The federal government has designated September 30 as a day to honour the children who never returned home and survivors of native residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

We join in the public commemoration of this significant day to recognize the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. For those of us who are settlers on Turtle Island, it is an opportunity to renew our commitment to the ongoing and important work of Truth and Reconciliation. And it allows us time for reflection on our individual efforts to address decolonizing practice and confront white supremacy.

This recognition represents a small step in the journey to fulfill the commitments and 94 calls to action made in 2015 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It is a collective endeavour requiring active participation from all of us. Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place Sept 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On Sept. 30, Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of residential school survivors. It also provides a moment to explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Start your learning journey here.

Discover the visual elements of the Truth and Reconciliation image at this link.

Family Service Toronto has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the provision of consulting services to develop FST’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan. 

The RFP was released Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 and proposals will be accepted until 5 PM Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.

Questions and answers related to the RFP are available at this link.

Proponents are requested to send their proposals in electronic format to Shawn West, Director of Finance [email protected]  with the subject line “Proposal – Strategic Planning Services.”

A contract will be awarded in October with a timeframe of eight months for completion. Further details are available in the RFP document.

The Honourable Michael Parsa, Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, visited FST’s 355 Church Street location on Aug. 6 for an overview of agency initiatives and current reform efforts in the Developmental Services sector including its Journey to Belonging focus.

“It was a productive information session with the Minister and an opportunity for him to learn about initiatives such as our social purpose real estate and evolution of the Citywide Commons,” said Executive Director Chris Brillinger. “That’s a great story of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) adaptation and innovation post pandemic.  We also focussed on Passport, PassportONE and DS case management.” 

In addition to Chris the meeting included Anna Zhang, Chief Administrative Officer; Leila Sarangi, Senior Director, Strategy and Innovation; and Brian Porter, Director of Communications and Special Projects.

Family Service Toronto congratulates Executive Director Chris Brillinger on his June 27 appointment by the City of Toronto to the Toronto Police Service Board (TPSB).

“I am excited and honoured to be entrusted with the job of bringing a community and social justice perspective to the work of the board,” Chris said on news of his appointment for a two-year term ending November 14, 2026.

Chris joined FST as Executive Director in August 2019 after 31 years of exemplary leadership and dedication to Toronto public service including his role as the city’s Executive Director of Social Development, Finance and Administration. 

“He has been instrumental in much of the work of the City of Toronto to create safer, more caring communities including our youth equity strategy, poverty reduction strategy and strong neighbourhood strategy,” as stated in the City’s motion for his appointment.

“We are pleased to congratulate Chris on his appointment to the Toronto Police Service Board,” added FST Board President Olympia Baldrich. “As Executive Director of Family Service Toronto, Chris has demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to issues of social justice and equity and his work has been grounded in the lived expertise of people and the community.

“That experience combined with his many years of Toronto public service will serve him well in working to set objectives and priorities for the effective provision of the City’s police services,” she added. “We wish him all the best in this volunteer role and look forward to his continuing work at FST.”

The TPSB’s primary role is to set objectives and priorities for the effective provision of the City’s police services.

Support the work of Family Service Toronto by becoming a member.

As a member, you’ll have voting privileges at FST’s annual meeting in September or any other special meetings of members as well as receiving FST communications and invitations to special events.

FST membership is open to individuals who support our mission and vision of a city in which people are resilient and thriving in more just and supportive communities. The term of membership is one year and there is no fee.

Our Annual Meeting and related events will be held in person at 355 Church Street on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.  Become a member by July 8 and we’ll send you the information you need to attend.

The easiest way to join FST is by completing an online membership form.

We look forward to seeing you in September!

This Pride month we come together to celebrate and recognize the collective joy, resilience, grief, and strength that exists every day in our 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

As anti-trans rhetoric continues to rise in Canada, it’s crucial that we focus our attention on transgender inclusion and recognize the challenges our transgender siblings face, particularly those belonging to the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) community who face disproportionate amounts of transphobia compounded by racism and the ongoing effects of colonization, amidst a backdrop of escalating hate, violence, and discriminatory legislation. 

We cannot ignore the profound impact this has had on the trans community, exacerbating feelings of fear, isolation, and vulnerability. Transgender individuals already face disproportionate rates of violence, discrimination, and lack of access to essential resources such as healthcare and safe housing. The perpetuation of harmful narratives only serves to further alienate and endanger their well-being.

We believe our governments play a pivotal role in creating an inclusive and just society.  We are encouraged by the steps that have been taken in the past to protect the rights of transgender individuals, such as anti-discrimination laws and policies.  However, we also believe that more can and should be done to eradicate transphobia and ensure the safety and dignity of all Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, plus (2STNB+) members of our community. 

Family Service Toronto remains steadfast in our commitment to celebrating diversity, pursuing justice and practising inclusion. We are in solidarity with individuals and families from all areas of life and will continue to uplift the experiences of marginalized communities who call on us to challenge and dismantle all forms of oppression and discrimination.

Join us Wednesday, June 12 from 3 to 7 p.m. at 355 Church Street for our You’ve Got Pride Event – a collaborative postcard-making session and a queer watch party, celebrating our diverse identities and the resilience of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community.  Let’s come together as a community and as allies to honor our unique identities and collective strength. No registration required.

Family Service Toronto has joined more than 80 civil society organizations, settlement agencies and religious groups in Canada in signing a strongly-worded open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling on the government to abandon its plan to expand immigration detention into federal prisons.

Dated Monday, May 13, the letter highlights the human rights harms of jailing migrants on administrative immigration-only grounds. At least 17 people have lost their lives in immigration detention since 2000; most died while incarcerated in a provincial jail.

A 2021 joint report by Amnesty International and Human Rights watch found that people with mental health conditions experience discrimination in immigration detention, and racialized people are disproportionately impacted by this system. The report was titled “I Didn’t Feel Like a Human in There:” Immigration Detention in Canada and its Impact on Mental Health.

Canada incarcerates thousands of people on administrative immigration-related grounds every year, including people who are fleeing persecution, those seeking employment and a better life, and people who have lived in Canada since childhood.

Over the last two years, all Canadian provinces committed to stopping the practice of holding in their jails people detained by the Canada Border Services Agency on immigration-only grounds. However the federal government, in its recent budget implementation bill, has proposed allowing migrants and refugees in immigration detention to be held in federal penitentiaries, facilities usually reserved for people facing criminal sentences of two years or more.

The Toronto law firm of Koskie Minsky LLP has been engaged as Class Counsel in a proceeding against the Province of Ontario regarding lengthy waitlists for developmental services in Ontario.

The Amended Statement of Claim alleges that the issue of waitlists for desperately needed services has been a repeatedly identified issue for years and that Ontario has continued to ignore and failed to act upon the issue in any reasonable manner.

The claim alleges, among other things, that Ontario has been negligent and breached duties it owes to the class members under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, by virtue of these waitlists, some of which can last for years at a time because of a “broken system.”

For further information and to learn about eligibility for joining the class action, please consult the short-form notice of certification.

Family Service Toronto joins the Canadian Mental Health Association’s national Call for Kindness this week (May 6-12) as we mark #MentalHealthWeek in Canada, a pivotal time for shedding light on the challenges surrounding mental well-being.

It’s a reminder that each of us possesses the ability to show compassion, which can have a profound impact. This year’s focus for Mental Health Week highlights the powerful influence of compassion, emphasizing its fundamental role in everyone’s mental health journey.

“Over the last decade, there has been an impressive surge in research supporting the multitude of mental health benefits associated with compassion,” advises the CMHA .  “Compassion was shown to increase happiness, improve emotional resilience, and reduce stress, anxiety and loneliness.”

Compassion is about meeting adversity with kindness. Reach out to those around you who may be dealing with stressful situations and have difficulty coping.  A simple act of kindness will let someone know you care.  #CompassionConnectsUs

Family Service Toronto is recruiting volunteers to join its board of directors and committees beginning in the 2024-25 governance year.

FST’s board and committee members are individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives coming from the mental health, social services, non-profit, business, legal, government and academic sectors.

FST is currently seeking skills/expertise in:

• Consumer experience; service provider or working knowledge of the mental health and/or developmental services sector in Toronto
• Marketing and Communications
• Finance/Accounting, CFA; CPA
• Social justice, human rights, anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion work

Application deadline is May 17, 2024 with interviews scheduled for early June. See full posting here. Send resume and cover to [email protected]

As an agency committed to ending gender-based violence, Family Service Toronto (FST) is pleased that Bill 173 –  Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act – passed 2^nd reading in the provincial legislature on April 10, 2024.

Family Service Toronto released a statement in July of 2023 urging the government to take this important action. Declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic helps to take it out of the shadows, debunking the idea that it is a private matter, and elevates it to a public health priority.

Bill 173, introduced as a Private Members’ Bill and backed by the Government on 2nd reading, officially recognizes the scale, scope, and devastating impact of intimate partner violence as a public health crisis and epidemic in the Province of Ontario.  

Read FST’s full statement and join us in raising awareness about the importance of addressing IPV as a public health crisis.

April 14-20 is National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize and celebrate both FST’s volunteers and the millions of Canadians who contribute to building stronger and more inclusive communities every day.

This year’s theme, “Every Moment Matters” highlights the significant impact of every volunteer and their contributions.

Over the last year FST volunteers sat on an Accessibility Advisory Group, conducted occupational therapy-related training sessions, offered peer support, did community outreach, made weekly calls to isolated clients, provided administrative assistance, and contributed to governance. These activities took place both virtually and in-person, driven by our volunteers’ strong desire to make a difference. 

Our volunteers have shared that in addition to the satisfaction they receive from supporting our mission, they’ve gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by our clients and communities. Many have experienced increased confidence in their skills, leading to employment or advancement in their careers.

A huge thank you to our awesome volunteers! The moments you share with our clients, communities and staff make a profound difference!

Be sure to follow our National Volunteer Week posts on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.