‘Stepping stones to a better life’

UNITED WAY Helping people to help themselves Homeless, youth, newcomers benefit

Helping those living on the fringe help themselves.

That’s the aim of the Toronto Enterprise Fund, which provides financial support to nonprofit groups in the city that train and employ the homeless and low- income earners struggling to survive.

Established in 2000, the fund was created on the heels of the Mayor’s Homelessness Action Task Force report. It called for a major investment in community projects to stem the growing tide of homelessness and its root causes — poverty and lack of opportunities facing the city’s most vulnerable and marginalized citizens.

It was the only program of its kind at the time, said Ann Jamieson, program manager at the TEF, which is funded by the three levels of government in partnership with the United Way of Greater Toronto. The agency also manages the fund, which received about $ 250,000 from the United Way last year. The city, provincial and federal governments each kicked in about the same amount.

“ When we started out, there were no employment programs for the homeless,” she noted. “There were drop-in centres, but no stepping stones to a better life. Our program led the way.”

Five years later, 12 so- called social purpose enterprises are thriving in the city.

Grassroots organizations running these revenue- generating ventures with a social mission include FoodShare, the Furniture Bank, Somali Women and Children’s Support Network, the Ontario Council of Alternative Businesses and St. John the Compassionate Mission. They’re helping pave the way toward self- sufficiency for youth, immigrant women, street people and the mentally ill. The Toronto Enterprise Fund, in turn, helps fund the businesses ventures. Some of the businesses offer their workers permanent fullor part- time work. Others provide year- long training in a specific field and then help participants get into the labour force. Two help individuals get the skills and know-how they need to start their own mini-businesses, Jamieson explained. The work is as varied as the workers. Some bake organic bread, grow vegetables at an urban farm, make furniture or create art, all of which is sold. Others run a print shop, sew or serve tables in a restaurant. About 1,200 people have par- ticipated in TEF- supported enterprises, Jamieson said. About half have landed permanent jobs, started their own businesses or returned to school. More than 25 per cent moved into better housing.

“ Some of these people at some point had lost hope,” she said.

“ They may have been in a highsecurity unit at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Or maybe they were afraid to ask for help when they needed it because they’d been slapped down so many times.” A measure of the fund’s success is the impact the enterprises have on participants. Many get far more than a regular paycheque, Jamieson said.

“ Over 80 per cent of people said they feel better about themselves.” How to donate: www.unitedwaytoronto. For gifts of securities, call Lisa Zaccaglino, 416- 777- 2001, ext. 325, or click on Donate online. For gifts in kind, call 416-359- 2063.