Welcome Message

This past year has been another year of adjusting and adapting to the ever-changing landscape coloured by the restrictions and realities of the pandemic.

The senior leadership at Family Transition Place (FTP) was not deterred. They adapted, they embraced and they pursued excellence; determined to not only elevate FTP’s support for clients, but to ensure relevance in our services to best reflect the changing needs of a growing community. Their vision and approach defined a clear path of action for FTP last year. While many organizations reacted as necessary to the prolonged stresses and dynamics of the pandemic, FTP was proactive in hiring staff, expanding services, advancing social settings to accommodate more staff and clients, all in a more open and inclusive way. Continuation along this path will bring many progressive and exciting changes for FTP and our community, with expanded sexual violence, education and counselling services to serve a dynamically changing community of women and those identifying as women, and their children who have experienced gender-based violence and homelessness.

Cognizant of the challenges that clients face, we understand the importance of not only providing shelter but also second stage and permanent housing solutions that are affordable and accessible. Safe housing is of primary importance in helping to ensure women are able to work towards independence as they remain connected to counselling, harm reduction and transitional support services. In this upcoming year, FTP is committed to pursuing opportunities in addressing the significant need of transitional housing within our area. The FTP Board can speak confidently to the continued prudent fiscal management of FTP under the exemplary leadership from our Executive Director, Norah Kennedy. Celebrating 15 years with the agency, and in particular reference to these past two turbulent years, Ms. Kennedy has led by example, embraced challenge and change, grown the footprint of the agency and fostered an exceptional leadership team to better meet the needs of our community. On behalf of the FTP Board, we thank Ms. Kennedy for effectively continuing to manage the ever-evolving needs of both staff and clients, as well as maintaining her strong leadership and support for peers in the community. I want to thank my colleagues on the board of directors for their commitment to the work of FTP. We are very fortunate to have such an incredible group of directors from a wide cross-section of the Dufferin-Caledon area who dedicate their time, insights and energy. The overwhelming financial support shown by our donors this past year was humbling. Without your support the rapidity and depth of the agency’s accomplishments could not have been realized. For this, we are truly grateful. I am hopeful and optimistic for what is to come over the course of the next year, given all that was accomplished this past year, both realized and planned. I look forward to welcoming and gathering together in person with you soon. With gratitude to serve this wonderful organization,

Carissa Burton Board President