Local agency looks back on 40 years
POINT planning celebrations after four decades of service
Staff and volunteers at People and Organizations in North Toronto (POINT) are gearing up to celebrate 40 years of invaluable service to the community.
Considering its humble beginnings - it was first conceived as the North Toronto Committee Concerned About Youth - the impact that POINT has had on its surrounding community has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past four decades, the small but dedicated group has not only offered services to local residents of all ages, but it has been instrumental in facilitating the creation of several essential local amenities.
"At first, it was just a group of parents who were concerned about their kids possibly getting involved with drugs or other negative behaviour," said POINT executive director Diane Werner. "Eventually, though, it became more formal and started looking at the wider needs of the community."
Throughout its 40 years in operation, the not-for-profit agency's scope has spread significantly. It was instrumental in the development of Senior People's Resources in North Toronto (SPRINT), which began under the auspices of POINT before striking out on its own in 1985, and has developed numerous programs for newcomers and low-income families in the area.
While POINT continues to partner with other organizations to ensure quality programming for children and youth, at various times it has taken on larger-scale projects.
"In 1984, the City of Toronto parks and rec asked POINT to develop a working committee to steer the creation of a community centre in North Toronto," Werner said. "Those plans eventually became the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, which opened on May 8, 1993."
Thanks to POINT's leadership in creating the community centre, they were granted a permanent space on the site, and from that office they set about making further meaningful change to their community.
"In 1987, POINT started advocating a community health centre, and that led to the Anne Johnston Health Station," Werner said. "We also helped initiate the Upper Yonge Village Daycare Centre after hearing from the community that more childcare services were needed. It's what we like to call POINT initiating solutions to community concerns."
The organization's many volunteers partnered with St. George's United Church to secure the first piece of funding for the Ewart Angus Homes, dedicated to those living with Alzheimer's disease.
"Those kinds of things are what POINT's all about," Werner said. "We hope to act as a catalyst for positive changes in the community."
POINT remains a strong community liaison and information centre, providing North Toronto residents with details on available services as well as seeking input on what programs are still needed in the area. Werner said the agency tracks requests from local residents to make sure that service gaps are filled and that North Torontonians from all walks of life have the supports they need.
"We see the trends daily and monthly, hear about what's needed in the community, then we try to develop programs or work with other agencies to meet those needs," she said.
Some of POINT's current projects include legal advice and income tax clinics for low-income families, government form-filling help, newcomer services, training and employment services and computer classes. The organization also recently completed a community assessment report with the Social Planning Council of Toronto and staff is laying the groundwork for the programs and services the group hopes to provide over the next few years.
"At 40 years, we're looking at the past, but we also have to look to the future," Werner said.
POINT will celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout the year and is looking for volunteers to help with upcoming events, including a jazz concert fundraiser and a multicultural festival.
"We've had such great volunteer support throughout the years and we hope to have that support again," said Marg Muir, chair of the POINT board of directors. "It would definitely be hard for the board to run big events all by ourselves."
Anyone looking to volunteer, or to learn more about POINT's services, can call 416-487-2390 or visit www.pointinc.org.
