Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

Sistering is a women’s organization that offers emotional and practical supports to women through programs which enable them to take greater control over their lives. Guided by the principles of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression, Sistering works to change social conditions which endanger women’s welfare.

Goal:

Our goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space for women who are socially isolated, poor, homeless and under-housed. Our main focus is two fold: social/recreational support and the prevention of circumstances that put women at risk.

Agency Description:

Sistering operates a multi-service women’s center for homeless, at risk and socially isolated women in Toronto. The core services offered are basic needs for daily living, housing support services, primary healthcare, counselling, individual advocacy and employment readiness.

Sistering’s target population is exclusively women who are without homes, living in hostels, shelters and Out of the Cold Programs, sleeping outside, and women who are poor and at risk of becoming homeless. At least 60% of these women are survivors of violence and abuse and 70% struggle with mental health conditions. More than half of the women have children, but most are disconnected from family due to CAS interventions, mental illness, institutionalization, violence and abuse.

History of Organization

In 1980, a concerned group of women came together to develop a strategy to meet the needs of the growing number of homeless and transient women in Toronto. It was a mixed group of women, with representatives from women’s agencies, community residents and women who were living in hostels. Women were being discharged from mental health facilities, and many had nowhere to go. They were alienated from their families, and community supports were seriously inadequate. Sistering was primarily created for these women. However, it soon became apparent that there were other marginalized and vulnerable women who could benefit from this unique service; they included women leaving abusive family situations, women who were widowed and pension-less, and young women involved in prostitution and drugs.

In 1981, Sistering opened its doors in an emergency shelter at Bathurst and Dundas. By January 1982, the program moved to Scadding Court Community Centre to accommodate the growing number of women seeking support. The Drop In centre opened, and began providing services and supports 5 days a week. After two years, the space could no longer safely accommodate the increasing number of women. In September 1983, Sistering moved to its well known home on College Street. In October 1987, the Drop In began opening on weekends, and that same year, the Outreach program in Parkdale opened its doors. After 10 years on College Street, Sistering became the victim of urban gentrification as the building was sold to make room for a condominium development. In 2004, Sistering moved to a temporary location at the Heydon Park School. After a three year search for a suitable space, Sistering opened its doors at 962 Bloor Street, West.

The realities of the early 1980’s have not changed much for many of women who visit Sistering today, more than 29 years later. Low levels of social assistance and disability payments combined with the chronic shortage of safe, affordable and permanent housing continues to undermine women’s efforts for independence and dignity.

Accolades and Accomplishments

1998

Trillium Sally Horsall Farr Award

1999

Outreach Program Housing partnerships begin

2000

Intensive Case Support begins

On the Path To Employment program is launched

Common Occurrence, a ground breaking report which focuses on the nature of women’s homelessness, is realeased

2001

Sistering presents its signature event, Funny Girls and Dynamic Divas

2007

Leonardo Da Vinci Award for Inspirations project

Sistering moves into its permanent home at 962 Bloor Street, West

2008

Women’s Homelessness & Health bulletin is published

Talk Back symposium occurs– A special Poverty Reduction symposium where Sistering women engaged Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister for Children and Youth, and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction

Sistering’s Harm Reduction program begins

2009

The Survivor’s Guide to Freedom from Violence, a Canadian documentary, is launched

Sistering Demographic Survey Report released

2009/10

Social Purpose Enterprise Strategic Plan

Programs

>Food Access Program
>Inspirations Studio
>Capital Project: Kitchen Expansion

Drop In Centre

The women that visit the Drop-in Centre are living on the street, in hostels, shelters or unsafe housing. They have fallen through the cracks in the traditional and social service systems. They are alone, and have no other supports in their lives. Chronic physical and mental health problems, substance abuse, lack of skills, language and cultural barriers compound their marginalization.

The Drop-In is open seven days a week, main supports and services provided include:

• Food Access: Breakfast and lunch
• Access to showers and laundry facilities
• Telephones and mailing address for those without residence
• Seasonal clothing and footwear
• T.T.C. (public transportation) tickets for appointments and extenuating circumstances
• Housing Support Services to help women find and maintain housing
• Onsite access to primary healthcare with a General Practitioner, Psychiatrist and nurse
• Social recreational activities such as yoga, beading, art activities, special outings and trips

Outreach Program

Located in Parkdale in the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre, the Outreach Program is open five days a week. This program serves poor and senior women who are living in nursing, boarding, and retirement homes, or in rooming houses.

Program supports and activities include:

• Food Access: Breakfast and hot lunch
• Social/recreational activities that focus on health education
• Regular visits by the Gerontology and public health nurses
• Special events, celebrations
• Individual case support

Inspirations

Inspirations is our entrepreneurial arts and crafts community economic development (CED) program.  It is an art-studio that offers artistic instruction, self-employment and business development skills to women who have experienced long-term poverty and are motivated to generate income from selling their art-work. Sistering’s new Spun Studio is an employment support program for women with skills in sewing, knitting and other textile work

Food Access Program

Daily nutritious breakfasts and hot lunches constitute our Food Service program which is one component of the practical supports we provide to women, in both Drop In programs.

An average of 200 (Bloor Drop-in) and 50 (Outreach Program) women depend on Sistering for their daily meals. Last year, Sistering served 53,000 lunches and provided practical and emotional supports to over 2,000 women.

Since re-opening the Drop In Centre at 962 Bloor Street, West, Sistering has experienced a substantial increase in the number of women using our meal services; and in particular, an increase in at-risk, and street-involved women.

This is a population with:

• A higher incidence of women with addiction issues
• A higher incidence of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C and consequently higher nutritional needs
• A high level of crises in their lives

In the 2007 Street Health Report, over one third of participants surveyed brought up issues of food. These included hunger, the inability to access healthy food, and the negative impact of eating nutrient deficient foods on their health. The report also indicated that homeless people rely heavily on meal programs, as they do not have places to store or cook their own foods. Ninety-six percent (96%) reported that they regularly used meal programs at shelters and drop-ins. Despite their reliance on these food programs 58% reported that they still were not getting enough food and remained hungry most of the time.

Our goal is:

1.  To improve the nutritional quality of meals by including more protein and vitamin–rich foods.

2.   To increase the number of lunches served over an extended period, on Tuesdays and Fridays when the Drop In is open until 5 pm.

Financial support will enhance the effectiveness of our meal program by enabling us to purchase greater amounts of nutritionally dense foods, thereby providing a larger number of women healthy meals. In the past few months, Drop In visits have increased again. Up to 250 women come for breakfast and lunch. On the weekends, the numbers may go even higher as fewer Drop In centres are open. Our Food budget of $103,000 continues to be impacted by the pressure of rising prices and increased numbers of women.

Funding and Program Partners

Over the years we have depended heavily on the Daily Bread Food Bank and Second Harvest for food. While our food partners consistently provide us with various food items on a regular basis, our food bill continues to climb.

This year we partnered with The STOP, which provided Sistering women with a garden in Christie Park, where they grew a variety of vegetables.

We have budgeted $103,000 for food for the 2010/2011 fiscal year, this is in addition to the estimated $30,000 in donated food we receive from our partners. Food expenses are entirely supported by fundraising from various sources. While the LHINs and City of Toronto fund the full-time Food Access worker (cook) position and part-time cook positions, we must seek funding to cover actual food expenses.

Program Impact

This year, we have already served more than 55,000 nutritious lunches at both Drop In Centres.

Sistering provides an average of 1500 lunches every week at the Drop In Centre.  At the Outreach Program, 300 lunches are served weekly. It is imperative that we maintain these numbers because for many who visit our programs, lunch is usually their only meal of the day.

The meal program also presents an opportunity for many women to seek other important services they need to stabilize their lives, such as: obtain housing, medical attention, clothing and hygiene products, identification and assistance with addictions and other health and emotional issues.

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

“The average cost of basic nutritious food for a family of four is $590/month, up 9.4% from 2006. This same family would need to spend 33% of its income on food and 72% on rent – more than they have.”

“The income ratio between the poorest and richest 10 percent of the population is the highest in the country.”

(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Martha is a senior living in a boarding house in Parkdale. She has no family members living in Toronto and very few friends close by. Her increasing isolation was leading to physical and mental health issues. Last fall, she walked by the local community centre and discovered a meeting place for women – Sistering’s Outreach Drop In. Despite her initial nervousness, she ventured in and found the staff to be warm and welcoming.

Every day she visits the Drop In program and eats lunch there, her only meal for the day. Lunch consists of soup, salad, bread, a main course and fruit for dessert. The meals are healthy and well-balanced. Martha says, “I know I can get a healthy meal and there is always a vegetarian option for those of us who don’t eat meat. I like chatting with my friends.”

Since she started coming to the Drop In, Martha no longer feels lonely or isolated.

Inspirations Studio

Inspirations Studio is an art-based micro business and incubator program for low-income women, many of whom have experienced homelessness, struggle with mental health issues, and have histories of trauma and substance use, all of which are compounded by poverty. Located on Queen West, Inspirations Studio is a production studio that offers individual or small group instruction in art and business skills, access to art equipment and supplies, and sales opportunities.

The Studio facilitates the earning of supplemental income, recovery of self esteem, self confidence, respect and dignity for the members, and creates a community of entrepreneurs. Inspirations Studio has a catalogue, website, and utilizes several marketing vehicles, creating sales and production opportunities for the women.

Funding and Program Partners

Inspirations Studio is generously supported by the Toronto Enterprise Fund and with recent grants from the Cooperators Community Development Fund and The EJLB Foundation.

Program Impact

Moving low-income women out of poverty and into greater economic independence is the overall goal of the Studio. While some women receive social support payments, (which primarily covers rent) they are still mired in poverty. Inspirations Studio uses a self-employment model that offers women opportunities to supplement their small incomes and stabilize their lives while making and selling art, as well as learning how to develop and run a micro business. This model of self-employment using the arts provides women with the flexibility they need within an employment context, allowing them to respond to the basic needs challenges they face, like housing, chronic physical and mental health issues and food insecurity, that are often not accommodated within traditional employment models.

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

“The arts help us commemorate our past, understand our present and imagine the future”.

“After five years of steady job growth, Toronto is feeling the impact of the recession with a sudden rise in unemployment rates and demand for employment insurance benefits.”

(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Sheila had an accident at her work place and lost her job. To make matters worse, she was unable to access workers compensation benefits, and soon lost her housing, forcing her to move into a shelter.

Sheila came to Sistering and was referred to Inspirations Studio where she found she had a knack for creating beautiful pottery. She participated in business training workshops and continued to develop her pottery skills.

Today Sheila is one of the highest earning members of the studio and speaks often of how the studio changed her life. “I was at the end of my rope, confused about how to get out of my situation when I heard about Inspirations Studio. I had always liked doing things with my hands but I had no idea I would be able to make pottery. I can’t believe how things have changed – I can be creative and supplement my income by selling my pottery.”

Capital Project: Kitchen Expansion

Since re-opening the Drop In Centre at 962 Bloor Street, West, Sistering has experienced a substantial increase in the number of women using our services and seeking supports. The number of women visiting the Drop In has actually increased by 40%. As the numbers have grown, so have the number of meals we serve. This has created bottleneck conditions in the kitchen, and it is no longer suitable to meet food preparation demands. It is imperative that we expand the kitchen to accommodate the preparation of 200-300 meals per day.

Funding and Program Partners

Sistering has applied to the Ministry of Health and the LHIN for funding and we are embarking on a special capital fundraising appeal.

Program Impact

This year, we have already served more than 48,000 nutritious lunches at the Bloor Drop In Centre. It is important that we maintain these numbers, because for many who visit the Drop In, lunch is usually their only meal of the day. The meal program also presents an opportunity for many women to seek other important services they need to stabilize their lives, such as: obtain housing, medical attention, clothing and hygiene products, identification,and assistance with addictions and other health and emotional issues.

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

“16% of women in Toronto’s lowest income neighbourhoods rated their health as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ in 2006, compared to 6% in the highest income neighbourhoods.”

(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Esmeralda came to Canada from Mexico 28 years ago. She is 58 years old. She was having trouble with her diet so a doctor referred her to Sistering. She doesn’t feel hungry at all. Coming to Sistering helped save her life.

“Sistering is helpful to me. I go everyday for breakfast and lunch. I am deaf and very, very lonely. I hear voices all the time, most of the time they tell me I am going to die. One of the voices is my mother; she has been dead many years. The voices speak to me in Spanish and they are very loud. This drives me crazy, making me feel dizzy and confused.”

Esmeralda spends 4-5 hours everyday at Sistering where she meets with friends and gets support from the staff. “It is the only place I can relax and feel safe. I eat, go to some of the activities but I cannot hear what is going on so I miss most of the conversation. But being surrounded by women is enough, I need the company. Sistering is big part of my life.”