"Ephraim’s Place is much more than just another program designed to promote positive changes in the community. It is a community in and of itself designed with only one thing in mind..love."
Lorna Brown. Ephraim's mother.
Blog
Welcome to the Ephraim’s Place blog! Come here for updates on what we’re doing and what’s happening in the community.
Adopt A Block Kickoff
April 23, 2012
On Saturday, April 22 we kicked off our Adopt A Block program for 2012. Our volunteers picked up right where we left off from last year. We were also joined by employees from Ontario Public Services as part of the OPS Spirit Volunteer Week which ran from April 15-22. After the work was done, volunteers enjoyed a BBQ in the backyard of one of the residents we reach out to every Saturday. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Adopt A Block kickoff. We’re looking forward to another great year.
Every Saturday Adopt A Block volunteers go out into the community here in Jane-Finch and ask residents if there’s anything they can do to help them out. Volunteers help throw out old furniture, rake leaves, mow lawns, pick up trash in the community, and anything else we can do to lend a hand. The goal of the program is to serve our community in any way we can. Our volunteers go out every Saturday from 11am-2pm. If you would like to join our team and help out with this program just show up at Ephraim’s Place at 11am on Saturdays.
Related: Adopt A Block
Best Game Ever at Upward Basketball!
April 10, 2012
What a night! We surprised the kids at their last Upward Basketball game of the season by bringing in over 100 fans to cheer them on to their Best Game Ever! We teamed up with Rosewood Kids hoping to make this an unforgettable experience. Right before the game started fans invaded the gym cheering and screaming, surprising everyone in attendance. Our goal was to make it feel like an actual NBA game. And that we did!
Not only did we have over 100 cheering fans, we had 2 mascots, a live video screen, a star presentation at the end of the game, but also an autograph session where the fans asked kids for their autographs. It will definitely be a night these kids never forget!
Here’s a short highlight video we put together to remember the night. It may look a little familiar.
Best Game Ever in photos.
Want to see more photos? Check out our Facebook album here.
Thank you
We want to thank everyone who was a part of the Best Game Ever for making it an unforgettable night — for us, and for the kids in our basketball league who will never forget the day over 100 crazy fans came to cheer them on. Thank you for coming, for supporting our work, and for being a “blessing from adversity”.
Related: Upward Basketball
Toronto Raptors Come to Ephraim’s Place!
February 23, 2012
On February 21st the kids in our Upward Basketball League got to be a Raptor for the day. Instead of playing an Upward Basketball game that Tuesday the kids in our league were treated to a ‘Learn to Dribble’ clinic held by the Toronto Raptors. It was an exciting night for all!
The night started off with the clinic coaches talking to the kids about DREAM – an acronym for Dedication, Responsibility, Education, Attitude, and Motivation. The coaches shared important lessons on being a winner both on and off the court. The kids then received a free Raptors t-shirt and wristband and were split up into groups. The groups rotated through 5 different stations that focused on dribbling, shooting, passing, rebounding, and defense.
Both players and parents had a great night. A big thank you to the Toronto Raptors for coming and putting on this event! Let’s go Raptors!!!
Related: Upward Basketball
Project HEARTcore Semester 1 Wrapping Up
January 30, 2012
It’s winding down to the end of the first semester of Project HEARTcore and it’s been one of the strongest group of participants in the program. The passion and heart of these students were shown time and time again.
One example of their passion to help others, came through an awareness campaigned called “To Write Love On Her Arms.” This campaign would require students to write the word “LOVE” on their arms in order to raise awareness for youth who have been affected with depression, suicide, and mental illnesses. It’s simple, but powerful in that it serves as a reminder to love each other despite our differences. This awareness campaign took place at the schools that the students attended, which were C.W. Jefferys, William Lyon Mackenzie, Westview Collegiate, James Cardinal McGuigan, and Weston Collegiate.
In the next couple weeks, the students are required to come up with their own final event. They’re to plan what organization and issue that they want to support or fundraise for. They’re excited and I’m excited to see what they come up with. Whatever the event may be, I am confident that these students will be successful and touch at least one other person in their school or community while doing it.
Thanks to all of you in HEARTcore! Every time 4 pm hits and the students start to trickle into the program, I’m reminded why I have so much hope for the leaders of this generation.
- Bina
Related: Project HEARTcore
Volunteer Blog Post: John Toufankjian
January 3, 2012
Ephraim’s Place Community Centre is where miracles take place. Born & Raised in Jane-Finch, I have seen gun violence, gang violence, and other criminal activities in my neighbourhood and surrounding.
Priority Neighbourhoods exist because society has failed to do its part. We grow up being blessed with certain opportunities and advantages that others are unfortunate of, and we neglect to give back.
What’s the point of living next door to someone in need and do nothing about it?
What’s life mean if your neighbours are dying and we do nothing to even TRY to help?
I got involved with Ephraim’s Place because I got tired of “doing nothing” and decided “to do something”
No one expects you to save the world, but you are expected to try. If you can save the life of one child or one youth, words couldn’t define the expression of that kind of love. Every child/youth deserves and needs to be loved, cared for and given hope to live and succeed in life. Their neighbourhood, their upbringing, their surroundings, their backgrounds, their lifestyle’s, their obstacles or challenges should never disqualify any child/youth of being loved, accepted and taken care of.
Ephraim’s Place Community Centre is a place that children and youth come to and get that sense of belonging, love and acceptance. The centre challenges our community with programs that build character, life lessons, provides education, teaches respect, offers hope, and changes lives.
Bill Sunberg (Executive Director) of Ephraim’s Place had a vision to see change in our neighbourhood. Several years later, that vision has not just come to life, but we see its effects every single day throughout our programs.
I do what I do at Ephraim’s Place because I love my community, I care for my community, and I am called to serve with Love.
When are we going to stop driving by police tape and wonder who’s been shot or who’s dead? And actually make an effort to get involved in the lives of these children and youth and do something to prevent it.
Related: Volunteer
Volunteer Blog Post: Adopt A Block
November 17, 2011
Heading off early Saturday mornings, into the Sheppard-Yatescastle blocks to know door to door to offer my time and assistance to those who may need a little help….whoh, wow!
My first door, my second door, and my third door. I started to feel as though I was being intrusive! Not my intentions or why I was even there and knocking.
It was very long until we came across a lady who needed help getting a full size fridge out of her basement to be thrown out. Okay, I’m no mover by no means, but knowing she needed the help and with a little help from a few other volunteers we did it. She now has that extra space in her basement. That was a great feeling for me to hear and see how grateful she was for us coming that morning.
Feeling intrusive quickly turned into feeling very helpful and needed. I look forward in offering my time now on Saturday mornings.
Laura
Adopt A Block volunteer
Related: Adopt A Block | Volunteer
Refresh 2011 Recap
August 16, 2011
After months of planning and preparation Refresh 2011 has come to an end. It was a great week where we had the chance to meet many new people, enjoy some really good food, and of course do lots of painting!
This year, we were able to paint 100 homes in the Driftwood and Wellesley communities with the generous help of about 340 volunteers from all over North America! That works out to 635 days of work!
We would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all of you who were involved in making this event such a huge success! Whether you painted one day or all five days, we could not have done this without you. It was amazing to see people dedicate their time and love into this project of ours. All of you have touched the families of all the homes we worked in and have made such a big difference in our city. Thank you so much!
We have compiled bits and pieces of video from the week and have created a short video. Hope you enjoy it!
Related: Refresh
