The role of staff at the Storefront is to implement, facilitate and co-ordinate all the different parts of our vision to ensure that the Storefront is the best it can possibly be:

The Director: The Storefront Director ensures that all the pieces are in place so that the Storefront, in all its roles, is effective in pursuing its vision, working in accordance with its values and meeting its goals and obligations. She works with the funders, the Steering Committee, the Host Agency, the Partners, the staff and community members to facilitate planning, communication, and creative endeavours taking place at the Storefront and in the broader community.

The Community Resource Specialists: The Community Resource Specialists are key to the effective functioning of the Storefront. Their role is to act as a resource for community members: they are the “bridge” between people, services. They ensure that the Storefront is welcoming, they listen to community members and help them find the resources they need. The work of the Community Resource Specialists is overseen by the Co-ordinator of Community Resources.

The Co-ordinator of Volunteers and Civic Engagement: The Co-ordinator of Volunteers helps community members, partner agencies and Storefront staff look at and explore possibilities. He plays a vital role in the community by supporting volunteers to through the community volunteering program and by involving people in civic engagement opportunities. The Co-ordinator of Volunteers works with community members and partner agencies and groups to plan events, celebrations, campaigns and other initiatives that facilitate the development of a thriving community in East Scarborough.

The Co-ordinator of Programs and Services: The Co-ordinator of Programs and Services works with the partner agencies to ensure that they have the supports that they need to provide effective service to the people of East Scarborough. She facilitates cross referrals between agencies, ensures that the physical space is welcoming and accommodating, facilitates the sharing of information about community needs. This position is key to the continued vibrancy and relevance of the partnership.

The Programs and Services Assistant: With the number and scope of programs and services offered by our partner agencies, the Storefront has put a variety of policies, procedures and mechanisms to ensure that the programs and services meet the needs of the community and are operated safely and in keeping with Storefront values. When programs are operating at the Storefront is not open, the Programs and Services Assistant ensures that the above standards are met at all times.

The Co-ordinator of Special Projects: Developing and implementing new Storefront projects is the role of the project staff. The Co-ordinator is responsible for leadership, research and ground work of exciting new projects like the Storefront Build and the Business Incubator. In 2009 we hired our first Project Facilitator who will be responsible for implementing the Neighbourhood Trust project, as well as being the key staff person to the NAP Safety Committee (link to “what we are working on”)

The Co-ordinator of Community Capacity Building: The Co-ordinator of Community Capacity Building works with residents and community groups to develop and implement a community wide resident engagement strategy that focuses on community leadership and capacity building. The Co-ordinator of Community Capacity Building is hired under the Action for Neighbourhood Change Project and is also responsible for all activities at the “Point”, our resident engagement location.

The Co-ordinator of Operations
Provides leadership and support for the Storefront’s organizational infrastructure, ensuring that the Storefront operates with effective administrative systems, has well run buildings and spaces and a healthy and safe environment

The Project Facilitator
Responsible for working with community committees to support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of community wide initiatives

Resident Engagement Workers: Resident Engagement Workers work with local residents to organize networks and form groups which will undertake initiatives designed to improve the Kingston Galloway/Orton Park community. Much of their work involves outreach (meeting new residents), listening to residents (discovering their hopes dreams and goals for the community), and communicating with residents (letting them know what else is going on in the community).

Housekeeper: Our Housekeeper ensures that staff, agencies and residents are working in a clean and healthy environment.

Volunteers: Volunteers are an integral part of the Storefront: they support staff and partner agencies in the provision of direct service, they determine the Storefront’s future on committees and they represent the Storefront in the broader community. The roles of volunteers are many and varied and change as new possibilities are explored. At any one time there are anywhere from 150 and 200 volunteers actively participating in Storefront endeavours.