Programs & Services > New Directions > A Success Story
New Directions at FSA: A Success Story
New Directions (ND) was welcomed to Family Service Association of Toronto (FSA) in January 2005. ND began as a project of the Junior League more than 20 years ago. Since then, the lives of more than 20,000 women have benefited from critical support services that helped them to deal with the loss of an intimate life partner. The same tradition of supporting women continues in the ND program at FSA.
A transition team of dedicated ND volunteers and board members worked with FSA managers to guide the transfer and implementation of programming. During the first program year at FSA, ND volunteers helped provide legal clinics staffed by family law specialists, support groups, and an information/referral service.
In October 2005 we offered our first legal clinic dedicated to Farsi-speaking women and staffed by a bilingual (Farsi-English) family law specialist and psychologist. Women are able to attend these clinics without relying on a translator. The success of the first Farsi-speaking clinic prompted us to commit 20% of our legal clinics to Farsi-speaking clients. Other language-specific clinics are being planned. Check our website for updates about new clinics.
Women who have attended the ND program at FSA have described the difference our work has made in their lives. For example, a legal clinic participant told us,"The lawyer’s experienced comments really helped. She was encouraging, yet realistic. It means a lot to me that she volunteered her time to me when my life has been so low."
In particular, participants placed a high value on services that were available regardless of financial resources and the increased sense of empowerment and independence. A support group member eloquently described the impact of the program: "I really did not believe that there is a hope for me to change my soul, but believe me, I do not feel any more like that little cranky, [pitiful], lost girl, but like a grown up woman!."
