Blog Posts Archive - Page 6 of 11 - Yorktown Family Services

March 7, 2022

#BreakTheBias International Women's Day March 8th 2022

International Women’s Day: Break The Bias

International Women’s Day (IWD), an initiative to engage and commemorate women's cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements, is held globally every year on March 8th. This year, the theme for IWD is #BreakTheBias, a call to action to embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In the spirit of this year’s theme, Helen Williams, Child Care Worker for Supporting Young Families and Team Lead for the Here To Help program at Yorktown Family Services, wrote a poem to celebrate her identity as a woman and a woman of colour called "I am who I am".

February 28, 2022

African American Family; Mother, Father and 3 small children

Rapid Access to Mental Health Support for Parents of Infants and Young Children

For parents, having access to a therapist with specific knowledge and skills in working with babies, young children, and their families is a huge benefit. Yorktown Family Services has been providing support to parents and caregivers during these difficult times through Rapid Access Virtual Counselling, available free of charge for children, youth, and their parents/caregivers. We have set aside additional virtual counselling times for parents/caregivers of infants and children up to six years of age, every Monday, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

December 21, 2021

As the holidays approach….

The holiday season can bring us hope and joy, but it can also be a time of stress and anxiety for many. As the fourth wave of the pandemic is upon us this year, we continue to experience a surge in demand for counselling from across the GTA by at least 40%. This holiday season, we are asking for your support so that we can continue to provide mental health services to families in need and Violence Against Women services to women and children fleeing lives of abuse. Through the support of donors like you, we can continue to be the right place to turn for those who are struggling with the various challenges brought on by COVID-19.

November 29, 2021

two hands holding purple ribbon for awareness of domestic violence e ribbon

In Memory of Shirley Samaroo: A Legacy of Support in the Violence Against Women Sector

On November 29th, 1984, Shirley Samaroo returned to her home to pick up some belongings after fleeing from years of physical and emotional violence. When Shirley arrived at her home, she was murdered by her husband. Two years later, in the spring of 1986, the Shirley Samaroo Shelter, later to be known as the Yorktown Shelter for Women, opened its doors with a particular focus on meeting the needs of immigrant women.

November 8, 2021

smiling woman taking off face mask; Collective Courage in Our Communities

Everyday Heroes: The Faces of Collective Courage

Fiscal 2020/21 has been a year like no other. We have faced some extraordinary challenges as an organization, and yet we persevered in true Yorktown spirit. As a result, we are happy to celebrate some incredible outcomes despite this being one of our most challenging years to date.

October 29, 2021

Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund Invests in the Black Lives Accessing Care (BLAC) Program

Yorktown Family Services operates in culturally, racially and ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in Toronto. Providing culturally adapted services to meet the needs of the members of the communities we serve is one of our key priorities. In the fall of 2020, Bell Let’s Talk launched the Diversity Fund, and Yorktown was a successful applicant receiving a $100,000 grant in January 2021!

October 28, 2021

2020/21 Annual General Meeting and Recognition Night; Everyday Heroes: The Faces of Collective Courage

2020/21 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Recognition Night October 27th, 2021

On the evening of October 27th, 2021, Yorktown Family Services held our Virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Recognition Night. The event featured the theme Everyday Heroes: The Faces of Collective Courage. We reviewed the accomplishments, successes, and challenges of the fiscal year from April 1st, 2020 to March 31st, 2021. We elected to hold the AGM virtually to ensure the safety of staff, students, volunteers, board members, partners and special guests. The evening’s program included special tributes, highlights on adapting to a virtual world from staff via video clips, recognition of contributions made by partners and donors, as well as the presentation of an array awards to staff, client and volunteer. A special AGM Edition of the 2020/21 Annual Report was shared with event invitees.

October 28, 2021

2020/21 Community Partnership Award Toronto Police Service: Focusing on Success

We would like to congratulate Detective Brian Smith and Toronto Police Service for being the 2020/21 Community Partnership Award Recipient at this year’s Annual General Meeting and Recognition Night, held on October 27th, 2021. As the FOCUS Toronto co-chair, Toronto Police Services is a prime example of how law enforcement agencies can work in equal collaboration with social service agencies and municipalities to help people struggling with mental health issues. FOCUS Toronto is a highly effective approach in successfully assisting individuals connect to the supports and services they require in a timely way.

July 13, 2021

Yorktown’s Staff Award of Excellence: Tammy Scanlan

Every year, Yorktown Family Services honours the contributions of a staff member through the peer-nominated Staff Award of Excellence. Tammy Scanlan, Family, Child, and Youth Therapist, is the very deserving recipient for 2019/20. From her ability to think creatively and take on new challenges, to her calm, cheerful disposition and willingness to go above and beyond, Tammy exemplifies what the award represents. Always ready to lend a hand; whether taking a last-minute client at the end of the day, encouraging new staff, or volunteering her time to help out at agency events, Tammy can always be counted on.

June 18, 2021

Community Support in Time of Crisis

On Sunday, June 6th, 2021, a racially motivated attack on a Pakistani-Canadian family who were out on an evening stroll rocked the London, Ontario community. Across Canada, the tragedy and the loss of life left entire communities of Muslim Canadians worried, afraid, and grieving. As families grieve and communities attempt to heal, Yorktown Family Services provides mental health services during a crisis and support to youth and young adults to prevent such tragedies.