What's New

The two organizations will offer programming jointly moving forward.

Toronto, Ont. – Turning Point Youth Services and WoodGreen Community Services are pleased to announce the integration of the organizations.  The combination of these two agencies will enable a more effective and integrated approach to the provision of comprehensive support services for youth in the GTA. Effective July 2nd, this transaction brings the services that each organization provides to youth under a shared governance and leadership structure. 

“Our city is facing unprecedented challenges, and our young people are being adversely affected with many of their needs UNMET,” said Anne Babcock, president & CEO of WoodGreen Community Services. “By integrating our operations, WoodGreen and Turning Point Youth Services will be able to leverage our joint expertise to respond to the growing and complex needs of young people. Together, we can ensure youth needs are being MET in East Toronto.” 

Despite being the wealthiest city in Canada, many young people in Toronto are struggling due to the cost of living and the housing crisis, along with difficulties finding employment and needing mental health support. Approximately 1,500-2,000 youth are sleeping on Toronto’s streets each night, and young people ages 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance use disorders than any other age group.  

By integrating programs and services under WoodGreen, the two agencies will be able to provide a more robust continuum of care offering to young people living in Toronto. Some of these programs and services will include mental health, employment, youth justice, and housing assistance as well as supports for newcomer youth. The organizations also align in many areas including mission and values; the vulnerable youth clients they both work to serve; shared service area (East Toronto); funders; and experience providing programs and services for youth.  

“Combining Turning Point Youth Services’ many decades of experience with WoodGreen’s many years of leadership and expertise will greatly benefit the youth clients that we serve,” said Chris Bouchard, Executive Director, TPYS. “By coming together, we will better enhance the experience of our clients and provide more holistic services — which are especially needed right now when so many young people in our community are searching for support.”  

Both organizations are committed to a smooth integration, providing all staff, clients, and partners with consistent and reliable services. 

ABOUT WOODGREEN COMMUNITY SERVICES (woodgreen.org) – WoodGreen is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto, serving more than 37,000 people each year. We offer over 75 programs and services tackling the social determinants that affect the health and well-being of individuals in our community. 

ABOUT TURNING POINT YOUTH SERVICES (turningpoint.ca) – Turning Point Youth Services (TPYS) is an accredited, non-profit agency serving youth (12 to 24 years of age) and their families in the east end of Toronto.  Turning Point’s mission is to empower youth to make positive change, and to accomplish this, it offers a continuum of services for youth and their families with a focus on mental health, housing/sheltering, and youth justice.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Tureisha Hamlet, Manager, Public Relations & Corporate Communications, thamlet@woodgreen.org, tel: (416) 277-2672

We’re happy to share that TPYS was selected for “transformation” by Smilezone! The Smilezone Foundation transforms an existing waiting room, treatment room, or client/family care room into a “Smilezone,” which is custom designed with features such as fresh paint, colourful murals, furniture, cabinetry and storage, and interactive technology. They have transformed more than 330+ Smilezones at over 80 hospitals and community health centres since 2013. Smilezone will be transforming some of our welcoming and client spaces at our head office at 95 Wellesley St. East. Pics to follow in the new year!

TPYS Staff and Management attended the “Invitation to Honouring Our Promise: Ending Anti-Black Racism (HOPE) Symposium.” This symposium launched the background report “that explores the issues affecting the mental health of Black infants, children and youth in Toronto and the accompanying strategy, Honouring Our Promise: Ending Anti-Black Racism (HOPE), which documents the sector’s commitment for the next four years.”

A number of TPYS managers and staff from our EDI Committee attended in person and virtually, participated in the discussion groups, and helped to shape ideas for the work plan that will be developed for the child and youth mental health (CYMH) providers in Toronto. A copy of the “Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy (2023-2026)” can be found on our Anti-Oppression & Anti-Racism page.

Have your say! We are pleased to be working with @DiversityMusing and Toronto’s infant, child, and youth mental health sector to develop an Anti-Black Racism Strategy for the sector.

Members of Toronto’s Black community are invited to share their perspectives and participate through an online survey and small group discussions in January and February 2022.   Learn more and register at www.HOPE-Strategy.com.

#BlackMentalHealth #AntiBlackRacism

At TPYS, the health and safety of youth, families, caregivers, staff and visitors is a top priority. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and have implemented protection measures based on guidance from Public Health and medical experts. As an agency offering essential services, we continue to provide help to those most in need, while taking needed measures to keep everyone safe.

Here are some of the changes we have implemented:

• We have enhanced safety measures such as the use of PPE, screening, cleaning, service prioritization and social distancing.
• All individuals coming to one of our sites must have an appointment and will be screened for signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19/potential exposure to COVID, travel history and more.
• We are offering virtual and telephone appointments.
• Some onsite visits and face-to-face meetings are possible when necessary and by appointment.
• Everyone entering our sites or in face-to-face contact with our staff are required to wear a mask.
• All visitors and staff must be symptom free, wash their hands when entering any sites and in contact with others, all while maintaining proper distance (2 metres).

If you are a youth or parent needing mental health information, counselling services or access to live-in facilities, please call our Intake worker at 416-925-9250 Ext. 224

We are committed to ensuring your safety and well-being. As new information becomes available, TPYS will respond appropriately and modify operations as needed.

We thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Turning Point Youth Services