Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods ( SFEN) is a community-based charity ( # 743346470RR0001) and incorporated under the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporation Act on March 5, 2020. It was created to support poverty relief and to provide help with connection to other essential health and social needs. It is located in the Town of Fort Erie and operates within St. Michael Parish Hall- 310 Central Ave.

Founded by Catherine MIndorff-Facca, SFEN infuses Christian values known as solidarity, equity, and social justice into its program planning and service and provides service to any and all neighbours who find themselves in a season of life that requires some additional care and support and a listening ear.

Its focus is on poverty relief  by:

  1. providing  healthy meals 
  2. providing a  fresh food market  
  3. distributing  essential clothing
  4. Facilitating the distribution of healthy  school lunches for children
  5. providing  personal hygiene products

Mission Statement:
Strengthening the fabric of our community through connection and support.

Who we are:

  • an outreach organization
  • 100% run by volunteers
  • not-for-profit
  • community supported

What we do:

  • Food Security Community Meals
  • Personal Care and Hygiene Bank
  • Age-Friendly focus
  • Connecting people to other social and health supports

PILLARS

Governance and Sustainability

  • Strong Board of Directors
  • Clear policies and procedures
  • Commitment to ethical practices
  • Compliance with legal standards
  • Manage resources responsibly

Communication

  • Defined goals based on neighbour/community needs and emerging trends
  • Connect audience to Mission/Vision/Values
  • Use a variety of communication channels
  • Ensure transparency
  • Build relationships

Programs and Services

  • Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and objectives
  • Identify clear deliverables
  • Include risk management strategies to develop mitigating strategies
  • Strengthen the delivery of programs and services with the lens on equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Include “First voice.” in program evaluation/development and evaluation

Research

  • Integrate qualitative and quantitative data into program design and implementation
  • Incorporate evidence-based practices and interventions based on research findings.
  • Use Data based decisons to align with our mission/vision/values
  • Be prepared to adapt program design and implementation based on emerging evidence and data.

MISSION

“Strengthening the fabric of our community through connection and support.”

VISION

“All neighbours in Greater Fort Erie live connected, healthy lives creating a strong and resilient community.”

VALUES

A STRONG, HEALTHY and CONNECTED COMMUNITY means:

  • Everyone has a voice. SFEN listens to it.
  • Everyone has a story. SFEN cares about it.
  • Every so often people need others who are trained and able to help. SFEN builds partnerships to address barriers.
  • Sometimes people need others to walk along side of them on the pathway for support. SFEN will go there with you.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

How we align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

1: No Poverty – Provide essential living needs/food/ life choices counselling

2: Zero Hunger – Immediate and emergency access to food

3: Good Health – Provide nutrition and healthy menu education

4: Quality Education – Provide healthy lunches to school children – Feed the brain

5: Gender Equality – food support relief for women who carry the burden of providing essential living needs

7: Affordable Clean Energy – Pop-up Market with fresh fruits and veggies using sustainable resources

8: Decent Work, Economic Growth – Community Connections and Individual Counseling to help find employment and financial stability

9: Industry / Innovation / Infrastructure – Community Kitchen program – sharing kitchen model

10: Reduced Inequalities – Culturally appropriate food options

12: Responsible Consumption – Participate in food rescue programs

13: Climate Action – Model healthy and planet friendly recycling, reusing, reducing- ensure recyclable paper products for food distribution

16: Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions – Celebrate and welcome people from all cultures and encourage sharing of multicultural traditions

17: Multi-stakeholder Partnerships – We call for inclusive partnerships at all levels of decision making.

CORE VALUES

1. Solidarity:

Community Building:
Our food programs often foster a sense of community by bringing people together around shared experiences and needs.

Mutual Aid and Support:
Our programs facilitate resource sharing and reciprocal support, demonstrating solidarity among participants.

2. Equity:

Addressing Food Insecurity:
Our food outreach programs directly address food insecurity by providing access to nutritious food for those who need it.

Targeted Support:
Our programs are designed to reach specific populations or communities that are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, promoting equity.

3. Social Justice:

Food as a Human Right:
Our food outreach programs recognize food as a fundamental human right, working towards a Fort Erie where everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food.