WoodGreen Community Services

Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, News Editor

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Sept. 21, 2006) - WoodGreen Community Services today announced plans to launch The WoodGreen Foundation, allowing the organization to encourage philanthropic investment and direct funds toward innovative Toronto-based social programs that, in many cases, are not eligible for government funding.

The announcement, which was made at today's 69th Annual General Meeting, also included introductions of Foundation executives. Leading the Foundation are Michael Worb, President and CEO of PAL Benefits, who will serve as Chair, and Ed Clark, President and CEO of the TD Bank Financial Group, who will serve as Honourary Chair. The Foundation will officially launch April 2007.

Worb and Clark, both long-time supporters of WoodGreen, will work to build a team of foundation directors dedicated to ensuring the advancement of WoodGreen's groundbreaking programs.

"The establishment of the Foundation will help ensure long-term sustainability of our unique, holistic social programs," says Brian Smith, President of WoodGreen Community Services. "Toronto is comprised of millions of people from every social, cultural and economic segment - it's what makes the city great and also presents many challenges. Our new Foundation provides a mechanism through which the private sector can play an important role in maintaining a healthy, livable city."

Over the last year, a task force comprised of senior WoodGreen staff and Board members counselled by Dianne Lister, consultant and current VP Advancement and External Relations at Trent University, has been laying the groundwork and infrastructure for the Foundation. Their efforts have resulted in a sophisticated, state-of the art "Framework for Philanthropy" that will guide the Foundation in support of WoodGreen.

Homeward Bound
A leader in Toronto's social services, WoodGreen Community Services has taken great strides in 2006 with the success of the Homeward Bound program, which is celebrating its second year and first program graduate. This program helps young mother-led families who have experienced homelessness take their first steps toward self-sufficiency and is a result of the pioneering efforts of WoodGreen and the personal commitment of Fran and Ed Clark. In addition, all three orders of government in partnership with The Counselling Foundation of Canada, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Sun Life Financial, TD Canada Trust, Seneca College, East York Rotary Club, Canadian Tire Foundation for Families; Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP and the United Way have been integral in assembling resources to launch this innovative program.

Best Start
WoodGreen Community Services also functions as one of the primary operators of child care services in the east end of Toronto, caring for more than 500 children in eight child care centres. Through the Best Start program, the organization has been appointed as operator of two new child care centres. In partnership with the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board, WoodGreen opened its Leslieville child care site on September 1. The site provides care for junior and senior kindergarten aged children and operates within the school, delivering a collaborative program with the kindergarten teachers. The second site, Enderby Child Care, will open in October. Developed by the City of Toronto, the centre will provide care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Other child care sites include Win Harris, Riverdale Child, Woodfield, Debbie Yeung, and Morse Care Centres, as well as the Bruce WoodGreen Early Learning Centre.

Other WoodGreen services
Smith addressed a number of additional WoodGreen innovations and successes including a one-stop, multi-support service in place at WoodGreen's four employment and immigrant service locations, a new Client Tracking and Management System to allow for better gathering, managing and sharing of client information between locations and expansion plans for newly implemented senior programs. WoodGreen's pilot projects include Homeward Bound, the Bruce WoodGreen Early Learning Centre, the Emergency Rent Supplement projects designed to support ex-residents of Tent City and Newcomer Link, an interactive online resource for Toronto's new immigrant services.

WoodGreen also announced a number of changes to its Board of Directors, including the election of Ed Reed as the new Chair. Joining Reed as new members are Karen Malone and Mary Johnstone. Reed replaces Jan Goddard who is stepping down after six years on the board. Also stepping down is Jennifer Norman.

About WoodGreen Community Services
Founded as a community centre in 1937, WoodGreen has grown to more than 15 locations and hundreds of partner organizations. Its mission is to deliver services that promote wellness and self-sufficiency, reduce poverty and inequality, and build sustainable communities. Every year, with the help of over 1000 volunteers, WoodGreen supports more than 37,000 individuals and families to help them to live independently within their own communities. The organization does this through a number of essential services, including affordable housing solutions, employment training, quality child care, after-school programs, help for new immigrants, supports for individuals with mental health or developmental challenges, and care for seniors.

/For further information: Joe Romagnolo
416-462-0199 x22
416-705-1723 (cell)
joe@pilotpmr.com/


IN: SOCIAL