CrossLink Spring 2004 The Power P of Humanity Join us at our 11th Annual Meeting details on page 8 Judy Speers Celebrating 25 years of service Red Cross responds to 25 Cold Weather Alerts
Messages From the homeless in Bam, Iran to the homeless here in our city, Toronto Region has kept busy with local initiatives and international appeals. Beginning December 26, 2003, Toronto Region supported the International Federation of the Red Cross' appeal for the Bam, Iran earthquake. With the largest Iranian population in Canada, Toronto contributed largely to the $3.1-million raised across Canada and forged strong relationships with the Iranian community. The Iranian Community Association and the Iranian Student Association fundraising events and awareness activities were instrumental in raising awareness of our Iran earthquake appeal. On a local level, disaster service staff and volunteers were busy with the 25 cold alerts issued by the City of Toronto. Our volunteers patrolled the streets of North York and Scarborough to help the homeless and other vulnerable people exposed to freezing temperatures and harsh elements. Red Cross volunteers and staff have worked on a range of other important initiatives in the past few months as well. Coordinator of the Restoring Family Links program, Radmila Rokvic-Pilipovic, and Coordinator of the First Contact program Prince Sibanda, presented their programs at the International Humanitarian Law conference in London, Ontario, on February 21st. Both Radmila and Prince demonstrated the application of humanitarian values here in Toronto and around the world. Also in February, after 28 years, the Flemingdon Park office moved to the new Leslie Street location. The emergency food bank was transferred to the Church of the Ascension and the Flemingdon Park Ministry. In order to serve our clients better, Red Cross has piloted a new mobile food bank for those in the Flemingdon Park area who cannot access a food bank otherwise, and our hope is to expand this service city-wide. The launch of March is Red Cross Month Red Ribbon campaign held at Union station on Monday, March 1st was a great success. Spearheaded by Fund Development Coordinator, Sarah Legault, the team of volunteers and Toronto firemen raised $3,500. What a great way to launch March is Red Cross Month! As we enter into the spring season, we look forward to exciting upcoming events; volunteer recognition awards, our annual meeting, and emergency preparedness week. And last but not least, let's not forget to promote our Ontario Red Cross lottery! [ Sincerely, Linda Hoffman Region Council President Dennis Fair Director, Operations and Development CrossLink 1623 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4T 2A1 Tel: (416) 480-2500 Fax: (416) 480-2777 www.redcross.ca Editor-in-Chief Joanna King Graphics and Layout Sandra Cabral Contributor Tanya Elliott Martha Rivera The programs of the are made possible by the voluntary services of the Canadian people. The red cross emblem and designation Red Cross are reserved in Canada by law for the exclusive use of the and for the medical units of armed forces by the Geneva Conventions act, R.S.C. 1970, C.G-3. National Library of Canada 502476D Charitable Number 0017780-11 (c) 2004 The Updates Online In Your Community > Ontario > Toronto Watch for our upcoming changes to the Toronto website. With more current information and a different layout to better accommodate the viewer, Toronto Region s site is a great source of information. You will be able to find First Aid course schedules, updates on current international appeals and events, along with information on Red Cross programs and services across the province and in your own community. Please visit www.redcross.ca to access the Toronto Region web page. [ A partner in United Way 2
Spotlight Judy Speers - Celebrating 25 Years of Service Judy Speers retired in March after 25 years of service. Volunteers, staff, family and friends celebrated Judy's retirement on Friday, March 12th at the Leslie Street Office. [ Judy Speers has dedicated her life to social service for the last 25 years. She has offered care and protection to families from all social backgrounds in the heart of Flemingdon Park. Judy knows how to give to those who do not have anything. When families arrived hungry, cold and without hope, she gave them support, food, and a sense of community. When Judy Speers they could not speak English, Judy still understood them. She would communicate through just sounds or any other way that would help them feel welcome and understood. Judy gave herself both professionally and personally to the community of Flemingdon Park. To those in need, it was the smile of Judy Speers who welcomed them into a safe and protected place. [ Martha Rivera, volunteer Highlights Judy has held many positions at the Canadian Red Cross, all located at the Flemingdon Park Office. Judy began working with the in 1978 as secretary of the Flemingdon Park office. Since that time, she held the position of coordinator and manager of community services. We wish Judy the best of luck on her retirement. [ Service Changes Flemingdon Park food bank clients are now being served by two new locations. The Church of the Ascension serves clients living north of Eglinton, and the Flemingdon Park Ministry serves clients living south of Eglinton. [ 3
Volunteers Volunteer Resource Committee Volunteers are important to the Red Cross. The Volunteer Resource Committee supports Toronto Region by providing feedback from field volunteers to the appropriate management level. It also discusses and provides recommendations to resolve regional volunteer issues and presents them to Region Council if deemed appropriate. Volunteers are encouraged to share their ideas to help increase efficiency, reduce costs, and serve clients better. Suggestions can be provided to a staff liaison either informally or formally, using a Volunteer Suggestion Form that is available from the reception desk at Red Cross offices in Toronto. Volunteers are also encouraged to read the Policy on Volunteer Suggestions. [ Annual Volunteer Recognition Event Rosita Hall On Thursday, April 22, Toronto Region will host the Annual Volunteer Recognition Event. The fun-filled evening will give volunteers a chance to sit down, relax, and enjoy a light meal, award presentations, and motivational guest speaker, Rosita Hall. Volunteers will also have the chance to win fabulous prizes such as CDs, gift baskets, mystery dinner theatre tickets, and much more! [ Thursday, April 22, 2004 5:30p.m. to 7:45p.m. Toronto Region Office 1623 Yonge Street R.S.V.P. by Friday, April 16 To Lucille Dent (416) 480-2500 ext. 2218 Rosita Hall has been a motivational speaker for over 15 years. She provides motivational and change management advice to her audience focusing on self care, motivation, how to effectively deal with change and work as a team. Rosita holds a degree in social work, and has spent over 20 years in the social services field. She has earned professional status with the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS), and is the immediate past president of the Hamilton Chapter of CAPS. Rosita has been nominated for the Woman of the Year Award for the city of Hamilton. Most recently, Rosita was featured on the cover of Herizon Magazine, and has been named "Remarkable Woman of the Year' by the Rubena Willis Counselling Centre in Ajax, Ontario. In January 1999, Rosita was nominated for the prestigious John C. Holland Award. [ 4
In the Community Revised Babysitting Course Launched The newly revised Babysitting course was launched across Canada on Saturday, February 7 in partnership with Zellers, our national program sponsor. Two graduates of the Babysitting course, Jessica Clarke and Quincy Schendera were honoured at the launch. Both have used their skills in very different but important ways. In Ontario, launch events were held in Sudbury and Gloucester with the official national launch taking place in Mississauga. Joining staff of First Aid Services were Thomas Haig, Zellers President and CEO; Diane Gordon, Director of Community Investment for Hudson's Bay Company; Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General of the Canadian Red Cross; Gord Moore, General Manager of the Canadian Red Cross, Ontario Zone; Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga; Hannah Sung, a VJ with Much Music; and gymnast Stacey Galloway, a Commonwealth Games silver medalist. Jessica, successfully used her lifesaving skills to save her brother's life and Quincy has been able to approach each babysitting job with confidence. Both Jessica and Quincy were presented with a babysitting award in recognition of their skills and efforts. [ March is Red Cross Month Toronto launched March is Red Cross Month (MIRCM) on Monday, March 1st at Union Station. Toronto firefighters joined Red Cross staff and volunteers as they greeted Go-Train commuters, distributing red ribbons and accepting donations in return. With the energy of the volunteers and the firefighters' big boots, over $3,500 was raised. Also on March 1st, the City of Toronto raised the Red Cross flag on the Queen Street flagpole in honour of MIRCM. Red Cross presence was known throughout Toronto with major billboards in downtown Toronto and surrounding areas broadcasting our message. Radio stations in the greater Toronto area also played out Public Service Announcements asking people to support their local Red Cross. The Air Canada Centre supported Red Cross endevours with their Community Booth at both a Raptors and Leafs game. Debra Cockerton, RespectED coordinator, profiled the booth with the theme It's More Than Just A Game which focuses on how to protect children and youth in this unique context of sport. Michael Pidzamecky, a Toronto Red Cross volunteer who has donated an enormous amount of time over the past 15 years was profiled on City TV's, 'The Livable City' for his contribution to the Red Cross and the City of Toronto. Toronto Region did a great job in promoting March is Red Cross Month! [ 5
Disaster Services Iran Earthquake Relief Efforts The has raised over $3.1-million for the victims of the Bam, Iran December 26th earthquake which killed over 41,000 people, injured over 28,000, and left 75,000 homeless. The also immediately released $100,000 in emergency disaster services funds to the International Federation. With Canada's contribution, the International Federation of Red Cross sent large quantities of urgentlyneeded relief items: 20,000 family tents, 30,000 plastic sheets, 200,000 blankets, 40,000 kitchen sets, 400,000 water purification tablets, 30 electricity generators and 20,000 kerosene heaters. "Torontonians have always donated and supported those less fortunate in times of need and disaster but the Iran earthquake was exceptional" said Vera Dodic, Director of Programs. "We were very successful, in part, due to the strong support and initiative of the Iranian community." Cold Weather Alerts Toronto region responded to 25 cold alerts issued by the City of Toronto this past winter. Extreme Cold Weather Alerts are called when the temperature drops below minus 15 degrees Celsius. During the Extreme Cold Weather Alerts, Toronto Red Cross volunteers provided street outreach, TTC tokens and emergency transportation for homeless people to the nearest shelter or warming centre. [ The Federation s revised appeal now stands at $54-million, which will assist up to 210,000 people for up to eight months. Funds will provide basic food, shelter and other essential relief supplies to 150,000 people and will help prevent outbreaks of water-borne epidemics by providing water and sanitation facilities. Funds from the appeal will also help restore the primary health care and referral capacities of the area through the continued presence of a 200-bed Red Cross Red Crescent hospital, basic health care units, mobile clinics, a 30- bed rehabilitation centre and psychological support to both earthquake victims and relief workers. [ Haiti On February 29th, after mounting pressure and violent upheaval, Haiti president Jean- Bertrand Aristide abruptly resigned and left Haiti. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) remained in the country and deployed medical personnel and equipment to treat the wounded and to support the activities of major hospitals. 32 tons of surgical and medical equipment (including two complete medical-surgical structures) were sent to hospitals in Port-au-Prince. The contributed $50,000 from its International Disaster Relief Fund to support the relief efforts in Haiti. The Canadian International Development Agency also contributed $350,000 towards the ICRC operations in Haiti. delegate, Élisabeth Carrier, who has completed 27 missions overseas since joining the Red Cross in 1980 is responsible for the Red Cross medical operation logistics in Port-au- Prince. [ 6
International Services Madrid Terrorist Attacks Earthquake in Morocco On Thursday, March 11th, a series of morning rushhour explosions at three different railway stations in Madrid, killed over 200 people and left more than 1,000 wounded. The Spanish Red Cross (CRE) mobilized 300 volunteers, including more than 70 psychological support experts to offer assistance to the injured and bereaved. The CRE deployed more than 70 vehicles, including 26 ambulances that were used to transport people to hospitals and five mobile blood collection units, mobilized in response to an appeal for blood donors from hospitals treating the injured. First Aid kits, stretchers, blankets and other relief items were also made available from Red Cross stock. [ Rwanda April 7th marked the 10th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) was one of the few humanitarian organizations that remained in Rwanda in 1994. Amidst the horror, it provided humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of On February 24th, a violent earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit Morocco, leaving nearly 600 people dead and more than 400 injured around the city of Al-Hoceima, on Morocco's Mediterranean coast. Since then, Moroccan Red Crescent staff and volunteers have distributed some 4,600 tents to survivors in the hardest-hit villages. The Spanish Red Cross, with government assistance, also flew in 7.6 tonnes of humanitarian aid including 1,000 hygiene kits, 1,000 blankets, 100 beds, 150 first aid kits and other relief items. The Spanish Red Cross also sent a team of five people to support the Moroccan Red Crescent in a further evaluation of needs. The International Federation launched an appeal for 2.8 million Swiss francs (US $2.3-million) to provide assistance for up to 30,000 people. [ people affected by the genocide. It helped reunite some 70,000 children separated by their families. In the last ten years, Red Cross' humanitarian efforts have continued to attempt to alleviate the suffering of the people of Rwanda following the genocide. [ The Power of Humanity The Ontario Zone of the created the Power of Humanity Award to celebrate those who have made a difference in our province. This year, on April 28th, individuals or organizations whose actions have met a priority need of the community and reflect the Red Cross Principle of Humanity will be recognized. Her Majesty Queen Noor, Queen of Jordon, will join the Power of Humanity dinner as honoured guest speaker. Proceeds from this event will support Red Cross disaster services and community programs in Ontario. [ Humanitarian Workshop On February 18th, 40 Red Cross volunteers and staff from across Ontario Zone travelled to London, Ontario for a four day workshop on International Humanitarian Law. The workshop outlined the ' Humanitarian Issues Program (HIP) and hosted a series of speaker sessions focusing on international humanitarian law, the promotion of humanitarian values and restoring family links. Our own Toronto staff Radmila Rokvic- Pilipovic and Prince Sibanda spoke on behalf of their programs Restoring Family Links and First Contact. [ 7
Notes 11th Annual Meeting The, Toronto Region wishes to extend a warm invitation to all volunteers and staff to attend the 11th Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Celebration. Wednesday, May 12, 2004 Ramada Inn Hotel 300 Jarvis Street (Jarvis/Carlton), Toronto 5:00 p.m. Registration 5:30 p.m. Annual Meeting 6:00 p.m. Dinner 6:45 p.m. Presentations and Speakers Please show your support for the Canadian Red Cross by attending. R.S.V.P. to Joyce or Catherine at (416) 480-2500 by Wednesday, May 5 th, 2004 Strategic Plan On November 1, 2003, Red Cross' new Strategic Plan for the next five years, was reviewed and approved at the Annual General Meeting. The following Mission, Vision and Values statements; as well as, the four core areas of focus will lead us forward to 2008. Mission To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. Vision The is the leading humanitarian organization through which people voluntarily demonstrate their caring for others in need. Values Our actions and decisions will be based upon: Humanitarian values, as expressed in our Fundamental Principles; Respect, dignity and care for one another within and outside of Red Cross, and Integrity, accountability, effectiveness, and transparency. Core Areas of Focus Humanitarian Values Disaster and Conflict Health and Injury Prevention Organizational Capacity To view the Strategic Plan in its entirety, visit www.redcross.ca. [ Printed by Silverhaze Graphics 8