May 10, 1999

To:Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee

From:City Clerk

Subject:Community Services Grants Program -

Eligibility Assessment of New Applicants

Recommendation:

The Municipal Grants Review Committee on May 10, 1999, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee the adoption of the attached report (May 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services respecting the Community Services Grants Program - Eligibility Assessment of New Applicants, with the exception of the recommendations pertaining to the following applicants, referred to in Appendix "A".

-Association for Caribbean Advancement;

-Bloor Jewish Community Centre;

-Cypriot Community of Toronto;

-Down Syndrome Association of Scarborough; and

-North York Safety Village.

The Municipal Grants Review Committee reports, for the information of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, having:

(1)requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services to consult with the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Housing Company Inc. on the feasibility of providing alternative support to the 679 Tenant Association (Item No. 1 in Appendix "A") and report thereon to the Community Services Committee;

(2)referred back to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services the grant request from the Bloor Jewish Community Centre (Item No. 6 in Appendix "A") for further review and report thereon to the Community Services Committee;

(3)directed that the appropriate Community Development Officers be requested to assist the following applicants listed in Appendix "A" in looking for other potential funders and to provide advice on the type of organizational development that the applicant could undertake to assist them in becoming eligible for funding under the Community Services Grants Program, or other funding programs for which they may be eligible:

-Association for Caribbean Advancement (Item No. 2);

-Cypriot Community of Toronto (Item No. 15); and

-Down Syndrome Association of Scarborough (Item No. 17); and in the case of the Association to review its service goals and linkages to other service providers;

(4)requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services to report on the feasibility of providing funding to the three proposed Children's Safety Villages in the City of Toronto (North York Safety Village Item No. 33) through either the Community Services Grants Program, or from other sources; and further that the appropriate staff meet with the three Children's Safety Village organizations to provide advice regarding the application process and other potential funding sources;

(5)directed that the appropriate Community Development Officers be requested to assist the following applicants in looking for other potential funders, and to provide advice on the type of organizational development the applicant could undertake:

-Refugees and Immigrants Information Centre Toronto Inc. (Item No. 38); and

-Somali Canadian Community Advancement Centre (Item No. 44);

(6)requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Medical Officer of Health to submit a joint report to both the Community Services Committee and the Board of Health on the history of all food and gardening related grants programs, such report to include the number of community gardens supported, the previous level of support provided, and the level the City could continue to support; and

(7)received the communication from The Barbados St. Michael Alumni (Toronto).

Background:

The Municipal Grants Review Committee had before it the following report and communication:

-(May 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services providing a summary of the eligibility assessment of the 55 new applicants under the 1999 Community Services Grants Program; and outlining recommendations in regard thereto; and

-(May 10, 1999) from Ms. Cyriline Taylor, The Barbados St. Michael Alumni (Toronto), appealing the recommendations contained in the report of the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services.

The following persons appeared before the Municipal Grants Review Committee to appeal the recommendation contained in the aforementioned report of the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:

-Ms. Sandy Nimmo, 679 Tenants Association;

-Ms. Harriet Wichin, Bloor Jewish Community Centre;

-Mr. Abdirahaman Muse, Somali Canadian Community Advancement Centre; and submitted a brief in regard thereto;

-Mr. Stanley Joseph, Refugee and Immigrants Information Centre Toronto Inc.;

-Mr. Eric Onisiforou, President, Cypriot Community of Toronto;

-Ms. Chellam Siva, Blue Ribbon Child Care Society;

-Mr. Ted Torrance, Vice-President, North York Safety Village;

-Mr. Calvin Vickers, Ms. Charmaine Lym and Mr. Gerry Leonard, Association for Caribbean Advancement; and

-Ms. Margaret D'Souza, Down Syndrome Association of Scarborough; and submitted a brief in regard thereto.

City Clerk

R. Dyers/tl

Item No. 5

(Report dated May 4, 1999, addressed to the

Municipal Grants Review Committee from the

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services)

Purpose:

This report presents a summary of the eligibility assessment of the 55 new applicants under the 1999 Community Services Grant Program (C.S.G.P.).

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the 27 new applicants determined to be eligible at this stage of the assessment process proceed to the next level of assessment;

(2)the 22 new applicants determined to be ineligible at this stage of the assessment be advised that they are not eligible for support under the 1999 Community Services Grants Program;

(3)the six remaining new applicants be referred for consideration under other City grants programs; and

(4)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

In September 1998, the Municipal Grants Review Committee received a report, titled "Community Service Grants Program Review," that detailed the program guidelines for an amalgamated community service/general grants program. Eligibility criteria for the 1999 grants cycle were revised and clarified, consistent with the directions articulated in the program review.

The program criteria address agency mandate and location, structure and governance, financial management and accountability, operations and staffing, program efficiency, and the agency's relationship with its community. In order to make the program more accessible to smaller organizations, the eligibility criteria for applicants requesting $10,000.00 or below are less stringent than for requests of over $10,000.00. The eligibility criteria for the Community Services Grants Program are contained in Appendix "B".

A number of the eligibility criteria are straightforward and can be clearly determined from an agency's written submission. Where a new applicant has been deemed ineligible based on their written submission, the agency has been informed of the determination and the reasons for it.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

A total of 55 new applicants submitted written applications under the 1999 Community Services Grants Program. Based on the eligibility criteria contained in Appendix "B", staff have determined that 27 new applicants are eligible for further consideration at this stage of the review process. The final determination of eligibility for those 27 applicants will be made based on the written submission and an assessment interview with Grants Staff. A further 22 new applicants have been determined to be ineligible for funding because the program, agency, or both, do not meet the C.S.G.P. criteria. The remaining six new applicants are not eligible under the C.S.G.P., but may be eligible under other City of Toronto grants programs. These applications have been forwarded to the appropriate City staff for review.

Agencies that are ineligible because the program activity does not fit within the mandate of the C.S.G.P., e.g. employment counselling, may request staff assistance in pursuing other sources of support. Similarly, where an organization has been determined ineligible because they have not yet developed the required organizational systems and structures, agency development support may be requested.

Appendix "A" provides a list of new applicants, their eligibility determination, and, if ineligible, the reasons for the determination. Those agencies determined to be ineligible have been notified by staff prior to the May 10, 1999, Municipal Grants Review Committee meeting in order to allow them the opportunity to depute directly to the Committee should they disagree with the staff recommendation.

Conclusions:

This report summarizes the results of the first stage of eligibility determination for new applicants under the 1999 Community Services Grants Program. It is recommended that 27 of the 55 new applicants proceed to the interview stage of assessment.

The funds available for new applicants in 1999 will be limited. Although 27 new applicants will be interviewed, funds may not be available to support all new applicants.

Contact Name:

Chris Brillinger

Tel: 392-8608

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Appendix "A"

New Applicants not Eligible for Community Services Grants Funding:

(1)679 Tenant Association:

The agency has requested funding of $10,000.00 for the development, implementation and maintenance of community gardens and increasing recreational space in the Harbourfront area of Toronto.

The program is not eligible for funding. While the project will involve residents of the complex and mobilize community resources, the focus of the initiative is to build community gardens for food relief, improve the neighbourhood and increase recreational space.

(2)Association for Caribbean Advancement:

The agency has requested $50,000.00 to assist in the provision of counselling services to youth of Caribbean descent in East Toronto. The agency currently provides a Friday-night basketball program, annual basketball tournament, and career fair for youth.

The agency is not eligible for funding. The agency is not incorporated, and will not consider a transfer to Type II funding (grants of $10,000.00 or less). The agency lacks experience in providing the service for which funds are requested and was unable to provide a budget for the program.

(3)Baluchi Canadian Association:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(4)Barbados St. Michael's Alumnae (Toronto):

The agency did not submit any of the required application forms (only attachments were submitted). The agency cannot be interviewed and therefore is considered ineligible.

(5)Beach Arts Centre, The:

The agency does not have a community service mandate. The agency received funding from Recreation in 1998, and has applied to the wrong program. The agency's request has been referred to Recreation for consideration.

(6)Bloor Jewish Community Centre:

The agency has requested funding of $7,500.00 for the promotion of health and wellness in its local community, including training workshops for practitioners, presentations on health and wellness to local schools, workshops for local businesses and non-profit groups, a Community Health and Wellness Fair and outreach and publicity for its Wednesday evening health talks.

The program is not eligible for funding. Health promotion and health-related activities are not eligible under the Community Services Grants Program.

(7)Blue Ribbon Child Care Society:

The agency has requested funding of $10,000.00, for English and music classes for people experiencing difficulties in the west end of Toronto.

The agency and its program activities were not considered eligible for funding. The mandate of the agency is to run a Day Nursery under the Day Nurseries Act. The C.S.G.P. does not fund daycare centres or day nurseries. As well, the agency has not developed the required organizational systems and structures. There are no service partners, paid staff or fundraising. The agency did not provide the required financial, organizational and program information.

(8)CANACT- Canadian African Newcomer Aid Centre of Toronto:

The agency has requested funding of $35,000.00, for computer training and job search training for African women in the City of Toronto.

The program is not eligible for funding. The C.S.G.P. does not fund employment programs. In 1998 the agency was not recommended for a grant because of serious concerns regarding the agency's performance including an inability to utilize volunteer support, a lack of collaboration with other community agencies, and weak financial management practices. These issues continue to be a concern based on the agency's written submission.

(9)Canadian Tamil Women's Community Services (CTW):

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(10)Canadian's for Children at Health Risk:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(11)Canora: Journal des Canadiens et Canadiennes d=Origine Africaine Antillaise et Asiatique:

The agency has requested funding of $10,000.00 for organizing special events to show French movies to the French-speaking Black community. The organization publishes a community newspaper, rents French videos and organizes soccer events for the French speaking Black community in the Greater Toronto Area.

The program is not eligible for funding. The C.S.G.P. does not fund the proposed activities.

(12)Chinese Family Life Service of Metro Toronto:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(13)Chinese Professional Women of Canada:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(14)Council of Agencies Serving South Asians:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(15)Cypriot Community of Toronto:

The agency has requested $20,000.00 to assist in maintenance of the Cypriot Community Centre, and the provision of cultural activities and support services to members of the Cypriot community. The agency currently provides cultural activities, workshops and recreational activities for members of the Cypriot community across the City of Toronto.

The agency is not eligible for funding. . The organization's activities are principally cultural. The costs for which the agency has requested funding are ineligible under the C.S.G.P.

(16)December 6 Fund:

The agency has requested $10,000.00 for the Revolving Loan Fund Program, which serves women victims of abuse and their children across the City of Toronto.

The agency and its program activities are not considered eligible for funding. The C.S.P.G. does not fund the provision of financial assistance to individuals. Aside from staff costs, the other major budget expenditure is fundraising costs, which are also ineligible. The organization's membership consists only of its board members and employees.

(17)Down Syndrome Association of Scarborough:

The agency has requested $10,000.00 to assist in the provision of community education activities to promote a greater understanding of Down Syndrome. The agency currently provides information about Down Syndrome and conducts monthly support meetings across the City of Toronto.

The agency is not eligible for funding. The agency requires improvement in the areas of governance and financial accountability, and did not provide a 1999 budget. The proposed service duplicates those provided by the Down Syndrome of Toronto. The program lacks appropriate collaboration, and does not appear to be financially viable.

(18)Evergreen:

Support for drop in and street outreach services to the homeless is currently provided under the Emergency Support Fund (ESF). As a result, the agency's request will be considered as a part of the upcoming ESF review process.

(19)Family Day Care Services:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(20)Furniture Bank:

The agency has requested $10,000.00 to assist in the provision of furniture and housewares to low income, under-housed people. The agency currently collects donations of furniture and housewares and distributes these to clients across the City of Toronto.

Innovative supports, which facilitate the transition from homelessness to permanent housing, are currently funded under the Homeless Initiatives Fund. As a result, they are not eligible for funding under the C.S.G.P. The agency's request will be forwarded to HIF for consideration.

(21)George Hull Centre, The:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(22)Hispanic Development Council:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(23)Historical Connexion:

The agency has requested $25,000.00 to assist in the provision of a cultural education and anti-racism program for youth of African descent. The agency currently maintains and disseminates information about the history of African people in Canada with seminars, workshops, research and education.

The agency is not eligible for funding. The agency does not have a community service mandate. The program's cultural education and anti-racism focus is ineligible for funding under the C.S.G.P. Anti-racism initiatives are currently funded under the Access and Equity program, and the agency has already applied to this program for funding.

(24)Human Rights and Race Relations Centre:

The agency has requested funding of $10,000.00 to develop a resource centre to assist Punjabi Ahmadi Muslims across the City of Toronto to access the labor market through workshops, on career planning, job search, resume writing, interview skills and the Internet.

The agency and its programs are not eligible for funding. The mandate of the organization is to provide public education and awareness of racism; anti-racism advocacy; promotion of employment equity initiatives, provide counselling to newcomers in regards to education, housing and employment, and assist them to access political representatives, the labor market, and understand Canadian politics. The agency's request will be forwarded to the Access and Equity Grants Program for consideration.

(25)IBADAN (Oluyole) Canadian Supportive Care:

The agency has requested $10,000.00 to assist in the provision of support services for persons of African descent with developmental disabilities. The agency did not specify the services currently provided.

The agency is not eligible for funding. The application did not demonstrate the necessary track record in the areas of governance, operations, or financial accountability. The agency did not provide a realistic budget, currently operates without staff and with only ten volunteers. The proposed program is developmental, does not appear to be financially viable, and does not involve any collaboration.

(26)Iranian Women's Organization of Ontario:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(27)Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(28)Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Service:

The agency has requested $10,000.00 to assist in the provision of a natural family planning service for women. The agency currently provides this service to women across the City of Toronto.

The program is not eligible for funding. Family planning and reproductive health services are currently funded by Public Health under purchase of service agreements. As a result, the agency's request is not eligible for funding under the C.S.G.P., but will be referred to Public Health for review.

(29)Marvin Morten Community Resource Centre:

The agency has requested funding for a violence prevention program and parent education program for parents/care givers whose children are in need of protection because of physical abuse.

The agency and its program activities are not eligible for funding. The agency has not developed the required organizational systems and structures in the areas of governance, operations and financial accountability. The agency has unaudited financial statements and did not provide the required financial, organizational and program information.

(30)Metro Street Focus:

The agency has requested $50,000.00 to assist in the provision of street outreach services for the homeless. The agency currently provides street outreach services to homeless and socially isolated people across the City of Toronto.

Support for drop in and street outreach services to the homeless is currently provided under the Emergency Support Fund (ESF). The agency's request will be considered as a part of the upcoming ESF review process.

(31)Multilingual Community Interpreter Services:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(32)Nishkam Nursing and Seniors Home:

The agency has requested $10,000.00 to assist in the development of a 128-bed long-term care facility for South Asian seniors. The agency recently incorporated, and does not yet deliver services.

The program is not eligible for funding. The development and provision of long-term care is the responsibility of the Provincial Government.

(33)North York Safety Village:

The agency has requested funding of $10,000.00 for a safety village, made up of a miniature road network, which will deal with safety issues in road safety, fire safety, and training (First Aid, CPR, babysitting) for people in the City of Toronto.

The program is not eligible for funding. The C.S.G.P. does not fund programs whose principal goal, objective, or purpose is the primary responsibility of a municipal department, or Board. The organization is already collaborating with Toronto Police Services, Ambulance Services, Fire Services and Public Health in order to build the facility and develop programs. The majority of the members of the organization's governing body do not reside in the City of Toronto.

(34)On the Move Community Integration Association:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(35)Peace by Peace:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(36)Progress Place Rehabilitation Centre (Metropolitan Toronto) Inc.:

The agency has requested funding of $25,000.00 for the "Warm Line", a peer support telephone line which provides support from 8 pm to midnight, for people who have severe and persistent mental illness in the City of Toronto.

The agency and program are not eligible for funding. The C.S.G.P. does not replace lost or reallocated government funding. This program has been core funded by the Provincial Government at the level of $75,000.00 in 1997 and 1998. In 1999, the agency proposes to divert $50,000.00 of the provincial funds to other areas of the organization and to replace that with $50,000.00 from the C.S.G.P. The organization does not have an accessible voting membership, with registered members other than the members of the Board of Directors.

(37)Ralph Thornton Centre:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(38)Refugees and Immigrants Information Centre Toronto Inc.:

The agency has requested $36,768.00 to assist in the provision of a violence prevention and conflict resolution initiative for Tamil youth. The agency currently serves immigrants and refugees in St. Jamestown, Cabbagetown and Regent Park.

The agency is not eligible for funding. The agency did not provide a realistic budget, and has no staff. The proposed program is developmental, not financially viable, and lacks appropriate collaborations with other agencies.

(39)Reseau des femmes du Sud de l'Ontario:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(40)Serve Canada:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(41)Sikh Youth and Family Centre:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(42)Silayan Filipino Community Centre:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(43)Society for the Aid of Ceylon Minority (SACEM):

The agency has requested $17,560.00 to assist in the provision of a social support and development program for Tamil youth. The agency currently serves members of the Tamil community across Toronto.

The agency is not eligible for funding. The agency does not appear to be financially viable, and is currently supported by a staff of 0.3 FTE. The proposed program is developmental, and is not financially viable. The majority of the proposed activities are ineligible for funding under the C.S.G.P.

(44)Somali Canadian Community Advancement Centre (SCCAC):

The agency has requested funding of $9,000.00 for building the organizational capacity of the agency. The organization serves the Somali community in the City of Toronto.

The agency and program are not eligible for funding. C.S.G.P. requests must be for the delivery of a community service. As well the organization's activities are largely in the area of sports and employment programs which are ineligible under the C.S.G.P. The organization has not yet developed other sources of funding. There was no income in 1999 and the agency anticipates only $3,000.00 in additional funding.

(45)Somali Canadian Women Association:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(46)Somali Family Child Skills Development Services:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(47)Somali Youth Association of Toronto (S.Y.A.T.):

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(48)St. Mark's Seniors Club:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(49)Sudanese Association of Ontario:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(50)Toronto Adventist Community Services:

Support for drop in and street outreach services to the homeless is currently provided under the Emergency Support Fund (ESF). As a result, the agency's request will be considered as a part of the upcoming ESF review process.

(51)Toronto Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers):

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(52)Unemployed Professional African Women (Watu) Association:

The agency has requested funding of $50,000.00 for an employment counselling program for the Black African community in the City of Toronto.

The program is not eligible for funding. The C.S.G.P. does not fund programs whose principal goal, objective or purpose is the primary responsibility of the Federal or Provincial Government, e.g., employment programs. The agency should pursue appropriate Federal and Provincial funding.

(53)Unlimited Rays of Hope:

The agency has requested funding of $10,000.00 for a community support program that focuses on improving mental health, drug and alcohol prevention and developmental programs for residents of Pelham Park Gardens MTHA complex.

The organization is not eligible for funding. The organization has no general membership to which its governing body is accountable. There are six Board members and three voting members. The organization is not collaborating with the key community service agencies in the area regarding the development of services for the Pelham Park community that do not duplicate already existing services for the residents. There is no other income for the organization other than user fees of $6,000.00, and the program request requires 100 percent funding from the City.

(54)Vietnamese Community of North York and Vicinity:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(55)Vietnamese Youth Centre of Toronto:

The agency will proceed to the next level of assessment.

(A copy of the Appendix B referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Municipal Grants Review Committee for its meeting on May10,1999, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)