Services
The program activities are aimed at preventing substance abuse and improving the
health of the community, through education, skill development and positive
lifestyle alternatives. Our goal is to create healthier living environment
by strengthening family and peer groups and building a stronger community.
Focus deals with alcohol and drug problems holistically by providing
services and programs that address all aspects of a person's life.
By providing comprehensive programming that helps people deal
with their everyday problems, supports and stabilizes them until they
have the skills and knowledge to make the right healthy decisions.
The objectives of the programs are:
- To increase awareness of the community and general public
about the risks, including the risks of injuries associated with alcohol
and drug abuse and their consequences
- To provide alternative activities from alcohol and drug
abuse for youths, children, seniors, families and individuals
- To provide activities to reduce the proportion of youth,
adult men and women who consume alcohol and/or consume alcohol at levels
that places them at risk for alcohol related injuries
- To increase awareness of the low risk drinking practices
- To provide support and assistance to community members
in accessing community resources when needed.
Strengths:
Focus has provided the tools for community members to help themselves.
Community members have learned how to make contacts and how to
bring issues to the attention of those in positions to take action;
by providing the organization, coordination and resources for this process
to happen. The programs and services are aimed at eliminating the barriers
that prevent individuals from living a full and healthy life in the community,
through education, healthy lifestyle alternatives and skill developments. The
goal of the project is to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse by supporting
the community to address this health concern. This is done by:
- Developing and implementing effective local health promotion programs
- Increasing awareness of alcohol as a major health and social issue
- Increasing the capacity of the community to take effective local action of alcohol and other drug misuse
Weaknesses:
The Community Center's space is limited; the building is heavily utilized
by members of the community. There is a strong partnership with Toronto
Parks and Recreation that maintains this aspect, specialized programs
are offered for children, seniors, adults and youths throughout the day.
However to continue meeting the needs of the community there is a need for more
program space. There are currently two meeting rooms within the community Centre
to provide a variety of programs for the community members. This proposes a challenge
to continue meeting the growing needs of the community without adequate spacing.
The Focus office is a small space maintaining, six computers and one staff person.
This possesses an ongoing challenge to serve the needs of that access our services.
Participants' line up outside the office to access computers, use resources or obtain
program information or referral services. We are currently open on Saturdays to off set
this problem, however it is frustrating for community members not to
have the spacing to access the services they need.
Another weakness is the O'Connor Community has been overlooked for numerous
years, located on the boards of the old city-North York, East York and
Scarborough; the community is often coined the "forgotten community". The
needs for all members within the community need to be addressed for the overall well
being of the community. The age groups, cultural, linguistic and ethno-specific needs
must be addressed in an equitable, empowering and respectful manner. The specific needs
of the community must defined by this population; however, it is our responsibility as a
community organization to provide adequate forms for people to come together so that these
definitions can occur. The challenge is to continue to provide an environment in our programs
and services to facilitate this process.
