Autumn/Winter 2011 (1.30mb, PDF)

Autumn 2010 / Winter 2011
FiveOSeven News
Centre 507 • Safe haven, stepping stone • Serving Ottawa’s disadvantaged since 1983
Housed in Centretown United Church • 507 Bank St., Ottawa K2P 1Z5 • 613-233-5626 • www.centre507.org
507
bulks
up
Katie Thorne, in-Centre support worker,
helps distribute much-needed supplies.
Extra space brings costs, benefits and dreams
Until recently, Centre 507 was like a teenage boy whose clothing hadn’t caught up to his growing
arms and legs. Over the years, Centre 507 has steadily increased staff and services – from life
skills to street outreach to rooming house support – with no extra space.
So this year, when several hundred more square feet became available on the same floor as the
centre, the board of directors didn’t hesitate to approve an expansion.
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…continued from page 1
Extra space brings costs, benefits and dreams
Tangible benefits
Staff are delighted to have enough space for meetings, private conversations with participants and storage. Three or
four staff members had previously shared a space that any
other office would have earmarked for one person. Participants were often reluctant to approach a staff member in
that cramped space because they didn’t want to interrupt or
have their concerns overheard.
When it came to storage, staff members “were like squirrels
with nuts,” says Caroline Ann Giekes, Centre 507’s manager. It took plenty of creativity for staff members to find a
spot for every juice box, granola bar, sleeping bag or pair
of mitts. But three or six months after squirreling this stuff
away, they couldn’t always find it without a spare hour and
a ladder. And God forbid if someone else had to find something when the person who stashed it was on vacation.
A large room in the new space is ideal for staff meetings,
workshops for groups of participants and board committee
meetings, among other uses. And each of the centre's programs finally has its own office.
Intangible benefits
But there’s more to this issue than having goods organized and
readily accessible or even a suitable meeting space. Caroline
Life Management
Skills Program STATs
One-on-one: almost 150 one-onone sessions involving about 80
people each month
Group sessions: 13 groups involving about 30 people
Stories
• Two participants are establishing
themselves as artists, in music
and photography
• Several participants are at various stages of entering the workforce
• A couple of participants who are
newly off the streets are beginning to take part in entry-level
programming
• Several participants are working
their way through treatment for
addictions, settling into housing
and taking advantage of the
money management program
feels the extra space has created a more professional environment for staff and boosted their morale. “Staff worked hard to
make the most of what they had,” Caroline says. “But this is
better…much better.”
Caroline is grateful to Centretown United Church for offering
the space to Centre 507: “It speaks to the value they attach to
what we do and to our relationship with the church.”
Planning and fundraising
Although the church provides both the new space and the
original space at far less than market value, the extra space
is bringing extra costs.
The honorarium the Centre 507 pays in lieu of rent has
more than doubled. Short-term expenses involve the basics
– paint, tables, chairs, desks, secure doors, telephones and
the like. The board has struck a task force to manage this
process and to look ahead to further improvements that
would allow the centre to provide more and better services
– from moving walls to expanding the kitchen.
“As the centre matures and grows, we think more and
more about issues like strategic planning and fundraising,”
Caroline says. “The extra space is inspiring us to dream of
the future and to consider the fundraising campaign we
would need to make it real.”
Front Lines 507
On our annual visit to a local beach, he told
staff that, at that moment, he “felt free.”
Safe Haven
For a participant who visits daily and gets
paid work experience, the centre is a great
place to connect with our staff and workers
representing Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program and housing agencies.
One participant’s application for the disability support program was accepted in record
time. He is now planning to move from a
rooming house to an apartment.
Out of Loneliness
Each year, the centre holds a few seasonal
outings to places such as a beach, Saunders
Farm and Upper Canada Village. It’s a great
way for participants to see something new
and enjoy a day.
Stepping Stone
One day, a newcomer to the centre volunteered to clean up garbage just to keep busy.
He then offered to do so regularly. When a
paid cleaning position for participants
became available, it was a great fit.
Self Starter
One relative newcomer to 507 is already:
• sorting donations twice a week
• soliciting and delivering day-old goods from
bakeries and hygiene supplies from salons,
barber shops and pharmacies
• distributing a wish list for donations, that he
helped create, to restaurants and businesses
• serving on the centre’s board of directors
and a committee
A Breath of Fresh Air
A longtime participant had a very difficult
year. Severe mental health issues led to hospitalization. And a fire destroyed his home.
Housing Stability
A participant living in a rooming house who
failed to pay his rent was facing immediate
eviction. Our Rooming House Tenant Support
worker helped him develop a repayment
schedule and a direct deposit arrangement.
He has now been living in the same place for
longer than ever before.
Out and About
Coffee talk sessions provide a welcome
diversion and a chance to open up with others. They inspired one participant to start a
bulletin board that highlights free or lowcost events, like visiting an art exhibit or
attending a community event.
Street Outreach by the Numbers
(approximate)
• 1000 different people served each year
• 5000 different interventions each year
• 4500 juice boxes distributed each year
• 4500 km covered since the team began
using bicycles
• 25 partner agencies
new lOgO and webSite FOr 507
The public face of Centre 507 became
even friendlier in 2010 with a new
logo and redesigned website. Getting
comprehensive, up-to-date information became easier too.
The logo illustrates the Centre 507’s
“Safe Haven, Stepping Stone” tag line,
with a stylized human figure representing our participants and lines suggesting protection and progress. The
notion of a hand up rather than a
simple handout is a big part of the
Centre 507’s raison d’être.
The website home page highlights the
faces of 507 regulars, from participants to volunteers. The website,
www.centre507.org, also includes a
video feature and links to participant
profiles, news, events, services, how to
help, and more.
The site builds on the strong foundation of the original site. The driving
centre 507’S
wiSH liSt
force behind that site was Phil Normand, a participant and former member of the board of directors. Phil still
serves as webmaster for the
new site, with the
new technology
allowing others to
share the task of
updating and
adding content.
abOrg:
lOcal Firm,
great Friend
The logo and web
site were both designed by ABORG
Computing, a local firm that also hosts
websites and develops e-commerce
applications. Centre 507’s website has
been hosted by ABORG at no charge
for several years.
Before the design work began, ABORG
took the time to learn about the centre’s services and needs. They designed
the logo for free and the website for
about half the normal fee. They are
truly great friends of Centre 507.
adding cOntent and
imprOving Signage
Now that the new
website and logo
are in place, the
focus is on
updating content
and adding the
capacity for online
donations. With
more news, stories
and stats, it will
be easier than ever
to connect with
our Centre 507
community.
A new project is to develop more
prominent outdoor signage, featuring
the new logo. The goal is to make
every person who drives, walks or
passes by on the bus take notice of
Centre 507, a place that has been
serving the part of town where they
live,work and play since 1983.
in addition to financial contributions
and the ongoing need for hygiene
supplies (disposable razors, shampoo,
toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant,
toilet paper, etc.), Centre 507’s wish
list includes:
• backpacks, duffle bags, cold weather gear
(long underwear, thermal shirts, etc.)
• can openers
• gently used running shoes
• gently used and new winter boots
• men’s clothing
• work boots, coveralls, tool belts (construction quality) — some of our guys
are finding work opportunities but don’t
have the necessary gear to get started
• Canadian tire money
• socks and underwear
• wet weather gear
• sleeping bags
• jam (it’s a luxury that we just aren’t
able to offer)
• flowers and plants to dress up our
centre
• first aid supplies
• volunteers to answer the phone,
organize donations, prepare soup,
complete repairs, cut hair, play board
games and chat with participants
centre 507: SaFe Haven, Stepping StOne
Centre 507 is a drop-in centre that is open to all who seek a safe,
friendly and supportive environment. Centre 507 participants are
members of our community who may be disadvantaged either economically or socially. Homelessness, mental illness, addictions,
health concerns, poverty, unstable housing, unemployment or loneliness are examples of issues faced by our participants.
Free services offered at Centre 507:
Supportive listening/counselling • Advocacy & referrals • Crisis intervention
• information on community resources • Community outreach workers from other
agencies • Life management skills program • Hot food, snacks, coffee • Clothing & toiletries • telephones • Computers • needle exchange • Foot care
• Sewing • Street outreach program • recreational events and special outings
• rooming house tenant support program • thanksgiving & Christmas luncheons
Thank you
How to support
to our funders and donors…
Centre 507 would like to thank the
numerous individuals who have made
financial contributions to our work.
Without these donations, many of our
services could not be offered. Out of
respect for privacy, we have not listed
names of individual donors — but please
know that individual donations are very
much appreciated and needed.
Centre 507 gratefully receives ongoing
funding from the City of Ottawa, the
United Church of Canada, and the
Ottawa Presbytery of the United Church
of Canada for the Day and Evening Program. Provincial Homelessness Initiatives funding supports the Street Outreach Program, and Homelessness Partnerships Initiative funds the Rooming
House Tenant Support Program and the
Life Management Skills Program.
We would also like to thank the following
congregations, groups and organizations
for their generous donations and contributions to the work of Centre 507 since
our last newsletter in October 2009:
ABORG Computing
Alteriors Contemporary Furniture
Amicus Vineyard Christian Community
Aunti Loo’s Treats
Aylwin Pastoral Charge, Low United Church
Barrhaven United Church
Bytown Travel
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Centretown Community Health Centre
Centretown Emergency Food Centre
Centretown United Church
Centretown United Church Book Group
Centretown United Church Women
City of Ottawa Councillor Diane Holmes
City View United Church
Community Foundation of Ottawa
Community of Christ — Ottawa Congregation
Dominion-Chalmers United Church
Emmanuel United Church
Fallowfield United Church
First United Church of Ottawa
The French Baker
The Glebe Emporium
Glebe–St. James United Church
Glen Cairn United Church
Knox United Church
MacKay United Church Children
McKay United Church
Merivale Quilters — Fallowfield/Merivale Pastoral Charge
Orleans United Church
Osgoode Baptist & Vernon United Church
Ottawa Alumni Association
Ottawa Food Bank
Ottawa Home Economics Association
Ottawa Presbytery, the United Church of Canada
Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch
Ottawa Shambhala Meditation Centre
Queenswood United Church
Queenswood United Church Men’s Club
Ragtime Vintage Clothing
Rebecca Chapter #14 O.E.S.
Richard Pfaff Secondary School
Rideau Park United Church Women
Riverside United Church
Rothwell United Church
The Second Cup @290 Bank Street
Shawville United Church
Southminster United Church
Saint Patrick’s Basilica
St. Paul’s United Church
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Stittsville United Church
TD Canada Trust
Trinity Ingleside and Newington United Churches
Trinity United Church
Trinity United Church Outreach Committee
United Church of Canada Mission and Service Fund
United Way campaign pledges
Vermulen Hind, Architects
Volunteer Ottawa
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Woodroffe United Church
Yes!
I would like to contribute to the work of Centre 507.
Please find enclosed my donation of :
❐ $25
❐ $50
❐ $100
❐ Other amount: $
Income tax receipts are provided for donations over $10. Please fill out the
following to receive a tax receipt:
Name:
Address:
City/town: Postal Code:
Telephone number:
(This information will not be sold or shared in any way.)
Please make your cheque payable to Centre 507.
Mailing address: Centre 507, 507 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1Z5
Tel: (613) 233-5626
Fax: (613) 233-5088
Website: www.centre507.orgEmail: centre507@ncf.ca
Registered charitable business number: 118848472RR0001
Centre 507
Please make a financial contribution
Cheques should be made payable to Centre 507. Income tax receipts are provided for donations over $10. Or make an
automatic monthly donation from your
bank account — please call 613-233-5656
for details.
Hire 507 Job Bank workers
507 Job Bank workers are available to
do odd jobs around your home or business. Contact Margaret at 613-233-5626.
Volunteer
From our board of directors to individuals
who volunteer to serve holiday luncheons, Centre 507 relies on volunteers.
This newsletter is written, edited and designed by
volunteers. Grateful acknowledgement is offered
to Chisholm Communications [chiscom.ca] for
layout and design work. Thanks also to the Public
Service Alliance of Canada Social Justice Fund
for funding the printing of 507 News. For more
information, contact Centre 507.
Des
ign & Elec
tro
nic Publishing
Centre 507 Staff
Susan Alcott, Joshua Bridges,
Gladys Clement, Paul Ferdinand,
Caroline Ann Giekes (Manager),
Margaret Johnson, Shea Kiely,
Daniel Lalonde, Richard LeBlanc,
Jordanna Marchand, Craig
Marsden, Laura Mullally, Regina
Rea, Melanie Savage, Darlene
Simard, Katie Thorne
Board Members
Matthew Bonsall, Paul Durber,
Roy Maddocks, Joe McKendy, John Patton,
Linda Pollock, Allan Porter, Henri Perron,
Kelly Ray, Ronald Scharfe, Ross Snyder
(Chair), George Teather, Geoffrey White,
Christine Williams
Participant Representatives on the Board
(Selected by Participants)
Gilbert Brooker, Jim Farewell,
George Upchurch
Ex Officio Members
Caroline Ann Giekes,
Rev. David Illman-White