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Staff Appreciation
THANK YOU!!
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It's been a long winter but the Sistering team pulled together, from the Drop In to the third floor, to make sure that the women we serve feel included in our community, safe, respected and recognized.
We'd like to say thank you with a Staff Appreciation Spring Spread!
Please pop into the upstairs Staff Lunch Room before, after or during your shifts to enjoy some special treats and welcome the season of renewal with your colleagues.
Wednesday, April 18, 3 – 5 pm
Monday, April 30, 8 – 10 am
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Help Keep Sistering
in Good Shape
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Keeping Sistering shipshape calls for teamwork, and we appreciate your help in making sure we stay on top of repairs. If you see something that needs fixing, please let building coordinator Melissa T
roemel
know. Just fill out a work form - you'll find the forms at Reception - and leave it in Melissa's mailbox. Or email Melissa at mtroemel@sistering.org. And please make sure to include your name so she can follow up if she has questions.
Most work orders are processed the same day but the time it takes to get things fixed depends on the schedule of the trades required to do the work - so please be patient!
We'll make sure to let the Drop In team know when the trades are booked. If someone shows up unexpectedly, please let Melissa know.
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Welcome to Dr. Crystal Pinto, who is replacing Dr. Cheryl Rowe, in the 1:30 - 4:30 slot.
And welcome to Rosa-Lee and Alice, who have joined the Drop In Relief team.
As you all know, after 10 years as Relief at Sistering, Orly Bitov has moved on to exciting new opportunities. Orly is finishing her training through the
Ontario Psychotherapy and Counseling program (OPC)
and is able to take clients. Clients can request Orly through the referral procedure - fill out the form and in the message box indicate you would like Orly to be your counsellor. Fees are a sliding scale from $60-$80 but Orly isn't registered yet so the fee isn't covered by insurance.
Click here for the referral process and form.
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Arise, in partnership with
Toronto BJJ,
offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu based self defence classes the last Wednesday of the month in the Drop In. All other Wednesdays, members from Arise can meet women at Sistering (3:30-3:45) to bring participants to the 4:00 self defence class at Toronto BJJ, 813 Bloor Street West, just west of Crawford.
Find out more about Toronto BJJ and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Toronto Drop-In Network Conference
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The first ever Toronto Drop-In Network (TDIN) Conference was held at 519 Church St. on March 20 with representatives from most of the 56 Toronto drop ins.
Bob Rose, who recently retired after 32 years at Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC), shared his lived experience as a consumer/survivor and the principles that shaped PARC.
Angela Robertson, Executive Director of Sistering for 11 years, shared how her experience as a Black immigrant woman shaped her work - she also spoke about Sistering's birth.
The takeaway for Tina S.: orientations to our work with participants. And the value of asking participants, 'What do you want to do? How do you want to do it? And what do you need to do it?" and using the answers to shape new programs and grow your organization.
The Conference in Brief
A shout out to Alida Morris who did an outstanding job as a member of the LGBTQ2S panel - Jhona Bhinos, representing Égale Youth OUTreach also participated. Attendees were invited to think about their work through a new lens. Jhona called for representation of queer people of colour on staff and in management, so that Trans and other queer participants of colour see themselves reflected on staff. There was a focus on barriers to service and inclusivity.
The panel on restorative justice and service respites offered interesting insight. Rittenhouse: A New Vision piloted a program using Peers and an Aboriginal-style talking circle for mediation. Rittenhouse comes from an Abolitionist perspective to prisons, and believe that service respite is a form of punishment that replicates prison-style justice. St. Stephen’s Corner Drop In did a pilot with Rittenhouse, and they advocate for very few
service respites.
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On at Outreach
Art therapy groups with Samantha Channing continue to be enthusiastically attended. Last month the budding artists worked on still life paintings. A trip to the AGO to see the Access to Art exhibit is in the works.
Outreach celebrated International Women's Day with a delicious banquet made by participants, and a workshop where women shared stories and pictures from their cultures.
The lunch included green fried plantain chips, Swedish meat balls, Jordanian chickpea wraps, Chinese spring rolls, South Asian pakoras. And for dessert? West Indian Black Cake purchased from a local store!
A Tax Clinic was held on March 6, and 30 tax returns were completed.
And as always, our Quilting and Sewing groups are full, and participants enjoy reflexology and hair cuts thanks to our awesome volunteers.
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Sisters Kitchen Update
Yin Zhang, one of the participants who works in the Kitchen is taking part in a two-day train-the-trainer Healthy Eating Seminar, courtesy of Second Harvest. Yin will return with a greater understanding of well balanced, nutrient dense recipes to share with our Kitchen team.
Thanks to the generous support of Creating Health Plus, Relief chef Deborah Reid (pictured right) will be attending the Conflict Resolution course through Toronto Hostels Training Centre.
Our new pantry freezer should be on its way shortly. And we've almost landed on a source for a new industrial kitchen stove.
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Participant Groups Update
Tina Shapiro is hoping you'll encourage participants to take part in the following groups. All are welcome!
Employment Group
What:
This group helps women looking for work, or who want support as they transition back into the workforce. Topics include: interview skills with mock interviews; stamina for the job search and for work; and accommodations in the workplace for people with disabilities. Group members network, and give and get support.
When:
Wednesdays at 2 pm in the Program Room.
Anti-racism/Anti-oppression Group
What:
This group explores how racism and oppression impact participants both at Sistering and in society at large. We look for ways to educate participants, and make improvements to our community. Tina is looking for other staff to co-facilitate this group.
When:
The last Monday of the month at 5:30 pm in the Program Room.
Social Action Group
What:
This group is co-facilitated by Peer Debra, Myriam and student Pamela. This year, the focus is on workshops, based on staff feedback at our Strategic Planning sessions. To date: an insightful presentation from a Peer at the Safe Injection Site at Moss Park; and a number of trainings from TTC Riders, such as making deputations and being a media spokesperson. The group took part in a Day of Action with TTC Riders, as well as deputed.
When:
The second Monday of the month at 6 pm in the Program Room.
Safety @ Sistering
What:
This group looks at ways to work together as a community to improve and promote a safe space at Sistering.
When:
The fourth Monday of the month at 4 pm in the Program Room.
Please email Tina S. for more information or to connect her with participants.
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Multicultural Celebration
Participants asked the evening staff for an opportunity to learn about the cultures represented by the women who come to Sistering.
We listened - and worked collaboratively to host a multicultural celebration with an emphasis on Acceptance, Respect and Inclusion.
Community members and staff created flags representing different countries as well as LGBTQ2S+ to decorate the Drop In.
The evening kicked off at 5:30 with music and dancing by participants and group agencies representing our Latin American, Aboriginal, Caribbean and African communities.
Dinner was served at 7:30 pm and featured dishes included: roast chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, coleslaw and salad, zucchini and eggplant lasagna, guacamole with tortillas, rice pudding and Portuguese custard tarts with special punch.
Good to Know
A two-month rent strike at a west Toronto highrise is expected to end after a landlord abandoned a bid to raise tenants' rents by more than double the amount recommended by the government.
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Raising $$ and Awareness for Sistering
Our friends at DBRS held Friday "Jeans Days" throughout the year and raised over $7,000 for Sistering!
We have a new partnership with The Drake. The Marketing Team came for a tour and information sharing session to learn more about our services and to pledge their commitment to raising awareness and much needed donations for our programming.
We also have a new partnership with Fuzz Wax Bar. Their corporate team came for a tour and plans are in the works for a spring campaign!
The many events that were held in celebration of International Women's Day raised over $11,000 for Sistering! Whoo Hoo!
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