Community outreach
Community partners
Instead of running programs to attract people to our building, we decided go out into the Victoria Village community and work in partnership with different organizations to help meet existing local needs.
Below is some information on our current community partners. Please contact our community outreach committee at outreach@etcbc.org for more details.
Deacon’s Pantry Food Bank (St. Jude)
The Deacon’s Pantry Food Bank was started over twenty-five years ago in response to the identified need for an emergency supply of food within the immediate community of the parish located just east of ETCBC at 10 Howarth Ave. Our church has partnered with the Anglican Church of St. Jude for over fifteen years, helping with weekly grocery shopping, sending volunters and sponsoring clients for their Christmas program called Christmas Angels. To get involved you can help with any of these donate some of the items below which are constantly in need:
Cans - tuna, sardines, chickpeas, brown beans, pasta sauce, mushroom soup
Toiletries (especially hotel-sized) - shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap
Clothing - tops, bottoms, jackets, shoes, boots, kids clothes
Donation bins are outside the Inner Court. If you’re wondering whether or not an item will be accepted, please ask Pastor Sam (sam.mo@etcbc.org).
Working Women Community Centre
Working Women Community Centre (WWCC) is the lead agency we partner with at the Victoria Park Hub, a community resource centre. Twenty years ago, when we connected with WWCC, they had weekday programs and many newcomer clients but no space, we had space and very few weekday programs and so the partnership was born. Because of this positive relationship, a few years later, when WWCC became the lead agency at the new Victoria Park Hub, they invited us to join as an Anchor Partner, providing us with office space and the opportunity to collaborate with other partner agencies as we serve the Victoria Village neighbourhood together.
Over the years, we’ve worked together for neighbourhood walks, March break programs, information fairs, HIPPY events and to run a weekly youth group called the Hubsters.
The Scott Mission
For over ten years, ETCBC has partnered with The Scott Mission at 1550 O’Connor Dr. by bringing volunteers from our congregations for these programs:
Community BBQ & Fair - a safe, fun family event held every summer to bring joy to the O’Connor neighbourhood residents with bouncy castles, games, BBQ, ice cream and information about local services in the area.
O’Connor Public School After School Program - twice per week during the school year, Scott Mission runs an after school program for kids in grades 4-5.
Homeless Connect Toronto
For the past few years we have collaborated with Homeless Connect Toronto by bringing summer interns and members of our congregation to these events:
Homeless Connect One Stop Shop - held at Mattamy Athletic Centre, this annual event in October connects over 1000 people experiencing homelessness with much needed services such as clothing, winter jackets, haircuts, legal services, flu shots, etc.
Homeness Week - every summer, HCT brings individuals and teams of volunteers to government housing complexes in downtown Toronto to help with cleaning, painting and other home maintenance tasks as a way of building positive relationships with the residents.
Advocacy
For those of us who are able to give our time or resources to support the vulnerable, here are some ways to get involved.