RECENT NEWS

Below you will find recent news and developments at LOFT Community Services.

2017-2018 Report to the Community Now Available

June 27, 2018, Toronto.  Last evening, at Snell Hall, St. James Cathedral, in downtown Toronto, LOFT Community Services held is Annual General Meeting and celebrated the successes of its 2017-2018 operating year

Board Chair James Anok and CEO Heather McDonald provided a recap of the year and progress made with Strategic Plan 2020: Together We Will, LOFT’s strategic plan unveiled at last year’s AGM. The theme of this year’s AGM, Care Passionately, is one of the goals of the strategic plan. It relates specifically to the need to keep clients at the centre of the work at all times, and to ensure programs and services are designed to respond to change needs and ensure access to all.

The meeting highlighted the contribution of LOFT staff members, the heart and soul of the “Care Passionately” goal, and featured a panel discussion of staff from across the organization, moderated by a client.

LOFT also wished a fond farewell to long-board member Alan Rands. Alan has served on the LOFT board for three, three-year terms contributing to a wide range of issues over that time.

The Annual Report to the Community, released at the AGM, is now available. A .pdf version can be found on the LOFT website on the About Us tab. Printed copies are also available by request from the Development Office. Please contact Sania at sxara@loftcs.org, or call 416-979-1994, ext. 2033.

BLOOM Program Receives Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant

We are pleased to announce that LOFT has been awarded a grant of $42,600 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This grant will be used to renovate five washrooms in the LOFT-owned house that is now the BLOOM Transitional Gender Project, Toronto’s only  mental health housing space for trans people.

The BLOOM house is home for five trans individuals who have been homeless or precariously housed and living with mental health issues. Another 10 individuals who have joined the program either have housing through a partner agency, or are receiving support while they wait for housing. These housing partners are among the nearly twenty organizations from across the social services and health care continuum, who have joined together to for the BLOOM Partnership Network, ensuring trans people have safe and open access to a full range of services.

The goal of the program is to offer each individual the support and services they need in order to follow their personal journey of transition and successfully rejoin the community in their authentic gender.

New Seniors Housing Test Project Opens on White Squirrel Way

LOFT is providing specialized supportive housing services for older adults and seniors who need support in moving out of hospital at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The program is located in twelve housing units in one of CAMH’s new buildings on White Squirrel Way. This test project will assess the effectiveness of our specialized, intensive, one-on-one support model in helping residents to regain their confidence and re-learn life skills. People will live in LOFT’s White Squirrel Way location for three to six months after which they will be ready to move on to live independently with appropriate supports. The first two clients moved in on December 21 and were delighted to celebrate Christmas out of hospital and in a place of their own.

New LOFT Program receives City of Toronto 2017 Pride Award

On December 4, 2017, the City of Toronto Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards were presented at Toronto City Hall. The AEHR Awards recognize people who, or programs that, have made a difference in Toronto by reducing discrimination and barriers to equality.

LOFT was honoured to receive the 2017 Pride Award for LBGTQ and Two-Spirit Issues presented in recognition of the new BLOOM transitional gender program, launched in June of this year.

BLOOM is an innovative and ground-breaking housing program and networking group supporting trans people – statistically one of the most marginalized and oppressed populations.

LOFT Support Worker Named a Canadian “Difference Maker”

To celebrate Canada 150, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, based in Toronto, has identified 150 people from across Canada who have made a difference in mental health. The 3700 nominees included people with lived experience, caregivers, family members, health professionals, researchers, advocates and philanthropists.

One of these Difference Makers is Shawn Pendenque. Shawn’s path has taken him from a street involved youth, to a period of residence at LOFT’s Beverley Lodge, to graduate in social work and pursue a very successful music career. When a psychotic episode in 2010 left him hospitalized, unemployed and involved with the justice system, he returned to LOFT once again as a client.

Now he is a LOFT staff member working with youth, and leading system change as an organizer and presenter at the Toronto Diversity and Mental Health Conference. His work reflects his belief that “hope has no age, race, sexuality, or class.” Shawn in using the huge changes he has navigated in his own life to help change the lives of others.

Shawn shares this honour with such well-known Canadians as The Hon. Seamus O’Regan, Dr. Gabor Mate, Clara Hughes and Michael Landsberg, and 145 others from all walks of life, who are making a difference in mental health in Canada.

CEO Terry McCullum, Board Chair James Anok and incoming CEO Heather McDonald.

It is with mixed emotions that the Board of Directors of LOFT Community Services announces the upcoming retirement of CEO Terry McCullum on December 31^st, 2017.

For the past 35 years, Terry has led the organization through remarkable growth, overseeing the agency as it evolved from a few supportive housing programs to a multitude of community services.  He provided leadership for LOFT to successfully grow and meet community needs. The current large and diverse range of supportive housing options and innovative community support services for people living with complex mental health, addictions, cognitive and physical health challenges, are prime examples of this significant growth.

In June, Terry informed the Board of his plan to retire and it undertook a formal process to select his successor.

The Board is pleased to announce that Senior Director Heather McDonald will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective November 1, 2017, and will transition into the new job over the Fall. Terry will provide his direct support until his retirement and he will play a special advisory role with LOFT until our AGM in the Spring of 2018.

“Great leaders inspire excellence in organizations and their people. LOFT is certainly a reflection of what a great leader Terry is.” said James Anok, Chair of the Board. “Being able to achieve unparalleled growth in our sector, successfully work collaboratively with an array of agencies and governments, and always maintain compassion for the people we serve, Terry leaves LOFT with an incredibly strong foundation. As we close one chapter and embark on another, the Board and I warmly welcome Heather to her new role.”

From the beginning, Terry has embodied LOFT’s mission of “unwavering support and hope”. He has been a tireless advocate of the needs of the people LOFT serves. He long championed integrated and coordinated services across the health care system, building a community organization of unsurpassed quality of client care delivered by an exceptional staff team.

“The voice of those we serve has always inspired me and encouraged me to keep at it, to take risks to create new programs, to meet incredible needs, to innovate, to collaborate, and to cross service and bureaucratic boundaries”, says Terry, “It has been an honor to be part of this journey with LOFT.

Heather McDonald has been a senior leader at LOFT for 11 years, playing significant roles in local and provincial health initiatives. Heather holds a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and worked previously in the fields of addiction, primary care and mediation. She was recently recognized with a North American ‘Heart of Social Work’ award for her leadership in field education.

“I am looking forward to working with our clients, staff, community partners, funders, and donors to build on Terry’s legacy,” said Heather. “LOFT’s work is more important than ever as we face an increasing number of seniors in crisis, a serious lack of supportive housing, the expanding role of technology in health care, and the need to serve diverse populations outside of hospitals. LOFT is up for the challenge and opportunity the future holds.”

If you have any questions about this announcement, please contact Velvet Melanson at vmelanson@loftcs.org.

Sincerely,

James Anok
Board Chair
LOFT Community Services

LOFT Community Services 2016/17 Annual General Meeting

We cordially invite you to join us at our AGM and special presentation.

This year’s presentation is titled:

“Together We Will”
The presentation will be a stakeholder panel responding to LOFT’s new Strategic Plan 2020

Tuesday, June 27, 2017
St. James Cathedral Centre
Snell Hall
65 Church Street

Brief Annual General Business Meeting
6:30pm – 7:30pm (attendance optional)

7:00pm – 7:30pm
Social time with light refreshments

7:30pm – 8:30pm
Celebration of the past year’s accomplishments & special presentation

If you would like to attend, please RSVP by Friday, June 23, 2017 to Amy at 416-979-1994 ext. 233 or by email to atran@loftcs.org.

416 Community Support for Women to Integrate with LOFT Community Services

Announcement to all of our partners, collaborators and supporters…

Integration of 416 with LOFT Community Services

Dear Valued Stakeholder/Partner,

We would like to update you on plans to integrate 416 Community Services for Women with LOFT Community Services.

Last week the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network approved our integration plans. We are moving actively now to complete this integration by April 1. By building on our aligned values, our goal is to improve and expand programs and services for all of our clients. Our aim is to be able to sustain and grow what 416 has been so successful in building and integrate its work within a broader range of services serving at risk people in our community.

With this integration, we do not anticipate any disruption to current programs and services.

Thank you again for your ongoing support. It is much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Terry McCullum, CEO
LOFT Community Services

LOFT part of a New Helpline for Seniors and their Caregivers

Crisis Outreach Services for Seniors, or COSS, a partnership of LOFT and our colleagues at Reconnect Community Health Services and Woodgreen  Community Services, is one of a number of services available through the New Toronto Seniors Helpline.

As the attached media release says, “A senior or their caregiver shouldn’t have to figure out which agency to contact for the help they need.”

The Helpline provides a single phone number where staff can assist callers in gaining access to a full range of services for seniors.

Toronto Seniors Helpline: 416-217-2077

Read the full media release. Click Here.

416 Community Support for Women to Integrate with LOFT Community Services

Announcement to all of our partners, collaborators and supporters…

Dear Valued Stakeholder/Partner,

We would like to inform you of an important and exciting change aimed at improving our services to those most in need. Over the coming months, 416 and LOFT, with support from the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network, will be undergoing a planning process for an integration of 416’s programs, services and staff into LOFT Community Services. The integration is targeted for April 1st, 2017.

416 is a long-standing and much-respected provider of addiction and mental health support services for women. LOFT Community Services is also a well-respected provider of addiction and mental health services to a wide range of youth, adults and seniors with complex challenges. By building on our aligned values, our goal is to improve and expand programs and services for all of our clients. Our aim is to be able to sustain and grow what 416 has been so successful in building and integrate its work within a broader range of services serving at risk people in our community.

We are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition. Throughout the merger process, we do not anticipate any disruption to current programs and services.

LOFT stands for “Leap of Faith Together”. On behalf of both organizations, including our Boards of Directors and staff, we are looking forward to taking this leap of faith together and hope we can include you in the excitement of this potential.

We will provide updates on our progress. Please do not hesitate to contact Heather McDonald at 416-259-5995 or email at hmcdonald@loftcs.org if you have any comments or questions.

Sincerely,

Rhona Zitney, Chair, 416 Board of Directors                James Anok, Chair, LOFT Board of Directors

cc. 416 Board of Directors, LOFT Board of Directors, Toronto Central LHIN

The Central Local Health Integration Network in partnership with the City of Toronto are working to better understand the needs and gaps related to health care services in North York West planning area (see map in link). The objectives of the initiative are:

• To develop long-term solutions for the gaps in health care services in North York West planning area.
• To gather information to inform recommendations to improve equitable access to health care services for residents living in the North York West planning area.
• To gather information that can be disseminated to health service providers that serve the North York West planning area to better inform future planning and service delivery.

TAKE SURVEY: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NYW_CLHIN

Purpose of the Survey
To obtain input and perspectives from the residents and users of health care services living in the North York West planning area on their preferred location for healthcare services and models of health care service delivery.If you have any questions or concerns in regards to completing the survey, please contact, Christelle Bony Christelle.bony@lhins.on.ca or 905-948-1872, ext.224

Note that the survey will close at 12noon on Monday August 8, 2016.

LOFT has participated in launching a collaborative YouthCan IMPACT project to serve youth requiring mental health support

Staff from LOFT and CAMH at the YouthCan IMPACT launch on June 14, 2016

LOFT is very excited to be part of YouthCan IMPACT – a collaborative project focusing on bringing more accessible services to youth seeking mental health support. On June 14, 2016, the project was officially launched by CAMH with the first clinic for youth opened in Scarborough.

Three community-based clinics will be located at:
- Scarborough’s East Metro Youth Services (Markham Rd & Ellesmere Rd) NOW OPEN
- Delisle Youth Services (Yonge & Eglinton) Opening in July
- South East Toronto Family Health Team (Danforth & Woodbine) Opening in July

Partners include CAMH – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network – prev TEGH, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, East Metro Youth Services, Delisle Youth Services and Sashbearorg.

The situation with mental health and addiction disorders among young people is alarming – as many as 20 per cent youth require support. Yet as few as one in six youth affected by mental health issues will access appropriate support. 

LOFT youth workers know firsthand why young people do not access the mainstream services. Some of the reasons include need in referrals, long wait lists, unwelcoming clinical environments and lack of service coordination. There is also a gap between children mental health services and adult services. When young people need help, they need it now from the people they trust and they need support to navigate the system and address their other pressing needs, such as housing or physical health needs.

LOFT has an extensive experience in helping young people address these issues through its Transitional Age Youth Program. Now this experience will be fully utilized in the YouthCan IMPACT project.

Clinics in the project will serve youth, aged 14-25, with mental health and addiction challenges. Community-based walk-in clinics will open their doors to offer individual and group therapy, peer support, system navigation, internet-based support, addiction treatment groups and onsite psychiatric services.

LOFT staff will act as care navigators, helping young people and their families access all services they need. We will focus on linking transitional age young people to adult services. LOFT will also provide peer support, accompany youth to appointments and provide 24/7 crisis support through texting and by phone.

“The work LOFT will do in this project is very similar to care coordination and community support we already provide. The project is very important for us to learn more about family support and the younger age group”, says Heather McDonald, LOFT Director of Adult & Youth Services.

While the first step in the YouthCan IMPACT project is to implement and evaluate Toronto-based services, the team hopes the new model can be replicated in other communities, improving access across the mental health system.

To learn about the project, go to http://bit.ly/1thqQa9 and http://bit.ly/1UssUGd

LOFT receives a $1,500 seed grant from the Junior League of Toronto

The Junior League of Toronto’s Seed Grant Program helps non-profit organizations start
innovative short and long term projects benefiting the Greater Toronto community. We are grateful for their support of LOFT Youth Art Therapy program at Ingles Housing and Support Services. The program helps young women with mental health and addiction issues. It promotes recovery and gives youth a positive, creative environment to share their feelings and thoughts that would be otherwise difficult to articulate.

The cheque presentation ceremony took place on June 1, 2016. Melissa Ostrosser, VP of Community and Outreach at JLT Toronto, and Chelsea Brown, past VP of Community and Outreach at JLT Toronto, presented the cheque to Jim Nason Director, LOFT Director of Operations and Heather McDonald, LOFT Director of Adult & Youth Services.

Thank you to the Junior League of Toronto for your support!

The Junior League of Toronto unites about 400 women volunteers in Toronto and promotes voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  For more information about JLT, please visit their website at www.jlt.org. 

LOFT is very pleased to announce that our CEO, Terry McCullum has been honoured by Addictions and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO) as the 2016 recipient of the President’s Shield Award.

The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in the field of mental health and addiction treatments by:

• Proactively identifying novel and creative ways to improve upon processes or service delivery;
• Implementing change in a positive manner and striving to ensure its success;
• Building strong relationships that support a high level of trust and credibility;
• Leading with behaviours reflecting equity, diversity and inclusion; and
• Providing outstanding contributions to the field of mental health and addictions.

Congratulations, Terry! We think you tick all the boxes!

AMHO is a recognized authority on mental health and addiction issues in Ontario. Representing 290 mental health and addictions service and support agencies across Ontario, AMHO is dedicated to advancing the quality of care and services accessible to individuals.

The award was presented at their 2016 Conference on Monday, May 30, 2016.

McEwan Housing and Support Services’ 25th Anniversary

On May 10, McEwan Housing and Support Services celebrated its 25^th Anniversary: “Home and Journey” at The 519 centre. There were more than 150 guests, including members (as we call McEwan service users), staff, community members, representatives of partner organizations and media.

Artwork by George MacIntyre

Guests were offered awareness ribbons and tasty refreshments. They had an opportunity to write warm wishes to McEwan on a poster-size reproduction of the McEwan House painting by the well-known artist and McEwan member George McIntyre. Guests were also invited to express their feelings on patches of fabric for a ‘community patchwork tapestry’; and learn about McEwan from staff, posters and photo collages depicting its members. 

The celebration started with a piano piece by Daniel Awash. Next was an awe-inspiring aboriginal smudging ceremony performed by Ed Bennett from the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network with the assistance by McEwan member Tonie Walsh. There were also stunning performances by a steel drummer Avin Shahs; “World’s Oldest Drag Queen” Michelle DuBarry; renowned singer/songwriter Billy Newton-Davis; Burmese dancer and member Mar Mar, and a spoken word artist Joseph Foley.

There were speeches by LOFT CEO Terry McCullum, The Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TC LHIN) CEO Susan Fitzpatrick, and LOFT Director of Operations Jim Nason. The speakers talked about the leading role of McEwan Housing and Support Services in helping people living with HIV or AIDS, who have mental health or addiction issues or both, and are homeless or at risk of becoming so. It was emphasized that McEwan has always been a leader in North America in developing and sustaining comprehensive long-term care that makes a real difference in lives of its members.

Susan Fitzpatrick talked about the important role of McEwan and LOFT as a LHIN community partner, which tailors its program to the needs of service users, contributing to better access to services, better navigation of support systems and – in the long run – to healthier communities. The speeches of Terry McCullum and Jim Nason were often emotional, reminiscing about the early history of McEwan, its dedicated staff and strong-willed members. Guests also watched an inspiring video by Ryan Kerr featuring McEwan members and staff talking about their personal journeys and what McEwan really means to them.

Heather McDonald, LOFT Director of Adult and Youth Services led the song “Lean on Me”, and guests had the opportunity to sing along. Heather warmly congratulated McEwan Program Director Kay Roesslein on her 23rd work anniversary at McEwan. Thank you Kay, for your long-term excellent service, dedication and your care for all the people you help!

Thanks to all guests, donors, volunteers and partners who contributed to the successes of McEwan and its members over 25 years. Happy anniversary, McEwan!

Thanks snapd Village for some of the shots below. 

Volunteer Appreciation Event 2016

On Tuesday, May 2, 45 volunteers gathered in a spacious dining room of LOFT’s supportive residence St. Anne’s Place, for the annual Volunteer Appreciation Event.  The volunteers were greeted by the Chair of LOFT’s Board James Anok, CEO Terry McCullum and Director of Development Jane Corbett. It was emphasized in the welcome speeches that our volunteers are the life blood of our organization. It is our devoted volunteers, who allow us to accomplish far more than our staff alone can do.  Volunteers are crucial in so many aspect of LOFT work – from helping our program continue high level services to assisting with administrative tasks. There were volunteers present with a spectrum of experiences and backgrounds, from students and recent graduates, to senior clients.

Participants enjoyed delicious refreshments prepared by the wonderful Food Services team at St. Anne’s, as well as home-made cookies and a cake prepared by a talented volunteer. There were also table prizes, certificates of recognition for all volunteers and opportunities to chat with peers, Board members and staff.

“Just like roots are essential for trees to bloom, volunteers are essential for communities to bloom,” expressed James Anok, “Thanks to volunteers, our communities grow strong and resilient. Even the tiniest volunteer effort leaves a profound and lasting trace in a community, much like tree rings that appear over time.”

On behalf of the Board, staff and our clients, we’d like to extend our sincerest thank you to all amazing people who volunteered almost 13,000 hours of their time and talents last fiscal year and contributed to the successes of LOFT and the vulnerable clients we serve.

If you are interested in volunteering at LOFT, please contact Amy Tran, Development Coordinator, at ATran@loftcs.org, 416-979-1994 ext. 233.

National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, 2016

“Volunteers are the root of strong communities.”

LOFT Community Services is celebrating National Volunteer Week this week!

Every year, volunteers at LOFT contribute 12,000 hours worth of time, energy and effort into our programs and events. While we can measure the hours they put in, their impact is immeasurable. Thank you so much!

———

Below is a profile on one of our volunteers, Gillian.

Volunteer Profile – Gillian Coyles

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have recently completed my master’s degree in disaster and emergency management at York University. Throughout my studies I became aware of the need for community development and social capital in order to promote resiliency. This is something that I took interest in, and wish to become further involved with in the future.

I am passionate about social justice and equity initiatives and community movements. I can also talk ad nauseam about dogs and basketball, not necessarily at the same time though.

What do you do at LOFT?
At LOFT I help out the Development Team in any way I can. I spend most of my time working in the Raiser’s Edge database and completing administrative tasks.

Why LOFT? How did you hear about us?
My mother is in the non-profit field and suggested LOFT as a good place to volunteer. I wished to gain a working knowledge of the Raiser’s Edge fundraising software and experience within a community service organization, and LOFT was kind enough to offer me this opportunity.

I admire LOFT’s dedication to a diverse range of age demographics within their programs. Specifically, I believe community-based supportive housing for vulnerable seniors in the GTA is incredibly important.

Why do you volunteer?
I volunteer because I believe that it is important to help out in my community in any way that I can. I find happiness in donating my time and energy to worthwhile causes, like LOFT’s.

To learn more about how you can become a volunteer contact Amy Tran, Development Coordinator ATran@loftcs.org, 416-979-1994 ext. 233.

LOFT Awarded 2nd Three-Year CARF Accreditation

Toronto, Ontario — February 25, 2016 — CARF International has announced that  LOFT Community Services has been accredited for a period of three years for its programs providing the following services:  Behavioural Consultation Services, Community Housing: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults), Community Housing: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Children and Adolescents), Community Integration: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults) and Supported Living: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults). (Note that CARF includes both adults and seniors under the heading of “adults”). This is the second consecutive Three-Year Accreditation that the international accrediting body, CARF, has awarded to LOFT.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.

LOFT Community Services is a registered charity with offices at 15 Toronto Street, 9^th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2E3. It has been providing these programs in the Toronto, York Region and South Simcoe County area since 1953.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org.

For additional information, contact LOFT CEO Terry McCullum at 416-979-1994, x 223.