Haven Toronto

Haven Toronto, formerly The Good Neighbours' Club (GNC) is a drop-in centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, for men over fifty years of age who are living in poverty. Haven Toronto provides members with low-cost meals, meals-on-wheels, social work services, basic health services, a housing worker, a concurrent disorders worker, a library with internet access, laundry, showers, mail services, telephones, and social and recreational activities. It is funded by the City of Toronto government, the United Way, the Government of Ontario through the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), and by private donations. Haven Toronto is located downtown, at Jarvis and Shuter Streets.

History

Haven Toronto was founded in 1933 by May Birchard (died July 30, 1968), a municipal politician and anti-poverty activist. Birchard intended the organization to serve homeless and unemployed elderly men living in Toronto at the time, many of whom were veterans of the First World War. As a strong believer in the Canadian Social Gospel movement, Birchard was motivated by the Christian principle that "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Paul Croutch and the Day of the Homeless

In 2005, Haven Toronto client, Paul Croutch, was beaten to death by Corporal Jeffery Hall, Corporal Mountaz Ibrahim and Rifleman Brian Deganis. All three were members of the Queen's Own Rifles, a Canadian Forces regiment stationed at the Moss Park Armoury, across the street from the club. Croutch, who was 59 years old and who suffered from serious health problems, was sleeping on a bench at the time. Hall, Ibrahim and Deganis also assaulted bystander Valerie Valen, who attempted to stop their attack on Croutch.[1][2][3]

In 2009, Haven Toronto started the "Day of the Homeless"[4] as a memorial to Croutch and other victims of homelessness and intolerance. The event is held annually in August. In 2010, the event featured an exhibit of photos of clients called "Expressions of Hope and Despair," by photojournalist Rita Leistner and member-photographers.

Patrons and Board of Directors

Haven Toronto has a patron and a vice-patron. The current patron is Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and the current vice-patron is Mark Saunders, chief of the Toronto Police Service. The club's board of directors includes:

  • Nick Golding - Chair of the Board
  • Michael McCarthy - Vice Chair
  • Arif Ahmad - Secretary to the Board
  • Dan Demers - Treasurer
  • Matthew Ellis - Past Chair
  • Doug Arey
  • Susan Crawford
  • Ian Foo
  • Kristyn Wong-Tam
  • David Burnes
  • Joshua Cox

References
  1. Betsy Powell Courts Bureau (2008-05-01). "Soldiers sorry for Moss Park killing". Toronto: thestar.com. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  2. Peter Small Courts Bureau (2008-03-18). "Homeless man was kicked 'like a football,' trial told". Toronto: thestar.com. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  3. Originally published September 2008 (2005-08-30). "The Lonely Death of Paul Croutch". torontolife.com. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  4. "Day of the Homeless — The Good Neighbours' Club". Goodneighboursclub.org. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
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