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.  To support Fred Victor Centre's Community Programs please click here.

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.

NEWSLETTER GROUP

Group members have opportunities to participate in all aspects of the monthly newsletter (submissions, editing, outreach and content input).  The group meets the third Tuesday of each month.

PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP

Group members attend 10 weekly sessions each season and are offered opportunities to learn about basic digital photography. The group exhibits at the end of each session.

CLOTHING ROOM

Fred Victor Centre's Clothing Room is temporarily closed, emergency clothing items can be accessed at the Drop In.

COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION CENTRE AND COMPUTER LAB

The Community Communication Centre and Computer Lab offer help and services to adults who are experiencing homelessness, poverty, and lack of resources. The Communication Centre and Computer Lab provides access to newspapers, community bulleting boards, telephones, fax, photocopier, scanners, CD & DVD burners, colour and black/white printers, many types of software and office applications, Internet, data storage solutions and hardware assistance for personal computers. A safe, relaxed and informal environment encourages peer support groups and makes for an enjoyable experience for all community members. The Centre lets you learn valuable computer programs at your own pace, including Windows XP/Vista, MS-Word, Access, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Excel, and more.

You can register and use the Communication Centre Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., in its temporary home at the Employment & Training Services Centre at 248 Queen Street East.

Fred Victor Centre's Computer Lab 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.

MENTAL HEALTH AND JUSTICE PREVENTION PROGRAM

The Fred Victor Centre Mental Health and Justice Community Support Program is a community based program that works toward supporting individuals with mental illness who are involved or at risk of being involved in the criminal justice system.  The goal of the program is to work with individuals in the community so that they can live successfully and reduce and/or prevent involvement with the criminal justice system. 

This program is part of a broader network of Mental Health & Justice Programs across Toronto.

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 - assitance given to opening up bank accounts at Alterna
• 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.
• Good Food Box" members have opportunities to purchase  fresh low cost fruits and vegetables monthly through Food Share.  
• 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.