Parents left scrambling after non-profit closes

North York’s Doorsteps ran after-school programs, vital services until shutdown

Amother with no idea how she’ll find enough money for an expensive daycare by next week. A teenager unable to complete her homework without support from an after-school program. An elderly woman mourning the loss of the activities that gave her life meaning.

All came to a community meeting in North York on Thursday night to plead for help after Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services, a beloved local non-profit, closed suddenly earlier this month.

Behind the speakers sat a half-circle of empty chairs, labelled with the names of 10 local politicians who didn’t attend.

“We don’t need them,” said Deloris Williamson Braham, whose 9-yearold son went to Doorsteps.

“Right now we’re on our faces and not one of them came.”

About 100 people were at the meeting Thursday at the Domenico Diluca Community Centre near Jane St. and Sheppard Ave. W.

Doorsteps was founded in 1992 to serve the Daystrom, Chalkfarm and Falstaff neighbourhoods. The nonprofit played a vital role in turning an area with a violent past into one with dynamic social programming, including care for kids of all ages and activities for seniors.

Many of the people it assisted were recent immigrants or low-income families.

Up until 2012, the programs ran smoothly. However, the next five years were marked by issues like money mismanagement and rapid turnover in leadership.

Despite impassioned arguments from board members, the organization shut down on Aug.11. The City of Toronto, United Way, Children’s Services and other organizations will take over the programs and services Doorsteps used to run, though details aren’t clear.

Former Doorsteps employee Suhcita Singh said she’s one of several workers who paid out-of-pocket to help run programs — she’s now out of a job and about $1,100, she said — with no idea when she’ll be repaid.

Though the organization has promised to fulfil all of its legal and financial obligations by Nov. 3, Singh said that won’t help her or the par- ents whose children she helped look after. “What’s going to happen to the kids?”

At times, the atmosphere was angry, with community members shouting “shame” and crying as they described their struggle to find alternative plans. During other moments, it felt like a pep rally with impromptu singing and fiery speeches from community organizers.

“I miss it, I want it back and I’m not going to shut up until it’s back,” said 75-year-old Hilda Matthews, who used to attend the seniors’ program.

“It’s not fair for anybody to close these programs.”