NATIVE CANADIAN CENTRE OF TORONTO OBTAINS NEW FUNDING Announces new partnership with Madison Community Services, Central

Toronto Community Health Centres and Noojimawin Health Authority

Toronto, November 8, 2012 - The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) has successfully obtained new funding through the Toronto Central LHINs Aboriginal Youth Mental Health and Addictions Initiative which will provide services to youth aged 16-24. This new funding was a direct result of NCCTs new partnership work with Madison Community Services, a Toronto community mental health and addictions agency providing care and housing for individuals with mental health challenges and Central Toronto Community Health Centres (CTCHC). Further partnership development resulted in close working relationships with Noojimawin Health Authority. NCCT and Madison have also partnered to provide support to youth aged 12 to 18 with funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. It has always been identified through our youth that specific programming is needed to assist them with healthier living said Larry Frost, Executive Director of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. We always have believed that in order to ensure the effective delivery of programming and services, partnership & collaboration amongst organizations within the GTA are absolutely essential This is a great partnership opportunity for Madison Community Services, said Kamalesh Visavadia, Executive Director, Madison Community Services. For more than 30 years weve been providing housing and supportive services for Torontonians dealing with mental health challenges and now we get to expand our programs to particularly high needs youth. CTCHC is delighted to be able to work collaboratively with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and Madison Community Services to provide enhanced access to primary care, mental health and harm reduction services for Aboriginal youth. This partnership will provide opportunities for Aboriginal youth with mental health and addictions issues to access a range of coordinated supports. Michelle Joseph, Executive Director, CTCHC The new funding and partnerships will expand and offer new programs for Aboriginal youth in Toronto. These include: Eshkiniigjik Naandwechigegamig A Place for Healing Our Youth - a drop-in for Aboriginal Youth with mental health and addictions issues to access case management, referral and assessment service and harm reduction resources provided within the traditional Aboriginal cultural matrix of healing including artistic expression, language, support circles, Elder knowledge and an outdoor cultural program. This will support youth as they work to identify their own goals and make life changes with continued support provided by our combined programming and services.

Aabiish Gaa Biinjibaayin? Where did we come from? - The program is designed in four quadrants throughout the year as an after school and weekend service to meet the needs of Aboriginal children & youth seeking to obtain a higher knowledge of their culture, language and history, and/or to address their mental health concerns. Each of these programs will have guidance and input provided by our NCCT Youth Advisory Council.

The Native Canadian Centre has provided services of a social, recreational, cultural and spiritual nature. With more than 40,000 people of Native ancestry living and working in the Greater Toronto Area, the Centre continues to be a focal point for programs and services and continues to meet the needs of the community. Madison Community Services promotes the health, recovery and community integration of persons with serious and persistent mental health challenges through advocacy, education and the provision of a broad range of high quality community based support services. The primary services offered by Madison are Case Management and Supportive Housing. Madison currently operates/supports seven congregate living houses in downtown Toronto and also offers Immigration and Settlement orientation services and case management. Central Toronto Community Health Centres is a community based health organization committed to improving the health of community members particularly those at risk of poverty and discrimination. Our multi- disciplinary approach includes the provision of primary health and dental care, counseling, harm reduction, health promotion, community development, advocacy and innovative partnerships. CTCHC is a leader in the development of inner city health services and focuses on the needs of homeless and street involved adults and youth and families. Should you wish to receive updates, self-refer or refer youth to our programming and services, please send an email to Cynthia.Bell@ncct.on.ca More information will be provided on Facebook and website ( www.ncct.on.ca ). Miigwech For media inquiries: Larry Frost, Executive Director Phone#416-964-9087 ext. 323 Kamalesh Visavadia Executive Director, (416) 977-1333 ext. 500 Michelle Joseph- Executive Director (416)703-8482 ext 321 Kapri Rabin- Director of Integration and Urban Health (416)703-8482 ext 211