“The Ralph Thornton Centre means a

great deal to me. My teacher Michael has

helped me to create a Facebook account

and connect with all of my nieces and

nephews that live all across Canada and

the United States. Thanks to Michael and

The Ralph Thornton Centre, I'm able to

send messages to my family, see pictures

of them and keep in touch. Without The

Ralph Thornton Centre exchange loft and

my teacher Michael, I would not be able

to see and hear how my nieces and

nephews are doing, and for that I'm truly

grateful.”

Mary, RTC Exchange Loft User

Ralph Thornton Centre Update Friday, October 9, 2015

Please Note: The Ralph Thornton Centre will be closed on Monday, October 12 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The South Riverdale Child Parent Centre will also be closed Saturday, October 10 and Monday, October 12.

RTC Annual General Meeting:

Over fifty people attended the RTC Annual General Meeting on

Wednesday, September 30. The “business portion of the meeting

included the approval of the minutes of the 2013 and 2014

AGM’s, approval of the 2014 Financial Statements, and reports

from the President, Andrew Chong, the Treasurer, Chris Shantz,

and the Executive Director, John Campey.

Additionally, prizes were awarded to the winners of the “What

the Ralph Thornton Centre means to our Community”

competition. Congratulations to Wayson Choi, Jimmy Chen, and

Jade Chen (Jade pictured left along with RTC Board members

Cynthia Fleming, Linda Chebichii Mackay, and Andrew Chong),

winners in the under age 12 category, and to Purathani Jey, winner of the adult category. Our thanks to “Il Ponte”

restaurant for donating the $100 gift certificate for the adult prize! The Board said farewell and thanks to four departing

Board Members

Maggi Redmonds, who has served on the Board for six years in a variety

of capacities and given countless hours to ensuring that RTC remains a vital, value-

based community resource. We are grateful for Maggi’s mentorship and strong

leadership during some of the Board’s more challenging times;

Chris May, who played an important role in ensuring the Centre’s

governance, communications, and fund-raising capacity was updated and

strengthened, with particular emphasis on his efforts. In particular, we are

excited for the results of the Centre’s website redesign, a process that Chris was

close to;

Derek Chan, who brought his expertise to bear on the Finance and OP&E

Committees. Derek was our board financial expert, ensuring that a steady hand

was guiding our financial decisions ; and

Adrienne DeFrancesco, who championed our fund-raising, membership,

and policy development work. Adrienne was a strong representative for the

community as well as a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion efforts.

The Board also welcomed four new Board Members:

Mae Hum: Mae has been a long-time resident in the Riverdale area for over 25 years. As an active member of this

community, Mae has always found ways to live, work, play, learn, contribute, support and explore this ever-evolving

neighbourhood. She appreciates RTC’s invaluable contributions to the community and welcomes the opportunity to

serve and further facilitate the vision of this great organization to even greater heights. Mae has extensive experience

and is passionately engaged in numerous non-profit and for-profit projects with community outreach, community

development, advocacy, technology, and education initiatives throughout the city.

Alan Lennon: Alan has been a resident of the Ralph Thornton Centre catchment area since 1981. Having raised a family

in our neighborhood, he is concerned about the future for young families, newcomers and seniors in the downtown of

Toronto. For him, a vibrant community requires a mix of demographics, activities and supports for its citizens. Alan

spent 25 years working in the labour movement in Toronto both as an activist and a staff member representing workers

for the federal government.

Samantha Morrison: Born and raised in Riverdale, Samantha has watched the Ralph Thornton Centre catchment area

grow and develop into a vibrant community. In 2011, Samantha received her Bachelor’s degree, with honours, from the

University of Waterloo, majoring in Business and Legal Studies with a specialization in Financial Regulation. She is

currently pursuing her Project Management certification at the University of Toronto. Samantha has been actively

involved in the Riverdale community for a number of years; volunteering at St. Ann’s Food bank, leading a Girl Guide

Brownie unit of 20 girls, overseeing the southeastern portion of Toronto as the Senior Administrative Community Leader

for Girl Guides of Canada – in addition to sitting on the Health and Safety Committee.

Jordana Wright: Jordana is a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto. Her dissertation project focuses on the

governance of city building through special-purpose authorities, quasi-governmental bodies, and non-profit

corporations. She teaches in the area of municipal law and local governance, and is passionate about matters of

neighbourhood equality. She is also involved in a number of community development initiatives aimed at addressing

local issues in Toronto’s targeted investment areas. As a new resident of the east end, living in the Upper Beaches but

regularly participating in events at the Ralph Thornton Centre, Jordana is very enthusiastic about the opportunity to

become further involved in the Riverdale community.

A range of representatives of RTC’s user groups spoke briefly to

the theme of “What the Ralph Thornton Centre means to our

community.” Guest Speaker Avvy Go, of the Metro Toronto and

Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, offered a thoughtful presentation

that challenged RTC to reach out and strengthen its connections

with the many initiatives in our community and city that seek to

improve the economic, social, and political loves of particularly

newcomer communities, who remain vulnerable to exploitation

and marginalization. (Pictured right, Andrew Chong, Mo Chak

“Happy Gathering” group, and Hongmei Cai)

SSuunnddaayy NNiigghhttss aarree ““DDaattee NNiigghhtt”” IInn RRiivveerrssiiddee aanndd LLeesslliieevviillllee!! Starting Sunday, October 18, the Ralph Thornton Centre is making “Date Night” a reality for local parents

By purchasing a weekly “Date Night Passport”, parents can leave their children at the Ralph Thornton Centre on Sunday

evenings. From 4:30 to 8:30 PM, RTC will provide “dinner and a movie” and other activities for the children in a safe,

supervised environment. In addition, the “passport” will entitle parents to a 20% discount – only valid on that particular

“Date Night” – to a number of local restaurants and other services. Passports will cost $20 for each child age 6-12, and

$30 for each child 2-6. (Every additional child per family will be “discounted” by $5 off the one child price!)

Your “Date Night” Passport gets you an evening with safe, affordable childcare, and a 20% discount at some great local

restaurants and businesses.

It’s a win-win-win proposition!

Parents get a ‘night out’ knowing their children are in a safe, supervised, fun environment.

Children get a ‘night out’ with a range of fun activities, a movie, and nutritious, fun food.

Restaurants and businesses increase sales on a ‘slow’ night and get new local customers.

The Ralph Thornton Centre and our local BIA is able to better support our community.

How to get in on “Date Night” - Reserve for “Date Night” by 4 PM on the previous Friday, by calling,

emailing or dropping into the Centre (416 392-6810,

info@ralphthornton.org, or 3rd Floor Reception, 765 Queen St. East)

- Purchase their “Passport”

- Fill out a simple emergency contact/medical information form and

waiver

- Agree to stay within the local area

- Drop off and pick up their children during “Date Night” hours!

This initiative is sponsored by the Ralph Thornton Centre and the Riverside BIA.

For more information, contact info@ralphthornton.org.

Welcome New Students

RTC is pleased to welcome to two new placement students for this academic year. Lucile comes to us from the BSW

program at York University, and will be working on our partnership with Nellie’s on the WEAV project. Bridget joins us

from the Community & Justice Services Program at Centennial College, and will be supporting the Exchange Loft and a

range of other community engagement projects. We wish them every success during their time at RTC.

Sportplay Open House: Free Demo Classes

Tuesday October 20, 2015, at the Ralph Thornton Centre, 2nd Floor Auditorium

9:15am Parent and Toddler 18 months – 2 years

10:00am Parent and Tot 2 – 3years

10:45am Multi-sport 1 3 – 4 years (drop off or parents can stay)

Sportplay provides multi-sport programs for kids to help develop their gross motor and athletic skills. Sportplay

programs are fun, active, creative, positive and non-competitive. At Sportplay every child plays, every child learns and

every child has fun. Contact Sportplay at to book your free class at info@sportplay.ca, or 416-465-7439, or check out

their website at www.sportplay.ca.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Day of Action at City Hall: October 20th, 12:30 pm

The Commitment2Community Campaign encourages everyone to come to City Hall on October 20, 2015 to show

support for a bold poverty reduction strategy at the next Executive Committee meeting. C2C is in the process of

organizing a lunch-time public event at the basement presentation room (next to the Café on the Square). Please drop

by between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. for brief presentations, light refreshment and entertainment at the Basement

Presentation room.

October 18 Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon: Your last chances to register, to root for our

runners, and to sponsor our great team members.

Watch the Race: The Ralph Thornton Centre has a contingent running in the Scotia Bank Marathon next weekend. For

those of us who are not marathon runners we thought it would be great to go cheer on our dedicated fundraisers.

Please come join us! We have kindly been invited by West Neighbourhood House to join them on their cheering

platform near the Exhibition Place Princess Gates, along with spectators from other Neighbourhood Centres across the

City, John Campey, RTC Executive Director will be running the entire half marathon in a dog costume and plans to stop

for photos with us.

On Sunday. Oct. 18th you are welcome to join the West Neighbourhood House cheering team from 9:00 am - 10:30 am.

Our stage is located on the south side of Lakeshore at the bottom of Strachan (off King St. West) across from Princes'

Gates (main entrance to the Exhibition Grounds). the best way to access our stage is off of King Street West, just walk

about 900 metres south (down) Strachan to Lakeshore. There will be free t-shirts, refreshments, food, prizes & swag

bags, noise makers, a DJ from Indie 88.1 keeping us energized and Brazilian dancers and drummers to entertain

everyone.Please RSVP to Susy Glass at susyg@ralphthornton.org or 416 392-6810 x 231 so we know how many RTC T-

Shirts to bring, and who needs more details.

Run the Race: Online Registration closes at noon on Monday, October 12 – and spaces are running out! That is also

the deadline for getting the charity registration discount, which is significant! To register online, go to

http://www.ralphthornton.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/RTC-STWM-Registration-Form-20152.pdf and send the

information to complete the form to our Coach Copper at runningdogcopper@outlook.com, and she will process your

registration and pay the registration fee. Note – deadline for registering through RTC is midnight October 11th!

Sponsor our Runners: Please consider sponsoring one (or more!) of our intrepid Half-Marathon team. You have a

choice of a great group of runners! Our team includes:

‘Coach’ Copper Campey Guzman (pictured below, who will be running a full marathon in Haileybury the following week,

but is raising funds through the Scotiabank page. The link to her fundraising page is https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=2825316&langPref=en-CA

John Campey (also pictured below, who is running the Scotiabank Half Marathon on the 18th, and also running the

Haileybury Marathon a week later to “pace” Copper. ) The link to John’s fundraising page is https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=2966706&langPref=en-

CA&Referrer=%26Referrer%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com%252fen%252fcharity.htm#&panel1-2

Chris Shantz, RTC Treasurer, who is running the Half Marathon: His fundraising page link is https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=3133311&langPref=en-CA

Graham Chernoff, RTC Board Member, also running the Half Marathon. His fund-raising page link is https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/LoginRegister.aspx?eventid=164260&langpref=en-

CA&Referrer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com%2fen%2findex.htm

The Ralph Thornton Centre

765 Queen Street East

Toronto, ON M4M 1H3

Tel: 416 392-6810

Fax:392-0025

Email: info@ralphthornton.org

Website: www.ralphthornton.org

Twitter: @ralphthornton