Abrigo Centre Finds New Home

Popular social services agency to relocate to Dufferin and St. Clair

TORONTO, ON – April 2, 2012 – Abrigo Centre, a multi-service, charitable organization that focuses on building community capacity in west Toronto by helping individuals and families achieve their full potential, announced that it will be relocating its office from Dufferin Mall to 1645 Dufferin St., in Toronto. The move will take place in July.

For more than 21 years, the centre has had a positive impact on the community by offering a wide range of services, including counselling, access to emergency shelter, employment assistance, newcomer support and activities for seniors.

“This move will mark the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for Abrigo,” said Ed Graça, Executive Director, Abrigo Centre. “The new location will increase the centre’s visibility and support to an area traditionally underserved by social service agencies, but is still close enough to our previous location that accessibility is not an issue.”

Abrigo Centre has also launched a $75,000 capital campaign to fund the renovation of its new location. The campaign will run for one year, ending March 31, 2013.

Annually, Abrigo offers services to more than 5,000 Toronto residents and has worked closely with the Portuguese community for years. Last year, a dedicated team of volunteers helped 960 seniors complete retirement forms and other related documents such as applying for drug benefits, Canadian citizenship and Canadian passports. It also ran three parenting groups, engaging 55 mothers for its “Success by Six” program, a 12-week parenting group that focuses on providing healthy home environments to children during their most vulnerable and impressionable years. Crisis services is another of the centre’s top priorities, having provided access to shelter and counselling to 773 women who have suffered abuse.

“We are extremely proud of the services we offer and the community we serve,” said Graça. “This year, our focus will be to help our existing clients and find ways to help our new neighbours as well.”