st.fleix centre 2015 annual report

Annual Report 2015St.Felix Centre

"For everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

2 St. Felix Centre | Annual Report | www.stfelixcentre.ca

Please save the date! Our traditional fundraising dinner run by the Board of Directors For the Love of Lobster

will be held on

May 12, 2016Last year we raised $77,511. We thank all who supported us and hope to see you all this year!

Proceeds from this event help to support people experiencing homelessness, low incomes, recent immigrants, children and families.

www.stfelixcentre.ca | Annual Report | St. Felix Centre 3

Governance Team

Message from ourPresident

This past year at St. Felix Social Ministries Outreach hascertainly seen its share of change and transition.

Beginning with the resignation of past Executive Director Paddy Bowen in August 2014, if anything has been a constant, it has been change. While the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors diligently searched for a permanent director, the ministries at 25 Augusta Avenue were capably tended to by the dedicated Transition Leadership Team comprised of senior staff members Iris Bartraw, Gill

Middleton and Tatyana Parfenyuk. These three pillars of St. Felix Centre not only kept the ship afloat, but admirably moved it forward. One of their most challenging projects was the Extreme Cold Weather Alert Program which called for the doors of the Centre to remain openaround the clock for the homeless for 43 days in January and February 2015. A warm place to sleep and hot meals were provided with respect and dignity by the entire staff of the Centre and its many volunteers.

Change continued with the appointment of Ryan Tucker in March 2015 to fill the position of Executive Director. Ryan came to St. Felix with 15 years of experience in leadership in the not-for-profit sector most recently at Dixon Hall Neighborhood Services as Department Director. He has proven to be a team player and an innovative leader and has committed to put compassion, care and

community building at the forefront of his service at St. Felix Centre. The Board of Directors welcomes Ryan and wishes him the very best as we all continue to work together to serve the needs of the neediest of God’s people!We are happy to be able to report that our ministry finished the year in a favorable financial position – most especially because that provides St. Felix Social Outreach Ministries with the resources it needs to continue the mission of the Felician Franciscan Sisters:

"Serve where you are needed."

Sister FrancescaPresident, Board of Directors


A Word from the Executive Director

It took just one visit... ...to St. Felix Centre to feel immediately drawn to the sense of community that exists within the Centre

I saw a Community Centre that belonged to the community. An extraordinary place where each person's gifts, abilities, skills and aspirations are recognized, and where individual needs are eagerly met and addressed with a level of dignity and compassion that truly sets the Centre apart from others.

However St. Felix Centre is not just a place to receive help, but it is also a place where individuals are empowered to help themselves. This is what community is all about; acceptance that we are all different from one another and understanding that we all have something important to contribute.

Of course, it takes an incredible group of people to create a place like St. Felix Centre, which began with the work of the Felician Sisters here at 25 Augusta Avenue so many years ago and has thankfully continued under the charisma of the Sisters. We are truly blessed to have such amazing volunteers here at St. Felix Centre, who work tirelessly to support every facet of the Centre -including our Board of Directors at the leadership level. We also have an extraordinarily dedicated staff team at St. Felix Centre, many of whom began as volunteers themselves within the Centre.

I am incredibly honoured to have joined this team and to be part of a place that understands the true meaning of community service and puts it to practice each and every day.

As Fall approached...

I bid all at St Felix Centre a fond farewell. Some of you may think I am trying to escape your vicious winters but believe me I would take your weather anytime over the British sort.

It has been quite a journey for me since coming to volunteer in the kitchen in the fall of 2013 but for sure, see I even can speak the lingo, it has been an amazing journey and one I will never forget. It has included being a volunteer to being part of the interim leadership team and my main role as Case Manager of St Felix House. In all my roles it has been a privilege to work alongside so many different individuals from our guests, staff, volunteers and Sisters and I hope that I have been able to contribute to all in some way.

So a vast Ocean may separate us physically but I know I will always remember my time at St Felix Centre and the people I met along the way. I hope you all are able to follow a path that you wish for yourselves.

With warmest wishes, Gill Middleton

Ryan TuckerExecutive Director


During my 20 years of being involved with St.Felix Centre, I have seen many changes.

We had a lunch program with an attendance of 40 to 45 meals served on a daily basis with a to-tal of 800 to 850 meals per month. The two additional programs which were offered later were the After School Program and Head Start Program. This year we provide more than a dozen programs to our over 1700 guests who have registered with us. This does not include the attendance of other programs such as the After School, Math Tutoring and Youth Drop-In. Today we provide more than 4000 meals and snacks on a monthly basis. That is a total of about 48000 yearly. This would not be possible without the help from our amazing donors and our 600 volunteers. So many lives have touched by the help and support from St. Felix Centre. This would not be possible without your continued support.

God bless,Iris BartrawDirector, Services

Mission Integration

Autumn is perfect... ...to reflect on the reality of change in our lives.

The vibrant green of summer gives way to the red, yellow, and orange of autumn and, finally, to the grey and white of winter. This mirrors a constant pattern in our lives of growth, change, and letting go to make room for something new to emerge. It is not always an easy way to live. Sometimes, we feel disoriented by the changes around us and want to move back to safety of past, even though we know that is not possible. Autumn teaches us to be constantly open, listening to call to new ventures. At St. Felix Ministries, one of our most challenging core values is that of Transformation. This value demands that we go against our instinct for comfort and safety by taking risks. We need to let go of having the answers, of familiar people and ways of doing things, when we are called to do so. Although most of us like order

and predictability, transformation asks us to be O.K. with messiness and unfinished-ness. We are called by God to the mystery of not knowing how things will be and to be faithful in the unknowing. Transformation, however, does not mean giving up our most foundational cornerstone. The mission of St. Felix – to alleviate the effects of poverty by providing a place of care, compassion, and community that attends especially to the spiritual needs of the human person – is constant. Transforma-tion also does not mean changing the message we strive to communicate in all we do: that God’s love and mercy persists and that each person is a beloved and dignified child of Infinite Love. The past year has been one of change in some aspects of the ministry and personnel at St. Felix. It has been challenging but rewarding to work through these changes. We continue to be open to newness. We are willing to be transformed because we trust that God leads us on.

Let us rejoice in that confidence and move boldly forward.

Sister ShelleyMission Leader


What's New

Brian HarrisDirector, Programs

The Extreme Cold Weather Alert Program is part of a partnership with the City of Toronto. This program allows St Felix Centre to provide 24 hour services to the most vulnerable people in our community when an extreme cold weather alert has been issued.

During the Extreme Cold Weather Alert Program we faced many new challenges. Since for the first time we operated on a 24 hour schedule, we had to recruit a large group of relief workers and create a whole new approach to how we used our space. On average we would have between 50-60 guests staying overnight on each cold weather alert and these people came to us with many more challenges than our typical

participants. As the winter dragged on we were starting to wonder whether spring might ever come back but eventually the ice and snow melted and the program came to an end. What we began to notice however was the people who had come for the cold weather program whom we had not known previously, were still attending St Felix Centre, day in and day out. I believe that thisreflects the fact that our approach to this new program was informed directly from our core values and that this resonated with the new faces we saw and people we met. This did create new challenges as the number of people attending services maintain a much higher level than we had previously had

on a continuous basis however this allowed us to continue to build relationships and find solutions for those most marginalized of our community. We definitely owe a great debt to the City of Toronto and the staff who worked with us, not only for the funding that made the program possible but for the continued support and believe in our abilities to deliver these services effectively. We are looking forward to another winter of service provision and developing relations with the hardworking staff from the City of Toronto and all the other relevant community partners, but mostly with the guests who we serve each day.

ECWAExtreme Cold Weather Alert Program


Peer Support ProgramStarting in 2015, St. Felix Centre received support from the St. Francis Fund to begin programming focused around the Peer Support model.

We recognize that many of our members all have something interesting and valuable that they could share with us as well as the community at large. We also see the value in engaging members of the community as teachers, participants, leaders and helpers to strengthen the sense of community and to foster self-growth; perhaps with some of these roles leading towardsfurther employment. We have four programs that have been operating through the fiscal year, and are excited to introduce them to you!

Wellness Peer Support Group was an informal peer-driven group wherein members could come to discuss matters that were of the utmost importance to themselves and their mental health, and had a focus on group problem solving, which strengthened grouprelationships and trust.

Every Thursday morning, we run sessions of Kundalini Yoga - which has been known to strengthen the body and mind through a mix of meditation and yoga. We welcome

all ladies of all physical abilities to our quiet, bright and warm upstairs space to relax and work on feelings of mental and physical wellness!

On Wednesday afternoon, we host a Creative Writing session meant to exercise and expand our minds – the topic could be anything from Green Martian for President to Angels in the Outfield!

Our biggest venture to date is our Trash to Treasures, located in our newly flipped garage-workshop space. We hope to transfer carpentry skills to participants as they take pieces of furniture and make them look brand new, or build items from scratch, Every Thursday afternoon! Painting, sanding, learning the use of power tools, and of course –customization! We hope to continue to produce truly unique works of art as well as participants gaining transferable and employable skills along the way! Amy BeckwithManager, SFH & Peer Support Programs

What's New


A day at St. Felix Centre

Morning Cafe

Lunch Program

Computer Program

Clothing Bank

Math tutoring

Community Dinner Program After School Program


A day at St. Felix Centre

Volunteering

St.Felix Centre Transitional Housing Program

Youth Drop-in Program

Welcome to St.Felix Centre

" People can only live fully by

helping others to live."

(Daisaku Ikeda)


Programs & Services

Looking back...

St. Felix House14 women resided in and

received individual support.

Meal Programs40,000 meals were provided to

over 1,700 guests.

Adult Drop InWe had over 4,000 visits.

Clothing BankWe had over 1,700 visits.

After School Program35 children were engaged in

600hrs of pro social activities.

Math Tutoring9 volunteer tutors supported 18 children engaged in one-to-one.

Youth Drop InWe had over 900 visits.

Computer Coaching200 guests participated in this

volunteer led program.

Social Support Services100 guests were able to receive

one-to-one assistance.

Peer Support Programs82 guests engaged in the first four

months of the program.

ECWA ProgramNov. 2015 - Apr. 2014, 2,000 visits.

Volunteer Program600 volunteers committed over

56,679 hours this year.


In Memoriam

Tribute to Emma FedererEmma's Reading Room

Emma was one of those people who sparkled with a very particular kind of energy. She was only fourteen. She and three friends came to St. Felix Centre, in order to complete a project forschool (Bishop Strachan School). Emma didn't just ask questions, she wanted to know, and withevery answer about the children, our programs, our goals for the future - and about what webelieve and how we operate - she got more and more excited. Her enthusiasm was palpable, andcatching.

Emma was so interested in everything the Centre did, she and her friends Amanda, Nicole andOlivia organized a yard and bake sale, raising over $1,000. They were determined to help St.Felix Centre get our new youth leadership program underway - and they did. Emma was full ofplans, and wonderfully committed to St. Felix Centre, the children in particular, that it touched us all.

In memory of Emma her family helped us build a small library at St. Felix Centre in Emma's name. 'Emma's Reading Room' is acozy place for children and young adults to read books listen to music, or just curl up and be safe.

This year, to show our gratitude for all that Emma gave to St. Felix Centre, we have renovatedEmma’s Reading Room - which has included the introduction of four new computer stations that will allow us to begin computer classes for children who are participating in the After School Program.

Emma’s Reading Room remains as Emma's legacy here at St. Felix Centre, and we are remindedwhen we see her wonderful smile in the Reading Room of how blessed we have been to haveknown and celebrated Emma.


Board & Staff

Board of Directors2014-2015

Sister Mary Francesca BuczkowskiWilliam Broughton Rob Dolan Linda Shick Richard Salmon Sister Mary Ann Olekszyk William Hall Sharron Mollenhauer Sister Sharon Marie Dombrowski Jolanta MalickiMichelle Way

StaffIn this picture: Ryan TuckerSean TweedyShahnaz Khan Enrique Cochegrus Iris BartrawAmy BeckwithKeliann LewisLorrieann GayleBrian HarrisTatyana Parfenyuk Abigail EdwardsJulie Springer

Not pictured: Pung Foo LowMarcia GreenTyrone MoeMarc Sahagun


Volunteers

Thank you our many Volunteers!Last year over 600 volunteers donated their time and efforts to our programs.

A Special Thank You For Our Brand New Look!We would like to say a very special thank you to Krystyna Powell, President of Orphan Design Group, who voluntarily undertook the enormous project of rebuilding and redesigning St. Felix Centre's website this year, as well as our 2015 Annual Report!

With a fresh and dynamic new look, St. Felix Centre's website is now able to reach a greater audience, includes mobile integration, is more easily managed by our staff team and is helping to significantly raise the profile of the important work that we do. Krystyna says she is excited to see the website and the Centre continue to grow. Thank you Krystyna for contributing your amazing talents to St. Felix Centre!

Please check out our new website! www.stfelixcentre.ca


2015 Recognition List

Felician Sisters of North America Felician Services Inc. A.J. McKechnie & Bill Broughton Altus Group Limited Andrea Federer & E&G Odette Foundation Andrew Zarebski Angel Foundation Anne & Neil Conway Aird & Berlis LLP - T. Foran, R. Dolan Avison Young Cadillac Fairview Canadian Partnership against Cancer Corp. Cardinal’s Dinner Fund Catherine McGrath Catholic Charities Catholic Girls’ School of Greater Toronto CI Investments Chair-man Mills City of Toronto Daily Bread & Sue Cox Fund David & Faye Podruzny Daphne Shick Delta Toronto Hotel Derick Brenninkmeyer Foundation Dream Office REIT Ed Harris Elaine Vacheresse

Fidelity Investments Guiseppe Dimassimo & Linda Shick GBR Guest Ltd Helena Guza Henry Kneis Horizons Exchange Traded FundIrene Gilligan Jackman Foundation Jolanta Malicki Jonathan A.Dandes Kerry D. & Jeanne A. Franks Knights of Columbus #7689 Labatt Brewing Company La Tablée des Chefs Lynn Miller & Louise Morwick Mark Garczynski Meghan Markle and “Suits” Crew McGregor Socks Michelle and Glenn Way Munich Reinsurance Co. of Canada Naomi Harris & Boulaye Traore & Family Nestle Canada Inc. Nick Maicantis Panavista Province of Ontario Raymond James Richard Salmon Robert & Edna Podruzny & RETS Foundation Russell Investments Salesforce.com Foundation Sean Foran

Second Harvest Sharaton Hotel Sharron Mollenhauer Shoppers Drug Mart Life Foundation State Street Financial Toronto Partners for Student Nutrition The Great-West Life Toskan Casale Foundation The Paloma Foundation Weirfoulds LLP

...and our many volunteers and donors who continue to help the communtiy on a daily basis and help make St. Felix Centre a success.

YOU made it happen!These individuals and organizations each gave more than $ 500 to the work of St. Felix Centre in 2014.


FinancesST. FELIX SOCIAL MINISTRIES OUTREACH

Statement of Operations Year ended June 30, 2015 with comparative figures for 2014

2015 2014Revenues

Donations from the Felician Sisters $ 228,120 $ 229,773City of Toronto – Extreme Cold Weather Alert Program 205,529 -Grants and restricted donations 154,836 91,269

Donations and fundraisingIndividuals 48,530 100,305Corporations 25,281 26,559Foundations and other registered charities 7,256 34,105Fundraising Event 77,511 57,102

Rental revenue 79,804 84,549Program fees 22,204 17,742Amortization of deferred capital grants 39,747 51,074Other 35,544 -Interest 1,027 1,610

925,389 694,133

ExpendituresSalaries and Benefits Program $ 593,434 $ 484,405Program 33,305 17,714Occupancy 44,659 65,532General and Office 10,955 17,093Professional Fees 6,685 6,109St. felix House 89,156 38,198Fundraising 23,805 17,630Amortization 43,586 44,483

845,585 691,245Excess of revenue over expenditures $ 79,804 $ 2,888

care.compassion.community.

Donations to St. Felix Centre can be made by cheque, VISA or through Canada Helps.

We are always very grateful for any contribution to our work.

Thank you! 25 Augusta Avenue (Rear Building)

Toronto, ON M5T 2K7 tel.: 416-203-1624 | www.stfelixcentre.ca

Special thanks to Orphan Design Group for creating our annual report.

st.fleix centre 2015 annual report

Documents