Blog Posts Archive - Page 3 of 11 - Yorktown Family Services

February 18, 2025

Breaking the Silence on Grief: How Yorktown’s Growing With Grief Provides Support, Community, and Healing

When families experience the death of a loved one, it can lead to increased stress, financial barriers, and isolation and the impact of these complexities on the grief process must be addressed concurrently. As an accredited mental health agency, Yorktown is uniquely equipped to deliver specialized grief and bereavement therapy, support families in building community with other grieving families, and support clients in addressing complexities they are facing. A primary objective of Growing With Grief (GWG) is to remove the barriers to healthy grieving and provide a safe space and supportive environment for participants to communicate their grief. Growing With […]

February 5, 2025

Youth Advisory Committee: Shaping the Future for Youth

Across the province, 27 Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) Network partners provide high-quality integrated youth services to support the well-being of young people aged 12 to 25, including mental health and substance use supports, primary health care, community and social supports, and more. The YWHO team is comprised of a Provincial Office team that provides support to the entire YWHO network and the local hub team that provides services to youth and families in the community. The Peer Navigator role is an integral member of the local YWHO team. A core function of the role is to create and support […]

January 24, 2025

Mandy’s Story: How Yorktown’s Shelter is Supporting Families Like Mandy’s

Eliana Georgiou, Resident Women’s Advocate Worker, started her shift at the Yorktown Family Services women’s shelter expecting the arrival of a new resident on this particular fall day in 2023. Mandy* and her three-year-old daughter Tina*, and 15-year-old son Max*, arrived at the shelter after seeking services in a downtown Violence Against Women services agency that connected them to Yorktown. “Space that could accommodate a Mom with a young child and older son had just become available that day and I helped get the rooms in order for them,” says Eliana. Yorktown’s shelter is one of a few shelters that […]

January 20, 2025

2023/2024 Yorktown Family Services Staff Award of Excellence: Ahmed Jama

Ahmed Jama, this year’s Staff Award of Excellence recipient, was first connected with Yorktown Family Services over 11 years ago. As a Youth Outreach Worker (YOW) at the Rexdale Community Health Centre, Ahmed attended monthly meetings led by Yorktown for the West Toronto YOW Network. Ahmed was consistently drawn to the culture and the dedicated Yorktown staff with which he interacted. He admired the holistic approach Yorktown takes in addressing not only the immediate needs of clients but the underlying challenges they face. In 2020 Yorktown launched the new specialized Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA Program), a rapid response, integrated […]

December 2, 2024

Resilient Bloom: Honouring Shirley Samaroo’s Legacy Through Shirley’s Healing Garden

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 […]

November 26, 2024

yorktown family services women and community against violence

Finding Hope After Trauma: Linda and Josie’s Journey Through Yorktown’s WACAV Program

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. […]

November 19, 2024

women going through transitional housing in toronto

Cynthia’s Journey: Finding Strength and Independence with Transitional and Housing Support

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 […]

November 12, 2024

Supporting Grieving Children: Advice from Yorktown Family Services’ Growing with Grief Youth Advisory Council

As we recognize Children’s Grief Awareness Month this November, Yorktown Family Services’ Growing with Grief Youth Advisory Council (GWG YAC) shares their invaluable insights on supporting grieving children and youth. These young members, all of whom have experienced bereavement firsthand, provide a unique perspective on what grieving children need from the adults around them. Their advice aims to foster empathy, understanding, and actionable support for those navigating the complex emotions of grief. In honour of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, the GWG YAC offer key insights for anyone seeking to help a grieving child feel seen and supported. Validating Emotions without […]

November 11, 2024

Shaping the Future: Yorktown Family Services 2023/2024 Annual General Meeting and Recognition Night

On October 23rd, 2024, Yorktown Family Services hosted its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Recognition Night at The West Toronto Youth Wellness Hub. The event brought together the Yorktown staff, board members, community partners, and award recipients for an inspiring evening dedicated to “Shaping the Future”—the theme that defined the fiscal year from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Celebrating Dedication and Achievement The AGM highlighted Yorktown’s accomplishments and recognized the outstanding contributions of staff, community members, and partners who fuel our mission. The evening’s events included speeches, awards, and a reflection on Yorktown’s focus on organizational growth, […]

November 1, 2024

Yorktown Opens a New What’s Up Walk-In® Location at Community Corner St. James Town

Since 2012, Yorktown Family Services has hosted a What’s Up Walk-In® location originally at our 2010 Eglinton West site and now within our Youth Wellness Hub Integrated Care site inside Unison Community Health Centre located at 1541 Jane Street, Toronto. During the summer of 2024, Yorktown partnered with Centre Francophone de Toronto and opens every Monday to receive people who want rapid access therapy in the downtown core. Over the next few months we will partner with Centre Francophone de Toronto to bring walk-in services in both French and English. A Decade of Impact: Serving Thousands Across the City Over […]