The theme of this year's Annual General Membership Meeting is- Ho nouring our Past, Building our Future. This theme is a reflection upon how we have grown from grassroots beginnings over 20 years ago; adapted to the economics of the times by amalgamating two smaller organizations 7 years ago; survived the funding cuts and crisis of the mid-90s, and learned to make sense of the amalgamation of Greater Toronto by creating a new identity as an "inner-urban suburban organization." We survived these changes and faced increased needs in our communities caused by visceral cuts in social programs. We grew as the community's needs changed.
We started as a group of parents concerned for the safety of seniors and children who lobbied for a traffic light and won. From these humble origins, we have grown and matured into a vibrant, diverse, multi-service, community-based organization providing services to thousands of children, individuals and families through many varied programs; from day care to homeless outreach; from harm reduction to youth recreation. The issues may change over the years but our committment remains- to empower people to work together to make a positive change in their lives, their neighbourhoods, and their communities.
This year we made a positive organizational change and realized a long planned expansion. We relocated our Adult Programs and Administration offices to wonderful new building at 2468 Eglinton Ave. West. This move is an expression of our commitment to meet the needs of underserved neighbourhoods and communities who have experienced discrimination and inequity; people who are homeless or under-housed, low income adults who are socially isolated, substance users and people living in poverty in the former City of York. Our Family and Children's Programs continue to meet the needs of families in our catchment area.
We have come to better know the breadth and size of the geography of our communities; in fact, the geographic distance between neighbourhoods in York is one of the challenges for our communities and clients. Distance was the challenge when we moved, because some adults and youth who had used the Drop-In needed the option to continue to access services in the Jane/ Woolner Neighbourhood. One of our strengths is offering services near to where people live, as demonstrated by our many satellite programs. Jane's Place Drop-In Program has relocated from 761 Jane St. to 190 Woolner Ave., so that people unable to travel to the Eglinton West site receive services at their doorstep.
With the move to our new building, where there is access for people with mobility issues and room for program expansion, we have the opportunity to develop new youth programming and to meet our commitment to reduce barriers to access. Having new provincial and municipal governments means a new era for social programs. We have positioned ourselves to be ready and willing and able to be a part of an exciting future.
This grassroots, community-based organization started with the effort of the community and continues to grow through community efforts. Our successes this year, as every year, are possible because of the contributions of many- board members, volunteers, staff, and community members.