Poverty Awareness in York Region

Social Audit – York Region 1st – A Powerful Voice for Change


York Region will play host for the first time, as part of the ISARC interfaith social audit which has been conducting social audits across Ontario since 1986. ISARC – The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition – is a provincial wide network of faith groups working together for greater social justice. ISARC meets and works with leaders from all political parties to develop and support legislation to provide help to those most in need via province-wide hearings, consultations and briefings, presentations to legislative committees, and through publications and resources that give a voice to those in poverty.


York Region’s participation was made possible through the lobbying efforts of the Poverty Action for Change Coalition who were convincing in their presentation viewed by ISARC representatives earlier this year. As the chosen host group, the key was to form a planning team from organizations and individuals across York Region; co-conveners Tom Pearson (PACC) and Yvonne Kelly (York Region Food Network) have worked diligently to achieve this. They have put together a collaborative planning team which has laid the foundation for what they hope will be a successful social audit.

Part of the make-up of the audit – apart from forming a planning team – is choosing key players such as the “Rapporteurs”.A Rapporteur is a person whose opinion is widely respected in the area in which the audit is held who listens to the stories from those living in poverty and whose reflections are recorded alongside those stories. With the decision to hold two (north/south) locations for story collecting in York Region, the planning team was fortunate enough to attract several highly qualified potential candidates. Ultimately the group chose Daisy Wai for the south and John Rogers for the north.

Daisy is well known in the business community as founder and President of Ad2000 and Beyond Advertising. She is actively involved in her community in a number of capacities including being a member of the Board of Trustees for the York Central Hospital. Daisy has received numerous awards for her contributions to the community and is actively involved in the Chinese Christian community. She has been an enthusiastic supporter of the social audit from the beginning. Daisy had the following comments to make about her own experience as a newcomer to Canada as well as our collective responsibility as a caring community.

“I still recall the struggles I had when I first immigrated to Canada. It was hard, for my husband and me, to take care of a family with 4 children. I was encouraged and helped by the church we attended. It’s been 30 years now, we are more settled. With things growing rapidly around us, sometimes we forget those who are still in need. This is definitely the time for us to reach out to support others around us, very much the same way that we were supported before. Not only is this our responsibility, it helps us to count our blessings, treasure and enjoy what we have.”

Likewise Mr. Rogers, a former Mayor of Georgina and member of York Region Council as well as former Chair of the Board of Directors for the United Way of York Region and Co-Chair of the Central Lhin Advisory Group to name some of his past accomplishments was not a tough sell; He has embraced the role with vigour., Said Mr Rogers about his impending role in the social audit,….

"I am honoured to be asked to help in a very important process that is being held for the first time in York Region. It is critical that all members of our community are heard, and the social audit process I am sure will bring very important views and stories forward to the public’s attention and as well assist politicians in addressing poverty more effectively. “John Rogers ..Contined..The 1st part of the day – 9am 1pm- will focus on the recording of the stories from those living in poverty. Each location plans to make it “drop-in” friendly for anyone living in poverty whether they are able to speak to the audit or not, offering a welcome team, advice, info, snacks, coffee, nutrition and toys for kids. Daycare and transportation have also been arranged for those with an advanced booking.

The afternoon audit focus groups also involve front-line workers, and later on local politicians from across the Region. Danieli Zanotti , CEO for the United Way of York Region will facilitate the politicians focus group.

Reports from the audit are then prepared and forwarded to ISARC to begin the next steps towards the final publication, Queens Park and beyond.A media report will also be put together.

For Immediate Release – Mon April 12 2010


Re: ISARC – Social Audit – York Region

Date: April 20 2010 Media contact: 289-221-0928

Times: South Location 9am – 1:00 pm – North Location: 9am – 6pm

Locations: Richmond Hill Central Library (south); 510 Penrose (north)

North – 510 Penrose St Newmarket – please note - no media access on location before 6 pm

South - Richmond Hill Public Library – 1 Atkinson St – please note no media allowed at this location