Mission Statement

Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto, offers diverse programs that are welcoming and inclusive. The charity was founded in 2000 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, a community of women who, through their compassionate presence, respond to various needs. Fontbonne Ministries continues, with the Sisters, their mission of reflecting the love of God and neighbour. The programs are:

• Faith Connections (in the Greater Toronto Area), generating spiritual growth and community for and with young adults;
• Fontbonne Place (south Riverdale), creating a home for older, single women;
• In Good Company (the Greater Toronto Area), visiting those isolated in their homes;
• Mustard Seed (East Toronto), providing life skills programs and fostering community for adults;
• Studio on the Hill (East York), exploring creativity through clay, for children and adults;
• Village Mosaic (Etobicoke), providing a community setting for socialization for seniors.

Values

• We respect each person as a unique expression of God’s love and invite each one to discover her/his giftedness
• Attentive to changing societal needs, we commit to being a catalyst for change and to providing prophetic leadership
• We foster a climate of mutual support and collaboration for the fulfillment of human potential
• We value a quality of presence that is compassionate, hospitable and nourishes body, mind and spirit
• Valuing the gift of our natural resources, we commit to ecologically sustainable choices

Staff Listing

• Sr. Conrad Lauber
  Director: Village Mosaic, clauber@csj-to.ca
• Sr. Georgette Gregory
  Director: In Good Company, ggregory@csj-to.ca
• Sr. Gwen Smith
  Director: Mustard Seed, gsmith@csj-to.ca
• Sr. Helen Kluke
  Director & Teacher: Studio on the Hill, 416-752-2665
• Sr. Mechtilde O'Mara
  Ministry Director: Faith Connections - Mechtilde.omara@utoronto.ca
• Leanne Kloppenborg
  Administrator: Fontbonne Ministries, lkloppenborg@csj-to.ca
• Vickie McNally
  Development and Communications: Fontbonne Ministries, vmcnally@csj-to.ca
• Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt
  Program Director Faith Connections - faithconnections@csj-to.ca
• Rob Huston
  Program Assistant: Faith Connections - fcweb@csj-to.ca

History

Founded in 2000, Fontbonne Ministries is the response of the Sisters of St. Joseph to address current social needs. Named after Sister Delphine Fontbonne, who came to Toronto with three other Sisters of St. Joseph in 1851, the ministries continue the Sisters’ tradition of nurturing community and assisting with the food, shelter, education and health care needs of their neighbours.

Our Ministries

Fontbonne Place

Fontbonne Place provides affordable, rent-geared-to-income housing for older, single women.

Eighteen apartments in South Riverdale offer a home and the chance to build community with other residents.

 

Mustard Seed

This outreach centre in South Riverdale offers an accepting environment and sacred space for participants and volunteers.

Participants have the opportunity to cook, sew, learn about computers and experience hospitality and community.

All are welcome without distinction, especially those who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. 

 

In Good Company

This friendly visiting program responds to individuals seeking emotional, spiritual and social support. 

Volunteers visit clients in person or by phone for social interaction and to help the clients maintain and extend independence.

The ministry serves people throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

 

Studio on the Hill

Located in East York, this ministry offers opportunities to work creatively with clay in a relaxing and friendly studio. 

All age groups are welcome – no previous experience necessary.

 

Village Mosaic

Our latest ministry offers a welcoming space in south Etobicoke for participants to come together for hospitality and community building.

 

Faith Connections

Faith Connections invites young adults (18-39) to engage in opportunities that generate spiritual growth and community building.

Faith Connections helps young adults in many ways, whether it’s making connections, finding resources, volunteering, or networking with other ministries.

Opportunities for Involvement

Volunteer Support

Our volunteer program provides diverse opportunities within each ministry, such as assisting participants with crafts or pottery, providing companionship at a drop-in, visiting isolated individuals in their homes or helping with administrative functions.  Please contact our volunteer coordinator at lkloppenborg@csj-to.ca or 416-467-2640 for more information.

Financial Support

Fontbonne Ministries is funded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto and by individual donors. Your ongoing contributions enable us to respond to many unmet needs in our city. Please contact Vickie McNally at vmcnally@csj-to.ca or 416-467-2641 for information on how you can help.

Learn more about us

• To see a copy of our latest newsletter, see Springs of Hope - Fall 2011 [PDF, 2.2MB]
• To see past electronic newsletters see SOH archives.
• To print a copy of our brochure in PDF form, click here.
• For upcoming events, see http://www.csj-to.ca/Whats_new/calendar.php
• For news, see http://www.csj-to.ca/Whats_new/news.php

To contact us, to receive our ministry brochures and/or to be placed on our newsletter mailing list, write or call:

101 Thorncliffe Park Dr.
Toronto  ON  M4H 1M2
Tel: 416-467-2640
Fax:  416-429-6414
infofontbonneministries@csj-to.ca

Charitable Registration No. 86408 4090 RR0001