May 2023
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto is Seeking Board Members
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is the largest urban Indigenous multi-service agency with a child protection mandate in Canada. We have been providing holistic, culture-based prevention and child and family well-being services to the Indigenous community in the Greater Toronto Area for over three decades.
Our circle includes over 350 staff who deliver over 140 programs across 20 locations serving 8,000 individuals annually. The agency was developed by community for community to address the intergenerational legacy of residential schooling and mainstream child welfare. NCFST works with communities, partner agencies, Indigenous governing bodies, and governments to develop and deliver services and promote safety, health, wellness and prosperity for Aboriginal children, youth, and families across Toronto and Peel regions.
It is a particularly interesting time to join the Board of Directors at NCFST. Indigenous people represent the youngest, fastest growing, and most diverse population in Canada. Ontario’s process of child welfare modernization, the federal transformation of Aboriginal child welfare through Bill C-92, and the push by all governments and major institutions to address systemic racism create a dynamic context for the growth and innovation ahead. We are also entering an exciting time in our agency as we are in the process of transitioning from a colonial model of leadership with an Executive Director, towards an Indigenous model of governance in the form of a leadership council. We are actively developing this new model and will begin implementation in early 2024.
For individuals who are invested in the wellbeing of Indigenous children in Toronto and Peel, this is an opportunity to get involved in an innovative and multifaceted organization that has accepted a sacred responsibility for the next generation.
We are currently seeking self-identified Indigenous individuals to sit on our Board of Directors. New members will stand to be voted in at our Annual General Meeting on June 29th, 2023, and are expected to serve a minimum of a one-year term, though we encourage Directors to serve for multiple years. Board members are required to attend monthly board meetings (minimum of nine (9) total in the year), and to join and participate in one of our board committees (active committees include Executive, Governance, Finance, and Indigenous Spirit Fund). Board members may be required to contribute to strategic planning and related governance activities.
For current board vacancies we are interested in candidates with one or more of the below qualifications and/or lived experiences:
- Five (5) years or more experience serving on non-profit boards.
- Strong connections to the Indigenous community in Toronto and/or Peel
- Knowledge of Indigenous culture, ceremony, and systems of traditional governance
- Demonstrated history of success with philanthropy and securing private donations
- CPA designation
- LLB designation
Prospective candidates must either live or work in the City of Toronto or Peel Region.
Qualified individuals are invited to submit a letter of interest along with a current resume to [email protected].
We will be accepting nominations until positions are filled.
April 2023
NCFST Announces Family-Based Home for Human Trafficking Survivors and At-Risk Youth
April 17, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Toronto, ON] – Native Child and Family Services of Toronto is seeking a dedicated individual to serve as a full-time live-in community caregiver in our family-based home. The ideal candidate will have experience working with at-risk Indigenous youth and survivors of human trafficking. The community caregiver will be committed to providing a safe and supportive environment to young people.
This home will provide a safe and supportive environment for young persons who have experienced trauma and need wraparound support.
“A family-based home that provides culturally grounded wellness and healing is what our vulnerable youth need that are at risk of or survivors of human trafficking.” said Jennifer Turner, Director of Child and Family Wellbeing. “They must have access to security, nurturing and a culturally safe space to begin healing from the trauma they have experienced. NCFST is pleased to have the opportunity to develop this home for them.”
“Family based care is Indigenous care. We are honoured to provide culturally grounded, trauma-informed support to youth as they stabilize and heal from human trafficking, trauma, and the ongoing impacts of colonization in ways that are aligned with our culture and wellness practices.” said Melissa Hamonic, Director of Holistic Services at NCFST.”
In this home, Indigenous youth receive, wholistic support around the clock from a trained and dedicated live-in community caregiver. These caregivers maintain a safe and supportive home while acting as role models, assisting youth with life skill building as they work towards self-sufficiency and independence.
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto believes that family-based homes are a better option than other types of residential placements, such as group homes or institutions. Community homes provide a more intimate and personalized environment. With a low resident-to-caregiver ratio, caregivers and support workers can respond to the individual needs of youth – their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs. Additionally, family-based homes are often located in residential neighborhoods, providing youth with a more natural and integrated living experience.
If you are interested in becoming a community caregiver, please visit our website for more information and to express your interest.
Email: [email protected]
About Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is a multi-service urban Aboriginal agency providing holistic, culture-based programs and services for Aboriginal children and families. NCFST strives to provide a life of quality, well-being, healing, and self-determination for children and families in the Toronto urban Aboriginal community. We do this by implementing a service model that is culture-based and respects the values of Aboriginal people, the extended family and the right to self-determination.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Freida Gladue
Manager of Communications
(437) 244-2816
NCFST Announces the Agency’s 2023 – 2028 Strategic Plan
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto is pleased to announce the release of the Agency’s 2023 – 2028 Strategic Plan. This plan was co-developed with community and will guide our work over the next five years. Miigwetch to our community members and staff at NCFST for their guidance and providing a solid direction for the Agency to remain Child Centered, Family Focused, and Community Driven.
Download the Strategic Plan
March 2023
February 2023
Honouring The 2023 Indigenous Spirit Awards
The Indigenous Spirit Fund at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the Honouring The Indigenous Spirit Awards! Established to honour Indigenous children and youth who’ve shown resilience and spirit in their efforts to break down barriers and achieve their full potential, this year’s Awards Ceremony will take place on March 30, 2023.
Any child, youth, or young adult up to 29 years of age currently receiving any service from an Indigenous agency in the Greater Toronto Area is eligible for nomination. They must be nominated by a staff member of the agency.
Deadline for Nomination: February 14, 2023
For more information, click HERE or email [email protected]
January 2023
Miigwetch RATE-MY-AGENT & Snap Up Real Estate for your donation
We greatly appreciate RATE-MY-AGENT and Snap Up Real Estate’s donation to our Native Youth Resource Centre (NYRC) Drop-in program located in Toronto’s west end. This program engages Indigenous youth who come to access services at the NYRC and this donation will contribute towards the underfunded Youth Drop-In and Outreach program activities which focusses on providing Indigenous youth with the skills, mentorship, and training they need to find and maintain housing and achieve their full potential.
December 2022
October 2022
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Calls to Action Webinar – Recording
On Friday, September 30th, 2022 Native Child and Family Services of Toronto hosted a webinar and simultaneously released an annual report back to community addressing the priorities for redesigning child welfare to help reduce the number of Indigenous children in care. Listen to our recorded webinar as our special guests join in a conversation around the importance of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action.
Joined by our host Bob Goulais, Knowledge Carrier, Alita Suave, Singer and Language Instructor, Rollin Baldhead and the following special guests:
- Hon. Chystia Freeland, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
- Hon. Merrilee Fullerton. Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
- John Tory, Mayor of Toronto
- Mae Maracle, NCFST Board President
- Jama Maxie, Former Youth in Care
- Jeffrey Schiffer, NCFST Executive Director
- Ron Hodson, NCFST Director of People and Culture
- Melissa Hamonic, Associate Director of Holistic Services
- Jennifer Turner, NCFST Manager of Child and Family Wellbeing
Download the Indigenous Child Welfare Reform Annual Report to Community
* Our apologies, the audio fades in and out through parts of the webinar.*
Indigenous Child Welfare Reform Annual Report to Community
On Canada’s first NDTR, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) announced its commitment and dedication to decolonize Indigenous child welfare services in the city of Toronto. Over this past year, NCFST went through a critical examination of our child and family wellbeing services, including standards, service eligibility criteria, assessment tools, and current practices. This report addresses priorities for redesigning child welfare with the intent to help reduce the number of Indigenous children in care.
Many thanks to community who participated and help us every day in our continuous efforts to heal and find a better way forward.
Annual Report to Community
As part of our annual report back to community for 2022, our Quality Assurance and Decolonization team has prepared a separate report on the activities, reform and discussion ideas provided by both the Community Advisory Circle and various Staff consultation processes, including the Staff Advisory Group.