Dear Friends of the House,
In this newsletter, we share some of the ways the work of the House is building a community of people who understand and appreciate the broader context of Indigenous peoples in Canada. In September, several programs at the House held events to promote “righting relations” with Indigenous Peoples and acknowledgement of Truth and Reconciliation.
Also below, learn how one program participant named Cesar channeled his grief into creativity in our WALLC program. And, meet one of our incredible volunteers, Stephen, who in retirement, has given his time to help low-income individuals and families file their taxes.
Read more about what has been happening at the House.
Remembering and Reflecting on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation together with the community
Throughout the month of September, programs once again commemorated National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. We engaged with the Indigenous community and encouraged the broader community to remember and reflect on the painful legacy of residential schools and systemic racism experienced by the Indigenous people in Canada.
Children and their caregivers were visited by representatives from the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, who engaged everyone in an activity exploring Indigenous traditions and perspectives. Among the different activities, the Family Drop-In Programs, created a mural to honour and recognize the day of remembrance on September 30th.
During story time, children were read Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad, sharing her personal experience of having all belongings stripped from her on the first day of residential school at age 6, including a treasured orange t-shirt gifted by her grandmother. This story inspired the symbolic wearing of orange on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Children also created their own designs on orange T-shirts to symbolize the message that every child matters. They also participated in making Blueberry Bannock, a traditional Indigenous food that represents strength and resiliency.
In the After-School Program, school-aged children discussed the story of Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation while colouring orange t-shirts.
We continue to host monthly visits from the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto to support ongoing learning and engagement for both children and caregivers. We are grateful for this partnership and the learnings from these hands-on experiences.
In the Newcomer Youth Program, staff member Raphael gave a presentation to participants about the origins and significance of Orange Shirt Day, Land Acknowledgements, as well as on the history of residential schools and its objective of erasing the Indigenous identity of children.
This was followed by a discussion with the participants about the kinds of meaningful actions we can take as settlers on Indigenous lands, to help move towards righting relations and reconciliation with Indigenous people. Participants also designed some orange t-shirts.
WALLC participant finds healing and connection through art
Cesar was in a very bad place a year ago. “I lost my mother just one month before I moved [to the Toronto Community Housing Building on West Lodge]. I was in a very difficult state. I took care of my mother who had Alzheimer’s Disease for eight years,” Cesar shares.
“I spoke with my mother’s case manager, who is a staff member with West Neighbourhood House. I turned 65. She told me that there are programs in this building [in] which I could participate. One of those programs was art.”
The art classes are part of the West Active Living and Learning Centre (WALLC) program at West Neighbourhood House, which also provides fitness, education, workshops, recreation and social connections to adults over 55 years old.
Cesar says art helped him navigate his feelings following the passing of his mother.
“It really woke up the artist’s spirit inside, but most importantly, it’s helped me connect with people again. After taking care of my mother for eight years and seeing her pass away, I felt very lost and lonely. I’m grateful to the [WALLC] program and everyone who helped me get my life back on track. It’s been a slow and difficult process, but I think I am now in a good path.”
“When I am painting, it relaxes me. I forget about suffering. I forget about all the things that hurt me, and I enjoy it and also enjoy the people around me. I see how happy they are and it’s contagious. I’m very proud of what I do.”
Cesar was also one of the participants who took part in the showcase West Lodge: Our Stories, Our Place. The project was conducted by our partners Making Art Making Change, and asked participants to build a portrait of their community through art.
For more photos of the showcase, please visit: makingartmakingchange.com/project/westlodgeourstories
As standard practice, his case manager remains in contact to ensure Cesar gets the support he needs.
“The staff is very helpful. They know what I’ve been through. They pay attention. And they have really helped me through the process. I’m very grateful. And I consider myself very lucky that I came here,” he says.
A Volunteer’s Journey Through the Income Tax Clinic
After a long and successful career in human resources, Stephen found a new way to give back – by helping low-income individuals and families file their taxes through the Income Tax Clinic at West Neighbourhood House.
“I’m certainly not an accountant,” he shared. “I spent my career in human resources. I held senior positions in fairly big companies across industries like insurance, legal, and banking. I also worked in human capital consulting for firms like Deloitte and KPMG.”
Despite his professional background, his journey into volunteering began years earlier through the adult literacy program at West Neighbourhood House, where he taught English-language skills.
“I worked with a participant for five years to help them achieve the equivalent of a high school diploma. When we started, he had achieved credits through grade 9. During COVID, we worked remotely – putting in three times the work that we initially agreed upon. It was incredibly rewarding.”
After a break from volunteering, a posting from West NH rekindled his interest. “I saw the ad for the income tax volunteer role. I have friends who can’t imagine me doing taxes, but I’ve always done my own and had a couple of small businesses. So, I thought, why not?”
Stephen joined the tax clinic and quickly found himself among a diverse and inspiring group of fellow volunteers.
“One was a very senior partner from a big consulting firm and the other a nuclear engineer. Just that network alone was a benefit. I was so impressed by the kind of volunteering they were doing.”
When referring to training and the on-boarding process, Stephen says that support from staff and fellow volunteers helped ease the process.
“Even by the end of the summer, I was still learning. But the staff were very supportive.”
He emphasized the importance of compassion and perspective in this role. For those considering volunteering, he offered some advice.
“It’s not for everybody. You need to be comfortable with computers and talking to strangers about personal things like taxes. But there are different roles – intake interviews, welcome desk, and appointment coordination. You don’t have to do returns.”
Ultimately, the experience was deeply fulfilling.
“I did enjoy being of service to the community, and I’d be happy to do it again.”
The income tax clinic at West Neighbourhood House assists over 1,000 low-income individuals and families file their taxes, which provides access to important tax credits and benefits that help reduce financial stress.
West Neighbourhood House is recruiting volunteers for our income tax clinic. To read the full volunteer description and to apply, please visit: westnh.org/income-tax-preparer/
If you missed it the first time. Catch up on the Summer 2025 newsletter here!
Due to a technical issue, some of our newsletter subscribers did not receive our summer newsletter in their mailboxes. To read the full Summer 2025 newsletter, please visit our website: westnh.org/summer2025newsletter/
Among the articles included, is the launch of our Heartbeat of the Neighbourhood campaign, including an interview with the artist Anja Javelona who created our mural at the 248 Ossington location.
The House also held its Annual General Meeting in June, where among other matters, we honoured the recipients of the Sir James Woods Award for Community Development, as well as, announcing the recipients of the Bob Ellis Scholarship, which supports youth in the community in their academic pursuits.
Voting members also approved the Treasurer’s report, the Audited Financial Statements, and the appointment of new auditors. The Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for 2024-25 are available to read on our website here: westnh.org/about-us/annual-reports-and-audited-financial-statements/
Support the House by becoming a monthly donor!
By becoming a monthly donor, you will join a community of supporters who are helping build a more resilient and inclusive society for everyone.
Monthly donors provide the House with a steady source of donations, allowing our programs to better plan for the emergencies and/or unexpected expenses, and better focus on providing the level of care and response that our community needs. The House served over 16,000 people last year across our various programs.
Your monthly donations will help contribute to our community work, which includes:
- Supports for individuals experiencing homelessness or precariously-housed
- Drop-in programming for parents, caregivers and children from 0 to 6
- Meals delivered directly to doors of older adults with health challenges and those living with disabilities
- Skills building and job search support for newcomer youth
- Activities for adults living with physical and health challenges and cognitive impairments
Our monthly donors receive the following:
- An invitation to our Annual General Meeting taking place every June
- First access to our Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements
- Regular updates on House-wide events and news through our newsletter
- One annual tax receipt for all your monthly contributions
Donating to the House monthly will help make a bigger impact. Your donation will be billed automatically each month.
Please consider becoming a monthly donor – it’s easy, convenient and provides the House with a vital source of regular support to continue serving our community. Set up your monthly donations on our website: westnh.org/donate/
Stay in Touch!
There’s one more great — and totally free! — way you can help strengthen our community: Forward this email to someone you know who might be interested in the work of the House. Anyone can sign up to receive our emails by visiting westnh.org/newsletter!
And, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.