EVA’S PHOENIX
Mr. Rosario Marchese:
Today I want to take the time to honour an organization that is making a
huge contribution in my community. Located in Liberty Village, Eva’s
Phoenix provides safe shelter, training, counselling and a wide range of
innovative programs to help homeless and at-risk youth lead productive,
self-sufficient and healthy lives.
For the last 10 years,
Eva’s Phoenix has provided a model for integrated service providers
that has been recognized by a number of different organizations. Among
others, it has received the 2010 Charity Intelligence-recommended award,
the 2010 Harlequin More Than Words award, the 2007 Vital Ideas award,
the Harry Jerome award and the City Liveability award.
More importantly, this
shelter has changed the lives of 1,183 youth by teaching them that
there is hope for a way out of the streets for them. From encouraging
them to excel in post-secondary education to showing them ways to cook a
healthy, home-cooked meal, the dedicated workers and volunteers at
Eva’s Phoenix have made my riding and the city of Toronto a better place
to live for all of us.
Unfortunately, the
centre’s current location is on land that is being reviewed by the city
of Toronto for possible redevelopment. At a time when our youth are
still feeling the effects of the worst economic crisis in 80 years, the
city of Toronto cannot afford to do away with a program as socially,
economically and creatively innovative as Eva’s Phoenix. |
