Family Resource Centre in Vaughan shuts down suddenly, leaving parents to scramble

Community members given 2 weeks notice to sort out child care options

Yorkregion.com
July 13, 2023
Brian Capitao

Parents are now scrambling to make arrangements after being left in the lurch due to a sudden closure of a community centre in Thornhill.

Recently, community members received an email on June 20, saying that the Family Resource Centre located at the Promenade Mall would be shuttered by Friday, June 30. Effectively, giving parents two weeks to make other plans.

“Since I've gotten that email. I've had four panic attacks,” said 34-year-old mother of three, Miriam Disenhouse.

The program run by the Jewish Family and Child Services of Greater Toronto (JFCS) was an important resource for families who could not afford to keep their children in summer camp for the duration of the season.

“With my first (child), I probably had a borderline anxiety issue after she was born. But being able to connect with other parents at the resource centre, with the staff at the resource Center, with the resources at the resource centre, I was able to completely keep it in check to the point where it actually became nonexistent,” added Disenhouse.

The email sent to parents cites declining numbers of membership and participation due to the pandemic. However, when speaking to the Vaughan Citizen, Hannah Wasserman, director of development and communications admits that staffing was a real concern.

According to Wasserman, there wasn’t enough applicants for the summer resulting in a staff shortage. Currently, the centre is redirecting parents to other options such as the EarlyON Child and Family Centres for children from birth to the age of six.

“We’ve directed them to EarlyON and are looking into other resources to help support them,” said Pamela James, director of Family Services at JFCS.

“They are unhappy with the short notice, but we are in touch with them and responding,” said Wasserman.

Nevertheless, parents are still feeling shortchanged.

“There was a complete lack of communication,” said Disenhouse.

Disenhouse says she’s spoken to other parents and caregivers who also feel “this was done in a way that was not fair” and that it was a “betrayal of those that use the centre.”

A look at JFCS financials show that the centre was operating at a loss of -$120,624 as of March 2022. The JFCS hired independent firm RSM Canada LLP to do an audit in 2022 and present their financial position.

The financial statements from 2021 and 2022 show that the JFCS which receives funding from the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Federation of Greater Toronto, United Way of Greater Toronto, the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ontario Ministry of Health, the Claims Conference and private donors was struggling for the last couple of years.

“This was an extremely difficult decision to make. I don’t want to put all the blame on COVID, but it did change things,” said Wasserman.

The Family Resource Centre may continue but in a different location.

“We are looking to continue the program, but it may just not be in one dedicated space,” said Wasserman.

But that’s cold comfort for parents like Disenhouse. As she and her husband only have one car, it’s a struggle to find a timely replacement. Right now, the nearest early childhood and development centres within walking distance are closed for the summer and other options range from 15- to 20-minute car rides.

The convenience of the Family Resource Centre being located at the Promenade Mall was part of its appeal, according to Disenhouse. Other options are simply too far or too costly.

“It was a huge resource. For me, it was in my head. It's the difference between having to raise my children completely by myself and being able to tap into the proverb of it takes a village,” said Disenhouse.