#savesteerfriends
Donation protected
Many of you know about Steer Friends and what we do. For those who don’t, it’s a vital, non profit day program for individuals with special and complex needs. Steer Friends provides a safe and supportive environment so our friends can thrive and continue to be a part of the community once they graduate high school.
Here’s the problem.....As of December 31, 2019 the Steer Friends program will be homeless.....
Steer Friends currently operates out of a community church in the City of Markham and they have asked us to leave. We asked them to reconsider their decision but the leaders of the Church have denied our request. Please note, we do not use their facilities for free and we do pay rent.
We have been tirelessly looking to find a suitable home but the average commercial rental unit of $4000 plus exceeds the budget of our non profit program and many units available are not wheelchair accessible.
We are looking for help to raise money for the cost of new rental unit. Steer Friends does not receive any Government funding.
One year of rent is approximately $50,000 plus any costs to improve the accessibility of the unit.
All money raised from this GoFundMe Campaign will go directly towards the cost of a new home for our Special Friends.
Who Is Steer Friends and What Do They Do?
Born out of necessity, Steer Friends was created by a mother of a child with Cerebral Palsy, living in the York Region, in an attempt to continue to foster the education and life experiences provided by the school system. The program was established for individuals with a developmental and physical disability who had reached the age of 21 and was no longer permitted to attend school. Without the necessary skills required for employment, this child and many others like her, had nowhere to go and nothing to keep her actively and socially engaged. This child's mother decided that if she was to personally look after her child at home all day, she would attempt to foster some of the routines that she had experienced within the school system, and she would ensure that her child become a productive, dignified and respected member of society.
At Steer Friends, we serve individuals living with cerebral palsy, autism, genetic and seizure disorders. Many of our clients have graduated high school and Steer Friends' provides a space where they can thrive and continue to be a part of the community. Our goal is to empower and enrich lives through stimulation activities including art exploration, skills acquisition, community involvement and therapies. We focus on the needs of each individual and provide opportunities to live a bright and rewarding life.
In the few past months, Steer Friends was awarded the 2019 Accessibility Award from Mayor Frank Scarpitti and the City of Markham. On September 24th, we were featured on CBC News Toronto about how our program is changing lives for individuals with special needs. We are truly trying to be a community asset by helping others.
Visit our Facebook and Instagram Pages to see exactly how we are changing lives!
#savesteerfriends


















Here’s the problem.....As of December 31, 2019 the Steer Friends program will be homeless.....
Steer Friends currently operates out of a community church in the City of Markham and they have asked us to leave. We asked them to reconsider their decision but the leaders of the Church have denied our request. Please note, we do not use their facilities for free and we do pay rent.
We have been tirelessly looking to find a suitable home but the average commercial rental unit of $4000 plus exceeds the budget of our non profit program and many units available are not wheelchair accessible.
We are looking for help to raise money for the cost of new rental unit. Steer Friends does not receive any Government funding.
One year of rent is approximately $50,000 plus any costs to improve the accessibility of the unit.
All money raised from this GoFundMe Campaign will go directly towards the cost of a new home for our Special Friends.
Who Is Steer Friends and What Do They Do?
Born out of necessity, Steer Friends was created by a mother of a child with Cerebral Palsy, living in the York Region, in an attempt to continue to foster the education and life experiences provided by the school system. The program was established for individuals with a developmental and physical disability who had reached the age of 21 and was no longer permitted to attend school. Without the necessary skills required for employment, this child and many others like her, had nowhere to go and nothing to keep her actively and socially engaged. This child's mother decided that if she was to personally look after her child at home all day, she would attempt to foster some of the routines that she had experienced within the school system, and she would ensure that her child become a productive, dignified and respected member of society.
At Steer Friends, we serve individuals living with cerebral palsy, autism, genetic and seizure disorders. Many of our clients have graduated high school and Steer Friends' provides a space where they can thrive and continue to be a part of the community. Our goal is to empower and enrich lives through stimulation activities including art exploration, skills acquisition, community involvement and therapies. We focus on the needs of each individual and provide opportunities to live a bright and rewarding life.
In the few past months, Steer Friends was awarded the 2019 Accessibility Award from Mayor Frank Scarpitti and the City of Markham. On September 24th, we were featured on CBC News Toronto about how our program is changing lives for individuals with special needs. We are truly trying to be a community asset by helping others.
Visit our Facebook and Instagram Pages to see exactly how we are changing lives!
#savesteerfriends
Organizer
Steer Friends
Organizer
Markham, ON
