Ann Marie Rusk

Growing up in the Jane/Finch community, Ann Marie was targeted, labelled and stigmatized – not by race, colour, gender or size – but simply by the words “Jane” and “Finch”. Add to that the fact that Ann Marie had her first child when she was just 15 years old, and that today, she is a single mother of 5; it should come as no surprise that Ann Marie found herself in need of the Association’s services.

Although she had 5 children and was on her own, Ann Marie could not imagine not working. Unfortunately that meant that she was not welcomed at Food Banks, as these are geared for those on social assistance or the unemployed. Often her kids would go to school hungry and come home alone to no dinner, as Ann Marie was unable to afford it.

Today, three of Ann Marie’s children attend the San Romanoway Revitalization Association’s Breakfast and After School Clubs. Her children arrive in the morning to a full breakfast and return to a home cooked nutritious dinner. Their grades have even improved, thanks to the qualified tutors and volunteers who assist them one-on-one with their homework. Ann Marie is also fortunate enough to have leftover food sent home for her younger two children and herself, and is now a recipient of Second Harvest donations every Thursday.

Not only has the San Romanoway been able to help her children, it has also assisted Ann Marie. As a result of being selected for a Youth Internship Canada Project funded by JVS Toronto, Ann Marie learned such life changing skills including budgeting, CPR, conflict resolution, resume writing and computer skills. She then landed in the role of Office Administrator at the San Romanoway itself, and as of June 2005, she has been employed as receptionist at JVS Toronto Youth Inc.
 

Although money is still tight, Ann Marie offers a heartfelt thanks to San Romanoway; she finally now feels that her family has a future to look forward to.

Hyancinth Harris
 

Hyancinth Harris emigrated from Jamaica and has been a San Romanoway resident for the past 16 years. She describes the programs and services of SRRA as a “god send” to single parents like herself.

Her current employer has cut back on her shifts for the past few years and she gets called in less and less frequently. AS a result, she tries to supplement her income with jobs as a caregiver and a housekeeper for the elderly.

Even when she is working, Hyancinth cannot afford child care for her son. The Breakfast and After School Clubs that he attends gives her the freedom to work a full day with the peace of mind that her son is being cared for in a safe and stimulating environment. Not only is he escorted to school with the other children by staff and volunteers, but he arrives home after having done his homework and receiving a host meal in the afternoon. He also attended the SRRA summer camp for the past three years and has made new friends and enjoyed visits to places including Ontario Place, the Metro Zoo and a baseball game.
 

As her way of giving back, Hyancinth regularly obtains food donations form her current employer, Canada Bread, for the Breakfast Program.

Jing-hua cai
(English name: Jim Cai)

Jim Cai is a Product Engineer who arrived in Canada at the beginning of 2000 with the dreams of finding a better life for the family and a better education for his three year old daughter Jennifer.
 

Jim found a professional job in less that 2 months after they landed. During this first year, his wife had to stay at home to look after their daughter.

In late 2000, Jennifer’s mother decided to pursue a Bachelors degree in accounting at York University. As a result, the couple had to send Jennifer back to Shanghai because Jim’s salary was not enough to afford the daycare expenses and his wife’s tuition at the same time.
 

One and half year’s later, Jennifer was happily reunited with her parents, but her mother had to struggle to juggle her schedule between her classes and Jennifer’s kindergarten.

Once they moved to San Romanoway, the situation was quickly resolved. Just one month later, the After School Club was started. Jennifer was among the first group of children enrolled. Since then she has enjoyed a nutritious breakfast and an escort to her school. After dinner she received help with her homework by qualified teachers and was even able to attend activities on PD days, and even March Break and Summer Camps.

Read more about the San Romanoway Revitalization Association Here