Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

Established in 1932, Macaulay Child Development Centre is a dynamic community agency dedicated to helping all children thrive in caring, responsive families and communities. Macaulay programs engage children, youth, parents and community with a special emphasis on reaching those facing special barriers or living in high risk situations. The agency mission is to foster the optimal development of children, working in partnership with families and community.

History of Organization

Established in 1932. Grew from a volunteer-run nursery for low- income children, to a multi-service charitable organization serving children and families with diverse, innovative programs. 1945 became member of United Way (Red Feather); 1982- won Margaret Fletcher Award for Innovation. 1980’s-2009, agency services expand and diversify to include a comprehensive range of community –based programs such as: services for children with special needs; leadership development for high risk youth: 7 homework clubs in high priority neighbourhoods; home-based parent education and support; 2 Ontario Early Years Centres; Community collaborations. In 2009, Macaulay’s unique partnership with local African- Caribbean barbershops was awarded a Vital Ideas Grant from the Toronto Community Foundation. 2010- Macaulay programs demonstrates the agency’s capacity to connect with diverse communities and deliver program that respond to needs. Examples include parenting programs in different languages; parent-child program for parenting teens; and special programs for grandparents caring for their grandchildren.

Accolades and Accomplishments

Macaulay is a well-established and respected agency. Over the last 10 years, we have been selected by the community and the City to operate 3 new day care centres and 2 Ontario Early Years Centres. In 1992, Board’s capital campaign raised $700,000 to renovate our founding child care centre in York. This demonstrates the extent of community support the agency enjoys. Through 3 published manuals, we share our expertise with the community on literacy, inclusion of children with special needs, and provider training. A DVD was produced by More than a Haircut and premiered at a Film festival. In 2002, Macaulay appointed lead agency for a Toronto First Duty project, a pilot for current provincial Full Day Learning initiative. In 2008-09, Macaulay celebrated its 75th anniversary with 14 neighbourhood –based celebrations. In 2009, Macaulay awarded a Vital Ideas Grant. Macaulay staff appointed to various provincial boards and city-wide steering committees including Home Child Care Association of Ontario, Best Start Network.

Programs

>More than a Haircut
>Skills for Success
>Youth Development Program

Parent Education and Support Programs – this includes parenting support through home visits to high risk families; parent child programs and workshops at Ontario Early Years Centres; individual family support counseling, and programs for specialized groups including parenting teens, caregiving grandmothers, newcomer families. Skills for Success – this includes a range of programs that prepare children and youth for success in school and in life, including Homework Clubs, school readiness groups, youth leadership. All programs involve parents as well. Special Needs Services- includes consultation to enable child care and community programs to meet the needs of children with special need as well as speech and language therapy for preschoolers. Community Collaborations- includes a range of partnerships to provide innovative outreach and integrated services that better serve high need populations. Early Learning and Care – child care centres and licensed home child care programs provide developmentally appropriate programs for children from infancy to age 12. All programs include children with special needs.

More than a Haircut

In 2005, violence involving Black youth erupted in Toronto. Community leaders commented on the need for stronger father involvement in the lives of Black children – to foster better outcomes for children and protect youth from negative influences. In response, Macaulay Child Development Centre and community partners initiated More than a Haircut. Discussions on fathering were offered in 5 local African- Caribbean barbershops in the Eglinton Oakwood neighbourhood. Each session attracts from12 to 40 participants. Our Goal is to strengthen the role of African Canadian fathers in the lives of their children. Other objectives: • increase access to culturally appropriate fathering resources and information • increase the capacity of local barbers to act as leader and resources • enhance local barbershops as sites for mutual support and community building The program builds on the barbershop’s natural strength as a male meeting place. Each session offers animated discussion, refreshments, a resource table, and staff support to address individual parenting issues. In 2008 the project produced a documentary DVD, “More that a Haircut”, featuring the voices of program participants. Public education continued in 2009 as a result of the Vital Ideas grant.

Program Impact

More than a Haircut raises awareness about the importance of the father’s role in child development and provides information about effective parenting, through animated discussions held in the comfort of local barbershops, located in the Little Jamaica neighbourhood of Eglinton Oakwood. One barber said: “Fathering is becoming a part of everyday conversations in the shops”. And another: “Before, the conversation was about sports, women and politics… it has changed. Now it’s mostly about the kids”.

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

“Children risk scoring poorly on the Early Development Instrument in 43% of city neighbourhoods with low-incomes.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs, 2009) Low-income Black children struggle with school achievement and school completion. Barbershop sessions raise fathers’ awareness of how fathers they can help children succeed. “65% of recent Black immigrants… felt they belonged in Canada.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs, 2009) This program engages local barbers and members of the Black community in creating solutions to an issue they feel strongly about. Civic engagement is increased.

Participant Vignette

Jayden had been going to the Eglinton West barbershop for years to get his haircut and to stay connected with his Caribbean community. Then one Saturday he got more than a haircut. He was at the Barbershop while a session of More than a Haircut was going on. He was hearing a discussion about the importance of fathers being involved with their children, about giving positive messages to enhance children’s self esteem and positive cultural identity, and about using positive methods of discipline. He was “hearing all this wisdom... without going to a program in a centre….” He joined in the conversation and left with lots to think about. Over time, with his openness to learn and natural gifts as a speaker and listener, he was invited to become a facilitator with the project. He took part in training on facilitation skills, and subsequently led many sessions. Along the way, he changed the involvement he had with his own children. He read about child development and discipline, and completely changed his approach. He no longer uses spanking or references to spanking as discipline. He knows what it is like not to have a father himself, and doesn’t want that for his own children. He is a role model for other Black fathers who struggle in less than ideal circumstances. He communicates the message of taking responsibility for our actions and of building a loving relationship with children despite the many difficulties and barriers along the road.

Skills for Success

Skills for Success provides school age children living in high-need communities with fun, skill developing activities in safe, supervised neighbourhood school settings. Many of the children are from newcomer families and are referred by teachers because of an identified need for academic or social support. Skills for Success offers: • activities to improve academic skills (reading, writing, and math) • educational games • activities to promote social skills and leadership • assistance with the homework • meaningful interactions with youth volunteers who act as positive role models • nutritious snacks Offered in 7 locations in Weston Mount Dennis, Rexdale, and Trethewey neighbourhoods, children attend the program two to three times/week after school for 2 hours/day. Spanning grades 3-8, children in the program are assigned to different rooms according to their grade level at school. Local youth serve as positive role models and mentors in the program. Arts-based literacy activities enrich the learning experience. Collaboration with the school is key.

Program Impact

Each year, 210 school age children in high need communities participate in a safe and supervised after school program designed to promote social competence and leadership skills and improve academic functioning. An annual evaluation verifies positive results.

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

“After school programs make a critical difference in safety and skill development: • Children in mid-childhood (6-12 yrs), who spend time in safe and supervised after school programming are less likely to experience academic problems, engage in delinquency or be assaulted. • Only 5% of kids in the city’s neighbourhoods that house the largest numbers of this age group have after school programs.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Diego, 9 years, attends a Macaulay Skills for Success Program. He arrived in Canada shortly before the school started, with no knowledge of English. His parents worried that he would not be able to manage at school and were anxious that he succeed, so they registered him in the program. Initially, Diego was very quiet and withdrawn, and would watch the staff and the other children with fearful eyes. He was hesitant to move around the room. He struggled to connect with other children, many of whom already knew each other well. Each week the staff worked hard to include Diego, helping him to join small group activities and placing him with a consistent group of 5 students for homework support. By January, Diego had begun to join in the informal play with other children. His English improved substantially, and he appeared much more relaxed. Recently, Diego’s father approached the staff to thank them and let them know that he and Diego’s mother were very pleased with results the program had achieved. Diego’s parents credited the program for providing the opportunity for Diego to socialize informally outside school. Time spent with staff, the other children and the youth mentors, had all contributed to helping Diego to learn English, to feel part of his new home, and to meet the academic challenge at school.

Youth Development Program

The Youth Development Program enables youth in high risk areas to develop leadership skills and positive social networks, while being role models to younger students. Youth volunteer 1 or 2 afternoons a week in our Skills for Success Program, providing individualized homework support and helping with group activities. Staff assist youth volunteers to develop their skills and confidence. Youth attend group training and social activities in the community designed to further develop their skills and interests. They make new friends in a positive and supportive setting.

Program Impact

Each year, the Youth Development Program assists 30 youth, aged 13-17 years, who live in high risk neighbourhoods, to develop skills, confidence and social networks that decrease the likeliness of gang involvement and promote school success. In a 2009 evaluation 100% of the youth reported learning new skills and feeling that they were positive role models to younger students in programs where they volunteered.

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

“Number of youth gangs increase: • There are twice as many youth gangs as in 2000 – an estimated 100 to 160. • Gangs actively recruit within high schools, and attract members as young as 13. Youth gang members are two to seven times more likely to commit serious violent crimes as their at-risk peers who are not gang members.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009) “High school completion is a key to success: 18.6% of those in the region 15 years old and over, had not completed secondary education in 2008.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Grade 11 student Sagal is a 2nd year participant in the Youth Development Program. She volunteers two days a week with elementary school children in our Skills for Success program. When we first met Sagal, she was struggling academically and lacked the confidence to imagine a future career for herself. She enrolled in the Youth Development Program because someone told her it would be an easy way of completing the Community Service requirement for her high school diploma. She found the volunteer work with school age children challenging at first, but with the support and encouragement of staff she persevered and learned how to better engage the children. In her own words, Sagal learned “how to be more patient...” Sagal discovered a talent and love for working with children and hopes that her volunteer experience will help her attain her new goal of becoming a teacher. She now has the motivation to try her hardest at school and she loves her volunteer work! Sagal is also involved in the program’s Advisory Council, where she helps to plan and evaluate program activities. She takes every opportunity to attend the monthly training sessions that are offered. Most recently she attended sessions on resume writing and literacy activities for children. Although she joined initially for the Community Service hours, Sagal now is grateful to the program for all of the opportunities it has afforded her. She feels that the program is helping her develop “leadership skills that I can apply in all areas of my life”, as well as knowledge of community resources that will be useful for her. She believes that her confidence has grown substantially since she started the program and that “this helps in school as well.” Sagal’s personal growth is apparent to all who know her and the big smile she now sports.