Paul Taylor - Second Base (Scarborough) Youth Shelter

Adam told us that it was a great honour to introduce our speaker, Paul Taylor today. Paul is the Executive Director of Second Base, a centre that assists 700 disadvantaged youth, the 2nd largest centre after Victoria Park.

Paul began his talk by suggesting that we might want to know where he is coming from and what has motivated him to be associated with Second Base. He came from a single mother family with a brother. There were times that they didn’t have heat or electricity and one time that they had a hole in their roof. Life was not easy and affected acquiring an education as there were so many barriers as there are for others, the access is difficult.

In 2007 Paul was teaching in a private school. He found it to be a great career but left that to become manager of food services at Second Base. He was quite alarmed at the warehouse facilities at the warehouse-like facility where people just ate and slept. Not enough offered to move through barriers.

They started a focus group. Normally we expect that a child has had breakfast and that if they require glasses they have them. They don’t necessarily have what they require so they start from scratch. If they need, they will be supplied with what they require.

They now have a female teacher who has interacted with poverty in Scarborough and the young people are now becoming engaged. In a classroom that was intended on holding 7 students, 22 or 23 students are now cramped and are engaged. In January 2008, 48 students graduated. Other students have come from Etobicoke to access the program as they know of the success of the program at Second Base

Paul has dialogued with the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities so that once the students have acquired high school; George Brown will provide upgrading and Lev 1 assistance cook courses. Eighteen have graduated from this program.

Apparently when Paul arrived at Second Base there was premade food and ‘junk’ food. He scrapped that and provides milk, eggs, bread, and a lunch program. Good food is grounding and stabilizing. Sometimes a kid will peek in the kitchen and with ongoing interest is invited in to participate. Washing the goodies for the salad and now prepping the salad. It demonstrates that it feel good to be useful in giving outside ourselves. Having milk available to the kids in the form of a milk machine means they can take as much milk as they wish whenever they wish. Apparently there are a lot of smiles.

Paul used to do catering and he felt that maybe he could develop a young Second Helping Catering. Their profit is funneled back into the program. Their focus is to try to get people to invest themselves rather than donate. They now have a certified chef, a pastry chef who is absolutely incredible. Paul showed proof of his statement by showing us his profile.

A place is a home not cinder blocks. They received $1000 from Home Depot. They asked for volunteers who donated their time and paint.

They now have a marshal arts program, art program and the goal is to provide a home whether it is for 5 minutes, 13 hours or two months. An individual is down and out if they have had a rough time.

Recently they had their first hockey tournament. There was donated equipment and all participated whether they was playing a position or cheering.

Paul suggested that if we haven’t been to Second Base, we are welcome and they invite us to visit.

Questions were put forth - capacity? - 56 plus drop in program - can use the shower, laundry have their hair cut and use the health clinic or counselor services.

Ages? - 16-21 year olds

Can we use catering service - it’s being developed, a boutique is starting selling whole wheat bread, cookies, oil - they will keep us informed
Mike M suggested that perhaps we could have lunch there one meeting.

Geoff thanked Paul for his motivating enthusiastic talk
Second Base Youth Shelter
702 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, ON, M1K 2B5 416-261-2733 x114 ptaylor@secondbase.ca
Developing skills & encouraging choice www.secondbase.ca.

Attendance

Our 28 Rotarians were joined by five guests today. Mike C introduced Lise Lauzon, Assistant Governor from Markham Sunrise Rotary Club, Tareq Taher from BDC, Pauline Mattes from the Sharpe Day Program who noticed our club’s advertisement in the Scarborough Mirror, a returning guest Lina Tiklonsky with Dianna Wilson and Phil Richardson, a former Rotarian.

Open Membership Classification

Mike C. pointed out the Membership reminder sign this week displaying EMS classification. Do any of us know an EMS individual who could be invited to one of our Rotary meetings?

Announcements

Audrey told us of our annual Pot Luck dinner at the Highland Yacht Club on Saturday February 20 at 6:00. There will be a reasonably priced bar, comradeship/fellowship and good food. Since it’s a Pot Luck, your entrance fee is food and the choice of food is up to chance. Audrey will be checking with us to determine who is going to be attending.

Chris announced that donation of skates are needed for 1st Annual Councilor Ainslie’s Family Skate Day.
Sunday February 7th, 2010 2:30 - 4:00 PM at Heron Park Community Centre, 292 Manse Rd. (Lawrence Ave. East and Manse Rd. on Lawrence East of Morningside Ave.)

Donations of skates or any skating equipment can be dropped off at: Ainslie’s Constituency office at Scarborough Civic Centre; East Scarborough Storefront at 4040 Lawrence Ave E.;Tam Heather Curling & Tennis Club at 730 Military Trail; Cedar Ridge Creative Centre 225 Confederation Dr.; Toronto public library - Guildwood Branch at 123 Guildwood Parkway *If you are not able to drop off the equipment at the available locations and still would like to donate, please contact my office at: 416-392-4008 or E-mail: councillor_ainslie@toronto.cav

Gary reminded us of the tips we received last week for selling tickets for the Springfest Dinner and Silent Auction. We need to sell 400 dinners in order to get the best cost per dinner which if we accomplish will raise the funds we
can accumulate. Good food, good entertainment and great Silent Auction items. Audrey has the tickets and promises a reserved table for a group of ten.

Gene wanted to remind us of our speaker, Maestro Kerry Statton on January 26. He is pleased to have this conductor from the Toronto Philharmonia Orchestra as our speaker.

Mike C presented Shirley with a pair of hockey tickets for the Silent Auction, the Leafs vs. the Sabres April 1/2010. Great item Mike, we thank you.

Mike M. told us that our club is donating 5 Shelter boxes to Haiti and our club asked other clubs to match our donation or better it. Don told us that Scarborough Foundation also contributed 5 Shelter boxes to Haiti. Mike C personally has donated a Shelter Box. Scarborough Rotarians have donated 11 Shelter Boxes with a total cost of $11,000. Our District is forwarding approximately 60 in all. Rotarians in Haiti will act as a triage to determine where best the Shelter Boxes will be set up. Don reminded us that we can receive a tax receipt if we donated to the Foundation. CIDA will match the donations for Shelter Boxes. Rotarians internationally have shipped 930 Shelter Boxes.

Woods-Cunningham Wheel

Guest Paul Taylor gave the wheel a spin and it arrived at 20, Judy’s token. Judy was wished luck but she didn’t get to an Ace!!

Sergeant at Arms

Gerard started by saying she noticed that there were some late comers and hoped that they would fess-up and pay their fine.

Mike C with a fiver said that he was happy that we are able to send so many Shelter Boxes.

Gerard suggested the Club’s King and Queen, translate Buddy and Josie, are both celebrating a club anniversary.

Donna gave over some money to us as did our visiting Lise Lauzon, an Assistant Governor.

Sydney gave a happy buck because he was home to Trinidad to celebrate his mother’s birthday.

Norm expressed a willingness to give a happy buck for Maxine’s birthday but confessed it was still in his jacket pocket.

Chris wanted to give a happy buck for the skaters for the Olympics sponsored by some bank. The speed skaters look good and their chances are good. The name of the bank starts with a B and ends with MO.

Alvin, Alex and our guest Phil all contributed to the pot.

Gary wanted to tell us that Don started the movement to acquiring the Shelter Boxes.

Judy is back home but with a hurt foot. She hurt her foot at home.

Geoff has 6 weeks and is counting. Where is that place T & T, warm, beautiful, north of South American?

Mike M told us that Case’s wife has an appointment with a nerve specialist and they are hoping that they can locate the damaged nerves which might be able to be recovered. Sounds as if it might be promising Case.

Celebrations

Upcoming Meetings -to update your information, e-mail Gary at garymac@clarkehenning.com

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