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Dr. Rick Tobias President & CEO Amongst the hustle of Canada’s largest city, there have always been people who have not benefited from its prosperity. Whether it is a homeless youth escaping abuse, a lonely senior, or a family of recent immigrants facing a bewildering new culture, the Mission has been helping people achieve their full potential by adapting to society’s changes and challenges. From the humble beginnings of a horse-drawn “Gospel Wagon”, Yonge Street Mission has remained faithful in service to the people of Toronto since 1896 by offering practical compassion and dignity. We have grown from our original site on Yonge Street to four sites where we now offer 75 programs such as daycare, computer literacy camps, after school programs, food and clothing banks, meals, seniors’ clubs and more. Outreach programs see us going to drop-ins, shelters, places where homeless youth congregate, hospitals and even prisons. Located on property that borders Cabbagetown, Regent Park and St. James Town, the Community Centre is the hub of our organization. In this postal code area, many people are unemployed and one out of two families depend on social assistance. Through the centre, individuals and families have the opportunity to move forward in their lives. They acquire skills they need, receive significant support for specific transitions in their lives, and find encouragement and hope. One such program is being offered at the Computer Literacy Center. Opened in September 1999, this teaching centre makes available what is fast becoming a compulsory communication tool, the language of computers and the Internet. The focus of the Centre is to bring children and youth the skills needed to compete in today’s work and educational worlds. Young people who live in the lower economic strata of society are virtually cut off from computer technology, and this deficit can affect their lives profoundly. Since it opened in October 1999, the Computer Literacy Centre has seen over 1,300 enrolments. Over 399 refurbished computers, with software, mostly donated by Toronto’s business community, have been given to children to take home, in order to maintain and enhance their computer skills. An Internet Module, created in partnership with AOL Canada is also offered. Students learn to use the Internet efficiently, effectively and safely, and are taught how to do proper searches, internet ethics and the basics of web page design. In this ‘Kids Online’ project, AOL is providing 100 households in the Regent Park Community with free access to the Internet. 
Each year, the Yonge Street Mission relies on almost 2000 volunteers to assist with programs, meals, our Food Bank, tutoring, after-school clubs, health care, building maintenance, day camps, our youth Drop-In centre and a wide variety of seasonal activities. Volunteers make an incredible difference in our ability to provide effective programs to the community. We are most grateful to each individual and group who gives of their time and talent to make this difference to the YSM community. Our point of reference in order to evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts, is the community we serve in and not the organization we serve out of. The questions we ask are not: is the church growing, how many people know what we’re doing, how many hours has such-and-such put in this week, etc? Rather, we ask questions related to the health of, and change within, the Regent Park community: are there fewer shootings then previously, have any crack houses closed down, are there more conversations about God with people, does fear seem not as prevalent on the streets, are there more children out playing, what is the level of racial tension and indicators of reconciliation? And can any of this, in any way, be related to our efforts and presence in the neighbourhood? Significant investor satisfaction will not become obvious from Christmas to Christmas. Such is the nature of faith-based activity. However, we invite everyone to get to know us and ask about our lives and work for they are the same thing. Come and spend a day, a week, a year at 614 and in the Regent Park community. Weigh the evidence of our effectiveness and add to your faith. Dear BWIers,
Thank you again for your wonderful and enthusiastic assistance with our Christmas Market and expert gift-wrapping today. We so enjoyed having your support. It was a real pleasure for all of us to have you join our Christmas team. Your enthusiasm and kindness made all the difference to our community members. Thank you for sharing the joy of Christmas with the YSM community. Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas, Claire Barcik Manager of Volunteer Resources Yonge Street Mission STATISTICS (2004)
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