Client Stories

On Friday, November 29th, 2024, we gathered to honour the 40th anniversary of Shirley Samaroo’s passing and celebrate the launch of Shirley’s Healing Garden—a sanctuary dedicated to her memory. Shirley’s story is one of tragedy, resilience, and lasting impact, shaping not only the lives of those who knew her but the fabric of Yorktown Family Services and its mission to support immigrant and refugee women. A Story That Inspires Generations As Gabbey Dessye, Director of Violence Against Women (VAW) Services, shared, Shirley’s courage to leave an abusive relationship sparked the creation of Shirley Samaroo House, which would later become Yorktown Shelter […]

Women and Communities Against Violence (WACAV) is one of Yorktown Family Services’ Violence Against Women Services. WACAV, a community outreach program, provides emotional support, advocacy, resources, and appointment accompaniment to women in the community who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. Each WACAV worker speaks at least one language or dialect other than English to provide language-specific service. Many WACAV clients are connected to shelters, such as Yorktown’s VAW shelter, to transition from a life of abuse. Belkis Fernandes: Dedicated to Supporting Women for Over 25 Years Belkis Fernandes is a Community Women’s Advocate Worker with Yorktown’s WACAV program. […]

All that glitters is not gold,” Cynthia* responded when Joan*, an acquaintance, remarked on her beautiful home. Joan, sensing something deeper, quickly read between the lines. “When someone has experienced abuse in their relationship, they pick up on it with others,” Cynthia shares. “The next time I saw Joan, she approached me discreetly and gave me Evelyn Skeete’s contact information. I told her I was apprehensive about sharing personal details only to be left hanging, with no solution. Joan immediately responded, ‘I guarantee that will not happen. Go see Ms. Skeete.’ So, I took her advice.” Taking the First Step […]

On Wednesday May 8th the Growing with Grief program hosted a Mother’s Day event for families who have experienced the death of a mother, step-mother, or caregiver. Our goal with this event was to create a space for families to engage with their grief and explore within themselves, and as a family how they wanted to approach this day at this particular time in their grief journey.  Families were invited to create “Memory Gardens” where they planted memories, notes, and special words for their person in the soil with the plant. Families decorated plant pots and added a vine to […]

The West Toronto Youth Wellness Hub provides young people with an inclusive, welcoming space where they can walk-in and access a full range of Integrated Youth Services (IYS). These services include mental health and substance use health supports, primary health care and social services, all while creating connections through recreational, skill development and well-being programs. Yorktown Family Services West Toronto Youth Wellness Hub partners include: Access Alliance Children’s Aid Society Toronto Garrison Creek- Family Health Team Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Humber River Health Jane and Finch Centre Macaulay Child Development Centre Unison Health and Community Services We are very […]

Suzette Arruda-Santos, Executive Director of Yorktown Family Services, presents the 2019/20 Annual Report, a snapshot of the agency’s activities and financial performance along with highlights of the past year and client success stories. She also announces the staff recipients of the Long Term Service Awards, who were recognized this past February at our Annual General Meeting and Recognition Night.

Every year, at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Recognition Night, Yorktown Family Services honours exceptional work of Staff and Volunteers, and celebrates the achievements of inspiring clients through various awards and grant opportunities. On February 24th, 2021, we announced the recipients of the 2019-2020 awards at our AGM. As part of International Woman’s Day, we would like to celebrate by announcing the winners below, an outstanding group of women!

Joseph* had been having challenges with anxiety and depression for months. At the end of an extremely rough few weeks, the 16 year old was contemplating suicide. Joseph’s parents took him to the emergency department of the nearest hospital where he was prescribed anti-anxiety medication and released that same day.

Yorktown’s Care Navigation worker helps children, youth, young adults and their families (birth to the age of 29 years) who require complex care mental health and social service support get the right support, at the right time, within a framework of an integrated care team at Yorktown, and linking them to outside external networks of support

Every Community Needs A Yorktown Sixteen year old Nidhi Patel’s mother, Alka, and sister, Meera, were becoming increasingly concerned about the once bubbly, now depressed, Nidhi. “I was experiencing some personal problems; stressing out about school work and issues with friends,” says Nidhi.

One in three women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. ONE IN THREE. Read Cynthia’s story and how she broke free from a violent home.

“Because of the things I’ve learned through Yorktown, my personal growth hasn’t stopped. The empathy and compassion I have received from the counsellors has been stupendous. I am extremely grateful that Yorktown exists. Our story is a testimonial of the incredible value Yorktown Family Services holds for Rose, Dana, and I.” – Ben, Yorktown Family Services Client