Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) is a non-profit, multi-service agency in the heart of Agincourt, addressing needs and empowering children, youth, newcomers and under-served communities to build a brighter future for all. Agincourt Community Services Association provides a broad range of services to the local community and a greater geographic area of Scarborough that includes several of the United Way deemed high priority neighbourhoods. Our services include community supports (voice mail, legal clinics, tax clinics, food bank, etc.), youth programs (including youth drop-in, young men's and women's programs, and Youth Outreach workers), homeless services (drop-in, hot lunch, harm reduction, housing support and outreach services), food security (Cooking Healthy, community gardens, gleaning trips, fresh fruit and vegetable markets, etc.), community development work (Action for Neighbourhood Change projects currently in three local communities), and an information and referral services for all of Scarborough. We have a child and family centre that includes a full range of services for families with children 0 to 6 years and recently started up several homework and breakfast clubs for children 7 to 12 years and have successfully assisted our neighbouring community of Malvern open a satellite food bank to address the growing demands for this service in that neighbourhood. ACSA has been providing community-based programs that respond to the ever changing and multi-faceted needs of underserved communities for 35 years. Part of ACSA’s mandate and in sync with our agency’s strategic plan direction we engage our clients in focus groups and both formal and informal information sharing sessions that allow us to constantly elicit needs assessments that accurately reflect the needs of the community we serve.

History of Organization

In response to the fast-changing community of Agincourt in the 1970’s, eight local churches came together to build on the work that the Holy Spirit Catholic Church had been doing to assist local residents who were in need. Reverend Bruce Scott from Knox United Church devoted nearly half of his time in launching Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA). ACSA opened its doors for the first time in a little white church on the corner of Birchmount and Sheppard. The fledgling agency started by offering supports such as information and referral, emergency food and clothing and by providing a space called “The Family Life Centre” where professionals could provide supportive counseling to people in the Agincourt area. Today, ACSA addresses a variety of issues including systemic poverty, hunger, housing, homelessness, unemployment, accessibility and social isolation. Over the years ACSA has been funded by all levels of government, several foundations, schools, local faith communities, and The United Way of Greater Toronto. Its strength remains in the original concept: To act as a bridge between people who need help and those who can provide it. For nearly 35 years the backbone of the organization has been the army of volunteers who help run an array of programs. While the original concept has remained the same, some of the methods have changed: more and more ACSA helps people to help themselves by providing ‘hand up’ programs rather than ‘hand out’ programs. Programs have also changed to reflect the ever-changing community needs. Community Engagement enables entire neighborhoods to work together to identify common issues of concern and to address them as a community. ACSA continues to ensure our programs and services are relevant and current to the needs of the communities we serve. Rev. Bruce Scott said in 1970, “ACSA is an expression of genuine concern for community needs. It involves the wider community working cooperatively for the common good and it is tangible evidence of people helping people.” With ongoing community support, ACSA can continue to serve Scarborough through the provision of services and partnerships for a better tomorrow.

Accolades and Accomplishments

Agincourt Community Services Association just celebrated its 35th anniversary of serving the community. ACSA also won the Scarborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in the Community Service category.

Programs

>Martial Arts for Adiras
>Community Engagement Programs
>Child and Family Programs
Community Engagement Projects- Community Development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people by providing these groups with the skills they need to effect change in their own communities. ACSA leads several Community Engagement projects while advocating for increased services and opportunities in underserved communities. Food Security Programs - In order to help our community combat the systemic impacts of poverty, our food security programs exist to promote self-sufficiency, reduce isolation, and build life skills. Child and Family Programs - By providing free, accessible, safe, and child-friendly environments for caregivers and families, we help promote healthy child development and provide family-centered programming. Community Access Programs - ACSA offers a wide variety of ACCESS programs to help you open doors of opportunity. We provide services like Computer Training, Legal Clinics, Income Tax Clinics, Food Bank, Form Filling, and Information and Referral. Youth Programs – We provide homework clubs, cooking classes, Drop in programs, March Break and Summer Programs, and one-on-one support through our Youth Outreach Workers. Homeless and Housing Programs - In response to the growing incidences of homelessness in Scarborough, ACSA provides meal programs, shower and locker services, housing follow up workers, outreach van, sex worker program, and voice mail projects. Seniors Program – We have a wide variety of programs, social events to exchange information and engage in interactive activities. Parenting Project - This project provides one to one parenting support, along with a series of parenting workshops. Parents for Youth and an ACSA Community Engagement Worker provide the facilitation. Volunteer Program - After an initial orientation we ask that volunteers commit their time for at least six months. If you are short on time, there are seasonal and short term volunteer positions available during the holidays and in the summer. Dorset HUB – ACSA is the lead agency in the creation of a new community HUB funded by the United Way in one of our priority neighbourhoods. Located on Kennedy Avenue, it will host a wide variety of agencies and services and is scheduled to open in early 2011. Immigration, Settlement and Adaptation Program provides newcomer settlement services including mentorships, conversation circles as well as supports to newcomers from the LGBQT community. The Forced Marriage Initiative provides outreach to young women within the TDSB. The project also provides on site training to service agencies on issues relating to Forced Marriage, how to identify women who may be forced into marriage, and how to find the supports necessary for them. The Civic Awareness Project trains newcomers in civics. Students will be taught how the government works, from the municipal to the federal levels as a way of helping newcomers become more engaged in the political arena.

Martial Arts for Adiras

Adiras means strong girl in Arabic). This initiative would operate at Agincourt Community Services Association one night per week for 2 hours in length. The first 1.5 hours would be the martial arts training. The last .5 hour would be facilitated by our Youth Outreach worker or a facilitator from a Community Partner on leadership skill building. The program will highlight both the physical and emotional benefits of martial arts. In doing so, young women will learn healthy eating habits, strength training, self-defense and the importance of working as a team. Additionally, this initiative will be designed for participants to increase their self-esteem and to learn a positive approach to dealing with stress and releasing aggression. This program would target a total of 40 young women within the year. The program would begin with 20 female youth. We anticipate that after 6 months of participating in the program, they would become mentors for a new group of 20 young women who would become mentees. This cycle would continue by offering mentoring opportunities in our various other girl programs such as our Go Girls, an all girls summer camp we offer each summer.

Program Impact

Habibti’s Girls Group worked with over 35 female Muslim youth in Scarborough in the12 weeks it operated over the summer. Since starting back in mid-March 2009, it has attracted 14 new girls, all from the ‘high risk’ communities of Glendower, Chester Le, and Bay Mills, in less than 3 weeks. The girls have been consistently showing up for trips and the new Sunday program, in which we deliver workshops, prepare various meals, and plan for future activities. With the addition of a new and revolutionary martial arts program, we envision reaching even more female youth who may not attend the other aspects of the program. After the first 6-months of the program, the girls will be able to utilize their new leadership skills in the form of mentoring. In March 2010, we will outreach to new participants, and the martial arts project will incorporate a peer-led compartment in which the initial participants will help coach and train the new participants. In order to increase access to young Muslim women, we are in the process of partnering with local mosques in ensure we are serving a wide range of the young Muslim women, some of whom may be difficult to reach through other means. Older Muslim girls, 18-20 years old that are already part of the group, as well as recruitment for additional young women, will serve as volunteers to pass on their skills and knowledge, as well as mentoring and supervising the younger youth as peer mentors-gaining their community service hours and enhancing their resumes through this experience simultaneously. The reality is our drop-in, cooking, dance, sports, and March break programs have no young Muslim women participants; however, there is a large population of Muslim girls in the community. This program would allow us to engage this group of young women, by creating a space to include this population that is the most underserved within the community.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“58.2% of Toronto residents reported a strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging to their local community; a sense of belonging tends to decline as the community becomes more urban and is highest among the young (77.45% of the 12-17-year age group) and weakest among younger adults (54.5% of the 18-29- year age group.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Agincourt Community Services Association established a Muslim female youth group to create an inclusive platform and to enhance a sense of belonging amongst this under-served cohort.

Participant Vignette

After asking the girls how they feel about the program, the consensus was that they look forward to the program every week, it gives them somewhere to go and something to do, and they love the feeling of putting on the uniform and learning karate. Below is what one participant had to say:

“I don’t go anywhere on the weekend besides Islamic school, coming to Adiras gives me a break from my little brothers and my parents! I am glad that (staff) talks to my Dad and he can call anytime, otherwise I wouldn’t be allowed to come, [my instructor] being Muslim helps because she understands me and my problems and she gets my family without thinking they’re weird because I’m hardly allowed to go anywhere without them, even though I’m almost 15! When I first came I wasn’t too into the Martial Arts, I’m kinda outta shape and hate running, but I still came as something to do to get out of my house and to meet new friends. The program was fun so I came every week, and the instructor really pushes me and now I love learning new moves and can’t wait to get my next belt level. I also got introduced to other things in my neighbourhood, I got to go to a SLYE event, made a resume at NWSYC to get a summer job, and I am feeling healthier!”

Community Engagement Programs

Conmmunity Engagement programs are projects that function as community hubs where people could come to access information and programs and services provided by different social service agencies. These projects are about neighbourhood revitalization and creating opportunities that enable local residents to play a central role in shaping their neighbourhoods. These programs aims to establish resident led neighbourhood associations that will produce a vision and develop plans to bring about positive change in their communities. It will provide a strengthened influence of local residents, enhanced quality of neighbourhood life, and increase access to resources.

Program Impact

This program has had a positive impact on the neighbourhoods in which they are a part of. We have seen residents developing a resident action plan in which they have identified priorities of the community. This helps to promote community pride and internal networks among neighbours. Through these programs we have seen the emergence of capable community leaders through the many leadership opportunities that is provided by this project. We have also seen an increase access of resources for the community. New services and infrastructure are introduced to under serviced areas of the city, neighbourhoods offer a range of shops and services that are accessible and responsive to local demand and local residents feel that their vision for a strong and vital neighbourhood is achievable.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“58.2% of Toronto residents reported a strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging to their local community; a sense of belonging tends to decline as the community becomes more urban and is highest among the young (77.45% of the 12-17-year age group) and weakest among younger adults (54.5% of the 18-29- year age group.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

"When I first moved to Dorset Park, I did not know anyone. I tried my very best to get adapted with my community and its surrounding but I was having some difficulties in the process as I did not know anyone. One faithful day I found out about ANC, which forever changed my outlook on life in Canada. I first went to ANC to network with individuals from my community and also with service providers in the area. ANC did more for me than just introducing me to community residents and service providers; ANC has played a key and vital role in sculpting the person that I am today. The community engagement workers from ANC encouraged me to take part in community events and initiatives. I started volunteering at ANC, helping them to setup and run different events in the community, such as Dorset Park Day. I was told by one the community engagement workers about a special grant called “Quick Start”, where I could write a proposal for a community project and if my proposal was selected, I would then be given funding for my project. ANC helped me work on my grant, as I have never done something like that before. When my grant was selected I was so happy because this was something quite out of the ordinary for me. I had a tremendous feeling of accomplishment and I believed at that point that anything was possible. I have been and still am presently involved in many groups in the Dorset Park community, such as: the Youth Crisis Response Team, The Dorset Park Neighbourhood Association, Youth Vision in Action and I was recently awarded The New Pioneers Award and a Community Leaders award by United Way for my work in Dorset Park. I am very grateful to ANC in all that they have done for the community let alone myself. ANC has helped me to grow tremendously as a humanitarian, and now I have dreams of one day becoming a politician and helping with the betterment of people’s lives everywhere."

Child and Family Programs

This program focuses on engaging children in activities that will support their wellness and development in a variety of ways. Qualified staff support and implement physical and active development by exploring new recreational activities and promoting an active lifestyle. Children are involved in social skills activities that support better relationships with their peers, increased awareness of safety and self esteem. We also provide programs for children 0-6 years and their caregiver. The program provides families with young children an environment which is friendly, supportive, and educational as well as an opportunity to network with other families.

Program Impact

Our child and family programs have a positive impact on the community as our programs are always full and have waiting lists. Our programs are unique as they offer an environment for family grouping. Children have an opportunity to develop social skills and experience learning activities in a child centred learning environment. Families needing other community supports are identified early and provided the resources to help them succeed. Since the majority of our participants are from low income families, our programs are free of charge. The after school program allows the children to use their creative imagination as well as receive homework support on a daily basis.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“Only 5% of children in the city’s neighbourhoods with the highest numbers of 6-12 year olds have after-school programs to go to… 534 full-week after-school programs currently operate in Toronto for 6-12 year olds, accommodating just 9.5% of Toronto’s 192,525 children in that age range.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Agincourt Community Services Association’s Child and Family Programs provide free, accessible, safe, and child-friendly environments for caregivers and families, and help promote healthy child development and provide family-centered programming, including after school programming.

Participant Vignette

I would like to take a moment to commend ACSA for putting together such a thoughtful and well executed after-school program at Dorset Park this year. I emphatically believe it to be a resounding success on several fronts; and would not hesitate to endorse such a program based on the work and interaction I have personally witnessed between your staff and the children in their charge.

The two after school teachers at Dorset Park P.S. have demonstrated a level of care and professionalism with the children, as well as much needed corroboration with their parents in a manner that has been obviously beneficial to both. Specifically, I (and my wife when available), continue to have almost daily conversations with either teacher about our children’s performance within the program. Both have provided respectfully candid accounts of how our two boys interact with other children; render their attention in group settings; and participate in prescribed activities.

In addition, the after school teachers have shown refreshing creativity at times when it was necessary to redirect undesirable behaviour; and supported their actions with open follow-up with parents so that we may do our part to reinforce positive behaviour. For instance, at a time when our otherwise introverted son began to find his outlet in comical antics, one of the teachers took the time to have a one on one talk with him about the difference between positive and negative attention - a simple measure that also contributed to his improved daytime performance. Furthermore, the teachers came up with the exercise of having kids reflect on questionable behaviour through written journal entries about their motivation for decisions and choices made that were not entirely positive. I was pleasantly impressed with each of their constructive methods of intervention.

As someone who is self-employed, I can attest first hand to the benefits of instilling a ‘can-do’ attitude in children at a young age, and much of what I have learned about myself and my abilities can be traced back to my early involvement in both physical and group activities. The ACSA after-school program is an excellent initiative which has significantly boosted our children’s process of self-discovery. I truly hope it will be available for my children next year and years to follow. Thank you once again for providing such a positive avenue for our children.” Yours Truly, Sheldon John(Parent)