News & Highlights

Recognizing client success, and the contributions of volunteers and employers, has been a staple each year at JVS Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). On September 30th, JVS Toronto presented its AGM Awards to six very deserving recipients.

Avi Pollock, JVS Toronto’s incoming Board Chair, mentioned that the awards ceremony is always his favourite part of the Annual General Meeting. “Whether they are being honoured as an employer who has made a commitment to use our services, or whether they are a client or a volunteer being honoured for making that commitment to better their lives or the lives of others, every recipient has trusted JVS Toronto in our ability to help them.”

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As JVS Toronto continues to closely monitor and adhere to all Public Health advisories about COVID-19 we are taking proactive steps to minimize transmission. At this time, all JVS Toronto sites are closed for in-person services with the exception of our Psychology Division. We continue to provide all other services online and over the phone.

For the delivery of psychological services, JVS Toronto is following the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework and continues to adhere to all public health recommendations for the safe, responsible and gradual reopening of our in-person programs and services. The following protocols have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of all staff and visitors:

• 1-on-1 client services will be available by appointment only.
• Clients and visitors will be asked to complete a COVID-19 screening survey online prior to their appointment. If clients and visitors answer YES to any of the COVID-19 screening questions, they will be asked to contact their JVS contact and reschedule their appointment to another day.
• Staff and appointment schedules will be staggered to limit the number of people in the building.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks and face shields must be used by staff and visitors.
• Physical distancing protocols will be enforced.
• Larger meeting rooms will be used for client appointments and the use of shared spaces will be limited.
• Plexiglass screens have been installed and in some cases offices have been reconfigured for safety.
• Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will be taking place.

Underneath all these layers of change is a dedicated team of professionals committed to providing the highest quality of service in a safe, comfortable and caring environment. We look forward to serving you in person soon

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our services or safety protocols, please contact us at services@jvstoronto.org or 416-787-1151.

Service Update and Safety Procedures for Resuming In-Person Services

As of Tuesday July 7, JVS Toronto’s Psychology Assessment Services will reopen to the public by appointment only. These services include:

• Psychoeducational assessments
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessments
• Vocational assessments
• Psychovocational assessment

All other JVS Toronto services continue to be available virtually.

JVS Toronto is following Reopening Ontario guidelines and continues to adhere to all public health recommendations for the safe, responsible and gradual reopening of our in-person programs and services. The following protocols have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of all staff and visitors:

• Client services will be available by appointment only.
• Clients will be asked to complete a COVID-19 screening survey either online or over the phone prior to their appointment.
• Staff and appointment schedules will be staggered to limit the number of people in the building.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks and in some cases face shields must be used by staff and visitors.
• Physical distancing protocols will be enforced.
• Larger meeting rooms will be used for client appointments and the use of shared spaces will be limited.
• Plexiglass screens have been installed and in some cases offices have been reconfigured for safety.
• Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will be taking place.

Behind all these changes is a dedicated team of professionals committed to providing the highest quality of service in a safe, comfortable and caring environment. We look forward to serving you in person soon.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our services or safety protocols, please contact us at services@jvstoronto.org or 416-787-1151.

JVS Toronto is proud to announce our reaccreditation under Imagine Canada’s prestigious Standards Program

Since our initial accreditation in 2016, JVS Toronto has maintained operational excellence in the program’s five key areas: board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, staff management, and volunteer involvement.

“It’s no small feat for an organization to earn Standards Program accreditation. It’s a rigorous, peer-reviewed process that is meant to build Canadians’ trust and confidence in the charitable sector,” says Bruce MacDonald, president and CEO of Imagine Canada. 

Earning the Standards Program Trustmark symbolizes our dedication to transparency and solidifies the community’s confidence in the work we do.

See below for a message from Jonathan Kopman, Board Chair and Kim Coulter, President & CEO at JVS Toronto.

Bell Let’s Talk launched in 2010 with a focus on building awareness, acceptance and action in mental health. Since then Canadians have taken the conversation around mental health to remarkable heights, making it clear that mental health matters.

Dr. Hadley Koltun, a Psychologist at JVS Toronto’s Career, Education and Psychology Services, addresses some questions regarding mental health; its symptoms, diagnosis and how those who are struggling can find help and support in the workplace.

Q. What are the signs that may indicate you are struggling with mental health?

Mental health challenges cover a wide variety of different moods and behaviours. Symptoms of mental health issues may include:

Physical:

• Increased fatigue
• Sleep issues - sleeping less or more than usual
• Difficulty concentrating
• Frequent colds, flu, or infections
• Rapid weight loss or weight gain

Emotional:

• Increased feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and/or sadness
• Feeling trapped or overwhelmed
• Procrastination or excessive busyness
• Feeling incompetent
• Isolating oneself from friends and family
• Increased irritability
• Excessive worry
• Loss of sense of humour
• Loss of enjoyment in activities you once found pleasurable

If you, a friend, colleague or family member are experiencing several of these symptoms, it may be an indication of a problem that requires professional care or support.

Q. How is a mental health disorder diagnosed?

A mental health disorder is diagnosed by a registered health professional such as a physician or psychologist. Social workers and psychotherapists are registered health professionals but are not authorized to make such a diagnosis. To diagnose a disorder, a psychologist will conduct an assessment. Typically, an assessment will involve an interview with the client and the completion of standardized checklists or surveys. It may take more than one visit to determine whether or not a client has a mental health disorder, which disorder it is, and what accommodations or interventions are required.

Q. What are some of the symptoms people with mental heath issues experience that affect their ability to work?

The symptoms listed above may be indicative of a mental health condition that could affect someone’s ability to work. Some of these symptoms can cause decreased performance or absenteeism.

Q. Should I disclose my mental health issue to my employer? If so, what documentation do I need to provide?

Disclosure of a mental health disorder is not necessary. However, if you are asking your employer for accommodations, you may require a letter from a health professional outlining what is required.

Q. What are some typical accommodations that a person with mental health concerns can ask for from their employers?

If work becomes overwhelming, employees can ask for a decrease in the volume of tasks to a manageable level, at least temporarily. Or space tasks out over a longer period of time to be worked out between the employee and their immediate supervisor. An employee may also require a quiet place to work as well as having regular breaks.

However, any accommodation recommended must not bring an undue hardship, i.e. the accommodation must not place an unreasonable burden on the employer or other employees. What constitutes undue hardship will vary in each case depending on the nature of the workplace and the employee’s role within it.

Q. Do I need a note from my doctor or psychologist in order to take time off work for reasons regarding mental health?

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, approximately 500,000 Canadians, in any given week, are unable to work due to mental health problems. If you have sick days available, it’s better to take them than to try and push through when you are not feeling well. If your mental health care requires more time off, the Canada Labor Congress recommends you talk to your Human Resources department and find out what sick time or short-term disability leave is available to you. You will likely need a doctor’s note if you have to take a longer time off work, but it will depend on your employer’s policies.

Q. Can I claim any medications or therapy treatments on my employee benefits?

That depends on your particular employer and the employee benefits plan they offer. To find out what is covered by your employee benefits, speak with your manager or Human Resources department.

Q. If I am struggling with feelings of anxiety, stress or depression that are affecting my performance in the workplace, what do I do?

Mental health matters. Speak with your doctor, a psychiatrist or a psychologist about your symptoms and treatment options. A physician may prescribe medication and both a physician and a psychologist can recommend counselling, psychotherapy, or accommodations at work. Don’t suffer in silence.

If you have a question about mental health or the psychology services offered at JVS Toronto, contact us.

I Am More Than...

At the 72^nd Annual General Meeting of JVS Toronto on September 25, we shared how complexity of needs is a growing trend among the individuals we are seeing throughout our employment centres and across our programs.  

In this year’s annual report, our theme is: “I am more than”.

• I am more than the neighbourhood I come from.
• I am more than someone who didn’t finish high school.
• I am more than my disability.
• I am more than a newcomer to Canada.
• I am more than an older worker. 

This theme reflects the fact that when individuals come to us looking for help on their journey to employment, there is often more to their story than what we see on the surface. Individuals are juggling an array of personal circumstances, many of which are complex.  We need to recognize that when they come through our doors they are more than just a person looking for work.

JVS Toronto is a multi service organization offering services to many client populations. While their stories and circumstances may be different, for all of these populations, there is usually more complexity to their situations than we see right away.    

At JVS Toronto, our vision is that every individual has opportunities for employment. We can’t achieve this vision alone. We rely on the support of donors, government, funders, employers and community partners to create and deliver specialized programs and services that address the unique and complex needs of the clients we serve.

Recognizing client success, and the contributions of volunteers and employers, has been a staple each year at JVS Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).  On September 25, JVS Toronto presented its AGM Awards to six very deserving recipients.

“Our award winners all have one thing in common,” said Jonathan Kopman, Board of Directors Chair, when introducing the 2019 awards presentation, “they made a commitment to use our services. Whether they are a client or a volunteer, we honoured them for making that commitment to better their lives and the lives of others.”

Congratulations to our 2019 AGM Award winners.

Louis Mensah – Freedman Family Award for Young Entrepreneurs

This award recognizes a young entrepreneur who has completed one of JVS Toronto’s youth entrepreneurship programs, and successfully operating a full-time or a part-time basis business.

Louis began the Youth Entrepreneurship Program when he was in the early stages of developing his photography business, Mensah Memories. Prior to the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Louis had a passion for film and photography, but he could not afford the very expensive equipment required to  launch his own business.

After receiving funding from the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Louis was able to purchase his own photography gear to start his business. Louis was never afraid to do the work that was necessary to achieve his goals, and he worked tirelessly to break into an industry that is very tough to crack. In the first few months of launching Mensah Memories, Louis’s client list included professional athletes, entertainers, and large corporations. Louis epitomizes the entrepreneurial spirit with a can-do attitude, and proves that hard work can go a long way.

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Agency founder, Max Enkin, was part of a group of Jewish business leaders who started the agency in 1947 to provide employment and vocational services to Holocaust survivors and veterans of the Second World War. Between 1948 and 1949, he was also involved in bringing Jewish Holocaust survivors to Canada from Europe after the war as part of the Garment Workers Scheme, now known as The Tailor Project.  

Read more here about The Tailor Project.

Recently, during Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Hashoah; JVS Toronto attended A Common Thread: Celebrating the Untold Stories of The Tailor Project at Holy Blossom Temple. The event honoured Max Enkin and others who were instrumental in bringing Jewish people to Canada from the deportation camps after World War II as part of The Tailor Project. 

The success of this event and importance of The Tailor Project lead event participants, Larry Enkin (Max’s son) and Paul Klein, CEO and Founder of Impakt, to receive an invitation to appear on an episode of The Agenda with Steve Paikin. Larry Enkin and Paul Klein included Kim Coulter, President and CEO of JVS Toronto, in the interview to provide the perspective of connecting immigrants to jobs in Canada, then and now, to ensure they can lead self-sufficient, meaningful lives. 

Watch us on The Agenda with Steve Paikin. Untold Stories of The Tailor Project.  

Read more about JVS Toronto’s newcomer employment services here and Jewish community employment services here.

Watch the trailer of The Tailor Project documentary.

Join us in the fight against unemployment.

JVS Toronto is participating in Canada Helps' 5th Annual Great Canadian Giving Challenge; a national contest that benefits registered Canadian charities at a time when charitable giving is at its lowest.

For every $1 donated* by June 30, 2019, we will receive one ballot in a draw to win $10,000. More donations mean more chances to win!

Help us set a new record for the most donations received in the month of June!

With $10,000, we can:

• Help unemployed individuals move toward financial stability;
• Link at-risk youth to education, life skills and on-the-job training;
• Offer specialized employment programs for individuals with disabilities at no cost;
• Connect new immigrants to professional mentors, Canadian workplace language training, and online service delivery; and
• Subsidize low-income families for assessments that diagnose learning and other disabilities to improve school performance.

Giving is easy.

Step 1: Click on the Donate button
Step 2: Complete the online donation form
Step 3: Share our message on social media and invite your family and friends to join our fight against unemployment.

Donate

* Minimum $3 donation required.

JVS Toronto is accredited under Imagine Canada’s national Standards Program.
With this achievement, we join a growing community of organizations dedicated to operational excellence.

The Standards Program Trademark is used under licence by JVS Toronto.

As Canadians, we are fortunate enough to live freely, but for many families living outside of Canada, political and economic instability threaten their traditions. Alper, a father of two, came to JVS Toronto for support when it became too dangerous to live as a Jewish family in Turkey. Alper feared for his family’s safety, and wanted his children to grow up in a better place. With no personal or professional connections and leaving his own business behind, Alper was overwhelmed by the prospect of job searching, and the risks he was taking to immigrate to Canada.

A referral to JVS Toronto’s EMETemployment program made the prospect of a better future for Alper and his family seem possible. 

A New Future in Canada

Alper was inspired by the support offered through EMETemployment, JVS Toronto's Jewish Community employment program that works with employers and job seekers to provide online job postings, professional recruitment, and job support services. His Employment Counsellor helped him prepare his resume, and found positions tailored to his strengths and employment history. Alper is now happily employed, and excited about his future in Canada with his family:

Thank You

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, EMETemployment helps individuals like Alper, build self-sufficiency and provide a safe and secure life for their families. Your support helps JVS Toronto provide critical support and services to ensure Toronto’s Jewish Community can thrive.

Donate

JVS Toronto is accredited under Imagine Canada’s national Standards Program.
With this achievement, we join a growing community of organizations dedicated to operational excellence.

The Standards Program Trademark is used under licence by JVS Toronto.

On January 16, 2019, we were delighted to welcome Michael Levitt, Member of Parliament for the riding of York Centre in Toronto, to our Toronto North location to announce the federal government’s continuing commitment to the delivery of pre-arrival services for internationally trained professionals. 

Over the past three years, thanks to funding from Immigration Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC), JVS Toronto’s Canada Infonet (formerly called CanPrep) program has supported over 4,000 individuals prior to their arrival in Canada. Working closely with partners across Canada this program provides on-line employment and mentoring services, as well as access to post arrival support to ensure seamless economic integration for internationally trained professionals.

Our Canada Infonet program works closely with partners including Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Network (TRIEC), OMETZ in Montreal, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), Magnet, and the Ontario Tourism Employment Council (OTEC). We have also built a strong network of post-arrival partnerships across Canada with service providers and employers to ensure seamless, supported economic integration.

In his speech, MP Michael Levitt announced IRCC’s multi-year commitment of $4 million to JVS Toronto over five years to continue the delivery of pre-arrival services for newcomers to Canada. He began by saying, “If we didn’t have immigrants, employers would have trouble finding enough workers to fill available jobs. And as consumers, immigrants help to create more demand for small businesses in our communities, further strengthening our local economy.”

He went on to say that, “JVS Toronto is one of three organizations that will provide general employment services to immigrants before they arrive, like mentoring, online learning modules and other employment-related supports in both English and French.”

We are pleased to maintain our working relationship with IRCC and for their continuing commitment to pre-arrival services so newcomers gain knowledge about life in Canada and the job market, and for putting their trust in JVS Toronto as a service provider partner. 

We were honoured to have MP Michael Levitt make this announcement, for his leadership in York Centre and acknowledge his commitment to his constituents, many of whom we serve at our Toronto North location. 

Congratulations to our Canada Infonet program team – Irene Vaksman, Sharvari Jois, Farah Alizadehahi, Rahim Braksa, Anne Hu, Marlina Ramchandran, Lucy Sun and Iliana Tzekova – for their dedication to JVS Toronto and in welcoming immigrants to Canada every day. 

Recognizing client success, and the contributions of volunteers and employers, has been a staple each year at JVS Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).  On October 3, 2018, JVS Toronto presented its AGM Awards to five very deserving recipients.

“Our award winners all have one thing in common,” said Jeff Goldfarb, Board of Directors Immediate Past Chair when introducing the 2018 awards presentation, “they put their trust into JVS Toronto.  Whether a client or employer committed to using our services, or a volunteer willing to contribute their time, I thank each of you for instilling your trust in us.”

Congratulations to our 2018 AGM Award winners.

Bianca Johnson – Freedman Family Award for Young Entrepreneurs

This award recognizes a young entrepreneur who has completed one of JVS Toronto’s youth entrepreneurship programs, and successfully operating a full-time or a part-time basis business.

Bianca, a young entrepreneur and mother of two young children gained knowledge from JVS Toronto’s Summer Company program to start a business called Spike it Up offering alcohol-infused desserts. Challenged the rules and regulations to prepare her desserts in a commercial kitchen, Bianca rented time in a local commercial kitchen shuttling her equipment and ingredients to and from this kitchen every time she baked her stock. Undaunted, Bianca’s passion and hard work steadily grew Spike It Up. She recently opened her first retail location in Scarborough and arranged order delivery through UberEats and Skip the Dishes.

 

Dedicated friend and supporter

Barrie Rose, who served as Chair of the Board from 1967 to 1969 and later as an Honorary Director, passed away on July 15, 2018.

Over 50 years ago, thanks to a generous grant from Barrie, founded JVS Toronto’s Jewish Day School program in the Eitz Chaim Schools. His transformational gift led to the integration of JVS Toronto’s psychoeducational consultants into the Jewish Day Schools, who work daily with teachers and parents to identify issues, assess, diagnose and establish educational plans so students of all abilities can continue their Jewish and academic education. Today, through our Career, Education and Psychology Division at JVS Toronto, Barrie’s legacy continues to ensure that individuals of all abilities and income levels can access assessments to improve their success at school and work.

On behalf of the Board, staff and the entire JVS Toronto community, I express our appreciation to Barrie for his years of service to JVS Toronto, and acknowledge the important contributions he made to the Agency and throughout our community as a true philanthropic spirit. We extend our deepest sympathy to Barrie’s entire family.

On October 18, 2017, JVS Toronto’s head office at 74 Tycos Drive showcased the newly renovated and relocated Al Green Resource Centre to dignitaries and longtime supporters of initiatives that connect individuals with disabilities with the greater community.

“Our Al Green Resource Centre is a true testament to the commitment of many donors and funders in providing opportunities for inclusion so individuals with disabilities can lead purposeful and fulfilled lives,” said Kim Coulter, President & CEO of JVS Toronto in her opening remarks to over 90 guests and dignitaries who attended the grand opening.

Opened in 2003 on Dufferin Street through the generosity of Al Green and his wife Malka Green, and David Green, his wife Daphne Wagner and their family, the Al Green Resource Centre has served as a lifeline and a critical source of meaningful activities for its participants with developmental disabilities to promote independence.

Recognizing client success, and the contributions of volunteers and employers, has been a staple each year at JVS Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).  On September 13, the JVS 2017 Toronto AGM Awards were presented to five very deserving recipients.

“Our award winners all have one thing in common,” said Jeff Goldfarb, Board of Directors Chair when introducing the 2017 awards presentation, “they put their trust into JVS Toronto.  Whether  a client or employer committed to using our services, or a volunteer willing to contribute their time, I thank each of you for instilling your trust in us.”

Congratulations to our 2017 AGM Award winners.

Talar Karageozian – Joseph Skolnik Award for New Canadians

This award is given to a JVS Toronto newcomer client who has successfully integrated into Canadian society. 

Talar arrived to Canada with her family as a refugee after fleeing the horrors of Aleppo, Syria. An accountant in Syria, Talar thought her work experience would easily help her get a job.  Not gaining any interviews, Talar’s optimism soon wore off.  By accessing specialized newcomer employment programs at JVS Toronto, Talar improved her English, and learned Canadian and financial services terminology.  After attending various workshops, Talar was able to optimize her job search to accounting firms.  She secured a full-time financial services position and is now pursuing her professional designation in accounting.