SOURCES and REFERENCES
Personal Annotated List.
This is a starting point.
For single men located in Downtown Toronto.
You can add and update for greater benefit.
Relevant Lists and Feedback could also benefit
Women, Families, the Addicted, and Youth.
1998 - 1999
ALIAS - Your Community Newsletter
http://www.maxpages.com/alias
C/O Fred Victor Centre,
145 Queen Street East.,
Toronto, ON M5A 1S1
A publication of the low income community at FVC
"Sometimes hope can work wonders, if it's shared."
Resources, Writing, History, Links
Central Neighbourhood Centre
349 Ontario St., (S of Gerrard, E. of Jarvis)
M - F __ call for access hours
416-925-4363
Tom Allen / T. J. Cormier
Voicemail : 3 months for $10 for low income persons
E-mail access from any of 3 locations.
Christian Resource Centre
40 Oak Street (Gerrard & Parliament Sts area)
416-363-4234
only accepts residents on referral from the Housing Registry.
Community Services
Social Services Division
Wellesley Jarvis Social Services
111 Wellesley Street E., Suite 200 (at Church St.)
Toronto, ON M4Y 3A7
416-392-5300
Ms. M. Rivers, a Supervisor
application for assistance
3-unit Job Bank (see Note)
multi-computer Centre for resumes, Internet, WordPerfect
ONLY available for job hunters receiving benefits;
NOT available for homeless persons not yet on benefits.
You MUST have a residence address BEFORE applying.
The government saves money by making and keeping people homeless.
NOTE
All Job Bank printouts are very faint; some are cut off.
Community Services
Social Services Division
Client Services (for complaints & questions)
416-392-2956
convey policy suggestions to your councillor or MPP
see bottom of page for Internet URL directory of addresses
C.O.S.T.I.
A private non-profit organization helping unemployed & immigrants.
Consult telephone directory, or call HQ for a location near you.
An example of how some Social Assistance offices are benefiting
from a partnership with free enterprise to put people back to work.
Provides free local phone calls, fax, copier, computer/Internet access;
Job Search preparation, self-awareness courses, references, Feedback
Receive payment according to numbers of persons they get employed.
Head Office: 1710 Dufferin Street, Toronto
416-658-1600
COSTI Education Centre
760 College Street
416-534-7400
http://www.costi.org
Dixon Hall
58 Sumach (south from Queen St.)
no longer has a hostel service
free local phone access, one phone
E-mail and Internet access, one computer
Mon - Thurs (12:00 - 4:00 PM)
Housing: Khalil ("Halil") or Elli
E.A.R.N. - Executive Advancement Resource Network
416-466-6891
http://web.idirect.com/~earn
Employment Resource Centre
100 Lombard Street
Toronto, Ontario M5A 1S1
416-364-8986
Tuesday to Thursday -- 12:00 - 8:00 PM
Friday all day from --- 9:30 - 4:00 PM
Saturday all day ---- 9:00 - 4:00 PM
(employment job search use only, up to 90 minutes)
Friendship Centre
c/o All Saints Anglican Church
323 Dundas St. E. & Sherbourne
416-368-8179
free local calls, one phone
Clothing Depot (7:00 am - 2:00)
Free lunches
Good Neighbours' Club
170 Jarvis St. (N. of Shuter St. on W)
416-366-5377
usually 7:00 am to 7:00 PM, 365 days
for men over age 50, unemployed & homeless
free membership
free lunch for members
nearly free dinners for members (Tues/Thurs/Fri)
minimal charge for coffee breaks
free local calls, one phone
older computers (DOS, Win 3.1 for typing, WP 6.1)
non-smoking environment enforced
laundry/shower room booked by appointment
billiard room, cards (no wagers), 2 TV-rooms
standards provide good support environment
Standards: Respect, Sobriety, Peaceful, Friendly, Dress code.
Good Shepherd Refuge
412 Queen E. (east of Parliament St.)
416-869-3619
operated by the Good Shepherd Brotherhood
accommodation for 50 males, aged 16 and over
apply for overnight after 5.30 PM
can stay nights for up to 2 weeks
comfortable, clean beds with linen/pillow
best designed, organized and run of all seen
proximity activated sinks, showers, urinals, toilets
smoking-allowed and non-smoking TV rooms
no drugs or alcohol allowed on the premises
lights out at 11:00 PM; doors lock at midnight
if you leave after 5:30 PM, you lose your bed
one and two bunk cubicles with full-height locker
showers turned off at 7:00 am; must be out by 7:30 am
ear plugs suggested for the 3rd floor
Breakfast from 8:45 - 10:30 am
-- excellent, for residents; donuts & coffee for drop-ins
Lunch between 12:30 - 1:00 PM
Supper between 3:30 - 4:15 PM
Wed - Sat: Clothing Depot open
Goodwill Employment Resource Centre
108 George Street, 2nd floor (S. of Queen)
membership is $10 per month
416-362-4711, ext 2397/2370/2489
resumes, resources, WordPerfect
free local calls from 2 phones
free fax and photocopies
Mon-Fri 8:30 - 4:30 PM
Housing Again
http://www.housingagain.web.net/
Resources database; SEARCH; Chat; Events; Alerts;
Nov. 4/99 Report: Where's Home, Part 2 ?
Lobbying for affordable housing.
Homeless Hotline
Information and Referrals
416-392-3777
24 hours/day
Housing Connections
176 Elm Street (from May 01, 2005)
Toronto, ON M5T 3M4
Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
(416) 981-6111
Responsible for maintaining the centralized waiting list for rent-geared-to-income housing in Toronto.
complete housing application
specify up to 10 desired locations from a directory
may hear back in 6 to 8 weeks re: availability
appointment for interview can be another 4 weeks delay
may require a letter from previous landlords, re: payment promptness
rent geared to income (30% based on Gross, or, $300 of $495 cheque)
shared accommodation may require passing interviews with tenants
96% of Toronto "shared" and rooms rented through this office
advertised housing is often poorest quality or highest priced
can request "wet" (alcohol allowed) or "dry" housing.
Housing Registry Program
(moved from: Aug. 98?) 20 Adelaide St. E., 6th floor
(moved to: Sept. 98?) 477 Victoria and Dundas E.
It is a long walk to carry your belongings.
416-392-0566
M - F (8:30 - 4:30 PM)
(I was advised that a 3 to 5 year wait would be necessary!)
Mail Boxes Etc.
Check for locations in the Toronto Yellow Pages.
A mailbox can provide you with a longer-term address
during a period of hostel use of changing residences address.
They will also receive faxes on your behalf for $1 per page
and you can pick up your mail and faxes 24 hours/day.
Prepaid copies can be arranged for during open times.
Different locations have different Open times, so note them.
Metropolitan United Church
56 Queen St. E. (Bond and Shuter Sts.)
Mon & Fri free suppers at 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Best nutrition value found & ample quantity.
Best organized operation experienced.
Discontinued daily lunches in late summer, '98
Why doesn't the government assist this valued service?
Money Mart
Locations are listed in the Toronto Yellow Pages.
Cheques cashed with ID for 2.9% charge up to 5 days early.
ie: $14.36 charge on a cheque of $495.00
Can help if you are looking for a residence and need to
cash your Social Assistance cheque early to reserve a room/apt.
Instant phone cards with discounted calling rates.
ie: $11.50 charge for $10.00 calling charge (taxes incl.)
Money orders and Western Union Cash Wire at good rates.
Also have a mailbox service.
Neighbourhood Information Post
269 Gerrard E. (just W. of Parliament)
c/o The Parliament Library, upstairs office
416-924-2543
office closed for lunch hour
open from 10:00 am
free local phone use; E-mail access
alternating Internet and computer use
call and book a time, when possible
1/2 hour Internet access avail. in Library
2 computers in NIP office; 1 in Library
Ontario Rent Rollback Petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/ontario1/petition.html
Ontario Tenants - Toronto Tenants
http://www.ontariotenants.ca/
Open Door Centre
c/o All-Saints Church
315 Dundas St. E. (at Sherbourne)
416-366-7124
Bob Jackson
Landlords no longer want to complete POA
POA: Proof of Accommodation form ---
UNLESS applicant pays deposit of $100. cash
FEEDBACK
Too many problems with Social Service procedure of paying monies
advanced for rent to the applicant and then losing out when
some applicants spend the money on their compulsions.
This leaves the landlord waiting/unpaid with an empty room.
I never found ANY Social Service personnel concerned about this ---
There was no policy for it; it was not in the rule book; they were not paid to provide feedback; they did not know who set policy ...
and did not care.
Robertson House
590 Jarvis Street
416-392-5650 / 416-397-5637
Men's hostel closed for 2 months and on,
as of mid-Sept. '98 for renovation
Shelter available for women and families, only, at this time.
Rooming House Vacancy Info
produce the City of Toronto Housing Vacancy List
416-392-1274
Advises you to review a copy of the List at a public library
which MAY receive a weekly copy each Friday by noon.
The directory frequently has less than 10 pages of
widely spaced adverts for rooms, apts, houses that
rent for $300 to $1000 per month (most over $400).
Listed vacancies usually require first and last month's deposit
(even for rooms).
Problem:
Social Services provides a max of $300 for rent to individuals.
Toronto rents are expected to increase substantially
during the Winter, '98 due to removal of restrictions.
Salvation Army Hostel
Maxwell Meighen Centre
135 Sherbourne St. (E. side, down alley, near Shuter St.)
416-366-2733
better to apply before 3:30 PM
The Schoolhouse Hostel
349 George Street (between Gerrard and Dundas)
416-960-9240
Kevin Taylor, manager (sincere & helpful).
Doors open between 4:00 - 12:00 PM
Apply after 4:00 PM
In by midnight; out by 9:30 am
Can provide a Promise of Address (POA).
Many residents have jobs; away for the day.
No meals; some residents store food >> some mice.
Beds are short and uncomfortable (springs poking you).
Some belongings may be kept under/beside the bed, at your risk.
Floors cleaned on Tuesdays >> all belongings on bed.
Showers and TV-smoking room in basement.
Soap and towel provided daily, on entry.
Bedding changed weekly; tidied more often.
Smoking discouraged in all dormitories.
Alcohol allowed; no other drugs.
Few electrical outlets (for shaving).
No lockers.
$6.00 per night
Scott Mission
502 Spadina (N. of Dundas)
416-923-8872
Daily Hot Meals
Seaton House Hostel
339 George Street (S. of Gerrard, N. of Dundas E.)
416-392-5522
Must usually see caseworker in the application office
between 9:00 am and 4:00 PM
May need to wait up to 3 hours+ for appointment.
Provided with a residence and meal card, for ID.
No non-smoking enforcement in common areas.
Towels and sheet (one) MAY be available.
Upper and lower bunks assigned as available.
Can be very difficult to get into upper bunk.
Upper bunk mattresses often put on the floor.
Mattresses are moderately comfortable / clean.
No locker available in the 5 days I was there.
Do not remove shoes unless you want to lose them.
Two unpartitioned TV rooms with no supervision.
Meals usually plentiful; bag lunches available.
Bed check about 2:00 AM >> logged out if not present
Office for mental health advisor on site.
Ex-offenders support group available.
No drugs or alcohol allowed.
Smoking room provided.
Voice-to-Screen
Bringing E-mail access to the neighbourhood.
Co-ordinator
Mike Schell
416-361-3522 ext. 226
Virtual Noise
mschell@virtualnoise.com
Woodgreen Employment Resource Centre
1080 Queen St. E.
Toronto, Ontario M4M 1K5
416-469-3187
Mon-Thurs 9:00 am - 4:00 PM
Fri - Sat. 9:00 am - 12:30 PM
21 computer workstations
Employment resource library, telephones, fax machine,
photocopier, self-development seminars.
Mostly for unemployed teens.
A long walk from downtown.
Your Government Representatives'
E-Mail Addresses
[Search the sites as the URLs change periodically.]
City of Toronto,
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/
Province of Ontario,
http://www.ontariotenants.ca/government/mpp.phtml
BACK to Open Letter of October 28
John R. Sennett, author of this page.
|
|
|