S.I. Toronto’s (S.I.T.) major project for 2008 – 2009 will benefit Moorelands Community Services.

Street Haven at the Crossroads

S.I. Toronto’s major project for 2007-2008 has been the renovation and planting project of a therapeutic garden for the residents of Street Haven. Members of S.I.T. have also served brunch at Street Haven to mark International Women’s Day for the past few years. The Haven is an emergency short-term shelter and drop-in centre. Women are provided shelter, food, and clothing. They are also offered support and counselling.

The Immigrant Women Health Centre's Mobile Unit is a health clinic on wheels that travels to communities where immigrant and refugee women reside and work to bring them accessible health education and clinical services. The mobile unit was purchased (in 1981) because many immigrant women who needed services could not get to the Clinic. With the help of Soroptimists, Health Canada and other funders, the IWHC purchased and equipped a 35 foot mobile unit. In 2005, S.I.T also contributed funds for the purchase of a replacement vehicle.

A Capella Services for Girls

A Capella was started with a grant from S.I.T. A Cappella provides support and counselling to young women experiencing difficulty with their families or school. The parent support program provides workshops for parents who wish to enhance their communications with their teens.

The Jean Tweed Centre

S.I.T. funded the daycare centre at Jean Tweed. The Jean Tweed Centre is an addiction treatment facility for women with alcohol/drug abuse concerns. The Child Development program offers both child care and support for women attending various out-patient services at the Centre.

Anduhyaun\Nekenaan\Awashishuck Day Care

SI Toronto provided funds for the Day Care and sleepwear, clothing, linens and appliances were collected and delivered. Anduhyaun is a housing project for abused native women and their children. "Anduhyaun" means "Our Home" in the Ojibway language. Nekenaan is an apartment building which provides long-term housing for the women after they leave Anduhyaun. SI Toronto received first place Human Rights\Status of Women Award for its work with the Anduhyaun project. Awashishuck Day Care is located within Nekenaan.

Celebration of Women’s Contributions in a Multi-Cultural, Diverse City.

Soroptimist International Toronto is planning a major event for 2008 to take place Saturday afternoon, October 25, 2008 at a venue in the Bloor/Spadina area. The celebration will be an opportunity for various women’s groups in the Toronto area to join us in celebrating their contributions to improving the lives of women and girls locally and internationally. There will be a bazaar offering local entertainment with an international flair, an opportunity for our club and sister groups to promote their organizations and a chance to win prizes. Fun for all!

Toronto Soroptimists Knitting for a Cause

Our club members and friends have been busy knitting scarves which we sold at the Fall Regional Meeting and club functions. Proceeds go to support the Streethaven Garden Project.

Soroptimist Bags and Tee shirts

While supplies are dwindling our Soroptimist monographed bags and tee shirts have provided further funding for our projects.

Purse Caddies

The problem of what to do with your handbag when dining out has been solved with our “purse caddies”, a simple and attractive hook that slips onto the table keeps your purse off the floor and out of the hands of thieves so that you can enjoy your meal. The popularity of the caddies as an item at our recent conference has lead us to include them for sale at future fundraising events.