Fred Victor Centre partners with people in the low-income community to offer programs and services that address their needs. The basic essentials are food, shelter, and social contact - once these needs are met, people can begin to focus on their hopes and dreams for a better future. Men and women are able to rebuild their lives by having meaningful involvement and purpose, as well as the opportunity to develop their skills and capacity. Community members are actively involved in the design and delivery of programs and are included in decision-making.
- ARTS PROGRAM & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
Fred Victor Centre's Arts program and Creative Activities encourage people to learn from each other, build trust and self-esteem, and foster a sense of belonging to the Fred Victor Centre Community.
The Arts program and Creative Activities include the following:
Art Group
The Art group Program allows community artists a safe environment to create, in a group setting. A variety of mediums are available to explore. Opportunities to sell and display artwork occur on site at the annual Little Art Show, as well as at an external neighbourhood gallery.
Open every Monday from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30p.m.Creative Writing Group
This program allows its members to develop their creative writing skills and enjoy a variety of exercises and activities that uncover their individual writing styles.
Open every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Camera Club
The camera club provides basic instruction in black and white photography, from composition and shooting to darkroom techniques.
Open every Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Theatre Group
Through listening, theatre games and improvisation as well as the development of plays for performances to the public, individuals are able to build their self-esteem.
Open every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- CLOTHING ROOM
- Fred Victor Centre's Clothing Room makes gently used clothing available to community members every Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon.
- COMMUNITY COMPUTER CLUB
The Community Computer Club's been around for over ten years providing the local community with access to technology beyond the reach of most of our clientele. we're pleased to offer free internet access, office applications, data storage solutions and hardware assistance for heir own computers.
We are strive for relaxed, informal environment that encourages peer support groups and makes for an enjoyable experience for all of our members. We're approachable, as helpful as we can be and; on occasion; silly season strikes. It's all a part of our great program.
Hours of operation
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:10 noon
Fred Victor Centre's Community Computer Club is funded by:
- FRIENDS RESTAURANT
- Friends Restaurant is operated by Fred Victor Centre at its Queen and Jarvis streets location. The restaurant serves low-cost nutritious meals to the community, and offers a credit system for those unable to pay. Friends Restaurant's fully equipped commercial kitchen provides space for the food services training programs offered through Fred Victor Centre's Employment Services and Skills Development programs.
- HARM REDUCTION
- Fred Victor Centre's Harm Reduction program focuses on a realistic, public health approach to minimizing the harmful consequences of substance use to the individual, family and society. Fred Victor Centre's Harm Reduction program works with community members through the use of individual counseling, peer facilitated support groups, information and referral services, and educational workshops.
- INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT WORK PROGRAM
This program provides Fred Victor Centre community members with informal counseling, information and referral services, and group activities. These are designed to help community members improve their physical and mental health, and social supports. These services are provided on an outreach basis via the Open House Program by holding special workshops, information sessions and immunization clinics.
Individual Support Workers also assist tenants in Fred Victor Centre Housing to cope with issues that may arise from living in shared accommodation, as well as help tenants connect with key community resources that will assist them with health, legal, income, job or immigration issues.
- OPEN HOUSE PROGRAM
Fred Victor Centre's Open House program is open each afternoon five days a week. This program provides essential social contact for people living on the street as well as an introduction to other services and programs that Fred Victor Centre offers. Community members and staff create programs; cultural celebrations and special outings, which help people, enter the Fred Victor Centre support system.
Hours of operation
Monday - Friday: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fred Victor Centre's Open House Programs include the following:
- Banking Project - Working with the Alterna Credit Union, people on low incomes are able to open bank accounts hassle free.
- I.D. Replacement Program - The P.A.I.D. program helps community members replace lost or stolen documents such as birth certificates, social insurance numbers or health cards.
- Community Garden - a garden maintained by community members, in partnership with our neighbours at the Moss Park Community Garden. Gardeners enjoy fresh produce, which they either take home or share with others in the Open House Drop-In.
- Food Fryday - Fifteen community members gather weekly to participate in a community-cooking program where they make and share a full course lunch.
- Knights of the Square Table - Participants discuss upcoming events, current issues and give input into Open House Programming.
- Movie Day - A movie is shown every Friday afternoon; movie selection is made with input from community members.
- Open House Newsletter - A monthly newsletter created by community members. It provides an opportunity for people to share information about what is happening at Fred Victor Centre, as well as information about important community issues.