Ed Graca appointed Executive Director of Abrigo Centre

Toronto, Ontario (August 19, 2011) – The Board of Directors of Abrigo Centre today announced the appointment of Ed Graça as Executive Director, effective September 18, 2011.
Ed Graça is one of the original founders of Abrigo Centre and served as its Executive Director for 19 years until early 2010. “We were fortunate to have Ed return to Abrigo as Acting Executive Director while Cristina Santos was on a leave of absence, and are delighted that he has accepted our offer to lead the organization going forward. Ed’s experience and insights into the changing needs of the community will be invaluable to the organization. Abrigo Centre is in good hands with Ed at the helm,” says Kevin Perry, Chair of the Board of Directors, Abrigo Centre.

Graça has more than 30 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, working as an Executive Director, Community Legal Worker, Counsellor and Volunteer Coordinator. As Executive Director for Abrigo Centre he helped the organization grow from serving 600 clients per year to almost 5,000 clients. Prior to returning to Abrigo, Graça worked as Executive Director of The Gatehouse Child Abuse Investigation and Support Site and of ACCES Employment Services in Toronto. Earlier in his career, he worked with Kensington-Bellwood’s Community Legal Clinic and Bloor Information and Life Skills Centre.

“I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to return as Executive Director and I come to this new responsibility with a sense of renewed commitment and energy to serving our community. The people associated with this organization: the board members, staff, volunteers and clients are what continue to make Abrigo stand out. It was a pleasure serving Abrigo in the past and it is truly a privilege to do so going forward,” says Ed Graça.

Abrigo Centre serves more than 5,000 people annually helping to improve the quality of their lives. Twenty exceptional professional staff offer individual in-person sessions and counseling within group settings. Programs include counselling for abuse victims and abusers, family and parenting counselling, pre-employment workshops, youth services, and community development programs that offer integration services for newcomers. Abrigo Centre has been serving the community for 21 years and is conveniently located in the Dufferin Mall.
For more information, please contact: Abrigo Centre, 416-534-3434 or visit www.abrigo.ca/contact