Annual General Meeting 2007
View Photo Gallery
8th Annual Social Planning Awards (View Video)
2006 Projects
Thunder Bay Homelessness Initiative - Phase II
Social and Economic Inclusion Intiative - Phase II
Community Access Programs (CAP)
FedNor Youth Interns
Ontario Trillium Foundation Project
Information Technology/Community Development
Project 211 North
Non-Profit Resource Library Network
Winter Warmth (United Way of Thunder Bay)
Services 2006
Information and Referral
Provincial Database Contracts
Elder Abuse Help Line
Advocacy and Crisis Intervention
Public Computer and Internet Access
Good Food Box Host Site
Free Income Tax Clinic
Housing Registry
Directory of Community Services
Hard Times Hand Book
Online Resource Database
Community Website
Online Community Calendar
Broadcast Fax and Email Services
Newsletters
Walk-in Services
2006 Board of Directors
Bruno Carella, President
Daniel McGoey, Vice-President
Susan McCutcheon, Treasurer
Carlos Santander-Maturana, Secretary
Walid Chahal
Fiona Karlstedt
Carol Rusak
President's Report
Our steadfast approach to forging relationships has led to a revitalized partnership with the United Way, which has produced the funding and government support required for the LSPC to introduce 211 telephone service to Thunder Bay and the rest of Northern Ontario. We are well on our way towards achieving our goal of providing this easy-to-recall, three-digit telephone number which will connect callers to operators trained to direct them to suitable community services. I am very pleased to report that we have secured virtually all of the $1.25 million in funding to launch 211, and we are now in the process of instituting the operational structures required to introduce 211 in the coming months.
Although 211 has been our primary focus of late, we have also been diligent in ensuring that we develop the tools required to position the LSPC as our communitys recognized hub for social policy research and community building. Once established, data gathered from incoming 211 calls will serve as a useful research tool for identifying the communitys service gaps. Furthermore, service agencies will gain insight on their programs from the outcomes of related social research. The result will be an enhanced social policy effort, allowing for an even greater opportunity to work with community partners to provide research-based recommendations aimed at customizing our communitys social programs to meet the needs of individuals.
We have emerged from a state of transitional planning with a new regional program, a strong financial base and strategic alliances, while maintaining our community-building role and continuing to offer services to the social services sector.
Bruno Carella
President
CIRC Report
As we move towards our 25th year of service, the Community Information & Referral Centre has linked those who need help with those who give help in our community. When people need a safe place to stay, a nourishing meal, warm clothes, the support of new friends, affordable housing, counselling or health services, we help them make the connection to suitable resources. Whether the inquiry is by phone, in person, by fax or email, our staff serves clients effectively with accurate and comprehensive information that addresses their needs.
Throughout the history of CIRC, it has been our commitment to making help-seeking as barrier free as possible, and in our effort to make information accessible to everyone we decided to bring the standards-based 211 system to reality. Technology and its influence on how we would operate in the future claimed our attention a few years ago and we explored the benefits of 211 and how it could compliment the way we conducted our business.
Consequently, we started to experience a major transformation in response to changing technology and community needs and welcomed these realities by capitalizing on opportunities available through the 211 model of service; namely its 3 digit non-emergency phone number and online resource data base. As one of 8 designated provincial 211 Centres, our future goal is to acquire accreditation, training and certification of staff to better position ourselves in the service delivery functions essential for providing professional information and referral - assuring access for all.
The last year has been one of preparation and anticipation. In 2006, under the leadership of the 211 Steering Committee, the efforts of the 211 Project Manager, the teamwork of 2 FedNor youth interns and the financial support of our United Way, we mobilized to explore options and secure funding necessary for the implementation of 211. As we prepare for our 211 launch in early 2008, I reflect on our achievements with confidence knowing that we are moving into a solid future, embracing change while retaining our values. I believe that its our record of continuous growth forged over the last 2 decades that brings us to this place.
As we accelerate the momentum of the past year, we need to acknowledge the transitioning of our position as a leader in the Information and Referral sector. In a complex demanding and volatile climate, this accomplishment is a credit to our resourceful staff and volunteers, our funding partners and our dedicated Board of Directors.
Marie Klassen
Director of Programs
8th Annual Social Planning Awards
Organization: Thunder Bay Urban Aboriginal Strategy
View Video and Awards Speech
Individual: Sue Paskoski
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