About Us

Finch Ave Community Center (FACC) has delivered and provided programs and services related to targeted Newcomers’ settlement needs, resources, housing, mental health issues, Legal aid services, and food security.

Our services also extend to seniors’ wellness and empowerment through financial and isolation workshops and events, finding safe transition housing for abused women, and Youth out-of-trouble programs.

We partner with community leaders to build communities that thrive, break the barriers that create cultural differences and beliefs, offer services to bridge their different backgrounds, and share experiences from different backgrounds, job skills, and social skills.

Together, we try to fill the void by offering them a supportive transition. Our main aim is to alleviate the challenges associated with their initial arrival by addressing their most urgent needs. We provide temporary shelters to prevent homelessness, ensuring that refugees have a safe and stable place to live. Additionally, we facilitate appointments for legal clinics that assist with asylum claims, family reunification, and work permit applications. We also advocate for policy reform to streamline refugee processes.

Our Mission

Our mission is to foster a supportive compassionate community that promotes the holistic development of the community and promotes nurturing social, emotional, and economic growth by fostering environments that prioritize respect, empath and equity, striving to empower community members with the tools and resources they need to thrive, creating pathways to lifelong resilience, goals and well being.

At FACC, we are committed to empowering individuals through access to essential services, educational opportunities, and community resources. By fostering connection, promoting resilience, and advocating for social equity, we strive to build a thriving community where everyone can live with dignity, respect, and hope for a brighter future.”

Our Services

Food Security

By providing food to the needy, FACC can alleviate the immediate concerns of food insecurity. Our food distribution ensures that culturally appropriate food items are considered and included, especially for newcomer communities with different races and backgrounds, with nutritious options, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins.

With over 100 families fed monthly, our program of regular food distribution consists of packages containing essential safety emergency kits, groceries, fresh produce, and pantry staples, providing food stability and helping bridge hunger for individuals and families in low-income.

Our Partnership with local food banks and Supermarkets provides a steady supply of fresh, nutritious food to needy community members. FACC can also organize bulk purchases from local farms or coordinate with community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs to offer food donations to low-income households.

Housing and Settlement

FACC Ave is vital in addressing the housing crisis for newcomers, particularly immigrants and asylum seekers. These groups often face settlement and housing challenges due to language barriers, lack of financial resources, and unfamiliarity with local housing systems. Below are some of the services we offer to help ease the housing crisis for newcomers.

Having partnered with the City of Toronto, we offer Immediate access to safe, temporary housing, especially for those fleeing conflict or who are homeless upon arrival. b) We arrange for transitional housing that provides a bridge between emergency shelter and permanent housing, this allows newcomers time to become financially stable and integrated into the community. It offers a structured environment where newcomers can access supportive services (e.g.language classes, job placement, and legal aid) while they transition to more permanent housing. This reduces the risk of homelessness while they stabilize their lives.

c) We have built relationships with local landlords, housing authorities, and property developers, thus creating more opportunities for newcomers to rent or purchase affordable homes. By fostering partnerships, Finch Ave Community Center can advocate for fair rental practices, negotiate lower rents for low-income newcomers, and ensure landlords are aware of the specific challenges faced by newcomers.

d) Finch Ave Community Center also partnered with the City of Toronto Housing and Shelter to create new housing projects specifically for immigrants and refugees.

This ensures that newcomers have access to essential shelter for individuals and families while they navigate the initial steps of settlement. This reduces the stress of homelessness and gives them time to stabilize, connect with resources, and search for long-term housing.

Seniors Services

Finch Ave Community Center also works with seniors on various levels. This is a unique group with diverse needs. The organization has set up various initiatives that serve their needs.

Home Care and Assisted Living Support

We provide In-home care services, including assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning. This allows seniors to live independently in their homes while receiving their needed support. In-home care promotes autonomy, helps seniors stay in familiar surroundings, and reduces the need for early admission to assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

Social and Recreational Activities

Group outings, social events, hobby clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Seniors often face loneliness and isolation, especially after retirement or the loss of loved ones. Social and recreational activities provide a sense of community and purpose, critical to emotional well being.

Fraud prevention and financial services

Our fraud prevention programs for seniors consisting of workshops with financial experts, ensure that seniors are empowered with the knowledge they need to protect their finances and personal information. Our partnerships with fraud experts and financial management. The process is also aimed at reducing the likelihood of falling for fraudulent deals and activities. Hopefully, this will eliminate fraud targeting seniors.

Youth

Our Youth programs empower the Youth who have conflicted with the law. We do this through community diversion programs and guidance to avoid re-offending and reduce gun violence and drug usage. We also help Youth understand their rights under the law and re-integrate them back into society by connecting them with jobs or programs that offer them skills that will get them hired.

New Comers and Asylum seekers

Our programs for newcomers provide them with a soft landing into Canada, ensuring that they acquire the resources they need to navigate their way around into the system. Our organization provides immediate relief services to newcomer refugees by providing services that ease the stress of the initial arrival by addressing the refugees’ most urgent needs.

For instance, many newcomers face financial difficulties when they arrive due to job insecurity or a lack of credit history. Finch Ave Community Center provides essential financial assistance that prevents homelessness or excessive housing cost burdens.

We also facilitate appointments for Legal clinics for asylum seekers’ claims and family reunification and help applicants apply for work permits. We ensure that refugee children and adults venture into schools and are integrated into the system.

Abused women

Emergency Shelter and Safe Housing

Finch Ave Community Center also provides emergency refuge and temporary accommodation for women and their children escaping abuse. The organization, in this way, ensures that they are in a safe environment away from the abuser, ensuring physical security and reducing the risk of further harm. Support staff help them stabilize and plan their next steps.

Counseling and Psychological Support

The organization also dabbles in trauma-informed individual and group therapy and crisis intervention services. This process supports women in their recovery journey so that they can cope with the emotional and psychological aftermath of abuse, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and low self-esteem. Group therapy also fosters a sense of community and mutual support.

Legal Aid and Advocacy:

The organization provides legal support for restraining orders, child custody, divorce, immigration status, documentation preparation (if applicable), and other relevant legal matters. This service ensures that women can receive expert legal guidance, know their rights, and have access to justice. The initiative also involves accompanying women to court or helping them navigate complex legal processes.

Parenting Support and Childcare Services

The organization provides parenting classes, emotional support for mothers, and childcare services while they attend counseling or job training. This helps women balance healing and recovery with their responsibilities as mothers. Our parenting classes also empower them to create safe, nurturing environments for their children.

Community Integration and Peer Support

We also have peer mentorship programs, community events, and activities that promote connection and support. These support networks among women who have faced similar challenges help reduce feelings of isolation. Peer mentors ensure that survivors of abuse themselves offer practical advice and emotional encouragement.

Employment and Skill Development Program

Finally, there is job readiness training, vocational skills workshops, and career counseling to help empower women by helping them gain financial independence, reducing reliance on abusive partners, and providing the tools to rebuild their lives with stability and confidence.