Courtney Fisher resumed his role of Chairman in the absence of our newly elected President, Avrum Liederman.
National Anthem: Peter Masson
Reciting the Land Claims Treaties of the First Nations people: Courtney Fisher
Members attending: 8
Guests: Joan Masson. Michael Conway
Speaker: Lee Soda, Executive Director of Agincourt Community Services (ACSA)
Lee Soda was introduced by Arthur Retnakaran
He pointed out that the ACSA Mission Statement is to bring together people who need help and those who can provide it. They look after families, children, youths the needy, the homeless, newcomers, and other vulnerable people. ACSA has been going since it began 40 years ago.
Lee went on to point out that Scarborough means a lot to her. She lives here, and her family has grown up here. We can do great things together when we collectively care for a place
ACSA began to come together in the early 1970s. Next year we will be celebrating our 50th year in service. It was started by eight faith groups and political leaders, including Gerry Philips, coming together. They collectively realized during the early 1970s that the landscape of Scarborough was changing. But they realized that there was a growing need for a community-based agency that would look after their neighbours in need.
Lee sees that ACSA’s mandate is to provide a “bridge” to help people in need by those who can help. She said that in everyone’s life, we will have needs: food, housing, newcomers, youth, mental illness, and finances; they have seven locations, each providing differing services. 75% of their clients work. They are paying taxes; they are contributing members of our community. But they still can’t make ends meet! They can’t pay exorbitant rent and put food on their tables for their families.
Lee then gave an example from last week where a mother with a baby in her arms and two other children arrived because she was fleeing an abusive husband. She had nowhere to go so she landed on ACSA for help. So the crisis started in Lee’s office with the need for baby formula, diapers, etc, just to settle first needs first. They are now arranging for shelter for this woman and her children away from her abusive husband.
Lee went on to quote some real-life examples that ACSA had experienced. These were provided to better appreciate the different issues that this agency deals with. Then she told a story that involved her youngest daughter discovering that a family arriving because they needed the food bank, including a schoolmate and her mother, both known to Lee’s daughter. Thus began an important conversation about poverty which can be disguised but can live right next to you or in your neighbourhood.
The complete recording of Lee Soda’s presentation follows:
ACSA’s website is https://www.agincourtcommunityservices.com/
Announcements:
Club Services meeting: Monday, July 10th. A place to be decided.
The International Group will meet on Tuesday, July 11, at 6 pm at Remezzo Italian Bistro.
Announcements:
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