West Neighbourhood House (formerly The St. Christopher House, which remains its legal name) is a multi-service neighbourhood centre serving west downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada since 1912. The non-profit charitable organization[1] provides a wide range of programs to all age groups in downtown west Toronto. St. Christopher House integrates community development approaches with direct delivery of social services. The community served by St. Christopher House includes the diverse immigrant and mixed income neighbourhoods of Trinity Bellwoods, Niagara, Palmerston/Little Italy, Little Portugal, Dufferin Grove, Parkdale, Liberty-Exhibition and Roncesvalles.

History

St. Christopher House was founded on June 12, 1912 by Sir James Woods (died 1941) in Kensington Market in Toronto. St. Christopher House was one of Toronto's original neighbourhood centres and was part of the "settlement house" movement that began with the creation of Toynbee Hall in London, England.

In 2013, St. Christopher House served approximately 22,000 individuals with 206 part-time and full-time staff and 1,400 volunteers. St. Christopher House was also involved in social policy development, including the Task Force for Modernizing Income Security for Working-Age Adults co-led with the Toronto City Summit Alliance (now CivicAction) as well as partnering with the Centre for Urban and Community Studies at the University of Toronto for the community research/policy project: Neighbourhood Change: Building Inclusive Communities. In May 2012, unionized employees went on strike.[2]

Mission and guiding principles

The agency describes its mission as follows:

St. Christopher House's mission is to enable less-advantaged individuals, families and groups in the community to gain greater control over their lives and within their community.

St. Christopher House will work in partnership with the community to promote personal and social change in order to achieve a safe, healthy and accepting society for all. To this end, we will work with our resources and the strengths of the community to: build bridges within and across communities; promote access to full participation in society by addressing barriers such as illiteracy, inadequate incomes, unaffordable housing, and discrimination of all types; assist people to meet individual and family needs; provide the tools and opportunities for people to control their own lives and to take on leadership in the community; and to advocate for changes in social systems that will ensure dignity, quality of life, and equal opportunities for all. [3]

Programs and services

For children and youth

After-school and day camp programs, pre-school and youth programs, health promotion and drug awareness programs, the music school, Toronto Youth Job Corps, family violence counseling and support, parenting support and advocacy programs as well as the Community Parenting Outreach Program in Parkdale.[4]

For adults

Programs in these areas:

  • Learning Programs
  • Employment Programs
  • Programs for Newcomers
  • Computer and Internet Programs
  • Drop Ins
  • Violence Against Women and Children
  • Alcohol and Drug Prevention Programs
  • Money

For seniors and persons with disabilities

  • Meals
  • Alzheimer and Frail Elderly Day Programs
  • Social Work
  • Recreation and Education
  • In-Home Services and Transportation
  • Caregiver Services

The agency operates a wheelchair bus.[5][6]

Affiliations

St. Christopher House is part of the Toronto Neighbourhood Centres, Canadian Association of Neighbourhood Services and International Federation of Settlements.

References

  1. ↑ "2013 Registered Charity Information Return for The St. Christopher House". Canada Revenue Agency. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ Cole, Desmond (May 30, 2012). "Downtown Community Centre Workers Go on Strike". Torontoist. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Our Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles". St. Christopher House. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Children and Youth". St. Christopher House. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Um novo autocarro para os idosos da São Cristovão" [A new bus for the elderly at St. Christopher]. ABC Portuguese Canadian Newspaper. Vol. IV, no. 160. July 8, 2013. p. 8. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  6. ↑ Ribeiro, Filipa (July 12, 2013). "Casa de São Cristovão celebra entrada ao servico de novo autocarro para idosos e doentes" [St. Christopher House celebrates the entry into service of new bus for the elderly and sick]. Sol Portugues (in Portuguese). Toronto.
  • Irving, Allan, Parsons, Harriet, Bellamy, Donald: Neighbours: Three Social Settlements in Downtown Toronto Canadian Scholars Press, 1995
  • O'Connor, Patricia J.: The Story of St. Christopher House 1912-1984 Published by the Toronto Association of Neighbourhood Services as part of the series: Good Neighbours: A History of the Toronto Settlement House Movement, 1985
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