Landlord against Caritas!
Well, like one of our residents said: “It is a hell of a day, but let me tell you, this is a thousand times better than a day in hell. I’ve been there…We will prevail!”
Caritas Forced into Homelessness!
We are having an interesting day as some have found out already. We showed up and there was a Bailiff’s notice. We called the Bailiff and he refused access to our Centre! We are getting our phone lines re-routed as the calls from the media have already started to pour in. We are sorry for the interim inconvenience but rest assured, our programs are running safely from the Houses and the Centre in King City.
We have perishables, like food and other essentials locked into the buiding, but we would like to leave that part to the lawyers.
We are a small charity with a big heart. We will prevail and continue like we have in the past 22 years in the face of all adversities.
Please leave your comments here and keep checking back.
I will leave you with the text of our first press release:
Charity Forced into Homelessness
Toronto… February 19, 2010 was certainly a day of surprise when Caritas staff, volunteers, and residents found out that the locks on doors to the main Centre were changed. A Bailiff’s notice appeared on the main entrance stating that the landlord, Femola Builders Limited, had taken measures against Caritas pursuant to the provisions of the lease.
“Caritas has been paying their rent in a timely manner since the very start, even throughout the hardships that our charity had to endeavour during the recent economic climate. The argument stems from an aged invoice for paving work performed in 2007, the validity of which is still under dispute,” states the Executive Director, Elio Sergnese.
“It is a sad day that so many people had to be faced into a situation like this, with total disregard to the impact on the lives of the residents and their families who are in the middle of their treatment. ” adds Michael Tibollo, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, at time of this writing.
Caritas, also known as a school of life, is a registered charity, well known for its long-term residential and day programs. The type of program offered by Caritas is unique in Canada due to its 25-month duration, and the multidimensional approach, known as the Therapeutic Community. Caritas residents join the program with literally no hope for tomorrow, but upon completion of the program they have a new appreciation for life, a total change in lifestyle, and the ability to overcome its obstacles. To date, Caritas has received numerous awards and commendations for their work in the field of addiction and mental health.
Caritas operates out of the main Centre in North York, and a therapeutic farm in King City, Ontario. Caritas continues to sustain the majority of its work relying on public donations and community volunteerism.
Please visit our website at www.caritas.ca for up-to-date information regarding this matter. If you are a member of the media and would like to do a story on Caritas please email us at pr@caritas.ca as we are in the process of re-establishing our phone lines.
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March 1st, 2010 at 11:16 am
A Time to Heal… A family..
As we move forward from the recent unfortunate situation unto healing, it is fitting that we give thanks.
Thankful for:
• The staff at Caritas who wore their hearts on their sleeves but stayed strong and focused.
• The strength and unity of the residents.
• The kindness and hospitality of everyone who helped.
• The lessons learnt.
CARITAS will not fade in the face of adversary but welcome a new beginning to
continue the work of this great organization.
Someone once said “Aging puts wrinkles on the body.
Anger puts wrinkles on the soul.”
Let us forgive the unforgivable and start the healing…..
February 25th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I am a graduate of the Caritas School of Life, and I am grateful that I was able to attend the center on Millwick drive for the full 27 months I was a part of the community. I am shaken and a little upset by the events that have taken place over the past week. The people who helped me through some of the hardest times of my life are now without the same basic need that I had, and I feel bad. I can only hope that someone with the ability to help Caritas either find a new building or pay the 60 grand to get this one back, does it. I am not in a position to give that amount of support, sadly, so I can only hope. I also know that Caritas moves with change, it is all about change, so I know that everyone involved will persevere and continue recovery, and will land on their feet. I am positive of that.
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:05 pm
We have been shaken by the heartless actions of one man Mr.Z over money – the root of all evil.
Mr.Z seems to be the man who would put Mary and Joseph out of the Inn.
We are a community and will rise from the ash stonger
Thanks
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
A family member is a current client at CARITAS.
This is the plea from a family to anyone has a building in the neighbourhood and can be of assistance please help CARITAS.
To remedy the situation, CARITAS needs a centre to call home. It is important that the clients in the middle of treatment have a safe place where they can come together, prepare meals and continue in the recovery.
Thank you
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:47 am
I would like to commend the staff of CARITAS in carrying out their responsibilities with such courage and diligence to safeguard the lives and stability of the members in their care.
As we move forward from the damage caused by this unfortunate situation, we can only see good things for such a great organization. A strong Board of Directors and Family Association are in place and will move mountains with the support of the community.
It is said that God winks at us when we need a change. It is also amazing that the founder of CARITAS, Father Gianni came to Canada on the day of the situation.
Maybe CARITAS could consider inviting the landlord in for a week or so to live, eat breathe; sleep CARITAS so that he may experience the value of the work done by this great organization. From then on who knows he might appreciate a good thing and become one of our BIGGEST FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS.
Some people shun any involvement with CARITAS as the stigma represents drug addiction. But the truth is CARITAS means love. It is a therapeutic community which heals the body, mind and soul which is not fixed in a short term program. The program digs deep into the soul and finds the real person inside. The skills taught allows our fathers, brothers, uncles, nephews, sons and friends become productive members of society. What greater gift than to have your family back.
So for the people who have been blessed financial please support a good thing and open your wallets and your HEARTS and help CARTIAS.
A Thankful Parent
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:21 am
“Money is the root of all evil”. This action surpasses that. What a shameful act on the landlord’s part toward an upstanding organization, who has opened it’s doors to ALL. It has helped to rebuild lives, something far more than important than an invoice issue. But I guess a life is something Fermola Builders wouldn’t know anything about. “Life is a vicious circle.”
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:20 pm
One must seriously question the integrity and moral ethics of individuals such as these landlords who would knowingly and intentionally close down a charitable organization that has provided such wonderful work for a community in need. They should be ashamed of themselves for committing such a spiteful and heartless act. I know the Caritas team will prevail with the support and strength they have behind them.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:40 pm
For someone to do what this landlord has done,
is not only wrong, it is unchristian. There are people who look to Caritas for help with their problems which, in some cases, is tearing families apart.
This is wrong, wrong, wrong!
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:11 am
I want to cry for how sad this is,how money is more important than this great program that saves lives,if the builders just had one ounce of decency they would have never done this,please if you (the builder) read this,please find it in your heart to stop this very painful,very unjust position you have taken.
February 21st, 2010 at 10:48 pm
This is an absolute disgrace. Caritas offers a home to those in need and Mr. Zanette should be ashamed that he has pulled the rug right from under their feet. He and his company obviously have no heart. I sincerely hope that he and his family never have to be in a position where a place like Caritas is needed and the doors are closed for them! How does he sleep at night?
February 21st, 2010 at 10:10 pm
This Landlord should be ashamed of himself for taking away a ‘home’ that provides comfort, love, and support for many family & friends. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, keep fighting Caritas!!!
February 21st, 2010 at 9:27 pm
This landlord should absolutely be ashamed of his stupid behavior. A 2007 invoice has left many people, staff, residents, parents and especially the members who need help on a daily basis and have no where to go. These people are parasites, soul less, and especially heartless and will get theirs for sure!! I am so happy for the help that my relative has received and how much it has helped my family. We continue to support him and Caritas. Thanks so much for all you do. Justice will prevail. God bless!
February 21st, 2010 at 8:50 pm
I have seen locked outs before which is part of doing business… I personally was in the same position and a difficult one to be in. But after taking 16 years worth of rent I must say you need to choose your battles… If you do the math the taxpayers,donaters and the good hearts of the community have paid for your building and if I may be upfront and speak I would be counting my blessings when doing business with someone maintaining and upkeeping the property the way Caritas does. Caritas motto is to treat yourself with respect and love. How can someone be so shallow and focus so much energy on the all mighty dollar… if this is what this is about I am sure the community would come together to pay your over due invoice. AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU NEED TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. I will try to understand what brought you to this point but I am having a hard time connecting the dots.. Sixteen years of easy rent on time that alone is worth $50,000 that is over 70% of your building being paid for by the community… Wanting to help disadvantaged people How dare you maybe the caritas project should bill you for 50,000 dollars for being outstanding respectful and through these economic times pay their bills on time and in full. I honestly believe the caritas project is fighting back to bullies like you…
Someone who cares
February 21st, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Although things may seem dark right now, the light at the end of the journey is bright…Caritas will continue to offer those in need and their families a therapeutic haven that provides a foundation for healing, individual and family support. Thanks to all the staff and board members who quickly rallied together to minimize as much as possible any negative impact to the residents care and safety.
It is unfortunate that the landlord took such hasty and unnecessary measure WITHOUT regard to any potential impacts to the lives of those individuals within the program, staff members, families and The Caritas organization. Life is very fragile with many obstacles and challenges…we must never be complacent and lose our sense of empathy to those less fortunate…as the saying goes “There but by the grace of God goes I”. No one knows if the time may come when Caritas may be their source of hope.
Again thank-you to the Caritas Staff, Caritas Board of Directors,the founder Father John and the community for their on-going support.
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“Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.
– Voltaire”
“There are times in everyone’s life when something constructive is born out of adversity… when things seem so bad that you’ve got to grab your fate by the shoulders and shake it.
– Author Unknown”
February 21st, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I hope the landlord have nightmares about what he did…SHAME ON YOU!!..
Caritas is a strong organization which has helped many families get back their lives and love ones. So please stand together and support CARITAS in this difficult period.
February 21st, 2010 at 2:48 pm
“How Sad to hear of this inhumane act of selfishnes and greed, disrespecting and having no insight or awareness about dignity and love”
February 20th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
WOW . UNBELIVABLE. DISGUSTING. That’s all I have to say about this.
February 20th, 2010 at 8:59 am
The landlord Mark Zanette is a mere parasite who perverts human industry by reaping where he has not sown! We are good Christian parents and are upset. We can only ask for God’s grace and wisdom in a tough time such as this.
February 20th, 2010 at 1:48 am
Absolute nonsense. Fight back with everything you’ve got! Good shall prevail. We love you!
February 20th, 2010 at 4:57 am
This a very sad and heart breaking to see such a wonderfull program like CARITAS get locked out of a building which was a home for many residents and families who received help and support. The landlord is a heartless person with no regard to humans. CARITAS is a very strong organization with a large group of supporters who will be behind CARITAS 100 percent.
February 20th, 2010 at 4:45 am
This is very sad and heart breaking to see such a wonderful program like CARITAS getting locked out of a building which has been a home for so many residents and families who depend on this place for support and help. The landlord is a heartless person with no regard to humans.
Caritas is a very strong organization with a large group of volunteers and supporters, who will be behind CARITAS every step of the way.
February 20th, 2010 at 1:04 am
What separates humans from animals is empathy, caring of our less fortunate and ability to control our greed. Behaving this way illustrates to the public which side of this equation Fermola is really on. Fermola Builders, I wish nothing but Karma.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
The landlords should be ashamed, the asphalt was done very badly, at the rear of the building there is always floods you can’t even go in with a car. That kind of repair is the responsibility of the owners not the renters. They won’t get away with it. This is just an excuse to evict Caritas, so they can charge more money to the new tenants. For years I have been working to help this group with the few resources that I have, and these people with no heart are single handedly trying to destroy what was built, I spent many hours repairing problems in that place that the landlord wouldn’t touch, we got it as a box now it is a home, through so many people’s hard work and dedication and funds, this place is now worth something. We are proud of what we have achieved, proud of our families, Caritas and all our supporters
Fermola Builders will be judged.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Cool heads prevail! We will come back stronger and wiser as a result of this situation.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
That’s absurd. I’m sure there will be a bunch of lawyers who would be ready to pick this up pro bono.
Bullies.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
What a pile of garbage. Fermona Builders should be ashamed, big time, seriously ashamed. How dare they shut the doors on this awesome charity. They’re nothing more than a bunch of fascist pigs. Over a 2007 dispute? Really? What a crock of crap. I hope with all of my heart that I never have personal dealings with them or any of you reading this will either. Shame on them.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
It is very sad indeed that you no longer have a “home”. The landlord should be ashamed and should not be allowed to get away with this. The work that is done by Caritas saves lives everyday.
Something needs to be done to ensure that this work continues, as it is our brothers, fathers, sons and friends that are being saved.