Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

Delta Family Resource Centre, a non-profit community organization envisions a healthy and empowered community where families and children thrive. A multi-ethnic, multi-site organization situated in a diverse community that is committed to enhancing the potential of families and children by supporting and addressing identified needs. Delta Family Resource Centre provides a wide range of programs, services and activities that enhance individual skills and promotes well-being and healthy communities. We are known for our strength in successfully outreaching, connecting, and collaborating with individuals, groups and organizations to ensure that the residents have access to wanted and needed services and programs.

History of Organization

Delta Family Resource Centre began in 1981 as a demonstration project with five women from the community hired to create a network to connect isolated parents, provide information about services available in the community, and establish supports and friendships for both parents and children. In 1985 the network incorporated as a non-profit organization, “Delta Child Care Network”.  The word “delta” was chosen because networking is like streams coming together, the universal understanding of delta, representing the multicultural nature of the work; and finally the “delta” symbol depicting change.  

The efforts were not limited to direct service, but also included community development, particularly in neighbourhoods where few programs and services existed.   The mid nineties introduced the provision of services to newcomers to Canada. By 1999, the organization was providing services to over 29 language and cultural groups in four locations.

In 2001, the name changed to “Delta Family Resource Centre” and its mission statement refined to reflect the diversity and multicultural aspect of its clientele.  In 2002, the main office location relocated to its current site at Jane Sheppard Mall. 

After more than 25 years, Delta Family Resource Centre has grown from five part time community workers out of one room at a local school to a complement of thirty-two working out of one main site and seven other locations.

Accolades and Accomplishments

In 2008, the number of clients receiving services exceeded 20,000, representing over 29 languages and cultural groups, a 500% increase since 1996.

In 2008, Delta Family Resource Centre was awarded the Community Partnership Award in recognition for outstanding work, building community capacity, one family at a time.  

Since 2005, Delta Family Resource Centre has been the trustee of the Black Creek Community Capacity Building Project, a coalition of local residents, groups and organizations focused on improving the quality of life for residents living in the Black Creek Community by placing emphasis on building on assets and capacities, prevention, community involvement, diversity and community well-being.

Delta Family Resource Centre has a reputation and expertise at community development and capacity building. Acting as an incubator in the community where groups and organizations are nurtured and supported until they are ready to stand alone.

Parents in Action Handbook in 4 different languages to help parents navigate the school system, learn to become comfortable when dealing with school issues, gain an understanding of their child’s education and become more involved.  Over 3,000 booklets have been distributed to the entire Toronto District School Board, Toronto Separate School Board, Early Years Centres and organizations serving parents.

Programs

>Peer Leadership Basketball League
>Community Leading & Learning Program

Community Engagement Programs entail a certificate program offered at Seneca College, community kitchens, conversation circles, a community survey and leadership workshops that provide opportunities to develop leadership skills, identify and discuss issues of importance in the community so residents can become more involved and active in enhancing the quality of life in the community.

Black Creek Community Capacity Building Project is a coalition of local residents, groups and organizations where Delta Family Resource Centre is the trustee. The goal is to improve the quality of life for residents living in the Black Creek community by working collaboratively on different projects that promote the strengths of the community and help develop residents’ ability to plan and act on areas that are important to them.

Settlement Services offer one-on-one orientation and support to newcomers in matters related to health, housing, employment, education, child care, access to social and recreational services and ways of integrating into neighbourhoods, as well as language instruction with free childminding to improve their language skills, integrate into local communities and pursue career goals related to education and employment.

Youth Programs include homework assistance from volunteers, a social club for pre-teens offering various social activities and a basketball leadership program where peer leaders organize and run a league for both males and females involving refereeing, leadership and team building skill development in addition to creating a sense of community and belonging.

Family Resource Programs offer playgroups for adults and children of different age groups with age appropriate activities to stimulate healthy child development, attachment, communication and activities that meet parental needs and strengthen family networks; parenting discussions and workshops; free quality childcare for children up to 6 years providing a break to parents; opportunity for young parents to socialize, strengthen parenting skills, access community information and referrals and a caregivers training to enhance capacity to offer quality childcare at home.

Peer Leadership Basketball League

The Peer Leadership Basketball League is a partnership between Delta Family Resource Centre and Emery Collegiate.  The League hosts refereed games, open runs and special events throughout the school year operating out of Emery Collegiate on Wednesday nights.  The league provides youth with an opportunity to take on leadership roles in a context that they can relate to, basketball.  Five respected students who have experience with basketball are hired as Peer Leaders.  They are trained and involved in the process of setting up, managing and ensuring the success of the league.  Through this process, Peer Leaders gain valuable experience, insight and skills to prepare them for the working world, including consensus building, manoeuvring through and overcoming bureaucratic and politicized landscapes, conflict resolution, program development and management.  The league participants (any and all Emery students who have an interest in basketball) are equitably drafted to teams coached by Peer Leaders, who they play with for the duration of the season; there are two seasons per year.  Participants enjoy safe play in the evenings (6 – 8pm) in a structured setting (referees, team t-shirts, score clock, statistics management), embedded in the principals of fair play, cross cultural cohesion, basketball development and community belonging.

Funding and Program Partners

The Peer Leadership Basketball League would not have been possible without the generosity of the United Way of Greater Toronto (2006).  Emery Collegiate contributes use of the space which enables the league to have a “home court”.

Program Impact

Since 2007, the Peer Leadership Basketball League has provided 100 students of all grades and abilities in the Weston and Sheppard area a safe space to play structured basketball in the evening and has mentored 12 marginalized young students who have taken the ownership of this league and engaged and peer lead a student base in which over 90% of participants are of African/Caribbean and South Asian descent resulting in an improved and culturally expanded basketball community at Emery Collegiate. This past year girls participated in the league adding value, a sense of community and inclusion to the league.

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

• “58% of Torontonians are inactive during leisure time, including 38.9% of youth”
• “The youth unemployment rate was over 20% in June 2009, up 5% in just one year”
• “There are twice as many youth gangs as in 2000 - an estimated 100 -160”
• “After-school programs make a critical difference in safety and skill development.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Delta Family Resource Centre’s Peer Leadership Basketball League is “an environment for me, I couldn’t ask for anything else,” says Ben, a grade 12 student of Emery Collegiate (name has been changed). He is not an honour roll student and he vacillates from being a responsible young adult with unbelievable potential to a teenager driven by his credibility on the street. His peers and social surroundings have pulled him in the later direction and through his involvement in the Peer Leadership Basketball League the balancing act is again swayed toward the positive. Ben is a Peer Leader in the league; he coaches a basketball team compromised of youth from Emery Collegiate on a weekly basis. He also plays a significant role in regular staff meetings, league development, regulations, engagement, conflict resolution, and other issues that will enhance the League. Ben has embraced his role in the school and in the league. “I feel more mature; kids look up to me, it motivates me.” Ben has not only found an alternate channel through which he is looked up to, but has been involved in work life scenarios and negotiations that are best captured in his own words, “(The League) helped me develop my skills for out there.” Ben is aware that there is a lot out there for him and with his experiences in this program, he is better prepared for his journey; and yes, he will be taking the elevator up! When asked what his vision for the league was, he simply said, “I would spread this!”

Community Leading & Learning Program

Community Leading and Learning was launched in 2006, a partnership between Delta Family Resource Centre and Seneca College, Yorkgate Campus.  Visible minority women from Africa, South Asia and Caribbean can participate in this 3-month certificate program (100 hours class instruction at no cost to the participant plus 100 hours community practicum). Childcare and bus transit costs are provided to help minimize barriers that may prevent women from participating with available resources . The goal is to integrate new leadership back into communities, local organizations and other relevant forums. Through training and coaching, participants learn the fundamentals of social change and community action planning, and gain valuable practical experience, creating a more diverse pool of qualified candidates to meet the human resource needs of social services in their communities. It offers opportunities for women to influence the process and content of civic engagement, enhances women’s connections to local networks, and increases awareness of local non-profit organizations of the benefits of recruiting residents as volunteers and staff. After graduation, participants receive coaching for employment readiness, and encouragement to continue learning after graduation, act on agency boards, committees and engage in civic activities.  Monthly conversation circles and informal networking opportunities are available for ongoing support, and the opportunity to implement ideas, plans and projects.

Funding and Program Partners

The Ontario Trillium Foundation supported the inception of this program (2006). This program is delivered in partnership with Seneca College, Yorkgate Campus and the Centre for Community Learning and Development with the support of United Way of Greater Toronto.

Program Impact

Since 2006, the Community Leading and Learning Program, held four rather than three graduation ceremonies due to the high demand for the program. Of the sixty-five women enrolled in one of the four sessions, sixty women graduated with 23 community agencies offering placement opportunities. 34% found a community group to provide volunteer support in return for being connected to local service networks through training and empowerment, strengthening their capacity as volunteers and community leaders. 92% of the graduates are either employed, providing volunteer services in the community or involved in further education or training pursuits.

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

• “Visible minorities are under-represented in most leadership positions in the Greater Toronto area: In 2008, visible minorities represented just 3% of boards of directors and 5% of senior executives in the region’s corporate sector, compared with14% of boards of directors and 8% of senior executives in the voluntary sector.”

• “Employment levels dropped 1.6% between June 2008 and June 2009, for the Canadian born population, 3% for established immigrants and 5.7% for recent immigrants.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

“Joining Community Leading and Learning was one of the best choices that I have made in my life.”  says Fatima, (name was changed) “I came from Nigeria and have lived in Canada for four years. I am a single mother and after staying home for two years taking care of my twin girls, who were born premature, I wanted to give something back to the community who showered me with help during that difficult time. I became aware of the Program at Delta Family Resource Centre by chance when making photocopies. I became excited, not only because the course offered such a vast expansion of knowledge, but mostly because it offered an opportunity for job placement in a community organization.  For me it was another way to tap into the job market after being out for so long. 

It has opened doors for me that I thought were not possible.  Along with my knowledge and skills, my employment opportunities have increased greatly.  I have made many new friends.

I am currently employed both at Delta Family Resource Centre as an Office Assistant and at Seneca College, where I did my placement as an English tutor for the Adult Academic Upgrading Program.  Community Leading and Learning helped me overcome my shyness and become more outspoken.  I am more involved in the community and aware of the needs of my community. Before this program I would never have had the confidence to tell my story.  I now have a goal to become a Certified General Accountant”.