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List of Board Members (April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012)

Kevin Perry, ChairJosé Medeiros, Vice ChairAngela XavierCamila AndradeDaniela PachecoDonna CowanGregory DonovanJennifer HumphriesMarinela FonsecaMichael BorrelliMisha FeldmannOfelia IsabelNatasha dos Santos

Mission Statement

Abrigo Centre is a multi-service, charitable organization that focuses on building community capacity in west Toronto by helping individuals and families achieve their full potential.

Vision

We want to see our collaborative efforts result in socially integrated and empowered individuals, families and communities.

Strategic Priorities

1. Towards sustainable long-term growth, we will be…•Collaborating with community partners•Engaging and developing our volunteer resources•Developing innovative funding alternatives•Adjusting our space to meet future needs

2. Towards increasing community relevance, we will be…•Creating/stimulating dialogue on emerging needs•Clarifying, revisiting, and communicating our priorities•Engaging stakeholders in necessary changes

We’re very pleased to share this 2011/12 Annual Report with you. We hope that you take a few moments to review this material for an over-view of our services, funding partners, donors, volunteers, staff and finan-cials. We also encourage you to visit our website www.abrigo.ca for more information and opportunities to get involved with our charity.

The Board of Directors worked on several key areas. A new Executive Director was hired in September of 2011 after Cristina Santos accepted a new position with the provincial government. The Board conducted a review of our letters patent, bylaws and policies to ensure that they re-main current. Enhancements to financial accountability were also imple-mented to further strengthen the Board’s governance role.

After widespread consultation with our community partners, we were pleased to announce that the leadership of Dufferin Mall Youth Services was successfully transitioned over to St. Christopher House in September of 2011. It is worth noting that Abrigo Centre has been an active partner in this collaboration, supporting at-risk youth, since 1994 and we look forward to continuing in our new role as a member of the DMYS Advisory Committee.

Perhaps, most significantly, the Board and Staff came together to very successfully meet the challenge of finding a new location for the agen-cy after 13 years at Dufferin Mall. We are delighted with the resulting move to our new storefront at 1645 Dufferin Street in August of 2012. This undertaking affords us the opportunity to forge new collaborations and partnerships, improve our visibility and maximize our impact within the local community. Needless to say, the natural sunlight has also been enthusiastically embraced by service users and staff alike.

Our staff and direct service volunteers remain committed to team work while maintaining our user friendly approach to everything we do at Abrigo Centre. Collectively, we helped improve the lives of over 5,300 individuals and their families in the process. This accomplishment can

Report from Chairperson and Executive Directorbe partially attributed to our improved volunteer recruitment and training program made possible through a start up grant from the Trillium Foundation. Last year, we were very fortunate to have 87 new volunteers who provided 9,388 hours of direct service.

Our sincere appreciation goes out to the Board of Directors and to the numerous volunteers that have supported Abrigo Centre’s work during the past year. To our staff team, thank you for the em-pathy, dedication and enthusiasm that you exhibit each and every day. Finally, to all of our funding partners and to the many indi-viduals who have contributed financially to our cause, we thank you for your generosity and for your continued vote of confidence moving forward.

Kevin Perry Chairperson

Ed Graca Executive Director

Violence Against Women

Abrigo Centre’s priority crisis services are available to women and their chil-dren who are experiencing domestic violence. These services include access to police assistance, shelter services and other essential services, ensuring a safety plan is in place and offering supportive counselling. Our Violence Against Women counselling services are offered on an individual and group basis, in both Portuguese and English. The focus in counseling is on assist-ing women to develop their strengths and focus on their well being; assist-ing them in exploring and moving towards their goals and supporting them with parenting after violence. We assist with many of the emotional and physical needs and institutional challenges faced by women and children who experience family violence. Information and access to essential servic-es such as food, shelter, medical services, the legal and judicial system are provided. Sensitizing the community to the issue of family violence is a pri-ority as well. Through the provision of community based presentations we move towards the vision of one day seeing a community free of violence and abuse. This past year, we served 762 women through our Violence Against Women Programming.

Supporting Individuals, Couples and Families

Abrigo Centre provides counselling services to individuals, couples and fami-lies regarding issues that impact their emotional health and well being. Our counsellors assist families with such issues as parenting challenges, inter-generational conflict, couples counselling, depression, anxiety, coping with trauma and difficult life transitions. Abrigo Centre served 163 individuals by providing them with the support required to navigate through their life is-sues and make informed decisions and changes in their lives.

Success by Six is a parenting group offered to mothers or female caregivers of children age 0-6 years of age. These 10 session groups focus on how to provide healthy home environments to children during their most vulner-able and impressionable years. This past year we ran three parenting groups to over 30 mothers/caregivers. In addition, we offered three 4-week work-shops tailored to specific topics related to child development and parenting. Within these workshops, over 35 mothers were in attendance.

Men in Transition - Partner Assault Response Program

Abrigo Centre provides a 16-week group counselling service to men who have been or-dered by the justice system to attend. Participants learn how their abusive behavior af-fects partners, their children, themselves and our communities. The group atmosphere balances respect with accountability. Three English-speaking groups run concurrently, along with one Portuguese-speaking group. Interpreters are available to assist those who do not speak English or Portuguese. All of our participants are provided with an opportunity to take responsibility for their abusive behaviour and make positive sus-tainable changes in their lives. We also provide individual counselling sessions to Portuguese-speaking women or women of Portuguese descent who have been or-dered by the justice system to attend the PAR program for domestic-related offences. In keeping with our Violence Against Women Program, the partners and/or survivors of the participants are contacted throughout the 16 week program and offered a variety of services including an invitation to make use of Abrigo Centre counselling services. The PAR program served 198 men and 6 women this year.

P.A.I. – Participation – Friendship – Positive Influence

The P.A.I. group program is a parenting program for fathers of Portuguese speaking background. The program engages men in considering how they can become more positively involved with their children and invites fathers to discuss their parenting chal-lenges with other fathers. Clients are eligible for this program if they do not have any charges pending and are involved with child protection services. Topics include Building and Maintaining Healthy Relationships with Your Children; Healthy Families; Positive Discipline; Stress Management; Impact of Violence on Children; Impact of Stereotyping. We held 4 groups of 8 weeks each and had over 45 participants including children. This program is in partnership with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.

Employ-Link

In the past year our Employ-Link program delivered two main programs. One, a Pre-Employment Development Program, in partnership with City of Toronto – Employment and Social Services, focused on assisting unem-ployed individuals currently receiving financial benefits prepare for reen-try into the workforce. This program consisted of 3 weeks of workshops covering topics such as: Self analysis; Self esteem; Writing effective re-sumes and cover letters; Understanding the labour market; Networking; Marketing transferable skills; Researching job leads and employers; Mock interviews, and included four months of follow up with an in-house job developer. Abrigo ran two group sessions last year with a total of 27 par-ticipants.

Our second program, the Employment Placement Program focused on youth, between the ages of 15 and 30, who were out of school and faced barriers to employment to find suitable job placements. The main activ-ity of this program was the employment preparation component. Youth spent 25 days in class focused on life skills, developed goals towards employability and future careers, job search support and resources to successfully secure employment. The youth also received employment mentoring and six months of follow-up. Over 25 youth participated in the program with 75% having secured employment.

Community Development and Integration Program (CDIP)

Newcomers – First StepsCounselling and support is provided individually and in a group setting to newly arrived, Portuguese speaking immigrants and refugees, primarily from Angola and Brazil. Information sessions, referrals & liaison to government programs and community support systems, and self-esteem exercises are provided in an effort to assist new members of our society to establish themselves.

Information and ReferralIn combination with our other programs we provide general community inte-gration services to individuals who do not have the informal family and social supports and therefore need assistance to access such services as disability pen-sions, housing and employment insurance benefits. Our primary focus is to pro-vide assessment, teaching of problem solving skills and facilitate access to basic needs. A total of 2,880 individuals were assisted.

Community Information SessionsThis last year we started our Community Information Sessions Program. In partnership with Toronto Public Health, Aids Committee of Toronto and Portuguese Mental Health and Addictions, we were able to provide 3 ses-sions, open to the community at large, on topics such as “Healthy Eating”, “Safe Use of Medication” and “Addictions and Mental Health”. We are hoping to continue and ex-pand this program which is only about 4 months old. In total for the 3 sessions more than 250 community mem-bers participated.

Seniors Assisting SeniorsLast year this program assisted 1200 seniors complete retirement forms and other related forms such as applying for drug benefits, Canadian citizenship and Canadian passports. We also assisted in clarifying issues related to se-niors’ rights and obligations. Our Seniors Assisting Seniors volunteers also played a major role during our income tax clinic completing over 495 pen-sion income supplement forms. This service is run entirely by volunteers.

Income tax clinicThe volunteer income tax clinic completed over 900 tax returns for low in-come families and individuals. Our partnership with Revenue Canada con-tinues to flourish and we look forward to continuing to facilitate this much needed service to individuals and families of low income.

Seniors Recreation ServicesWe are very proud of the seniors’ volunteer workgroup committee who this past year continued to assist in the implementation of our Seniors Recreation Program. Although the group started about 18 months ago, there are more than 150 registered members with an average of 80 seniors participating ev-ery week. The “Life and Hope Group” (Grupo Vida e Esperança) participated in programs and events such as field trips, information sessions, exercise and dance. In addition they focused on socializing and other wellbeing activities such as massages, meditation and talks on nutrition.

Volunteer ProgramA grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has made it possible for us to formalize and expand the recruitment of volunteers and delivery of services. We have recruited 111 new volunteers of which 87 have been providing di-rect services. This has allowed an infusion of tremendous energy and skill into our agency. We look forward to the continued success of this program. Our community and service recipients have greatly benefited from this grant.

Youth Outreach Program

Returning to the grassroots of our youth services, the Youth Outreach Program provided services to about 3,000 youth, ages 14-25, this past fiscal year. Our program delivers a variety of services that aim at expanding young people’s perspectives on healthy re-lationships with themselves and others. Our services include: information and referral, leadership groups and individual counselling and a comprehensive school outreach pro-gram. In collaboration with 6 local schools and a soccer camp, Abrigo Centre provided in-class workshops to over 1,200 youth on topics relevant to the development of healthy relationships and also reached out to 125 youth who participated in individual and group counselling services.

FORA, Friends Out Reaching for Acceptance, a support group for lgbtq youth was estab-lished this year through client identification. This client centered program has two com-ponents: “leaders-in-training” who are preparing to co-facilitate the group and the actual youth support group which offers a safe environment where lgbtq members and allies come together to connect, socialize, support one another and participate in community initiatives.

Through Boys’ Group and Girls’ Group, Abrigo Centre was able to provide young men and women with their own safe space where they could enhance self-esteem, make new friends, build leadership skills, discuss topics of interest and ask questions relevant to their needs.

Special Grants

The “Fried Eyes” company consisting of youth in leadership training at Abrigo Centre. They show-cased their theatrical talents while presenting a multi-media presentation on the impact of substance misuse/addiction and mental health amongst youth. These 15 youth leaders per-formed to over 1,500 of their peers in their local school communities. This program was made pos-sible through a grant from the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sports.

In partnership with Central Commerce High School, Abrigo Centre staff worked with a group of lead-ership students to develop and strengthen their understanding of healthy relationships and the im-portance of positive self-esteem. This program was made possible through a grant awarded to Abrigo Centre through the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (Toskan Casale Foundation).

Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the year ended March 31, 2012

Revenue 2012 2011Ministry of Community and Social Services $ 417,618 $ 474,440United Way Toronto $261,800 $256,650Ministry of the Attorney General $188,556 $188,556Service Canada $158,986 $66,498City of Toronto - Community Service Partnerships $94,950 $94,950City of Toronto - Employment and Social Services $17,588 $70,308-Ministry of Children and Youth Services $37,332 $37,332-Ministry of Health $28,571 $47,370-Ontario Trillium Foundation $27,800 $53,200Ministry of Training, College and Universities $132,162Interpretation reimbursement $25,378 $27,635United Way "Success by Six" program $19,443 $19,443Regiao Autonoma Dos Acores $13,508 $11,362Centre for Addiction and Mental Health $6,664 Donations and fundraising $63,970 $37,300Fees and other $70,872 $90,578

$1,433,036 $1,607,784

Expenses 2011 2010Salaries, benefits and training $1,093,548 $1,171,250Occupancy costs $178,429 $239,985Progam costs $113,222 $ 56,681Professional fees and insurance $29,732 $35,902Interpretation costs $25,378 $25,513Communication and technology $17,708 $21,355

$1,458,017 $1,550,686

Excess of revenue over expenses $(24,981) $57,098

(Excerpted from Abrigo Centre's audited statements which are prepared by Dixon Gordan & Co LLP, Chartered Accountants. Full audited statements are available upon request.)

Abrigo Centre gratefully acknowledges the contributions of our program funders and individual donors.

•City of Toronto – Community Service Partnerships

•City of Toronto – Employment & Social Services

•Direcção Regional das Comunidades, Açores

•Ministry of Children and Youth Services

•Ministry of Community & Social Services

•Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport

•Ministry of the Attorney General

•Service Canada

•The Ontario Trillium Foundation

•United Way Toronto

Adelino Padinha, AGF Management Ltd., Albertina Matos, Ana Machado, Angela Xavier, Aristides de Jesus, BANIF, Bulger Dentistry Professional Corp., Cantanhede O Bairradino, CHUM Charitable Foundation, Daniel Correia, David Rendeiro, Decio Alto, TD Bank Financial Group, Eduarda Cabral, Fernando Couto, Francisco Bettencourt, Francisco Melo, Francisco Pereira, Franklin Templeton Investments Corp., Gabriela Nunes, Invesco Trimark, Jack’s Bakery, Januario de Barros, Joao Antunes, Joao Trota, Joaquim Santo, Joe’s No Frills, Lusogolf Inc., Manuel Cabral, Manuel Frias, Maria Borba, Maria Geralda Fernandes, Maria Jeronimo, Maria Lima, Maria Simoes, Mario Quintaneiro, Paula de Jesus, Paulino Vitorino, Redwood, Ricardina Serpa, Roberto Teixeira, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, St. Stephen’s Community House, Steve Canto, The Auction Guy, The Toskan Casale Foundation, Virginia da Costa, Zack Pace.

Our Funding PartnersA big thank you goes out to our Financial Sponsors and In Kind Donations

A big thank you to our volunteers and staff for all their contributions

Staff Alessandra MarquesAna MachadoAna MarquesAnabelle GonçalvesAnderson SalvadorBojana PetrovicCidalia PereiraCristina SantosDiana da Costa CorreiaDiana SousaEd GraçaHugo MestreKayla CarreiraLina CostaMaria José LevyMarilia Dos SantosMario LourençoPamela SnellPaula De JesusRicarda VenturaRosane FernandesTeresa EmmanuelValeria Sales

Volunteers Adriana Abreu, Alesandra Costa, Ameris Dias, Ana Beatriz Mogollon, Ana Claudia Gomes, Angela De Leon, Angela Xavier, Antonio Melo, Aura Medeiros, Beatriz Barbosa Torres, Camila Andrade, Camila de Almeida Melo, Cleuza Silva, ,Clarisse Marina Almeida, Daniela Pacheco, Daniele Fernandes, Danieli Mazza, Dante de Cavalcanti Melo Jr, David Rodrigues, Dina Guarda, Donna Cowan, Donzilia Veiga, Elisabete Dias, Enir Bassani, Erelys Madruga, Fabiana Spehar, Fabiano Sales, Fernanda Souza, Fernanda da Conceicao Silva, Flavia Cunha, Francisco Selei, Gary Godinho, Gisely Signoretti, Gloria Ferreira Rodrigues, Grace Levy, Gregory Donovan, Guiherme Subtil, Ilda Santos, Isabela Souza, Ivone Duarte, Janaliz Gatti, Jennifer Humphries, Jennifer Marques, Jessica Cordeiro, John Esteves, Jose Medeiros, Karina Leticia K dos Santos, Karlene Ho Sang, Kayla Carreira, Kevin Perry, Laura Ulloa-Frias, Leonilde Marques, Ligia Celia Ferreira, Livia Ferreira Rodrigues, Lorena Nalon, Lucas Silva, Marcelo Pinheiro Torres, Marcelo Souza, Margarida Pedro, Maria Alice Goncalves, Maria Claudina Souza, Maria Eduarda Soares, Maria Fernanda Conduto, Maria Fernanda Couto, Maria Isabel Peca, Maria Jose Antao dos Santos, Maria Silva, Maria Teresa Moura, Maria Vitalina Fonseca, Maria Zelia Tavares, Marinela Fonseca, Mario Lourenco, Mark Goncalves, Mark da Silva, Matteo Bettin, Mauro Rosa, Melanie Moniz, Michael Borelli, Michael de Pinho, Michelle Sapucaia, Misha Feldmann, Nadieja dos Santos, Naly Lima, Natasha dos Santos, Nelia Teixeira, Nicholas Silva, Ofelia Isabel, Pambula H. Lufuaunkenda, Paula da Paz, Paulo Gaspar, Priscila Correa, Raquel Teixeira, Renata Souto de Silva, Sergio Sorrento, Silvana Choseck, Sonia Oliveira, Sophie Rodrigues, Stephanie Bento, Sueli Almeida, Taciana Teixiera, Urania Santos, Valteliria da Silva, Venilde Ferreira, Viviane Torres, Zita Alcadinho

One of the principles of our mission statement is helping individuals and families achieve their full potential. On March 30, 2012, we hosted the Friends of Abrigo Dinner, where we asked our community for their assistance in reaching our fullest potential through fundraising efforts. The dinner’s objective was not only to raise funds for our essential services but also to launch our “Friends of Abrigo” campaign to help fund the renovations of our new location, 1645 Dufferin Street, where we are set to move in August of 2012.

With over 280 guests in attendance, the evening was a definite success. We were able to raise $10, 000. We would like to especially thank our MC, Debora Cruz, and our entertainers, who all volunteered their services that evening. Our entertainment included DJ Paul ‘Slider’, Danielli Mazza and Messias Medeiros, Searas de Portugal, Rancho Folclórico da Casa dos Açores and Grupo Coral Vida e Esperança.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Staff of Abrigo Centre, we would like to thank everyone who assisted in making the event a success. For more information on our capital campaign or to make a donation, please visit our website www.abrigo.ca