COVID-19 and Food: How the pandemic affects food security
September was Hunger Action Month, a month-long recognition of the struggles some people face with hunger and food insecurity. As hunger awareness grows and food and meal programs continue to expand, Toronto has seen a rising percentage in food bank visits and people seeking food assistance. Many people rely on food assistance or have recently…
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Homes First’s Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Update: At all of its shelters Homes First is implementing a screening tool that the City of Toronto developed in conjunction with Toronto Public Health for persons that may be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. The City is opening a new program that will allow those being tested or told to self-isolate to stay out of…
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Wanda’s Arts Awards 2019: Geoff (2nd place winner)
Nominated every year since the beginning of the Wanda’s Arts Awards in 2015, Geoff describes his current art state as having “six fingers in six different pies.” Currently Geoff is working on multiple art pieces that make up three different series: a collection of self-portraits inspired by his interest in subatomic physics; a sequence of…
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Wanda’s Arts Awards 2019: Dey (2nd place winner)
It has been over 40 years since Dey first began her pottery. A wheel sits in the middle of her apartment, surrounded by various handmade cups, bowls and plates. While Dey still works on her wheel regularly and visits the pottery studio to create ceramics, it’s her drawing and painting that has changed the most….
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Wanda’s Arts Awards 2019: Tesfa (2nd place winner)
Growing up in Jamaica, Tesfa remembers painting on the walls in their home. Worried about what the landlord would say, his mother handed him soapy water and rags, and he would scrub the walls clean again only to paint them over again a few days later. “I couldn’t bear to see the walls too clean…
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Wanda’s Arts Awards 2019: Valentina (2nd place winner)
When outreach workers found Valentina living in a tent in a North York park, she was surrounded by $7,000 worth of leather scrolls, each of them covered in handwritten Bible verses. She describes herself as “awakening, recovering on the other side.” For her, creating those scrolls is what made her healthy again. “The process of…
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Wanda’s Arts Awards 2019: Tony (1st place winner)
A Homes First resident for nearly 10 years and a previous winner of Wanda’s Arts Awards, Tony is working on creating unique paintings that are more three-dimensional and immersive. “I’m persistent at it and I’m thinking that I learned something skill-wise in the last couple years.” Despite his colourful and sophisticated paintings, Tony hasn’t been…
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Wanda’s Arts Awards 2019: James (1st place winner)
James always dreamed of being an artist. His preferred mediums are drawing and painting, though he does do sculpture work occasionally. He attended university in Uganda, majoring in photography, painting and product design, but was unable to finish when his family couldn’t afford his tuition anymore. After that, James tried to leave his artistic talents…
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Wanda’s Arts Awards 2019: Clarissa (1st place winner)
Growing up, Clarissa would always watch her mother sew. She would make clothes for her and her dolls, and when they had a wedding to attend, Clarissa would visit the store with her mother and pick out the fabric for her new dress. By six, Clarissa was able to hand stitch things, though it still…
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Wanda’s Arts Awards 2019: Erika (1st place winner)
A year has passed since Erika’s last nomination, and for her, “it was a really great year.” Erika received her first Wanda’s Arts Award nomination last year. A single mother of two, she came to Canada five years ago, and over the past few years, has been actively participating in art shows. While her traditional…
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National Volunteer Week: Mel & Chewy
Melanie found Therapeutic Paws of Canada, an organization of volunteers and their pets that provide therapeutic supports, after spending some time as a patient in a hospital. Melanie took her dog Chewy to be evaluated and a few months after passing 12 tests, they began volunteering at Homes First’s Kennedy shelter. Now over a year…
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National Volunteer Week: Sweekruti
University can be rough. Classes are overwhelming and the stress makes you feel nostalgic for the good old days where the hardest math you learned was fractions. For Sweekruti, volunteering to run an after-school program helps bring her back to simpler times. “Kids see me as one of them so I get along with them.”…
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National Volunteer Week: Catherine
Homes First has seen a lot of changes over the years, but in the Homes First Human Resources department, the one thing that hasn’t changed is Catherine. Catherine came to Homes First in 2015. She had recently moved into the downtown area from the west end and since retiring in 2012, wanted to give…
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National Volunteer Week: Tova
Tova has always found art therapeutic for herself, a way to deal with the stresses of her own life and career as a lawyer. So when an opportunity came to volunteer at her local Homes First community to lead weekly art workshops, she found it a perfect fit. “I really wanted to get involved in…
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National Volunteer Week: Andrei
Andrei knows what going to bed hungry feels like – he grew up under the Romanian dictatorship. When he was part of the Occupy Toronto movement, he slept in a tent in St. James Park, and interacted with the homeless individuals who came for the free meals that were handed out. But for him, being…
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Wanda's Arts Awards Winners 2018
We had many great artists nominated this year, but two came out on top! Congratulations to Erika and Allison! Erika’s journey with art began in her early years at school in the Czech Republic, where her adoptive mother enrolled her in painting and drawing classes. She attended a private school with a focus on art,…
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Homes First Charity Intelligence Rating
Homes First recently updated its profile with Charity Intelligence Canada, a charity that conducts independent research on other charities to help donors make informed decisions and have the most significant impact. Charity Intelligence analyses charities based on management and operations, financial transparency, and the social impact of the charities programs. Charity Intelligence Canada assesses both…
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Because We Care: Scarborough Toyota Raises $25,000
Scarborough Toyota actively engages their community through philanthropy. In 2018, the Scarbrough Toyota ‘Because We Care’ campaign raised $25,000 for Homes First Foundation. The Because We Care Campaign is a community partnership between charities, Scarborough Toyota, and customers who can donate $100 to a select list of charities when purchasing a vehicle in July and…
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Volunteer Transforms Storeroom and Himself
For National Volunteer Appreciation Week 2018 we shared part of Andreas’s story with you. Now we’d like to share his extraordinary journey with you in more detail. His story, like so many other Homes First residents, is one of bad luck and incredible resilience. Andreas began helping shelter staff with deliveries while still in residence….
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Your Support Helps Homeless Find A Home
Our mission and philosophy begin with home. Housing the homeless is not just about providing shelter, it’s about providing a supportive community. Building community isn’t cheap, and Homes First Foundation relies on individual donors to help cover the costs of Homes First Society programs. You don’t have to be wealthy to have a practical, everyday…
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Helping The Homeless Find The Quiet Within
This summer, Homes First has partnered with Street to Trail, a non-profit organization that provides hiking trips and outdoor adventures to people who are homeless. Street to Trail’s mission is to help people rediscover their inner sense of worth using the healing power of the natural world. Homes First residents partake in monthly hiking excursions…
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From Resident To Volunteer: Andreas
It was through bad luck that Andreas found himself homeless. He was happy in his home with two dogs when the ceiling caved in because of mold. Health problems followed and soon, he was forced to leave his place. Luckily, he found Homes First’s St. Clair shelter. Due to the time it took for Andreas…
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Liberty Village Cares: Volunteer Week 2018
Jagger Long and his neighbours wanted to give back, but going through a volunteer application process can get daunting or frustrating for some. So they began running clothing drives and food donations for the homeless and Syrian refugees. While they enjoyed helping however they could, they didn’t expect things to grow as rapidly as they…
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Green with Joy
Pratheesh Nair, Homes First volunteer, shares his experiences of participating in our very first parade together. Read on! March 19, 2017, Sunday, Toronto: The slightly chilly yet reluctantly sunny morning of Sunday, the 19th day of March, brought with it some color (read green, lots of green) and merry bagpipe music. For those who do not…
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Homes First in the St. Patrick’s Parade
Is that the leprechaun and where’s the pot of gold? Great news! Homes First will be celebrating in Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and you can join us. The parade is an amazing annual carnival that attracts 500,000 people a year in Toronto. It is widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora around the world…
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Be the Change: Thank You Flight Centre Travel Group Volunteers!
“Glad to be giving back because it doesn’t always have to be Christmas to do that” said Knoxanne Wignall when she got to roll up her sleeves with her colleagues to feed residents at Strachan House. One of the 16 properties operated by Homes First, providing housing to the homeless. “Isolation is one of the…
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Join us! Live Reading "Streets to Script"
Celebrating voices of recovery! Please join us. Share the dreams and hopes of Homes First residents. In these pages are poems and reflective anecdotes written by our residents on topics such as homelessness, mental health, forgiveness, family and recovery. This anthology is the voice of our community. Streets to Script is the culmination of Homes First’s year-long…
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February 2017 Resident's Newsletter
February Resident’s Newsletter is ready for you! Check out what’s been happening at Homes First – recap from the Mayor’s three hour visit to Kennedy Shelter. Click here to download it in full!
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December 2016 Resident's Newsletter
Holiday Resident’s Newsletter ready for you! Check out what’s been happening at Homes First – recap from the annual Showcase and up & close with resident Paula. Click here to download it in full!
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Give a Holiday Hamper this Season!
Our Holiday Hamper Drive is a time to remember the ones often forgot over the holidays. Our residents rarely have any funds left over after paying rent, and especially during these months, it makes the world of a difference to be able to celebrate in small ways. Ensuring people living on tight budgets have the…
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October Resident's Newsletter
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October Resident Newsletter ready for you! Our annual Showcase is coming up and we need your talent! The Diabetes Prevention Program cooking class was a success and do you know how to spot a bed bug? Check it out here…
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Red Roof Fall Newsletter
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Homes First’s Fall newsletter ready for you! The Rotary Club and Tippet Foundation make a precedent setting gift to our Strachan property…art at Shuter with one of our amazing volunteers Ashley and Homes For Dinner is coming up! Check it out here.
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August Resident's Newsletter
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Check out the latest Resident’s Newsletter. August’s edition features the Summer Olympics, program updates – Homes First is having an Art Show – and a recipe for Breakfast of Champions. click here to read it now! Please NOTE: There has been a change to a program time – Writing & Storytelling Workshop When: Thursdays 6-7pm Where: 90…
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Meet our team of fabulous Volunteer Writers
Homes First is bursting with talented volunteers, staff and residents these days! Take a moment to learn more about the little family of Volunteer Writers we have been collecting over the year. They dedicate free time every month to interview, discover and write about the organization and the many notable experiences that take place. Thank…
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Announcement at the Homes First Society and Homes First Foundation AGMs
June 2016, It was announced at the Homes First Foundation AGM that Chantal Desloges, previous Foundation Secretary, will become the new Chair of the Foundation Board. Chantal Desloges was appointed to this position, and it carries a one year term until the annual general meeting of 2016 that will take place in June 2017. Chantal…
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July All Staff Meeting – Service Awards
Yesterday all Homes First Society staff congregated at the Charbonnel Lounge on the U of T campus for the All Staff meeting. Twice yearly, the team meets up to celebrate successes, learn more about one other, and explore topics that will benefit the type of work we do. This years’ focus was on resiliency and…
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It's National Volunteer Week
![It's National Volunteer Week]()
Meet Catherine – our amazing volunteer administrator! “[Volunteering] takes you out of your own sphere and gives you an easy opportunity to learn about other issues and other ways of living and other people and how other people deal with things,” Catherine says. “I always find that I get more than I give.” read…
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April Resident Newsletter
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Hot off the press! Lots of exciting topics this month; Earth Day, World Health Day, an interview with a newer staff member at Homes First and information on rent-geared-to-income. Download a copy here…
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New Blog Post – "Intersections of Stone and Glass"
On a mild March evening, nearly eight-hundred names were featured in chilling procession as an engaged audience held candles in vigil below. Rebecca Houston’s installation, Stone and Glass: We are all transient, part of the ongoing Myseum Intersections festival, highlighted the scourge of homeless deaths in our city and mourned the victims of a tragedy…
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Newest Blog Post – "More Than Housing"
Homes First has recently taken on an impressive team of bloggers who are going to explore our mission, vision and help illustrate the daily life inside our organization. Our first post comes to you from one of our special members, Marcus Bankuti, who has been assisting with Homes First’s Resident Newsletters for almost a year…
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March Resident Newsletter
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Latest March Residnet newsletter available! It’s a jam-packed edition this month – everything from tax tips to St.Patricks day to an update on our Diabetes Prevention program. Get all these in the newsletter by clicking here.
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New Blog Post: Summer in the City
Jackie Mlotek talks about some of the risks and realities of experiencing homelessness in the hotter weather, with some tips on what you can do to help. Summer in the City Experiencing homelessness, in its many variations, is always a difficult experience. In the summer there are realities that often go unconsidered by…
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Softchoice Volunteers Green Homes First
Softchoice volunteers headed to Meegwetch to give our gardens a little tender love and care! Thank you so much for spending the day tending to our green spaces and giving our residents a lovely place for relaxation! Volunteer with Homes First today!
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Rain or shine, we've got pride!
Homes First residents, staff and volunteers braved the weather this past weekend to celebrate Pride! We joined in the fun and flew our rainbow flag even in the downpour!
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Tie One On Raises $55,000
Tie One On 2015 was the best yet! We imagined that we might raise $40,000. In fact, when we added up all the donations & sales…we raised $55,000! How fantastic is that?! Here is a great piece about Danika (the woman who spoke so openly) and the Wanda’s Arts Awards. This is the best testimonial for…
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Giving hours, flowers, and expertise
With her fiery red hair and a personality to match, it’s not hard to believe that Fran Perkins was once named the Toronto Sun’s mover and shaker woman of the month. Full of life, passion and goodwill, Fran dedicated her accomplished career in public health to bettering our society. With a firm belief that having…
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Quilting up Comfort
Twice a week, you can find the Etobicoke Quilter’s Guild sorting supplies and sewing away at their local community centre. The group makes over 140 unique comfort quilts each year, which they then donate to people of all ages in shelters and hospices across Toronto. Homes First is fortunate to be a recipient of the…
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Cinthya serves our seniors
When Cinthya Narvaez came to Canada 14 years ago, she barely spoke English. Thanks to the support of family and friends, Cinthya overcame the barriers of adjusting to life in a foreign country and learning a new language. Grateful to everyone who helped further her education, Cinthya now gives her time to educate and help…
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Meditation Master Gloria
Every Monday since September, volunteer Gloria has brought a little serenity to Meegwetch. She leads a meditation group that is open to all residents in the common area. Each session starts with a guided seated meditation where Gloria leads residents through a calm setting, such as sitting quietly at the bottom of the ocean and…
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$5000 raised to house Toronto’s homeless
A sincere thanks to Rotaract Club of Toronto for hosting a wonderfully fun event and raising $5,000 to help house Toronto’s homeless! We greatly appreciate your support and can’t wait to attend next year! Interested in having a fundraiser on our behalf? Let us know what you’re planning and we’ll see how we can help!
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Residents lead Substance Use Awareness Day
Seven residents helped put on a fantastic substance use awareness day at our Scarborough Shelter. People affected by substance use were able to access great resources as community members set up information booths and made presentations. Residents screened the film they made in the Spring, Between the Lines, about how stigma affects drug users. Haven’t…
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Holiday Supper Hits Record Attendance
In lieu of family, residents joined together to share in a Christmas feast. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the turkey was plentiful, the potatoes mashed, and the gravy was flowing. This Christmas, we had record attendance at the holiday meals and donated food hampers and gifts brought a little comfort and a…
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Students interview Homes First residents
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On Nov 17, Bishop Morrocco Secondary School students headed to Homes First to interview residents and staff about poverty. Tasked with making a film about social justice for their multimedia class, these bright young students posed thoughtful questions and asked “What can we, as teenagers, do to alleviate poverty?” We’re excited to see the finished…
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The Art of Being a Life Skills Worker
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“If we can keep somebody in the same environment for a week, month, or year, only then can we take care of the other things they need to be supported. Homes First pioneered the Housing First model and it works. Now the data has caught up and governments are supporting this model. Housing First is…
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Welcoming newcomers home
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“Because Homes First works with people who truly need support and housing – people who struggle with their mental health, who are immigrants, who are people of colour, who are native, everyone,” Paulina, a community housing worker, responds when asked why she chose to work here. “Homes First gave me the opportunity to learn more…
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Between the Lines: A drug user's perspective
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Homes First residents came together to create a documentary investigating some of the most pressing problems that Toronto’s marginalized drug users face. In their own words, they talk about the factors that contribute to their substance use including stigma, poverty and homelessness. They explore how…
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The Power of Volunteering
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Happy National Volunteer Week! We are forever indebted to our energetic volunteers for the many hours they have dedicated to helping Homes First and the people we serve. We could not achieve what we do without your amazing support. As a small token of thanks, we have been featuring a different volunteer story every day…
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Resident's take on Pope's birthday celebration
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Long-time Homes First resident and devout Catholic, John, speaks with CBC about his take on Pope Francis inviting four homeless men to celebrate his birthday with him. John goes on to chat about how he feels about the Pope’s shift in focus for the Catholic Church. Take a listen here: http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/columnists/mary-wiens/2013/12/18/popes-message/
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Join a Diverse Board to Help the Homeless
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It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Mo Ettehadieh knows first hand the importance of diversity and the strengths it can bring to boards in Canada. As the President & CEO of Mettko, a professional engineering firm and founding member of the Diversity Business Network (DBN), he understands that diversity is a fundamental aspect of our…
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Baking for a Good Cause
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We’re pleased to announce that our most recent Intelex Charity Bake Sale raised $458 for local not-for-profit housing provider, Homes First! For those of you who have never heard of Homes First, they’ve been serving Toronto’s chronically homeless since 1983 by providing stable living environments and access to social services. Sadly, there are over 5,000 people…
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20 Homes for Dinner a Raging Success
20 Homes for Dinner launched Friday, October 25 and was an instant “raging success”! There have been countless stories of laughter, spectacular food, and a new sense of community. This is truly the start of something very special, something that will grow into a city-wide dinner party in years to come. Guests attended a reception…
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We're Live!
![We're Live!]()
Homes First is live! Homes First has launched our twitter page and would love you to follow us! You’ll find daily updates about the happenings at Homes First, our community, and relevant news from the sector. We’d love to hear from you so please follow and tweet us! You can also like us on Facebook….
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Wool Fundraiser in Cabbagetown
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Over a weekend in September a group from Homes First got together for the Wool Fundraiser in Cabbagetown. Even though the sky was keeping a lot of people inside with all of its rain over the weekend, the group was amazingly able to sell all the wool it brought. They raised $1308 over the weekend….
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City Councillor Ana Bailão speaks at Homes First AGM
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Many thanks to our guest speaker from this year’s Annual General Meeting, City Councillor and affordable housing advocate Ana Bailão. Pictured with Homes First’s Society Executive Director Patricia Mueller, Ana chairs the Affordable Housing Committee and is committed to addressing housing needs in Toronto. Ana’s message rings loud and clear: “We need to put people…
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Descriptor Communications helps establish Resident Speakers Bureau
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Annelies Fujarczuk of Descriptor Communications believes regardless of who you are, what you have done, where you have been, or where you are going, you have the right to share your voice with pride. As a speech coach and communications consultant, she is volunteering her skills to help Homes First residents taking part in…
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Jack Layton's tie inspires fundraiser for Homes First
![Jack Layton's tie inspires fundraiser for Homes First]()
After Jack Layton’s death, one of the tasks his son Mike Layton took on was sorting through his father’s things. As one might imagine, Jack Layton, the leader of the federal NDP party who died in August 2011, had accumulated quite a number of ties – nearly 300 of them, Layton said. “There were ones…
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Homes First Christmas Wishlist
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With a home you can celebrate Christmas Christmas can be a special time but for the homeless it is a day like any other – a day without family, shelter, friends, hope or security.Homes First houses 550 adults, seniors, youth and children every night. Here is a list of some of the items that would help…
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Not your typical fashion show at Strachan House
![Not your typical fashion show at Strachan House]()
It wasn’t the typical pouts and puckers on the faces of Ghetto Chic fashion show models, but rather beaming smiles from ear-to-ear as they strutted down the runway. But then again, this wasn’t your typical fashion show. The second annual Ghetto Chic fashion show, held Oct. 17 at Strachan House, is produced by Homes First,…
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Home for Thanksgiving
From Oct 6th to 11th, help make this Thanksgiving a meaningful one for our residents through a special contribution to Homes First. Your donation will go towards buying food and supplies for thanksgiving dinner at our…
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Board Member Chantal Desloges awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Congratulations to Homes First board member Chantal Desloges, a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The medal, awarded by the Governor General, recognizes outstanding contributions made by Canadians through community service. Nominated by the Canadian Christian Association, Chantal’s work as an immigration and refugee lawyer extends beyond the call of duty. For…
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