housing and connected them to resources around the city that they can access when they are living on their own.

On behalf of all the women, children, and staff at Nellie’s, we would like to thank Emily, Maria, and Erin for making this summer at Nellie’s a great one for everyone.   Thank you as well to  Human Resources & Skills Development Canada for providing the funding for our Summer Student Employee Program.

Our thanks to the United Way Toronto!

Posted on: September 15th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

Earlier this month, the United Way Toronto launched their 2011 Campaign. This year their goal is to raise $116,000,000 to “provide stability in an uncertain time to UW agencies and support long-term efforts to strengthen neighbourhoods.” Speaking at the launch event, Campaign Chair, Janet Holder said “Together we have the energy to make a difference and can help strengthen neighbourhoods across the city while making a lasting difference in people’s lives.”

Nellie’s is a proud member agency of the United Way Toronto.

United Way Toronto supports over 200 member agencies and focuses their work on three main areas: helping people move from poverty to possibility, building healthy people and strong communities, and helping kids be all they can be.

Last year, the United Way provided over $220,000 in core funding to support Nellie’s work. These funds are raised by the United Way through individual donor support as well as workplace giving programs and special events like the Enbridge CN Tower Climb and the Toronto Waterfront Marathon .

The support we receive from The United Way Toronto enables us to better assist the women and children in our care. Thank you to the United Way for making our city great!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MPZnd2v7hHo#!]

Countdown to the Provincial Election: What YOU can do!

Posted on: September 13th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction  is calling on all provincial political parties to make poverty reduction a key election issue this fall.

In their recently released statement “A Call to Action on Poverty in Ontario”, they say:

“As the October provincial election approaches, we call on all Ontario political parties to make the reduction and eradication of poverty a key election issue and to clearly outline their commitments and concrete plans to tackle poverty in our province.”

Many of the women and children who come to Nellie’s are not only leaving situations  of abuse, but of poverty and homelessness as well.   The Toronto Community Foundation reported in their 2010 Vital Signs report that “almost one quarter (23.4%) of children in female lone-parents families were living in poverty in 2008.”

As countless social service agencies around the city see their demand for services increase and their financial capacity to provide these services threatened by funding cuts, it is of utmost importance that the government we elect takes a serious and progressive stance on tackling poverty. 

Please check out http://25in5.ca  for more information on how you can get involved.  

Learning is a treasure

Posted on: September 9th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”                   Chinese Proverb

Christine Demetriades (left) and her co-workers at the Region of Peel organized a back-to-school drive for the children at Nellie’s.

For more information on our Back to School Campaign, click here.