Breaking the Cycle of Violence Grants -

1998 Allocations and Appeals

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendation in the following transmittal letter (June 11, 1998) from the Municipal Grants Review Committee:

Recommendation:

The Municipal Grants Review Committee on June 11, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, the adoption of the attached reports (May 19 and June 8, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services respecting the Breaking the Cycle of Violence Grants - 1998 Allocations and Appeals.

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(Report dated May 19, 1998, addressed to theMunicipal Grants Review Committee from theCommissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services)

Purpose:

This report recommends allocation of grants to 52 applicants which applied for support through the Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funding of $485,000.00 for 1998 Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants is available in the consolidated listing of municipal grants.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants, totaling $473,000.00 be allocated to 52 applicants as recommended in Appendices 1 and 2 of this report;

(2)release of recommended funds be subject to the satisfactory completion of a Declaration form regarding the adoption of the former City of Toronto's non-discrimination policy; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto, and that authority be granted to the Director of the Healthy City Office to execute letters of understanding with the approved grant recipients, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, on the terms and conditions as outlined in the report.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program was initiated in 1993 by the former City of Toronto as a result of recommendations made by the Safe City Committee, under the general authority for making grants which is provided in the Municipal Act Section 113 (1).

The overall approach to the grants review and allocations process in 1998, as outlined in the "Administration of Municipal Grants" report approved by Council on February 4, 5, and 6, 1998, has been to operate programs with the existing 1997 eligibility requirements, undertaking a simplified review process, and for project based programs such as Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants, to use existing program priorities to guide allocations recommendations. The Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program is unique to the former City of Toronto, and, for 1998, applications have been limited to organizations based within the former City of Toronto boundaries.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The Breaking the Cycle of Violence Grants Program:

The program was developed to complement a wide range of municipal initiatives being undertaken to make Toronto a safe place for people to live, work and play. The objectives of the program are to reduce violence against women and other vulnerable groups by providing additional resources to community groups for prevention education, community development, training, and innovations in service delivery and activities that increase access to service by women who face barriers such as language, lack of accommodation for disabilities, cultural basis of service delivery, housing or income status. The Safe City Committee provided annual advice to staff on outreach priorities for the program; for 1998 organizations serving low income women and children, disabled women and youth were identified as service areas for additional outreach.

Budget:

The Breaking the Cycle of Violence program has a 1998 budget of $485,000.00, the same amount as in 1997. Recommendations for allocations as outlined in Appendix 1 total $473,000.00. An amount of $12,000.00 has been held for appeals.

Applications and Review Process:

By the March 2, 1998, deadline, community groups had submitted 87 proposals totaling requests of $1,262,548.00. The application form was based on the form used in 1997 by the former City of Toronto, and included information on program priorities, terms and conditions and reporting requirements for successful applicants. Applications from new and returning applicants were accepted to this project-based program. Staff from the Healthy City Office assessed applications against existing criteria to prepare recommendations for funding. In light of the need to streamline the review process in 1998, additional information (where needed) was sought from agencies by phone, rather than through interviews. The staff for the Safety Task Force provided input into the review process. Applicants have been notified of the recommended grant, and have been informed about the appeal process at the Municipal Grants Review Committee.

Program Goals and Priorities:

The three primary goals of the grants program are to:

(1)increase accessibility of services to First Nations, immigrants disabled, visible minority women and women with special needs, through front-line, ethnospecific and multicultural services;

(2)provide community education and community development through innovative programs directed at prevention of violence; and

(3)provide education and training for staff and volunteers in intervention and prevention strategies.

Grants to address these goals are awarded in two categories: Prevention grants are for projects under $10,000.00 and Demonstration grants are for projects over $10,000.00, with an upper limit of $50,000.00. Prevention grants are intended for projects that utilize known and innovative strategies, and increase an applicant's capacity to address prevention of violence within an identified community or neighbourhood. Demonstration grants are provided for service innovations or the development of new approaches to community issues that show promise in breaking the cycle of violence. Demonstration grants are provided to groups with a track record of serving women affected by violence, in order to include the learnings from these services in prevention approaches. Demonstration grant applicants must undertake additional evaluation activities within the project, and have a plan for sharing the project results with others.

1998 Allocation issues:

Community interest in participating in preventing violence and increasing safety continues to manifest itself through a high number of applications to the grants program. The number of applications and level of funding requested by applicant organizations remain similar to previous years, and are significantly beyond the ability of the grants program to address. In addition to community interest, the grant application process indicates that community groups would benefit from additional resources for program development, resource sharing and current information on effective prevention strategies.

Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants are provided for project support, not core or sustaining funding for organizations' ongoing services, and the program continues to attract and respond to a high number of new applicants and new projects each year. In recommending allocations to returning applicants, consideration has been given to recommending further funding for activities that need additional time to develop, or for activities that effectively build on the previous year's project outcomes. Providing support for ongoing program delivery is beyond the scope of this grants program. Groups are encouraged to develop plans to incorporate effective prevention activities within their current core services, although the difficulties this presents in the current funding climate are recognized.

These issues, along with other program and policy concerns raised through community consultations, will be addressed in the service review process currently being undertaken by all City of Toronto grants programs. A report outlining proposed changes and options for delivery of the program in 1999 will be forwarded to the municipal grants review committee in September 1998.

Allocation recommendations:

As in previous years, allocation recommendations include consideration of how well the group of recommended projects reflect the overall concerns of the program. These overall concerns include: increasing services to First Nations, disabled immigrant and visible minority women and women facing barriers to service; providing support for neighbourhood projects across the area; encouraging coordination and sharing of resources and knowledge; maximizing the variety of innovative projects that can be supported, encouraging the development and retention of local skills and resources, including proposals that use early intervention strategies with at-risk population; supporting proposals, or components of proposals to a level where they can be effectively completed and supporting targeted prevention and intervention programs, not core administrative costs.

Appendix 1 provides a detailed listing of the applicants and the recommendations for funding in 1998. Appendix 2 includes a summary of each project request, and comments on the grant purpose and conditions (if any).

A total of 87 applications was received, and 52 are recommended for grants totaling $473,000.00. Appendix 3 provides a list of recommended projects by primary program activity and/or program target group.

1998 Allocation Summary:

Number of new groups: 38New groups recommended:23

Number of returning groups:49Returning groups recommended:29

Number of prevention requests:61Prevention grants recommended:38

Number of demonstration requests:26Demonstration grants recommended:14

Recommended projects directed at increasing access to services: 11;

Recommended projects providing innovative community education/community development: 37; and

Recommended projects providing training for staff and volunteers: 4.

Terms and Conditions:

Approved grants for Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants are governed by terms and conditions which are set out in a letter of understanding between the agency and the City of Toronto. The terms and conditions cover issues such as the expectations about the purpose of the grants, how funding is to be acknowledged, payment and report schedules, accounting and use of funds, grant periods and disclosure of information. Applicants are provided with a detailed explanation of the terms and conditions for the grants and a sample of the letter of understanding in the application package for the grants. The Director of the Healthy City Office will have responsibility for executing the letters of agreement, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

Appeals:

An amount of $12,000.00 is available for appeals. Groups have been notified in writing of the opportunity to appeal the grant recommendations to the Municipal Grants Review Committee.

Conclusions:

The Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program enables a wide variety of community organizations to participate in making Toronto a safer place to live and work and play. The 1998 recommendations provide communities with effective ways to address prevention issues which they have identified as priorities.

Contact Name:

Fran Perkins, Director, Healthy City Office, Tel: 392-0099/Fax: 392-0089.

Sue Kaiser, Grants Coordinator, Healthy City Office, Tel: 392-0406/Fax: 392-0089.

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 Appendix 1

Breaking The Cycle of Violence Grants

1998 Grant Allocations

 File1997 1998 1998

No.Organization NameAwardRequestRecommendation

$ $ $ 98-01519 Church Street Community Centre14,000.0022,000.0014,000.00

98-02Abrigo15,000.0020,000.0011,000.00

98-03African Training & Employment Centre (ATEC)7,000.009,000.006,000.00

98-04African Women Resource & Information Centre0.0010,000.000.00

98-05Ambassador Partnership8,500.0010,000.007,500.00

98-06Blake/Boultbee Women's Safety Committee2,000.002,000.000.00

98-07Boys and Girls Club Downtown Toronto4,000.009,000.008,000.00

98-08Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture9,000.009,750.009,000.00

98-09CANORA/Canadiens et Canadiennes

d'origine africaine, antillaise et asiatique0.0042,300.000.00

98-10Casa Dona Juana0.009,995.000.00

98-11CEECA/Conseil d'Echanges Entre Canadiennes et

Africaines (Scarborough)0.0025,800.000.00

98-12Central Neighbourhood House0.0010,000.007,500.00

98-13Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples0.0026,500.0012,000.00

98-14Child Abuse Survivor Monument Project, The0.009,660.007,000.00

98-15Chinese Family Life Services of Metro Toronto12,000.0023,000.0010,000.00

98-16Chinese Information & Community Services of0.009,961.000.00

Greater Toronto

98-17Christie/Ossington Neighbourhood Centre7,000.0014,800.007,500.00

98-18Coalition of Visible Minority Women (Ontario) Inc.8,000.0010,000.000.00

98-19CultureLink Settlement Services0.0010,000.009,500.00

98-20Delisle Youth Services12,000.0010,000.009,500.00

98-21Distress Centre0.0010,000.008,000.00

98-22Dixon Hall8,750.008,950.000.00

98-23Downtown Care Ring4,000.0010,000.000.00

98-24Dufferin Mall Youth Services0.0010,000.000.00

98-25East End Children's Centre0.004,460.002,000.00

98-26East End Community Health Centre0.0049,764.0020,000.00

98-27East York/East Toronto Family Resources11,000.0010,000.000.00

98-28Eritrean Canadian Community Centre of11,000.0011,000.0011,000.00

Metropolitan Toronto

98-29Ethiopian Association in Toronto Inc., The9,000.0010,000.000.00

98-30Family Service Association5,600.009,850.009,700.00

98-31Fred Victor Centre0.0031,326.000.00

98-32Friends of Dufferin Grove Park8,000.0010,000.003,000.00

98-33Harbourfront Community Centre7,000.009,225.000.00

98-34Harriet Tubman Community Organization7,000.0010,000.007,000.00

98-35Hispanic Development Council0.0023,000.0013,500.00

98-36Home for Creative Opportunity/Toronto Christian0.008,000.006,500.00

Resource Centre

98-37INTERCEDE for the Rights of Domestic Workers,6,000.008,000.000.00

Caregivers and Newcomers

98-38Jessie's Centre for Teenagers5,000.005,500.000.00

98-39Korean Canadian Women's Association12,000.0024,910.0010,500.00

98-40Leave Out Violence (L.O.V.E.)0.0010,000.000.00

98-41Metro Woman Abuse Council0.0022,200.0014,500.00

98-42Metro Action Committee on Violence Against0.008,300.007,000.00

Women and Children (METRAC)

98-43Mixed Company0.0025,000.0019,000.00

98-44National Congress of Italian Canadians -

Toronto District5,750.009,790.007,500.00

98-45Native African Inmates and Families Association8,000.0010,000.000.00

98-46Native Canadian Centre of Toronto5,000.0010,000.005,000.00

98-47Native Child and Family Services of Toronto20,000.0038,000.0011,000.00

98-48Native Women's Resource Centre8,000.0010,000.007,500.00

98-49Neighbourhood Information Post0.006,750.005,600.00

98-50New Experiences for Latin American Women0.006,900.006,900.00

98-51Oasis Centre Des Femmes0.0010,000.0010,000.00

98-52Opportunity for Advancement18,000.0029,000.0016,000.00

98-53Parkdale Focus Community Project10,000.0040,427.0012,000.00

98-54Parkdale Intercultural Association2,000.0010,000.000.00

98-55Peace Games Toronto0.005,000.004,500.00

98-56Polish Immigrant & Community Services6,000.006,000.006,000.00

98-57Quaker Committee for Refugees6,000.0010,000.000.00

98-58Redwood Shelter8,500.009,380.000.00

98-59Regent Park Community Health Centre8,000.0010,000.008,500.00

98-60Riverdale Housing Action Group0.0010,000.000.00

98-61Scadding Court Community Centre8,500.009,866.000.00

98-62Serve Canada Youth Service Organization0.0010,000.008,500.00

98-63Silayan Filipino Community Centre0.0010,000.000.00

98-64Sistering0.0050,000.0017,000.00

98-65SKETCH/IMAGO - /Evergreen0.005,000.003,500.00

98-66South East Asian Services Centre8,000.0020,000.000.00

98-67South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre3,340.003,000.000.00

98-68South Riverdale Community Health Centre/ Riverdale0.009,000.006,800.00

Coalition Against Violence Against Women & Children

98-69Spirit of the People12,000.0012,000.006,000.00

98-70St. Christopher House6,000.0010,000.000.00

98-71St. Stephen's Community House20,000.0023,204.0020,000.00

98-72Stop 103 Inc.5,500.006,000.003,500.00

98-73Street Haven at the Crossroads0.0014,000.009,000.00

98-74Tamil Eelam Society of Canada8,000.0010,000.009,000.00

98-75Toronto Christian Resource Centre0.0017,300.000.00

98-76Toronto Friendship Centre, The0.0010,000.000.00

98-77Toronto Harassment Support Group4,000.009,860.004,500.00

98-78University Settlement Recreation Centre9,260.0050,000.000.00

98-79UPAWA0.0010,000.000.00

98-80Urban Alliance on Race Relations10,000.0010,000.009,500.00

98-81VOICE (Violence Overcome in Creative Ensemble)0.0030,000.000.00

98-82Victim Services Program of Metropolitan Toronto Inc.0.0010,000.006,000.00

98-83Women's Memorial Society of Ontario (East York)0.0020,000.000.00

98-84WoodGreen Community Centre0.0010,000.009,000.00

98-85Youth Assisting Youth6,000.008,820.000.00

98-86Youthlink20,000.0020,000.0010,000.00

98-87YWCA of Metro Toronto - Stop 865,000.0010,000.000.00

Grand Total$423,700.00$1,262,548.00$473,000.00

(A copy of the Appendices 2 and 3 referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Municipal Grants Review Committee and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)

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(Report dated June 8, 1998, addressed to theMunicipal Grants Review Committee, from theCommissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services)

Purpose:

This report presents the recommended allocations from the $12,000.00 Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program appeal fund for the organizations which appealed to the Municipal Grants Review Committee for reconsideration.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funding of $485,000.00 for 1998 Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants is available in the consolidated listing of municipal grants. The Municipal Grants Review Committee has received a report (May 19, 1998) entitled "Breaking the Cycle of Violence Grants - 1998 Allocation Recommendations" which recommends grants totalling $473,000.00 be allocated to 52 applicants. An amount of $12,000.00 was reserved to respond to agency appeals.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the appeal fund of $12,000.00 be allocated as recommended in Appendix 1 of this report;

(2)release of recommended funds be subject to the satisfactory completion of a Declaration form regarding the adoption of the former City of Toronto's non-discrimination policy; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto and that authority be granted to the Director of the Healthy City Office to execute letters of understanding with the approved grant recipients, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, on the terms and conditions as outlined in the report.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program was initiated in 1993 by the former City of Toronto as a result of recommendations made by the Safe City Committee, under the general authority for making grants which is provided in the Municipal Act Section 113 (1).

The Municipal Grants Review Committee on June 1, 1998, had before it a report (May 19, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services recommending the allocation of Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants totalling $473,000.00 to 52 applicants. Twelve organizations provided a verbal presentation to the Municipal Grants Review Committee regarding the fact that they were not recommended for funding.

In developing recommendations for allocation of the appeal funds, staff reviewed the original recommendations and considered information presented in the deputations.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Community groups submitted a total of 87 applications for 1998 grants through the Breaking the Cycle of Violence program. Fifty-two groups were recommended for support, and 35 groups were not recommended. Of the groups that were not recommended, 12 made a presentation to the Municipal Grants Review Committee at its meeting on June 1, 1998. No groups which were recommended for funding made an appeal related to the amount of their grant.

Of the 12 groups appealing, eight had received project funding in 1997, and four are considered as new applicants. Applicants are considered new if they have not received funding in the previous year, although some new applicants have received project support through the program in earlier years (prior to 1997). All but two of the groups making an appeal had received support from Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program at some time in the past five years. This information is noted for each deputant in Appendix 1 of this report.

During the appeals, some groups provided information on changes in their program plans, and two identified revised requests for the amount of the grant. Some groups indicated that any amount of funding would be helpful in developing their activities. Each group included information in their comments on the specific community needs that would be addressed through the project activities.

In making recommendations for allocation of the appeals fund, staff considered the project proposals and the original recommendations as well as the information presented during the appeals. Consideration was also given to limited ability of the appeal fund to respond to the volume of requests presented by community organizations to the Municipal Grants Review Committee. Although many of the groups making an appeal identified a community need for support and a viable proposal, the available funds were not sufficient to address the level of request, which was $126,250.00 for these 12 organizations.

Three groups are recommended for grants from the appeal fund of $12,000.00, as identified in Appendix 1 of this report. In keeping with the project criteria of the Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program, recommendations have been for one new applicant for a time limited project to reach youth, and for two returning organizations which received one year of support through the program, for further development of the agency capacity to reach marginalised and high risk women and families. No recommendations from the appeal fund were made for grants to groups with more than one previous year of support through the program. As noted in Appendix 2, staff will try to assist groups in identifying other resources which may be available to assist them with the proposed activities.

These recommendations bring the total of new groups funded to 24, (out of 38 new applicants). Grants are now recommended for 31 returning groups (out of 49 applicants).

Conclusions:

The Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program enables a wide variety of community organizations to participate in making Toronto a safer place to live and work and play. Each year, requests exceed the level of support available for viable projects. Based on a review of the original recommendations and the information presented in the appeals, staff are recommending grants totalling $12,000.00 to three agencies as outlined in Appendix 1.

Contact Name:

Fran Perkins, Director, Healthy City Office, Tel: 392-0099/Fax: 392-0098.

Sue Kaiser, Grants Coordinator, Healthy City Office, Tel: 392-0406/Fax 392-0089.

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Appendix 1

Breaking The Cycle of Violence Grants

1998 Appeal Allocations

File 1997 19981998 Appeal

No.Organization NameAwardRequest Recommendation

 98-04African Women Resource & Information Centre (2)*010,0000

 98-06Blake/Boultbee Women's Safety Committee (2)*2,0002,0000

 98-22Dixon Hall (4)*8,7508,9500

 98-23Downtown Care Ring (3)*4,00010,0000

 98-29Ethiopian Association in Toronto Inc., The (3)*9,00010,0000

 98-40Leave Out ViolencE (L.O.V.E.) (0)*0**5,0004,500

 98-45Native African Inmates and Families Association (1)*8,00010,0004,500

 98-54Parkdale Intercultural Association (3)*2,00010,0000

 98-57Quaker Committee for Refugees (3)*6,00010,0000

98-75Toronto Christian Resource Centre (0)*017,3000

 98-78University Settlement Recreation Centre (1)*9,260**3,0003,000

 98-81VOICE (Violence Overcome in Creative Ensemble) (2)*030,0000

 Grand Total$49,010$126,250$12,000

*Indicates number of grants received by the organization since the start of the program in 1993.

 **Request revised at appeal meeting.

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 Appendix 2

Breaking the Cycle of Violence Grants

1998 Appeals: Project Descriptions and Grant Purposes

BTCV 98-04African Woman Information and Resource Centre

Project: Handbook on Violence Prevention:

The project will develop a handbook aimed at consolidating information on breaking the cycle of violence. It will address: an overview of violence in the African community; the myths and reality of violence; the misconceptions - cultural differences; African family dynamics (why violence seldom gets reported); rape and sexual harassment issues.

Comments: No grant is recommended. The group identified the community need for culturally appropriate education resources for the African Canadian community. The group is encouraged to develop its partnerships with other groups for the development of educational resources.

This group has received support through the BTCV program in two previous years.

BTCV 98-06Blake Boultbee Women's Safety Committee

Project: Blake Boultbee Women's Safety and Violence Prevention:

The committee will organize a series of community workshops which focus on prevention, self defense skills and community awareness of the issue of violence against women and children.

Comments: No grant is recommended. The deputation addressed the community need and new ideas the group has identified for program activities in 1998/99.

This group has received support through the BTCV program in two previous years. The revised project activities appear to be viable, and staff will meet with the group to identify any other resources that may be available to assist them.

BTCV 98-22Dixon Hall

Project: Roots of Change:

The Regent Park Intergenerational Hispanic Women's Support Group proposes to continue the work begun in 1997, dealing with abuse and relationship issues. The age range of participants will be expanded to include seniors in group programs and life skills activities. Sharing experiences and skills will build self-esteem and increase knowledge about community resources.

Comments: No grant is recommended. The project presented information on the local need for this project and the activities that would be undertaken. Staff will meet with the group to identify any other resources which may be available to them.

This organization has received support from the BTCV program in four previous years: the 1997 grant was specifically for this project. Dixon Hall also receives support through the City of Toronto Drug Abuse Prevention Program (1998 recommendation is $4,408.00), the Community Services Grants (1998 recommendation is $117,316.00), Major Recreation grants (1998 recommendation is $37,577.00) and Graffiti transformation ($23,000.00).

BTCV 98-23Downtown Care Ring:

Project: St Jamestown Youth Project:

This program hires a youth worker to provide programming for youth. Summer activities include a basketball league and a ball hockey league. Winter activities include attending the planning meetings for the working committee regarding youth and violence, and coordinating a homework club and indoor recreation activities. The project targets participation by young people from different cultural groups in St. Jamestown, and encourages peaceful community interaction through sports and the support of the youth worker.

Comments: No grant is recommended. The applicant identified the significant community need for this youth program, and staff will meet with the group to assist in identifying other possible sources of support.

This organization has received Breaking the Cycle of Violence support in three previous years to initiate the program. The organization also receives support from the City of Toronto Recreation grants for the summer component of this program (1998 recommendation is $6,000.00).

BTCV 98-29 Ethiopian Association:

Project: Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children:

The project will provide a series of educational workshops and community forums on issues of violence against women and children. The program will also provide services for victims of abuse, including computer software training for abused women and homework and tutoring support for children from families that have been broken because of violence.

Comments: No grant is recommended. The group identified the significant community need for this program and the need of the agency to respond to women victims of violence.

This group has received Breaking the Cycle of Violence grant support for education and support activities in three previous years. The group is encouraged to seek out other funding to support these ongoing services. The organization receives support from the City of Toronto Community Services grants (1998 recommendation is $20,886.00) and Recreation grants (1998 recommendation is $4,500.00) and staff of the programs will cooperate in assisting the group in looking at ways of strengthening its ability to provide this ongoing service to the community.

BTCV 98-40 Leave Out ViolencE (L.O.V.E.):

Project: Leave out ViolencE - Youth Outreach and Awareness Book project "L.O.V.E. WORKS":

The goal of this book, which includes a history of the organization, its mission towards the reduction of youth violence as well as powerful and provocative selections of the teenagers' work, is to raise the visibility of the issue of youth violence and to promote youth violence prevention. The group hopes to distribute the book to Toronto schools in order to provide educators with a valuable teaching tool.

Comments: A grant of $4,500.00 is recommended to assist the group in its peer outreach activities for the "L.O.V.E. WORKS" education resource. The group revised its request at the appeal and identified that it had received support for the printing of the book, and was in need of funds to support youth in related program activities in 170 Toronto schools. This is a first time applicant to the Breaking the Cycle of Violence program.

BTCV 98-45Native African Inmates and Families Association (NAIFA):

Project: Developing Strategic Alliances in Breaking the Cycle of Violence:

The goal of the proposed project is to continue to provide educational and community development activities with the African community, in particular for women, in order to enhance their ability in breaking the cycle of violence and enable them to live a more productive life. Workshop and outreach activities will be provided.

Comments: A grant of $4,500.00 is recommended to assist the group in outreach and support activities for women and children in African Canadian families where there is a history of violence or where family members are in conflict with the law. The group addressed the high level of community need, the specific and complex issues which African Canadian families face in seeking assistance. The group has received one year of support through the Breaking the Cycle of Violence program to undertake education activities on family violence topics. A second year of support will assist the organization in developing its ability to serve this target group.

This group also receives support through the City of Toronto Community Services grants (1998 recommendation is $1,500.00) and Recreation grants (1998 recommendation is $1,500.00).

BTCV 98-54 Parkdale Intercultural Council:

Project: Finding Cross Cultural Ways to Break the Cycle of Violence:

The Parkdale Intercultural Association's proposal is to reduce violence by taking a focus group approach to raising discussion on cross-cultural perceptions of violence, what can be done to implement actions taken against violence and introduce basic techniques and theories to help break the cycle of violence. In addition, PIA will host seven events to emphasize these approaches: one large community event; a series of four training workshops; and two ethno-specific workshops.

Comments: No grant is recommended. The group identified the high level of community need for this type of education in the community, and staff will meet with the group to assist in identifying other sources of support.

This organization has received support through the Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants for three previous years. The group also receives support from the City of Toronto Community Services program (1998 recommendation is $1,200.00).

BTCV 98-57 Quaker Committee for Refugees:

Project: Creative Art therapy for Refugee Children:

The proposed project provides theatre and painting workshops for children along with counselling, therapy and information exchange for parents, guardians and other family members. The main goal is to facilitate successful settlement and integration of refugee children and families into Canadian society. The program extends its activities into the community through participation in conferences, exhibiting the children's work, open houses, workshops and other community events.

Comments: No grant is recommended. This program has identified the Gerrard Resource Centre at Ryerson as its new sponsor, and Cultural Arts for Refugee Children as its new name. The appeal presentation identified the significant contribution that this program has made and will continue to make for refugees, and staff will meet with the organization to identify other possible sources of support.

The Art Therapy program has received support from the Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants for three previous years. Staff will meet with the organization to identify other possible resources.

BTCV 98-75Toronto Christian Resource Centre

Project: Rise:

This project will address issues of anger control; conflict resolution; violence; low self-esteem; after-violence trauma and support and protection under the law. Six to ten thematic workshops are to be held for staff, volunteers, service users and victims of abuse. A compilation of the ideas and lessons learned will be in the form of a booklet to share with other organizations. Story-sharing among the women is included to build a supportive environment, as well as increasing knowledge about treatment of violence and strategies for dealing with violence.

Comments: No grant is recommended. It was identified that this ambitious, agency-wide proposal would benefit from additional information on the rationale for the chosen strategies and the evaluation of program activities and outcomes. At the appeal, the applicant identified the significant needs of the target groups (homeless and underhoused and low income people) which would participate in this program, and indicated that the community development model chosen would involve participants in looking at what strategies and evaluation tools should be used. While components of this proposal have merit, the applicant is encouraged to address the identified issues more specifically for any future demonstration grant request.

This is the group's first application to the BTCV program. This organization also receives support through the City of Toronto Community Services Grants (1998 recommendation is $49,839.00), and Recreation grants (1998 recommendation is $4,500.00). (Home for Creative Opportunity, which is recommended for a 1998 BTCV grant, is co-located with the Toronto Christian Resource Centre, but the two organizations operate independently and reach different target groups.)

BTCV 98-78 University Settlement House:

Project: Building the Healing Circle for Survivors of Family Violence:

The project will train 12-15 young isolated women in areas of employment, social skills and family life education. Support groups will also be established for participants with children that have experienced violence within the family. Ten community volunteers will be trained as home visitors to regularly visit the participants and provide emotional and social support and enhance problem-solving skills. There will also be a public education component on violence prevention for the Grange community.

Comments: A grant of $3,000.00 is recommended. This group revised its request during the appeal, and will use the grant funds to assist women victims of violence in the Chinese community to participate in education and job readiness programs to increase their economic independence and reduce their risk for future abuse. The group received one year of support from the Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants to provide groups for women and support their participation in other employment skill programs. This second year of support would assist the organization in developing its capacity to serve this target group. This organization also receives City of Toronto support through the Major Recreation grants (1998 recommendation is $62,655.00), the Drug Abuse Prevention grants (1998 recommendation is $7,128.00), Community Services grants (1998 recommendation is $53,659.00).

BTCV 98-81 VOICE (Violence Overcome in Creative Ensemble):

Project: The 'Children's Rights as Human Rights' Campaign:

The project will focus on public education. Youth survivors of abuse will create and produce various multi-media products including T.V. commercials, music video, print ads, web sites etc., that will focus on educating the public regarding alternative, non-abusive methods of child-rearing discipline and the unacceptableness of all forms of violence and abuse towards children.

Comments: No grant is recommended. The group identified the local component of the proposed activities, and indicated that in addition to the existing partners, other organizations would be included in the program as it developed. Staff will meet with the group to identify other resources which may be available to support the overall project.

This organization has received support from the Breaking the Cycle of Violence grant program in two previous years.