Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) was formed more than 30 years ago in response to the needs of the former City of York. Since its inception LEF has developed a mix of program and services that include: childcare, youth programs, settlement services, language training, skill advancement programs and courses, employment services and community enterprises.

Our mission is to provide integrated and holistic community responsive initiatives that enable individuals and families to become valued contributors to their community’s social and economic development.

Our vision for the future of our community is of a healthy community that: enrich and empower all members, celebrate diversity, are inclusive and provide a high quality of life. To sustain this vision of a healthy community we envision, advocate, promote and work towards a vibrant and socially responsible economy providing: full and meaningful work, accessible high quality childcare, lifelong learning opportunities and supports, and concentrated efforts to eradicate poverty and engage citizens.

Accolades and Accomplishments

LEF has a wide breadth of services.

• Our childcare centres are embedded deeply in 18 different neighbourhoods.
• We offer skill training programs that evolve with local labour market needs.
• Our  Community Skills Development Fund (CSDF) provides to those interested in pursuing training.
• We have full supports for newcomer families, integrating language training, settlement supports, youth mentoring and bridging programs for foreign trained professionals
• We offer entrepreneurial supports and rich networking opportunities designed for business growth.
• With support from local volunteers we are actively working to narrow the digital divide. Until March 2010, we were operating 62 Community Access Program (CAP) sites with partner agencies across the City of Toronto.
• Our youth programs enable youth to practice their leadership skills. In particular, our BizCamp program supports young entrepreneurs.
• LEF has a well established, nationally and internationally recognized model of service delivery that includes settlement supports, language training assessment, counselling, skill training, job search and employment services and childcare.

LEF also shows our strength through partnerships. We are a founding member of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet). We also work closely with more than 300 community partners and over 600 employers.

Programs

>Childcare Curriculum Program
>Alternative Reading Week Days of Service
>Entrepreneurship and Networking at the Foundation

LEF has a mix of programs and services designed to serve our community which include:
Newcomer Services, that offers:

• Information about services
• Referral to resources
• Counseling
• Translation/interpretation
• Orientation/adaptation workshops
• Social interactions

Youth services offers free recreation activities and workshops that link newcomer youth ages 13-24 with mentors in the community through:

• Sports, art and cultural activities
• Leadership programs
• Job-readiness workshops

Programs have expanded to include a magic program, newsletter club and snowboarding, among others.

LEF’s Childcare Services operates 18 childcare centres and 12 before and after school programs across the former City of York and North Etobicoke, serving over 1000 children.  The centres are inclusive spaces that promote creativity and cooperation through: sensitivity to family cultural needs, integration of special needs children, nutritious meals and snacks, parent workshops, qualified and knowledgeable staff, anti-bias and a unique curriculum that supports school readiness.

Our Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) Program offers free English classes to eligible newcomers. Clients receive language instruction from LINC Literacy to Level 7. LINC provides a caring childminding site and summer school age camp. LEF also offers LINC classes in the workplace through our many private sector partners.

LEF training programs boosts career potential, by equipping participants with up-to-date skills, certifications and expertise as required. LEF’s programs also include job search assistance, resume building and interview techniques. Programs include Industrial Skills (Warehousing and logistics), Construction and  Renovation training, Early Childhood Assistant, Cooks Training and ELT for Internationally Trained IT Professionals.

LEF‘s Employment Services offers guidance, support and resources that boost the ability, motivation and confidence of participants to get a job and develop a career. Local economic development is additionally fostered by working with local employers to ensure they have the human resources they need to operate and grow.

Childcare Curriculum Program

LEF is measuring and documenting the successes of the childcare curriculum to create a greater understanding of where children need additional supports. The program  has been piloted in four of our centres. These centres are located in the Keele/Eglinton Corridor which has some of the poorest school readiness scores in the province.

With the information collected, we can better engage with parents and professionals. The aim is to integrate our childcare curriculum with tools and measures we currently use, as well as those developed and used by our project partner Mothercraft, who will train staff in more effectively using the Early Development Index (EDI) data and other developmental tools. This will enable us to document the success of the curriculum and identify how we can better target areas where children need more support.

To engage parents, we will survey them to determine their needs and where LEF can offer support. Once this data has been analysed, we will work to build greater integration of our services into the centres. We will create more holistic services in our childcare centres by meeting the needs of our families.

Funding and Program Partners

Generously supported through strategic funding from the Vital Toronto Fund, the Frances MacDonald Fund and the Shum Vourkouitiotis Fund at the Toronto Community Foundation.

Program Impact

Enabling parents to access the services and supports that will enable their children to excel in school. This holistic approach is measurable, targeted, and highly leveraged, taking advantage of the wide range of expertise that exists within LEF, understanding the child as part of the family and community environment. It respects the reality of the poverty of time by meeting parents on their schedule where they need to be. Successful strategies will be widely shared within the childcare community, offering up a model to combat poverty in a targeted and leveraged manner.

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

“Children risk scoring poorly on the Early Development Instrument (EDI) in 43 % of city neighbourhoods with low incomes.”

“12 high–risk Northwest neighbourhoods have among the highest proportion of low scores in the City, and will be particularly vulnerable in the first critical years of schooling.”  (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Joshua was enrolled at LEF’s Keelesdale Daycare at the age of 2 ½ years as his single father was able to obtain a fully subsidized space for him. Joshua’s father needs care for his son so that he is able to attend his many doctor appointments due to his severe medical condition, and is often so exhausted by the end of the day that it is a struggle to get dinner on the table, let alone provide any academic support for his son. Joshua is a very active and bright child.

Through LEF’s Enhanced Early Literacy Program, the staff were able to identify areas where Joshua could grow cognitively. Joshua was given consistent one on one support from the staff as well as support through the daily programmed literacy rich activities, and he soon began to identify his letter sounds. He quickly progressed from simple identification of letters to writing. The many books that are available in the program and the “Borrow a Book” program that was implemented allowed for Joshua to be surrounded by reading opportunities encouraging him to work hard at reading stories. By the time he was to go into grade 1 full time at the school, Joshua was reading picture books to the other children and writing simple sentences.

Alternative Reading Week Days of Service

Usually in February (Reading Week) students are planning for a week in a warm destination or using this time to catch up, but 200 University of Toronto students opted to volunteer and make a difference in a needy community. This year U of T partnered with us and the former City of York for three days of student service, February 16-18, 2010. Students were engaged in volunteer projects with community members, and clients and staff of LEF. Projects were located in childcare centres, at other LEF sites, the Mount Dennis United Church, Eglinton Flats and other locations. Projects included planting, fitness and yoga with children, a knitting circle, vermiculture, helping at a homework club, setting up for the local winter festival, mural painting and more. The centerpiece of this project was the building of LEF’s Town Square. This is a 15,000 sq/ft space in the centre of LEF which now serves as a gathering space for clients and the community.

With approximately 65 projects we were able to make a positive impact upon the community in three days. The partnership with U of T has grown through this event and we are have already begun planning for next year’s week.

Funding and Program Partners

This opportunity was made possible through generous donations from Caplan’s Appliances, Irving Tissue, McGraw Hill Ryerson, Steam Whistle Brewing, Royale Tissue, Tim Horton’s and Toronto Community News.  This program was delivered in partnership with the University of Toronto.

Program Impact

This years event was the first opportunity for many students to venture far from the U of T campus in Toronto. They were exposed to a community struggling with the issues associated with poverty, but amazing community spirit. Seeing this is powerful and has lead to lasting relationships and longer-term volunteers for community groups and agencies. This was also an opportunity for the community to engage with smart, engaged and passionate students. They provided hands, support and innovation to a community in need. This is cross-community engagement that we want to see continue in our neighbourhoods.

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

“About 46% of the population aged 15 and over, volunteered during the 2007 year (about the same as in 2004 - the previous reporting period).  Young Canadians with higher educational levels and incomes are the most likely to volunteer, although seniors with higher educational levels and lower household incomes are likely to contribute the most volunteer hours.”  (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Alternative Reading Week Days of Service provides an opportunity for our community to come together to volunteer with students. Through this event we are working to facilitate ongoing volunteer engagement.

Participant Vignette

“Say hello to the boys and girls!” The preschool teacher greeted us. Myself and other students crowded into a classroom at the LEF and stared awkwardly at the group of 3-5 year olds. We paired up and found ourselves reminiscing about why you should not give a mouse a cookie and other stories we had forgotten from childhood.

In the afternoons of volunteering, I and a crew of students painted a mural in the basement of the Mount Dennis United Church. Another group cleaned out cupboards and painted over the minty green walls. The finished product was satisfying: a clean space where youth groups, daycare, and Sunday school children can come and feel at peace in a bright and beautiful environment. Our mural was themed “knowledge”, on par with our academic background.

The Minister gave us a tour of the neighbourhood and told us about various projects: local statues, ecological conservation of turtles in the park, and the central role of LEF. We were also introduced to problem areas and buildings. It was an eye opening experience; to see how people live in this city I call my home but know so little about. I do not know if the children who use the church space would know who painted the mysterious mural, if my reading buddy will remember me, or the kindergartners will remember “Brown Squirrel” or other songs, but I hope they remember that students demonstrated how Toronto could be a caring community. ~Jocelyne Kilpatrick - Participant

Entrepreneurship and Networking at the Foundation

Leveraging our expertise in the design and delivery Self-Employment Training in the past, LEF is actively growing our supports to youth entrepreneurship through BizCamp by engaging a larger constituency that is focused on success.

LEF is, to the best of our knowledge, the only small business program in the Greater Toronto Area to focus on those new to Canada. Programs include our Start Smart sessions, which provide an understanding about what it takes to start a business. Our Start Smart series of seminars have served over 150 people, approximately half of whom were newcomers.

We also offer a 13-week small business training program. Participants in our programs learn about selling, marketing, financing, business planning, banking and more. Participants also develop a business plan, receive coaching, mentorship and peer-to-peer learning.

Business needs connections and so LEF’s networking events offer topical guest speakers and valuable opportunities for networking. An average of 300 people attended during the most recent 10 sessions in 2009-2010. The goal of our networking events is to build community and capacity among local entrepreneurs, particularly newcomers.

Funding and Program Partners

This program is made possible through the generous donations from Bob Conway, Chartered Accountant; John Voorpostle, Chartered Accountant; Investor’s Group; Scotiabank; Casco Design; Toronto Computer Geeks; and CAC Bookkeeping.

Program Impact

The entrepreneurial spirit it takes to come to Canada can be better leveraged and supported! In one short year LEF has proven that by supporting literally dozens of successful business start ups. Engaging individuals in the learning and planning required to be successful is matched by supporting and nurturing strong business networking and peer mentorship supports that are fostered at our monthly Networking events.

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

“In July 2009, Toronto’s unemployment rate stood at 10.7%. This was higher than the Regional rate (10%), the Ontario rate (9.4%) and the Canadian unemployment rate (8.6%).”
 
“Youth unemployment in the Toronto Region surpassed 20% in June 2009: The unemployment rate in June 2009 for 15-24 year-olds rose to 20.1% from 15.3% in June 2008 (close to the Ontario rate of 18.9%).” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Through entrepreneurship we have aided youth, newcomers and others in finding employment in an area they are passionate about, by giving them the necessary skills and connections to the market and networks.

Participant Vignette

"Attending BizCamp bi-weekly has been an amazing experience. I have learned the basics of starting a business and competing effectively with others in the market. Gaining this knowledge is precious and I will forever cherish it. As I want to be an entrepreneur, BizCamp taught me the mindset and focus you must have in order to do well in the Canadian market." Elvi Begaj – BizCamp Participant

"Through BizCamp I learned what it takes to open up a business. I learned how to analyze the market and economy, as well as research my competition. Thanks to BizCamp I am prepared for the challenges that I will have to face as an adult." Khang Pham Ngoc – BizCamp Participant