This article has been imported from our web archive. As a result, it may contain formatting errors, broken links or images, or other inconsistencies from the original publication.
Agencies benefit from a generous year of giving to ShareLife
April 8, 2011
TORONTO - When last year's ShareLife campaign did a little better than the organization's cautious projections, local charities benefited to the tune of $305,000.Catholic Charities distributes the largest portion of ShareLife money to 31 Catholic agencies at work in and around Toronto. It allocates the money in November, long before ShareLife raises the bulk of the money during Lent.
"People say, maybe we've got this backwards. Maybe we should raise the money and then make the commitment," said Catholic Charities executive director Michael Fullan. "I've called the ShareLife campaign an act of faith, because it really is."
Coming in a bit higher than projections last year allowed Catholic Charities to distribute one-time extra grants to a number of agencies at the beginning of 2011.
The extra money went to agencies facing extra demand because of a tough economy. Among those, Catholic Family Services of Durham got an extra $8,000 to counsel laid off workers; Silent Voice was given $6,000 to fund job loss counselling; and Rose of Durham got extra help for its programs supporting young parents to the tune of $3,000.
"That doesn't sound like much, but we try to put a little more in there just to help," said Fullan.
Sometimes agencies need extra funding for the basics of their mission. Les Centres d'Accueil Heritage received $33,000 to help fund an extra outreach worker in the French-speaking community. For Covenant House it was an extra $25,000 to help kids make the transition to adulthood — kids who don't have supportive families to help out with that first job or first apartment. Mater Dei, an agency that helps women recover from alcohol and other addictions, needed $15,000 for strategic planning. Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County used $10,000 for staff development and training.
Agencies were told not to count on this money coming again next year.
"That makes it difficult when you're hiring staff," said Fullan.
But it's hard to argue against a little caution when it comes to money not yet in the bank, he said.
The final numbers on Catholic Charities agencies are:
| Catholic Family Services of York Region | $427,450 |
| Catholic Family Services of Durham | $410,197 |
| Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin | $641,224 |
| Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County | $677,447 |
| Catholic Family Services of Toronto | $1,643,213 |
| Birthright International (Toronto) | $20,000 |
| Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Services FertilityCare Program | $78,800 |
| Natural Family Planning Association | $44,000 |
| Carmelina's Home/Mater Dei Program | $20,000 |
| Mary Centre of the Archdiocese of Toronto | $107,100 |
| St. Michael's Homes/Matt Talbot Houses | $186,572 |
| Our Place Community of Hope | $263,609 |
| St. Bernadette's Family Resource Centre | $40,000 |
| Saint Elizabeth Health Care | $45,000 |
| Silent Voice Canada | $237,230 |
| Street Haven at the Crossroads | $100,000 |
| Catholic Cross-Cultural Services | $210,267 |
| Office for Refugees | $229,858 |
| Rosalie Hall | $81,719 |
| Rose of Durham | $272,591 |
| Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers | $212,217 |
| Vita Centre | $120,000 |
| Les Centres d'Accueil Héritage | $131,347 |
| Loyola Arrupe Centre for Seniors | $49,252 |
| Providence Health Care | $600,000 |
| Society of Sharing | $87,799 |
| Camp Ozanam of St. Vincent de Paul Society | $175,000 |
| Covenant House Toronto | $475,000 |
| Office of Catholic Youth | $260,000 |
| Sancta Maria House | $50,142 |
| Youth in Transition | $195,060 |
| Good Shepherd Refuge | $85,000 |
| Special grants to non-members | $74,931 |
| Agency Support, advocacy, volunteer development | $857,764 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto | $782,833 |