Family Service Toronto

Topic: Family and Poverty

Group member ： Ke Wang, Yingying Pan, Maria Christine

Mendoza, Yuan Wang, Kellie Downing, Yan Wen Shi.

Animoto

LocationsThere are several

locations in GTA.

The main office is located at Downtown, Toronto.

Our group went:Scarborough :747

Warden AvenuePhone number: 416-

7555-565

HistoryAlmost 100 years of Service

FST started as the Neighbourhood Workers Association (NWA) in 1914.

Why? The growing levels of poverty faced many families in the city.

2008 the name is changed to Family Service Toronto

Original purpose: severed as umbrella organization, bring churches and other charitable organization to relief to families in need.

FST’s GoalThe goal of FST Counselling service is:

Help people find better communication skills,

Explore their strengths and weaknessHelp them find resources to solve their

problems and give a wide range of information.

You can receive counseling in a numerous amount of ways such as; online, by phone, brief counseling (6 sessions), single sessions consultations, or on-going counseling. 

Clients10,000 people/year get help through

Changing lives and Family Violence. (Scarborough location)

Is there a waiting list?There is a year long wait list for general

counselling0 to 1 month for Violence Against Women

Counselling6 months or more for seniors programWho can get support?anyone who lives in Toronto or works in

Toronto.

FundingSources of Revenue 2011-2012 Amount in

DollarsPercentage

Government Revenues for Community programs

5,365,928 25.7%

Government and partner Agency Revenues for Client Purchase of Service

7,014,122 33.6%

Earned Income (95% Employee Assistance Programs & Integrated Workplace Solutions; 5% individual client fees)

3,968,689 19.1%

United Way 3,721,897 17.9%

Donations and Non-Government Grants 606,970 2.9%

Investment Income and Other Income 172,545 0.8%

TOTAL 20,850,151 100%

Services FST Offer:There are many services that FST is

offering.

The most common one is Counselling. You can get other services through Counselling.

There are three part Programs and ServicesChanging livesFamily Violence (VAW)Building Inclusive Communities

FST’s ExpertiseAbuse and Violence

Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma

Coming out

Bereavement

Separation or Divorce

Remarriage

Depression and stress

HIV/AIDS

Intellectual Disabilities

Parenting Issues

Relationships

Seniors Issues and Caregiver Stress

Sexual Orientation

Circumstances That Leads to Choosing FST

There are many reasons.

Any issues related to individuals.Housing, Poverty,Abuse, New Immigration,Unemployment (with stress)Child with Special Needs.

Poverty to FSTThe poverty issues always related to other

issues. It never just poverty.

People who end up with Poverty can have many circumstances.AbusedDisabilitiesMental issuesLost of incomeHomelessStress out

PovertyPoverty is “People have no

income left after every expenses or no income at all.”

Lower than $25,000 annually is considered as living in poverty in Toronto.

Depends on the situation may define Poverty differently.

What Can FST Do For You? How can FST help?

Counselling, to identify the problem 1st.WorkshopPlan, based on individual issuesProvide resources and services based on the issue. If only can’t find a job, FST may not be the best

choice.

FST can help people solve personal issues or family issues.

FST can provide useful information that you may not know.Pensions for special needs child(ren). (get on wheel

trans, no age limits)Provide programs/services that will help you cope

with your issues.

Are The Services Free?Most of them are free

Violence Against Women (Free)

Seniors and Caregivers (Free)

General Counselling (depends on your income.$ 0-110)

Some of them are cost, most of them are free.

How Can ECE Refer FST?If the parents need food, referral food

bank

If the parents need find job, referral Employment services.

Referral parents when they live in poverty and also have issues about how to dealing with their child, or have other family relation issues.

There are different language services.

Through Website, doctor offices.