Photo - Jason Balgopal

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Neighbourhood Link Support Services

This is non-profit community services agency (www.senior-link.com) whose primary focus is in providing varied and valued services to the residents of East Toronto.

Since 1975, a winning team of 100 employees and a devoted group of 500 volunteers have worked together to assist over 6500 residents in our communities on an annual basis.
The organization meets the needs of our youth, adults, and seniors in the communities by offering respected services.

As a member of the Board of Directors, I am involved in the high-level decision making regarding the direction of the organization.

 

Community Centre 55

At the heart of the Beach, this City of Toronto run community centre located at 97 Main Street, provides services to a variety of citizens in its catchment area.

As Chair of the Board of Management, I lead an exceptional group of volunteer directors, who, in turn, guide our outstanding executive director (Bob Murdoch) who himself directs an amazing cadre of employees.

Having been the Treasurer of the Board last year, I am well aware of the delicate work which is required to ensure that the Centre's combined $1.5 million budget not only balances, but also does so in a manner which ensures the greatest return for the limited resources available at its disposal.

I look forward to continuing my affiliation with this wonderful community organization. I urge you all to check out their site (www.centre55.com) which shows their valuable work in the community.

 

Norwood Park Residents' Association

The Norwood Park Residents’ Association is a community service and social organization which I started and continue to lead. Our organization is instrumental in actively removing graffiti and litter in the area bounded by Gerrard Street East, Main Street, Benlamond Avenue, and Norwood Park itself.  The group also holds social events throughout the year to foster a sense of pride and comraderie within the local neighbourhood. I have highlighted this work and promoted our community through a website I have developed and hosted: www.norwoodpark.ca.

 

Elder Abuse Consultation Team

I am an active member of the Elder Abuse Consultation Team.  In this role, I have provided advice to a team of people working under the auspices of Family Services Association of Toronto (www.fsatoronto.com) to ensure that the elderly in our society are not left without protection.  This work includes ensuring (amongst many things) that there is proper emergency housing (through “Pat’s Place” - 416 595 9618) for elderly in abusive situations, that involved parties are properly prepared to deal with the intervention (or lack of intervention) of police in the context of abusive relationships, and that the support network of an elderly person is aware of the mechanisms needed to protect the vulnerable elderly from financial abuse.