NEWS AND UPDATES

FROM EVAS INITIATIVES

SPRING & SUMMER 2009

NEW SATELLITE LOCATION SET TO OPEN SOON

By Morag Perkins After over ten years of waiting, Evas Satellite will be opening the new purpose-built 24 hour facility! The new facility is near completion, furnishings have been ordered, staff training has commenced, hiring new staff is in the works and client files are being packed up. Youth in Toronto will finally have a well resourced, 24 hour harm reduction facility the first in Canada. And for the past ten years Evas Satellite has been providing the programming building blocks toward this goal, as well as much needed services for some of the most vulnerable youth in Toronto. When we open our doors, we will be ready to provide programming that builds on the experiences of the past ten years and the expertise of staff and community partnerships established over this period. Many supporters have carried Evas Satellite to this place, and provided the groundwork for what is to come. When there was not much to see The Immanuel Seventh-Day Adventist Church supported drop-in breakfast programming for well over four years. The congregation donated money, clothing, food and holiday celebration support. alternatives to substance use and street culture, opportunities for therapeutic interactions with counsellors and opportunities for youth to experience the high of physical activity. The City of Toronto supports programming at Evas Satellite, and works closely with us to develop this new program and facility. Other community supporters include Toronto Public Library, North York Branch, and Mitchell Fields Community Centre. Over the years, many staff have contributed to the development of programming, and, more importantly, provided quality services to vulnerable youth under very adverse conditions. We would like to thank all those staff who have been a part of Evas Satellite and to the current and new staff who will deliver this innovative harm reduction programming. Lastly, we would like to celebrate all the youth who come to Evas Satellite, work with the staff and provide input into the development of these new programs. There are many heartening success stories that provide inspiration and keep us moving!

The new Satellite building

Thanks to The North York Rotary Club, the site features a basketball court and programming space with athletic equipment and art supplies. The recreation program is an important component of Evas Satellite. It provides healthy

WHATS INSIDE
Message from the ED and President 2 Evas Phoenix updates Evas Place updates Evas Satellite updates National Initiatives updates Donor news Volunteer & Event news Circle of support & Upcoming Events 3 4 5 5 6 7 8
News and Updates is printed at the Phoenix Print Shop, a social enterprise of Evas Initiatives. The Print Shop is a socially & environmentally responsible commercial printer that operates an award-winning training program for Evas youth. For a timely quote on your next print project call 416-364-4716 x256 or email printshop@evas.ca.

www.phoenixprintshop.ca

GREETINGS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT

ds us, and in Nobody can deny the current economic uncertainty and fear that surroun that our services are needed fact surrounds the globe. It is especially in times likes these, and continuity the most, and the challenges we face in ensuring adequate funding levels of service are at their peak. ative It is also at times like this, that the need for timely, innovative and collabor is proud to be able to say that despite the challenges responses couldnt be greater. Evas in developing and unprecedented need that surrounds us, we continue to move forward s. and delivering innovative responses to pressing problem opening, a Our new Satellite Shelter is scheduled to open this year, and with that youth who struggle with significant expansion in our harm reduction programming for ng increase in drugs and alcohol will become a reality. In response to the deeply disturbi youth with mental health issues Evas developed a specialized the number of homeless these youth, and program model focused specifically on working more effectively with needs. Few people know that the assisting them to find long term solutions to their mental health youth in our community are not being properly taken care of by the As Evas is once again leading the charge for this issue, we are calling system in Ontario. cture. Our model on government to address this critical gap in our social service infrastru is a top priority this year. is complete, and the quest for funding

BOARD OF DIRECTORS David St. Amand, President Heather Brown, Vice-President Colin Phillips, Treasurer Emree Siaroff, Secretary Ken Silver, Past President DIRECTORS Michael Cossar Maya Dansereau Ettie Dawkins Patricia Gloudon Jane Haberbusch Rob Myers Jennifer Ocampo-King Saurabh Rastogi Kathryn Ross Councillor David Shiner HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Ed Smith Edeva Smith Maria Crawford, Ex-officio EVAS INITIATIVES TELEPHONE NUMBERS HEAD OFFICE 416-977-4497 EVAS PLACE 416-441-1414 EVAS SATELLITE 416-229-2810 EVAS PHOENIX 416-364-4716

of It has been said that smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. Our history ing times and perplexing problems, of offering new successfully navigating challeng , and made solutions and of working collaboratively has greatly enhanced our capacity that we are today. As with the mental us the vibrant, skilled and resilient organization to share and health crisis, Evas responds to a growing demand from across the country By working with youth serving agencies from across Canada we are gaining collaborate. a national entity strength and knowledge not just as an agency here in Toronto but as Evas brings together leaders of 12 organizations caring for, protecting and serving youth. best practices, ideas across the country to share rather than compete. We put forward our of our commitment to and experiences. Our growth into a National program is evidence finding real long-term solutions to youth homelessness. for you to do At Evas we believe as Duke Ellington did - that A problem is a chance solving efforts its one of the best your best. I invite you to be a part of our problem investments youll make this year.

Maria Crawford Executive Director

our mission

David St. Amand President

To work collaboratively with homeless and at-risk youth to help them reach their potential to lead productive, self-sufficient and healthy lives by providing safe shelter and a range of services. We create long-term solutions for homeless youth by developing and implementing proactive and progressive services.

www.evasinitiatives.com
2 | News and Updates from Evas Initiatives | Spring 2009

Eva's Phoenix is a transitional housing and training facility. It provides housing for 50 youth for up to one year and training and apprenticeship opportunties for 160 youth per year.
SOUL OF THE PHOENIX From the Ashes, embers still glow. As we crawl out from hiding, We spread our wings, and embrace this new blaze. From the fire and flames, quakes bring forth pain Words like lava, spew out magma rain. Our burnt hearts too hot to touch Past loves become an inferno And the heat is too much. But we are all the Phoenix Rebirth is possible. That the soul is yours unstoppable. So begin anew from a view unknown before, Arise from the ashes and live once more. B.S.

PRINT SHOP NEWS

PHOENIX UPDATES

By Clovis Grant This poem submitted by one of our residents sums up the work we do at Evas Phoenix - to help young people achieve their potential. Evas Phoenix is more than a shelter. We provide an ongoing array of supports that help youth ages 16-24 years gain skills they need to live independently. One such support is the Youth Succeeding in Employment Program which attracts youth from all over Toronto. In 2008, YSEP served 68 young people with 46 of them gaining hands-on employment skills in a career of their choice. Through the mentorship program, youth access supports that enhance their self-esteem and builds their leadership skills. Community and peer mentorship volunteers contributed more than 1300 hours of service in 2008. Another one of our supports is the Mentorship Project, and the The Gardening Collective is one of its most successful components. It started as a simple project turning 300 sq. ft. of grass behind Phoenix into a garden of sorts. Fast forward 5 years and the Garden Collective is now an intregal part of the Phoenix community. Beyond giving young people the opportunity to learn about gardening, the environment and nutricious meal planning, the garden inspires leadership and develops community. It provides a sense of family and home, and pride in achieving and accomplishing, according to one participant. The project is supported by volunteers and donors who provide soil, seeds and equipment. In particular, Second Harvest, Daily Bread Food Bank and students at Trinity College are highly involved.

The Printshop in action.

By Andrew MacDonald With tremendous dedication and hard work in the last two quarters of 2008, our commercial team of Alexandra Djukic, Ed Poirier and Leah Posen achieved a long sought target: a break-even position for the enterprise, even generating a small contribution toward our Foundations of Print training program! Led by Bill Kidd and Stephen Sutton, Foundations of Print had a solid 2008, meeting objectives by training over 25 youth and connecting them with employment and educational opportunities in the print field. In keeping with our approach at Evas Phoenix, the enterprise continues to provide leadership in its commitment to long-term solutions, illustrated by the following message: Just wanted you to know that work is still going great weve had a new boss over the last 4 months, so everything is good - loving life you can say. School is great - went for the last half year and got a lot done in class and lots of home work - teachers are nice. Im going back this year for the full year in class and at the end of the year I want to see where my studies are at. Thats it so far, Ill keep you posted. When you get this reply so I know you got it. ~ 2005 Phoenix Print Shop Graduate Looking forward we are very excited about the Evas Phoenix expansion. Thanks to a donation from the TELUS Toronto Community Board, the Print Shop team is investing in a new wide-format digital imaging system. This will make a valuable contribution toward our goal of doubling the number of youth securing full-time work over the next three years. Given the difficult current economic situation this new equipment will further diversify a Phoenix Print Shop graduates skill set a key factor in finding employment in todays labour market.

TOP: the garden at Evas Phoenix. BOTTOM: Tomatoes harvested from the garden.

SHE ONLY WANTS THE BEST FOR HIM

MJ left home because of a strained relationship with his family. In debt, lonely, depressed and disengaged from the world around him, MJ arrived at Phoenix by himself in 2008. MJ was not necessarily looking for a mentor. By chance he took part in a mentoring workshop where he was matched with Tania, a volunteer mentor, who he spent the next 20 minutes with. The difference was instant! By the end of the conversation, MJ was convinced that Tania was the missing link in his life a support in the community that could provide him with advice and a shoulder to lean on something he had not had in a long time. In the coming months, MJ and Tania met regularly, sometimes for a coffee or a bite to eat. They had regular contact and kept each other up to date in their daily lives. MJ speaks enthusiastically of his mentor he describes her as a sister, someone he can and has called on at anytime whether its at 2am or 2pm. His mentor gave MJ the support necessary to tackle his goals obtain his GED, get out of debt and consider reestablishing contact with his family. Tania speaks protectively and positively of her protg. She could not say enough good things about MJ. like any sister she only wants the best for him.

Spring 2009 | News and Updates from Evas Initiatives | 3

EVENTS AT PLACE

Eva's Place is 32-bed emergency shelter that is often the first stop for youth who become homeless. It is home to the groundbreaking Family Reconnect Program as well as the Independent Living Program.

Marcia Gordon, Yasmin Ratansi, Chamel & Tamara Gordon

Recently two special events took place at Evas Place where youth were inspired by the stories and strength of survivors. Tamara Gordon, a long time supporter of Evas Place, spoke to the youth about her experience of overcoming a tragic skiing accident and moving on to attend university. Her generosity was overwhelming as she presented a beautiful dinner and gifts for all the youth. Over dinner, the youth attentively watched a video of Tamaras life. Yasmin Ratansi, Member of Parliament for Don Valley East, was also there and she spoke encouragingly to the youth.

A GROWING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN OUR YOUTH SHELTERS

By Sondra Marcon The Province of Ontario Roots of Youth Violence Report 2008 reported that Mental health is often overlooked but is a very significant issue for youth. Across cultures, about one in five Ontario children and youth experience a mental health or behavioural disorder requiring intervention, but 80% do not receive mental health services or support. These overlooked and under-serviced youth are entering the shelter system in shocking numbers. In 2008 an average of 35% of youth residing in Evas Initiatives shelters exhibited signs of mental health struggles. In February 2009 at Evas Place this average increased to 45%. These youth display behaviours including high anxiety, being withdrawn, inconsistency of mood, unprovoked anger outbursts, eating disorders, problematic social skills and boundaries, self mutilation, paranoia, inappropriate sexual behaviours and suicidal and homicidal ideations. The shelter system lacks the resources to appropriately respond to these at-risk, high needs youth who may be suffering from a multitude of complex mental health issues including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and post traumatic stress disorder, just to name a few. These homeless youth are turning to Evas Initiatives for assistance, arriving at a critical stage in their development and in need of resources which do not exist in the youth shelter system. However, despite the lack of resources, the youth shelter system is being routinely used by hospitals, child welfare organizations, the youth justice system, and other community agencies as a dumping ground. Homeless youth with mental health issues are routinely being discharged to the shelter system, most often with no consultation with the shelter staff, and no appropriate discharge planning in place. The issues these youth are facing are critical health issues not housing issues, and yet in increasing numbers these youth are arriving at shelters. To respond to this growing crisis, Evas Initiatives has developed a program proposal, WAYS (Well-being and Awareness Service for Youth) to meet the needs of these youth. The program will provide an immediate response to urgent mental health issues and crisis experienced by youth residing at our 3 shelters. It will offer intensive case management services, a day program for youth with mental health issues who are waiting for community based programs, and access to psychiatric and psychological services. This will enable these youth to access much needed services and bridge the gap by finding them long term community based support. The goal of the program is to enable youth with mental health issues and illness to lead meaningful lives in the community by creating supports in which family, caregivers, service providers and others are long term partners in their journey to wellness.

Style by Jury filming.

A second event at Evas Place included the filming of an episode of Style by Jury. The subject had been a street-involved youth herself, and she came and told a captive audience about her struggles with leaving the street and street life.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

By Lorraine Montgomery On June 15th, 2008 a long term client of Evas Place died tragically. The death of this young man came as a shock and shook the strength of our lives and faith. Evas Place received calls, visits, food and other kind donations from all Evas sites. The outpouring of support only amplified the effect that he had on our lives. Due to the generosity of staff and board members, I had the honour of delivering $1,000 to his baby who is happy, healthy and walking, but sadly will never know her father. Susan, his partner, was extremely moved by the support. She is a survivor and hopes to attend university next year. School is going well and she is working hard to build a strong future for herself and her daughter. From Susan and all of us, thank you for your generosity during these hard times.

4 | News and Updates from Evas Initiatives | Spring 2009

Eva's Satellite is a 30 bed shelter and is often the final option for homeless youth. Its innovative programming is based on a Harm Reducation model and it is the only shelter of its kind.

THE NATIONAL INITIATIVE

SATELLITE UPDATES

By Chris Steiss Evas Satellite is not just waiting for the completion of their new building to implement more innovative and creative programs. Some of the most marginalized street-involved youth continue to access all that is offered at Evas Satellite, and so progress waits for no building. With funding from the HIV/AIDS Prevention Grant from the City of Toronto, Evas Satellite introduced a Young Womens Healthy Sexuality project in response to surveys conducted in 2007/08 which clearly indicated a need. Over 88% of the young women surveyed stated an interest in more information related to their sexual health and 88% also indicated that they did not feel at risk. The vast majority of respondents said that they were engaging in behaviours identified by Public Health as high risk; multiple partners, broken condoms, no condoms, trading sex for drugs, using alcohol or drugs.

Across the country, community organizations continue to develop creative approaches and to work collaboratively on creating opportunities for homeless youth. Since 2003, Evas National Initiatives Program has had the privilege of working with hundreds of Canadian organizations who are creating new programs, forging new partnerships, and developing effective community responses so that youth move from homelessness and shelters to stable housing and a place in the workforce. The Learning Community is a collaborative of groups that share promising program approaches and work on other issues of common interest, and it is moving forward in its third year. This will be the second year our unique staff exchange program is offered where staff of the Learning Community member organizations engage in site visits, and are immersed in other leading programs across the country. There are also a number of research projects on the go, including one on the impact of mental health issues for homeless youth. Evas Innovation Awards 2009 Winners

Chris holding the piata at the event

The healthy sexuality project is comprised of group discussions, educational outings and peer educational activities with both young women and men. One event celebrated Sexual Health and Reproductive Awareness Day. We were very excited when over 30 youth came to participate in activities promoting awareness of issues relating to sexual and reproductive health. We are looking forward to opportunities that will allow for the growth of this program as well as development of the Young Mens Group.

For what matters.

SMALL STEPS TO BIG CHANGE

Gary was discharged and/or restricted from all other youth shelters in Toronto before arriving at Evas Satellite. He suffered from severe mental health issues and was unable to properly care for himself. His hygiene was so poor that interaction with peers and service providers was all but impossible. Gary remained at Evas Satellite for over a year without being discharged, but continued to be trapped by his limited social skills and presentation. Through Satellite, Gary was able to access psychiatric assistance and received a clinical diagnosis. It turned out that the severe physical and sexual abuse he encountered in jail rendered him with little or no control over his bladder and bowels. Because of this issue, Satellite staff had to approach programming and recreation opportunities for Gary with creativity. Through relationship building and patience, Gary began to participate in activities with others and became accepted. This gradual breakdown of the protective walls Gary had placed around himself further allowed the staff at Evas Satellite to work with him. Regular, daily routines such as showering developed and staff monitored them. These small steps allowed Gary to further engage and participate in more meaningful daily activities. Gary was then referred to New Outlook, a community partner of Evas Satellite that provides mental health services and supports. With accompaniment by the staff of Evas Satellite, and with appropriate referrals from New Outlook, Gary continues to address his health issues. Recently, Gary got approval to receive disability and moved into supportive housing. He now has many more options in front of him, and a vastly improved quality of life.

Le Groupe communautaire LItinraire in Montral runs Le magDVD le 3e il, a program which works towards reintegration by training youth in video production and journalism. The result is an information magazine DVD about the experience of youth and their battle with addictions and disengagement. The initiative provides work experience and includes partnerships with multimedia professionals in the training. Laing House in Halifax is a support centre for youth living with mental illness. Youth Speak is an educational initiative that targets junior high, high school and university students, a peerto-peer interactive workshops led by young mental health consumers who are successfully navigating through life with a mental illness. They model recovery and demonstrate hope. Most importantly, this program encourages dialogue about youth mental health issues. Parkland Youth Homes in Red Deer provides a continuum of services to young people and their families in Central Alberta. Street Ties Youth Outreach is a diversion program that includes a drop-in centre, an outreach program, Art in the Park, a summertime outreach program and educational outreach presentations to students in grades 7 to 12 on the issues that may lead youth to becoming entrenched in street life.

Spring 2009 | News and Updates from Evas Initiatives | 5

THE SPROTT FOUNDATION

By Juliana Sprott We have all had times when life gets complicated. I know I have had times when I felt like an insignificant cork, bobbing in the massive ocean called Life, unsure about what my future held. When life was feeling its most challenging, I was given the opportunity to research meaningful charities in Toronto and abroad, and help these charities continue their amazing work by giving them donations on behalf of The Sprott Foundation, my familys charitable foundation. I was no longer a bobbing cork. I had found my purpose. The Sprott Foundation has dedicated itself to addressing urgent human need, homelessness and hunger for more than 20 years. We gladly support Evas Initiatives for a bunch of reasons. Here are three of them: 1. Getting off the streets and into a shelter is a vital step towards being a happy, healthy person. Evas provides a caring space for recovery and growth. 2. Learning employable skills will set young people up for careers, which translate into steady paycheques and meaningful contributions to our community. 3. When I visited Evas, I was totally impressed with all aspects of the program. The positive atmosphere was inspiring! If you are a homeless youth who has come upon this newsletter, or you know someone who is living on the streets and wants to make a change, please seek out Evas. We here at The Sprott Foundation, along with our friends at Evas, are behind you 100%. We want to support you as you seek a new direction in life. You are not an insignificant cork in the ocean of Life. You are special and important. Evas can help you discover your purpose, too.

VIRGIN MOBILES RE*GENERATION PROGRAM TO FIGHT YOUTH HOMELESSNESS RAISES $300,000

By Marie MacCormack International bestselling electro-pop sensation Lady GaGa performed at a benefit concert in Toronto last November in support of Virgin Mobile Canadas Re*Generation Program. In partnership with Virgin Unite Canada, the RE*Generation program raised $300,000 in 2008 for Canadian programs that support at-risk and homeless youth. As one of three selected partners in this campaign, Evas Initiatives received $100,000 to support vital programs for youth. The RE*Generation program, introduced in the spring of 2008, is Virgin Mobile and Virgin Unites effort to empower a generation to help its own by bringing together organizations that care about Canadas at-risk and homeless youth and connect them with people who want to help.

Maria Crawford (Evas Executive Director), Lady GaGa, Andrew Black (CEO Virgin Mobile Canada)

Youth homelessness is a serious issue in Canada and one that we cant afford to ignore. There are tens of thousands of young people living on the streets in Canada. Many have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, violence and substance abuse, mental illness and family instability, said Andrew Black, President and Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Mobile Canada. Virgin Mobile and Virgin Unite want to help make a difference and we want to inspire our customers and other Canadians to do the same. RE*Generation gives them a place to direct that passion, connect with agencies so that they can make a difference, and inspire everyone they know to make a change in the lives of youth that need it the most. Along with headlining the concert, Lady GaGa also made a stop by Evas Phoenix to get a first-hand look at what the RE*Generation program is supporting. We have a desperate need for strong and courageous corporate leaders like Virgin Mobile to come forward and shed light on the challenging social issue of youth homelessness and its causes, said Maria Crawford, Executive Director of Evas Initiatives. This partnership draws attention to youth homelessness, and brings much needed funds to support Evas critical work. With Virgin Mobiles support, Evas will continue developing and providing progressive services to help youth stay off the street for good. In the coming months, Virgin Mobile Canada will announce its latest initiatives in support of the RE*Generation campaign. These promise to be both inspiring and exciting events that will motivate a generation of youth to help solve one of this countrys most pressing issues. Launched in the UK in 2004, Virgin Unite is the global independent charitable arm of the Virgin Group. Richard Branson and Virgin fully fund operational costs, so that 100% of all donations received go directly to the frontline where it is needed the most. Virgin Unite was created by Richard Branson and Virgin Group employees around the world to harness Virgins people, resources and energy to make a difference to forgotten people and overlooked issues. For more information, go to www.virginunite.com.

EVAS RECEIVES $50,000 FROM UPS

By Marie MacCormack The UPS Foundation is the charitable arm of the United Parcel Service. Committed to making a lasting difference through hands-on, community based service, the UPS Foundation recently awarded Evas Initiatives $50,000 in support of our innovative programming for homeless and at-risk youth. UPS employees live and work in the communities they serve, and learn first hand where help is needed. Through volunteerism, community grants and creative programs, the focus is always on helping others in ways that work. We thank Leslie Dobson who is a UPS employee and a long-time Evas volunteer for recommending us for this grant.

Juliana in a plane over the Amazon working for The Sprott Foundation

Marie MacCormack (Evas Director of Development), Leslie Dobson (UPS employee and Evas volunteer), Brent McColl (UPS), Ros Tierney (Evas Phoenix Housing Manager)

6 | News and Updates from Evas Initiatives | Spring 2009

EVAS INITIATIVES VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT; SUSAN AND MERLE By Lesley McMillan

In early 2008 Evas Initiatives began working on the Home Starter and Personal Needs Kits Project. There are two parts to the project. The first is for youth moving out from the shelter, who need a basic Home Starter Kit of housewares. To buy these items new adds up and when combined with first and last months rent and basic furnishings it could be prohibitive. The Personal Needs Kit is for new youth to Evas. It contains travel size care items and is distributed to youth when they start their stay. Evas is fortunate to have two amazing volunteers leading this project; Susan Tremblay and Merle Rosenhek. Susan and Merle were already active at Evas as special events volunteers and were hand chosen for this special project. Too begin they met with shelter staff to create an essential needs list for both kits. After this they began to contact businesses for donations and brainstormed new potential donors. They have secured significant donations from: InterContinental Hotels in Toronto (bed linens), Toronto Mariott Downtown Eaton Centre (hair dryers, bath mats, robes, sheets), and Hunter Amenities International (hotel-sized personal care items). Says Susan, The highlight is the genuine interest of organizations and companies in providing products that will help youth. John Hunter, of Hunter Amenities, responded

Susan and Merle

immediately and enthusiastically to my inquiry about contributing personal care items for the youth. Boxes and boxes of products were delivered within a week or so. It is so great when people are so happy and willing to help out. Susan volunteers because it is tremendously satisfying to contribute time and energy to

important causes and wonderful to meet so many people doing great things. It helps me network in our community and engages me in social issues. I firmly believe that the strength of our society is rooted in people contributing to and engaging in communities. Volunteering for Evas is very important to me - I am committed to helping youth at such a critical point in their lives.

YORK MILLS COLLEGIATES ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

By Dana Gray Every Year, the Holiday Fundraising Committee at York Mills Collegiate organizes a series of fundraising events to raise money for Evas. The Committee enlists the help of students with a wide variety of interests, such as bands for the rock show and athletes for an annual student-alumni hockey game. In the three years that Ms. Napoleone has been organizing the initiative, she has seen the involvement and enthusiasm of the student body grow. As the years go on theres a lot more hype about it and more and more people want to get involved.

Youth moving out from the shelter need a basic home kit of house wares. To buy these items adds up and when combined with first and last months rent and basic furnishings it could be prohibitive. A Home Starter Kit containing basic house wares is put together in a reusable plastic storage bin for distribution to youth as they prepare to leave the shelter and move into their own home. Youth at Evas Satellite and Evas Place need travel size personal care items. A Personal Needs Kit will be pre-packaged and distributed to youth as they start their stay at Evas Place or Evas Satellite. Collect and package the items yourself. Or make a donation to Evas to pay for a kit to be provided to a youth. A Home Starter Kit costs $100 and a Personal Needs Kit costs $20. Email volunteer@evas.ca for more information

HOW YOU CAN HELP

A band playing to raise funds for Evas at York Mills Collegiate

2 WAYS TO DONATE A KIT

The Committee supports Evas because it is a local organization that focuses on youth, which the students can relate to. In addition to raising money to support Evas, the events also opens the students eyes to the often hidden problem of youth homelessness. The announcements made to promote the events include statistics regarding youth homelessness in their community to help educate the student body.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AT EVAS, EMAIL VOLUNTEER@EVAS.CA

Spring 2009 | News and Updates from Evas Initiatives | 7

EVAS INITIATIVES CIRCLE OF SUPPORT 2008

The Circle of Support honours those who donated $1,000 or more in 2008
The Catherine Donnelly Foundation The Molson Donations Fund The Ontario Trillium Foundation Tides Canada Foundation Workplace Safety and & Insurance Board Xstrata Nickel Companion $10,000-$19,999 Archon Architects Incorporated AV Nackawic Inc. Bassett Publishing BMO Nesbit Burns Bombardier Transport Canada Inc Bruce Power Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. CAW Local 2002 CAW Local 222 CAW Local 414 CB Richard Ellis Limited Deutsche Bank of Canada EllisDon ING Canada Inc. Jocelyn Macdonald McMaster University Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association Partner Poulin Actuarial Services Inc. Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP Somerville Construction Teranet Inc. The Daniels Corporation The John & Pat McCutcheon Charitable Foundation The Mariano Elia Foundation The Northpine Foundation The Toskan Casale Foundation United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Partner $5,000-$9,999 Aeroplan Air Canada Pilots Association Aird & Berlis LLP Andy Dickison Arvan Rehab Group Inc. Aubrey Browne Baker & McKenzie LLP Bell Canada Breckles Insurance Brokers Limited Buffett & Company Worksite Wellness Inc. Canadian Labour Congress Cavalluzzo Hayes Shilton McIntyre& Cornish LLP CAW Local 114 Caw Local 1285 CAW Local 1520 CAW Local 199 CAW Local 200 Social Justice Fund CAW Local 252 CAW Local 597 Citizens Bank of Canada Coca-Cola Bottling Company Daily Bread Food Bank Dana Holding Corporation Fleck Family Foundation General Electric Canada Inc. GlaxoSmithKline Inc. Green & Chercover Ian Sutcliffe International Truck and Engine Corporation Canada Jim Buckley John OSullivan Kathryn McCain Ken Silver Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Limited Legg Mason Canada Inc. Lycklama Family Fund at the Toronto Community Foundations Paediatric Consultants Porter Airlines Inc Purdy Crawford RBC Dominion Securities Seventy Six Davenport Limited Partnership Sherrard Kuzz LLP The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company The Harold E. Ballard Foundation The Harry E. Foster Foundation The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation Toronto Argonauts Toronto Hydro Corporation UrbanSpace Property Group Vandewater Charitable Foundation at the Toronto Community Foundation W.C. Kitchen Family Foundation Woodbridge Foam Corporation Wrigley Canada Friend $1,000-$4,999 A. Hamilton and P. McCarter Accenture Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc. Automodular Corporation Blake Hampton-Davies Bridgepoint Hospital Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltimited Canadian Union of Public Employees Casino Windsor CAW Local 1090 CAW Local 1917 CAW Local 1941 CAW Local 1973 CAW Local 2001 CAW Local 2215 Aerospace CAW Local 3000 CAW Local 4268 CAW Local 524 CAW Local 584 CAW Local 598 CAW Local 88 Charles Higgins Chum Charitable Foundation Coast Paper Colin Phillips Commonwealth Insurance Company Cover-All Computer Services Corp. Daryl Hodges David Ford David M. Odell David Sorbara David Wills Deloitte & Touche LLP Denis Maloney Donna Walker Earle McCurdy Eckler Ltd. Edward Greenspan QC Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Eli Lilly Canada Inc. Elizabeth Taylor Emree Siaroff and Krista Wylie Encon Group Inc. Environics Communications Inc. Epico Design Ltd. Ernest Howard Fadco Consulting Inc. Fairlawn Avenue United Church Fairview Estate Towerhill Fednav Limited Fern Weinper Four Valleys Excavating & Grading Frank Dottori Genpharm Inc. Pharaceuticals Geoffrey B. Scott Memorial Fund at the Toronto Community Foundation Heidelberg Canada Graphic Supplies Ltd. Home Depot IATSE Local 58 II by IV Designs Immanuel Seventh-Day Adventist Church IPSOS Reid Public Affairs J. J. Barnicke Ltd. J.P. Bickell Foundation Jackman Foundation John Colantonio K.I.M. Inc. K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation Ken and Marilyn OConnor Ken Zelazny Koskie Minsky LLP Larry Berdugo Leanne & George Lewis Lionel and Winsome De Mercado Lynne Wolfson-Bond Marsh Canada Massey College in the University of Toronto Mercer Limited Michael and Liz Bliss Miller Thomson LLP Niall and Katherine Haggart Nickel-A-Drink for Addictions & Mental Health Research Foundation Founder $100,000+ Canadian Tire Foundation for Families Carolyn Sifton Foundation CAW Canada Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited Magna International Inc. The Chrysler Foundation The Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman Foundation Benefactor $75,000-$99,999 Concord Pacific Harmony Trust TELUS The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation Toronto Enterprise Fund Leader $40,000-$74,999 CAW Local 444 CIBC CN Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. Lear Corporation Mackenzie Financial Corporation Raising the Roof RBC Shoppers Drug Mart (Head Office) TD Bank Financial Group The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation The Counselling Foundation of Canada The UPS Foundation Xerox Canada Ltd. Champion $20,000-$39,999 CCL Industries Inc. Eglinton St. Georges United Church FAAS Foundation Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Loblaw Companies Limited Schachter Family Fund at the Toronto Community Foundation Scotia Capital Global Trading Sprott Foundation State Street Nicole Alain Normand Nova Steel Ltd. Packaging Association of Canada Patricia Gloudon Patrick Sheridan Pfizer Canada Inc. Pilot Insurance Company Pope and Company Limited Pratt & Whitney Canada Rama Mnjikaning First Nations Robert Tetley Fund at the Toronto Community Foundation Romeo Dallaire Inc. Ronald Farmer Samuel Duboc Sharon Bennett Sheldon Levy SK Law Management Inc. Skylink Aviation Inc. Staff of the Law Society of Upper Canada Steve Bradie Stone Tile International Inc. Styles Family Foundation The Conn Smythe Foundation The Mendelson Family Foundation The Safety Group The W.P. Scott Charitable Foundation Thomas Westin Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club Toronto Drop-In Network Toronto Hong Kong Leo Club Toronto Star Transportation Health & Safety Association of Ontario University of Windsor Vicki Rodgers Walter Shanly Wendy Howze Workers Health and Safety Centre York Mills Collegiate Young Nak Korean Presbyterian Church

DATE

Tuesday May 26, 2009, 6 pm

Presented by

HOME FOR LIFE is a home-themed auction experience. Guests stroll through Evas virtual home and bid on housewares, furniture, home improvement and garden accessories. A live auction features themed dinner parties, cottage and sailing adventures and private cooking and gardening lessons from celebrity experts. Funds raised support Evas Initiatives shelters and services for homeless youth.

LOCATION

St. Lawrence North Market (Front & Jarvis)

TICKETS

start at $60, tax receipt for $40

CORPORATE DESIGN PACKS

10 tickets for $1,200, tax receipt $800

homeforlife.evasinitiatives.com
Evas Initiatives 215 Spadina Ave. Suite 370 Toronto, ON M5T 2C7 416-977-4497 Charitable registration #: 132239013 RR0001 For more information or to make a donation, please contact us at donate@evas.ca or www.evasinitiatives.com