Learning Enrichment Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) is a Toronto-based organization that provides multiple services with a focus on skills training and economic development. The foundation provides immigrant settlement, supports language training, career exploration, job search supports, youth programs, and mentorship along with a variety of other skills training. The Foundation is an advocate integrated employment programs and accessible child care.
(now a municipality of Toronto
) was going through a major economic downturn with closed factories, high unemployment and vacancies. This caused a decline in both incomes and tax revenue, deflating rent prices. As a result, the region became attractive to a wave of recent immigrants. However, without the tax revenue, the Borough was unable to provide adequate social, education, and employment services.
In response to these circumstances, a group of community stakeholders formed a charitable organization which incorporated itself as the Learning Enrichment Foundation in 1978. LEF started by providing multicultural theatre for children but quickly diversified into skill training and youth counseling.
Over the years, LEF has continued to initiate programs and services that reflect the needs of the local community. As a reception area for recent immigrants and as the part of the Greater Toronto Area with the highest levels of poverty indicators, there was much to be accomplished. LEF now is a leader in community economic development, particularly as it relates to human capital, and still serves the local community. However, poverty and unemployment are not unique to the former City of York, and LEF continues to attract people from across the GTA.
In the early 1980s, LEF opened child care centers, launched employment services and skills training programs. Programs and services include skill training in areas where there are local jobs, job search, counselling, recruitment service for employers, self-employment training and support, training enterprises including LEF Wood Works and Cooks Training for at risk youth, technology help desk, computer access sites, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes and literacy classes, a training loan fund, several social enterprises, 18 child care centres, 16 Before & After School Programs and a kitchen in which LEF prepares 500 meals a day, through a partnership with Second Harvest, to go to agencies which serve the homeless. LEF provides a hearty soup lunch to all clients in the building every Thursday, and to LINC nursery children (30 to 35) every day.
By 1991, LEF outgrew its facility and moved into its current location of 116 Industry Street in Toronto
. LEF has developed many co-operative relationships with many different government departments as well as local organizations and networks in order to plan, improve and develop innovative solutions to local needs. These include: social service (e.g. Second Harvest), immigrant service (e.g. OCASI), child care (e.g. York Early Years), disadvantaged youth (e.g. The Court’s Diversionary Program) and ex-convicts, (Pardons Canada).
In relation to local employment, the co-operative relationships include specific skill training and recruitment for local employers, sharing job leads with 300 community partners weekly, active networking with many other organizations, umbrella groups and individuals, through referrals, collaboration and regular meetings. LEF is a founding member of The Canadian Community Economic Development Network and active on membership and Human Capital Development Committees and on the Policy Council. LEF is also a founding member of the Ontario and the Canadian CAP Networks.
In addition, the Foundation runs a Literacy and Numeracy class which aims to improve reading, writing, and basic mathematic skills.
History
In the late 1970s, The Borough of YorkYork, Ontario
York is a dissolved municipality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is located northwest of Old Toronto, southwest of North York and east of Etobicoke, where it is bounded by the Humber River. Formerly a separate city, it was one of six municipalities that amalgamated in 1998 to form...
(now a municipality of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
) was going through a major economic downturn with closed factories, high unemployment and vacancies. This caused a decline in both incomes and tax revenue, deflating rent prices. As a result, the region became attractive to a wave of recent immigrants. However, without the tax revenue, the Borough was unable to provide adequate social, education, and employment services.
In response to these circumstances, a group of community stakeholders formed a charitable organization which incorporated itself as the Learning Enrichment Foundation in 1978. LEF started by providing multicultural theatre for children but quickly diversified into skill training and youth counseling.
Over the years, LEF has continued to initiate programs and services that reflect the needs of the local community. As a reception area for recent immigrants and as the part of the Greater Toronto Area with the highest levels of poverty indicators, there was much to be accomplished. LEF now is a leader in community economic development, particularly as it relates to human capital, and still serves the local community. However, poverty and unemployment are not unique to the former City of York, and LEF continues to attract people from across the GTA.
In the early 1980s, LEF opened child care centers, launched employment services and skills training programs. Programs and services include skill training in areas where there are local jobs, job search, counselling, recruitment service for employers, self-employment training and support, training enterprises including LEF Wood Works and Cooks Training for at risk youth, technology help desk, computer access sites, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes and literacy classes, a training loan fund, several social enterprises, 18 child care centres, 16 Before & After School Programs and a kitchen in which LEF prepares 500 meals a day, through a partnership with Second Harvest, to go to agencies which serve the homeless. LEF provides a hearty soup lunch to all clients in the building every Thursday, and to LINC nursery children (30 to 35) every day.
By 1991, LEF outgrew its facility and moved into its current location of 116 Industry Street in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. LEF has developed many co-operative relationships with many different government departments as well as local organizations and networks in order to plan, improve and develop innovative solutions to local needs. These include: social service (e.g. Second Harvest), immigrant service (e.g. OCASI), child care (e.g. York Early Years), disadvantaged youth (e.g. The Court’s Diversionary Program) and ex-convicts, (Pardons Canada).
In relation to local employment, the co-operative relationships include specific skill training and recruitment for local employers, sharing job leads with 300 community partners weekly, active networking with many other organizations, umbrella groups and individuals, through referrals, collaboration and regular meetings. LEF is a founding member of The Canadian Community Economic Development Network and active on membership and Human Capital Development Committees and on the Policy Council. LEF is also a founding member of the Ontario and the Canadian CAP Networks.
Training
LEF provides training for several hundred graduates ranging from practical skills to technological and IT programs. LEF’s programs and services include:- Skill training in areas where there are local jobs
- Job search
- Counselling
- Recruitment service for employers
- Self-employment training and support
- Early childhoodEarly childhoodFor the video game rating with a similar age group see ESRBEarly childhood is a stage in human development. It generally includes toddlerhood and some time afterwards. Play age is an unspecific designation approximately within the scope of early childhood.-Education:Infants and toddlers experience...
Assistant (ECA) and Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Training - Bicycle Assembly and Maintenance (BAM) Program
- Forklift Training
- LEF Wood Works Training
- Industrial Skills Training
- IT Project ManagementProject managementProject management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end , undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value...
- Basic ConstructionConstructionIn the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
and RenovationRenovationRenovation is the process of improving a structure. Two prominent types of renovations are commercial and residential.-Process:The process of a renovation, however complex, can usually be broken down into several processes...
Training - CookCook (profession)A cook is a person who prepares food for consumption. In Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Canada this profession requires government approval ....
Training - Technology help desk
- Computer access sites
- Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Classes
- Literacy classes
- Training loan fund
- Several social enterprises
- 18 child care centres
- 16 Before & After School Programs
Bicycle Assembly & Maintenance Program
To address Toronto's growth of cycling and the consequent need for skilled bicycle mechanics, the Learning Enrichment Foundation partnered with the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada to create a training program. Launched in the winter of 2009, the first set of graduates will be ready for placements by April 2009 .Employment Services
LEF operates a free employment service that connects job seekers and employers. In addition, it runs a career exploration program, operates a resource centre, and maintains a "windfall cupboard" that loans clothing for interviews..Language Instruction
The Learning Enrichment Foundation runs an English as a second language program called Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) which all Permanent Resident or Convention Refugees are eligible to take for free.In addition, the Foundation runs a Literacy and Numeracy class which aims to improve reading, writing, and basic mathematic skills.