Haven Toronto

Anger Management Workshop at Haven!
WHEN: Tuesday, July 23 @ 10:30 am
WHERE: 2nd Floor
Breanna, our life enrichment coordinator, will lead a workshop on managing angry feelings. Look for her anger management quiz in this newsletter to see if you might benefit from her program.

A little recap from our Summer Clothing Drive here at Haven Toronto!

We were very blessed to receive some really generous donations, notably from one anonymous donor who dropped off hundreds of items for our members.

Thank you to all who donated clothes and bought some of our Kits for Cause! You can still purchase these kits here: https://kitsforacause.com/charities/haven-toronto/

Our Summer Clothing Drive is around the corner!

Please consider donating new or gently used men's summer clothes. We are accepting donations at Haven Toronto (170 Jarvis St.) on Wednesday July 10th, between 9AM-3PM.

Purchases of our Kits for Cause ( https://shorturl.at/ioZvX ) are also greatly appreciated.

Help us spread the word by reposting!

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the National Indigenous People’s Day, today and everyday.

Did you know we host bingo events here at Haven Toronto?
It is community activities like this that help keep our members engaged and supported. Plus, we give out prizes!
What is your favourite game to play with friends?

Summer is here! Last week, the Modern Mystery School helped us host a BBQ in our courtyard here at Haven Toronto for all of our members to enjoy. What is your favourite thing to throw on the grill? Comment below!

Our dental hygiene program helps our members maintain their health, while in their own community. The hygienist comes twice a month, providing a vital service to Haven Toronto members. This program is possible thanks to Dave and Franca Lanyon from the Modern Mystery School International

"Violette is one of the (if not the!) youngest Haven volunteers. She’s been coming to Haven since she was 4 years old.
The first picture is from a few years ago during one of her first trips to Haven Toronto.

Violette loves to come and help out whenever her school and swim schedule allows, which isn’t as often as she’d like. She’s helped in the kitchen and the clothing room. There are familiar faces she’s known for years that she asks about all the time and waits to see when she comes in.

Every Xmas she organizes a little party where her friends can come and donate money or an item of clothing. She has a mature understanding of the realities of the members that we support and the importance of haven and is a passionate little supporter. When she grows up she wants to be a therapist.

Yesterday, she came in to help serve the soup with Savannah. She was super excited to “sell out” before the end of the shift. The guys who remember her were amazed at how much she’s grown and talked to her about school and her swimming. " - Katie Blais (Testimony from Violette's mother)

The next generation inspires us daily!

At Haven Toronto, we pride ourselves in providing hot meals to our members, 365 days a year. With the help of your donations and of volunteers that assist our kitchen staff, our members can feel a sense of normalcy and community daily. Donate today. https://www.haventoronto.ca/donate

SAVE THE DATE: 14th Annual Sinai Health/UHN Geriatrics Institute Education Day on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM EST via ZOOM.

This year’s theme is based on the movie Up, where we will explore a variety of topics ranging from homelessness to grief and loss, caregiver support and dementia. Register using this link. https://sinaigeriatrics.ca/events-and-education/geriatrics-institute/ -id-3

Haven members are in need of the basics. Socks and underwear. Link to our Kits for a Cause page at: https://fnd.us/haventoronto?ref=ab_59yTN2_sh_3DN32f to purchase and donate the basics today. Thank you.

The SLNA-Waste Reduction Group is holding its 10th REmarket, a two-day event for the collection of unwanted items. June 12-13, 2024. www.slna.ca/remarket-guidelines

A totally free market (FreeMarket) will also be held on June 12. Guests can donate and/or take items for free (not for commercial resale). Bring your own bag.

Briefs and Socks urgently needed at Haven Toronto! Please follow the link in our bio to make a cash donation today. All of the funds collected will go directly to purchasing new briefs and socks for our members, a necessity often overlooked. Help us give our members a sense of decency, year-round!

Thank you to the many volunteers who make a tremendous impact at Haven Toronto every year. We very much appreciate you. https://www.haventoronto.ca/about-us

Spring Cleaning Clothing Drive
It’s that time of year where we rummage through our storage to change our wardrobes from cold to warm weather clothes! Let us lighten the load - we are now accepting spring/ summer clothes in all sizes. We also accept cash donations via our website (link in bio) that will go straight to buying some essentials for our members.

Items most needed:
- Shorts
- Shoes
- Pants
- Socks
- Underwear
- Gloves

Last month, we had the pleasure of having a group from the Achievers volunteer their time at Haven Toronto. They organized a book drive, cleaned up our library, and even prepped for our lunch service! This will be of great support for our “Old Man’s Book Club”, and a way for our members to gain access to culture. Thank you for coming by!

Thank you to the CIBC volunteers (Department: Transformation Initiatives and Resource Optimization | Technology, Infrastructure & Innovation) who came and helped us with lunch prep at the beginning of the month!
We always welcome groups who want to lend a hand, please reach out if you would like to give back!

Introducing the “Old Man’s Book Club”* led by Division 52

This monthly gathering led by Constable David Hinchcliffe, originally started as a book club, where members got together to discuss a book they all read.
Today, this group discusses current events, as well as Toronto’s history.
Our aim this year is to invite different local authors and artists to come and speak to the group, allowing our members to continue to engage with local and current culture.

*Note: the name was chosen by the members of this group.

Haven’s clothing room is stocked thanks to your thoughtful and generous donations. It is open 2 days a week and run by the amazing Deborah who sorts through the donation bags and organizes everything neatly to better serve our members.

Some things that are often overlooked are underwear, socks, backpacks, and sleeping bags.

Donate today!

In 2023, through our Healthy Meals program, Haven served over 110,000 free meals (breakfast, lunch + snack) - a 20% increase from the previous year. From 2020 to 2023 the increase in our food cost (purchased in addition to generous donations from Daily Bread Food Bank and Second Harvest) rose nearly 1000%. 2024 is expected to be another record year. Haven Toronto relies on donations from corporations and institutions to keep our services going. Please donate today!

Thanks to donors and volunteers like you, we managed to collect tens of thousands of dollars worth of clothing (coats, boots, hats, gloves, socks, underwear, shirts, pants & more) that have benefitted hundreds of our members during this cold winter season.
Please remember that we accept donations all year round!
We cannot do this without you. https://www.haventoronto.ca/donate

Breaking News
Marie-Josée Houle said her report released Tuesday is the first of its kind in Canada. The report — titled Upholding Dignity and Human Rights — outlines six calls to action to address ongoing homeless encampments across Canada. Follow the link for the full article https://ow.ly/pghm50QAVry

Day of Giving @ Haven Toronto- Nov. 28: Winter Clothing Drive

Winter is coming! Please consider donating new or gently used winter clothing. Winter boots, jackets, gloves and warm socks. Collect donations from your colleagues, friends, family members and neighbours and drop them off on Nov. 28th between 8AM-3PM at 170 Jarvis St. Cash donations are also welcome.
Haven Toronto is a daycentre in downtown Toronto providing critical support to homeless and marginally housed elderly men over 50. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/PgAp50Q7VZV

Community members at Haven Toronto, elder men over 50, access a number of daily supports and programs, including dental hygiene and haircut services. This is made possible by generous donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. https://ow.ly/zs7Z50Q5xek
ONYX Barbers

Haven Toronto In The News: Demands for Services Increase as Homeless Crisis Worsens. Please Consider a Donation.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2783284

Shelters provide Thanksgiving meals Marketing and development lead for Haven Toronto Stephen Dorsey talks about what they have been doing to provide Thanksgiving meals.