Introduction to POINT

People & Organizations in

North Toronto is a non-profit

community information service

agency. POINT’s objective is

to serve the people of the

community by improving and

increasing awareness of the

social and health services in

North Toronto, through

information, education and

community engagement.

TOPICS WE CAN HELP

YOU WITH:

Housing

Employment

Legal

Children

Youth

Seniors

Newcomers

Recreation

Health

Volunteerism

Cookin’ Up Something Good for the Holidays It’s holiday season and that means the smell

of delicious food is in the air! No matter what

holiday you celebrate, good food is a central

component. Along our New Horizons theme

“Seniors’ Culinary Adventures: From City to

Country and Back”, POINT offered an

opportunity for 20 lucky participants to bring

out their inner chefs and get cooking!

On October 27th, POINT arranged for a

hands-on interactive cooking lesson to be

hosted at the Nella Cucina Culinary School

(876 Bathurst St.) We all met at the cooking

school and were instantly overwhelmed by

the beautifully arranged kitchen studio where

our class would be hosted. Each station had

a display of fresh and colorful fruits and

vegetables (all locally-sourced), along with

pre-measured ingredients which were to be

used in our recipes. We were taught that

setting up our ingredients in this manner is

called “mise-en-place”, meaning “everything

in its’ place.”

We did not waste any time, jumping into

preparing for our first course, which was a

delicious Carrot and Fennel soup. This

followed by an exceptional Moroccan cous

cous served with orange and ginger glazed

salmon. If there were any way to make this

meal more delicious and decadent, it was our

dessert. With the help of our skilled teachers,

we experimented making our own crepes

which were filled with lemon curd and topped

with raspberries with a sprinkle of powdered

sugar.

There was much to be learned by this

experience;

1. Cooking is a great way to build an appetite!

2. The feeling of accomplishment which

comes from preparing food for oneself!

3. Cooking does not have to be difficult.

*Just remember to read through the entire

recipe first, and follow steps one at a time!

This day would not have been possible

without the assistance of Brianne, the event

coordinator at the Nella Cucina Culinary

School. We would also like to acknowledge

our amazing teachers, Carly & Ilana for all of

their guidance, patience and for truly making

this experience such a success!

This issue

Nella Cucina Cooking Class P.1

What’s new with POINT? P.2

Holiday volunteer opportunities P.3

Contact Us P.4

2015 by 02

People & Organizations in North Toronto

200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org

ISS UE

How has POINT made an impact? “Thank you for being so patient with me. You explain things very slowly and clearly. I look forward to my next lesson with you!” -Basic Computer Class student “It was so wonderful to get to go on a trip with other seniors who I have formed a friendship with at the Wednesday lunches.” -Fresh City Farms Day Trip participant “This presentation was very good and well worth my time! I now know how important it is for me to keep better track of my expenses and not to be too trusting of people who ask for my [financial] information” -Credit Canada Workshop attendee

Meet Molly

COMPUTER ROOM NOW OPEN LATE!

You asked- we listened. As of October 28th

, our computer room will be open to the public every Wednesday until 8pm!

MIDTOWN TORONTO YOUTH COUNCIL

Midtown Toronto Youth Council (MTYC) is a new initiative of POINT which encourages youth to take an active role in realizing the programs and services they want to see in their community.

Interested in getting involved? Complete an online application at bit.ly/yourmtyc

SOCIAL MEDIA Check out POINT’s new social media! www.facebook.com/POINT.NorthToronto www.twitter.com/POINT_Toronto www.linkedin.com/company/people-&-organizations-in-north-toronto-p-o-i-n-t

COMING SOON… NEW POINT WEBSITE! Stay tuned for more details.

What’s new with POINT?

Molly came to POINT in search of a volunteer opportunity this summer. She has been an undeniable asset to POINT and the North Toronto community. Molly is currently volunteering as one of our basic computer class teachers.

Tell us about yourself! M: Apart from being a POINT volunteer, I am currently in the midst of completing my 2nd year of obtaining a Masters of Public Health. It is an online course offered by the University of Victoria. Prior to my degree, I worked and lived in South Korea for two years teaching English. In my spare time, I enjoy skiing and biking! What prompted your interest in volunteering? M: I was eager for an opportunity where I

could use what I’ve learned to give back to the community. What do you like about volunteering with POINT? M: I am grateful to have the opportunity to utilize my teaching skills. It has been a very rewarding experience, largely because the students I have taught have all been eager to learn and genuine in their intention to become computer literate. I am also proud to be involved with an organization like POINT. The staff are friendly, welcoming and truly passionate about helping the people in their community.

What helps you manage school and volunteer commitments? M: Time management is always beneficial when balancing school and volunteer commitments- especially when your courses are taken online! I view my volunteer commitment as a break from my school work so I look forward to my volunteer shifts! The biggest help to managing my time is the flexibility that POINT has offered me. POINT has been incredibly helpful in accommodating my shifts around my school schedule which has made it easy for me to fulfill my volunteer shifts. Any plans for the holidays? M: If the weather allows for it, I’d love to go skiing, but I’ll likely be spending time with family and friends. I’m really just looking forward to having some time to relax

200 Eglinton Ave West Toronto, ON, M4R1A7 416.487.2390 | www.pointinc.org

POINT Newsletter Issue 2 Year 2015

Have a suggestion?

We want to hear from

you!

For all

recommendations,

suggestions for

improvement, article

ideas and more, please

contact our C.I.S.

Coordinator at

jrovet@pointinc.org

We thank you in

advance for your input!

Volunteer Opportunities this Holiday!

Central Neighbourhood House CNH does a little bit of everything, including lending a hand to new Canadians and providing assistance to seniors in the community. CNH is currently looking for volunteers who can help out with delivering small holiday gifts to clients' homes. Access to a car is a plus. Contact: 416-925-4363, cstouffer@cnh.on.ca Holiday Helpers Holiday Helpers lets you play Santa this season! This organization delivers Christmas packages to low income families, and relies on volunteers for wrapping and delivery. Contact: 416-214-3659, volunteers@holidayhelpers.org Sistering Sistering's drop-in centre offers a safe daytime space for marginalized, homeless, or low-income women in Toronto. Its upcoming events include a hot holiday meal and gift-giving distribution, both of which could use a little help from volunteers. Contact: 416-926-9762 x239 callain@sistering.org Canadian Mental Health Association Instead of donating your time for the season, the public is asked to make a small donation for which a CMHA staff member will visit a client in his or her home and bring a few thoughtful holiday items. Donations can start at $25. Contact: 416-789-7957, rlindsay@cmha-toronto.net

Season’s Greetings!

At this wonderful time of year I want to take the opportunity to say thank you for your support, participation, service and generosity. As the first year of POINT’s 3 year Strategic Plan it has been a year of beginnings. We have re-established the role of the Community Information Service (CIS) coordinator and made other staff, programs, service and facility improvements. This prepares us to continue to successfully implement our plans.

We invite each of you to participate and/or volunteer in our programs. Please let us know if you have ideas of programs or services that would benefit our community. We’d love to hear from you. Warm wishes, Anka Jamnik POINT Chair

Chair’s Corner:

PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTH TORONTO STAFF DIANE WERNER-----------------------------------------------------EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JORDANA ROVET---------------------------------------------------C.I.S. COORDINATOR MOUMITA MOSTAFA----------------------------------------------ADMINISTRATION JOHN PATTON-------------------------------------------------------IT MANAGER

POINTing THE WAY!

POINT acts as a catalyst- putting people and services together. In practical terms, we work together with local residents, social service agencies and other organizations to make things happen. We assess out community needs. We identify “gaps” in social services. We work with existing services to fill those gaps. And if a service doesn’t exist we work to create one. POINT provides up-to-date information to the community through the POINT Community Information Service (CIS) and in-person and telephone response service.

For all community information needs, please contact our CIS Coordinator at jrovet@pointinc.org

CONTACT US

POINT is located within the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre at 200 Eglinton Avenue West (1st Floor)

Toronto, ON M4R1A7

416-487-2390

point@pointinc.org www.pointinc.org

People & Organizations in North Toronto

POINT Newsletter Issue 2 Year 2015