Shining Waters Regional Council

Friends, here is a message from Jane Finch Community Ministry inviting your support for residents of the Gosford building affected by fire. JFCM is a part of a neighbourhood coalition formed to accompany the residents. Please help spread the word.

On Friday, November 15, 2019, there was a devastating fire that affected all of the tenants (up to 700 residents) who were living at 235 Gosford Blvd. An emergency shelter was first set up by the City of Toronto’s Emergency Services and Red Cross at the Driftwood Community Centre in Jane and Finch.

Later that weekend, the residents were moved to Tait Mckenzie Gymnasium at York University until November 30. Residents who were not able to find alternate accommodations with friends or family have now been put up temporarily in a city run homeless shelter near Weston and Steeles.

To date, the landlord has not been forthcoming on providing information on when residents would be able to return to their homes. Some have received minimal financial compensation for the meantime yet not nearly enough and many residents are in need of social and emotional support which the landlord is yet to substantively address. Many of the tenants are traumatized by the fire and are without stable and consistent shelter and due to the landlord’s lack of communication, they continue to have no clear understanding of what the future holds for them. They are still trying to carry on with their lives of getting children to school and themselves to work.

Understandably, most are facing financial hardship because of these difficult and continuing circumstances. Immediately after the fire, a group of caring residents and community workers from various local agencies and networks in Jane and Finch came together to look at how to best support these displaced tenants.

On Dec. 4, this coalition hosted an information night and meal which was a huge success with over 100 displaced residents coming out. We are following up with an additional meal on December 17th which will also have a legal clinic and social and emotional supports present with whom residents can connect.

Since it looks like it may be several months, if not a year before the tenants of 235 Gosford will be able to return, the coalition wants to stand with them every step of the way. We understand this will be a long haul. Acting on behalf of this coalition as Trustee, we deplore you to support us, not only for the 17th but for future organizing and support we can provide. Cheques can be made out in trust to the Jane Finch Community Ministry and sent to: PO Box 21100, Jane Finch Mall, Downsview, Ontario, M3N 3A3.

On-line donations can be made through the Jane Finch Community Ministry Canada Helps page through the website www.swpcommunityministry.com/jane-finch/ ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago  ·  

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Last night, GO Project hosted their ‘Plant Night’ fundraiser. It was a great night with an awesome turn out! Don’t know much about GO? Check it out at - www.thegoproject.ca ... See MoreSee Less

3 days ago  ·  

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