What is a Drop-in?
Drop-ins provide a welcoming space where people experiencing homelessness, who are marginally housed or who are socially isolated can feel safer and can meet their own basic physical, social, personal, and mental health needs. Drop-ins offer opportunities for drop-in participants to foster a positive sense of self by building relationships and exploring and exercising choice. Drop-ins play a key role in breaking down isolation, as well as supporting critically important social skills and connections.
What is the Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN)?
In the 1990s, drop-ins in Toronto started forming networks to advance an understanding of the drop-in model, and to address issues of common concern. These networks joined to form TDIN: an active coalition of drop-in centres throughout the City of Toronto that work with people who are homeless, marginally housed, or socially isolated. Our Network includes drop-ins of all sizes, and with a diversity of philosophies that serve men, women, transgender and non-binary people, youth, and seniors. TDIN associate membership includes organizations that provide outreach and other allied services to people who are homeless, marginally housed, or socially isolated.
TDIN is a member-based organization, which is trusteed by The Neighbourhood Group.
TDIN is a voice and a resource for the drop-in sector and communities.
Our Vision
To work toward a socially-just Toronto which is safe, healthy, and inclusive.
Our Mission
To enhance the capacity of Toronto's network of drop-in centres to improve the quality of life of people who participate in their services.
Our Values
The Toronto Drop-in Network and its members strive to be:
Our Purpose
Our Strategic Priorities
The following strategic priorities have been identified and affirmed by TDIN’s membership throughout the 2022 Strategic Planning process. TDIN’s Strategic Priorities for 2023-2025, listed in no ranked order, are:
Our Governance and Structure
A Steering Committee, made up of staff and participants from our member drop-ins, oversees and supports TDIN activities by:
The 2023 Steering Committee Members are:
TDIN Standing Committees - Training Committee and Advocacy Committee
Learning and Professional Development Opportunities: TDIN supports drop-in best practices through our three-course Drop-in Foundations Series (DIFS) Certificate. TDIN organizes conferences and other knowledge-sharing forums, and develops specialized trainings responsive to the drop-in and wider sector needs, e.g. Effectively Working with People Using Crystal Meth. TDIN also develops resource materials, including the Drop-in Meal List, and other resources, such as our Good Practices for Working with Participants Who Use Crystal Meth guide. Staff and drop-in participants are supported to share their knowledge and skills as guest speakers and co-facilitators of TDIN workshops.
Member Engagement Opportunities: TDIN engages our members through regular General Members’ Meetings and other issue-specific member forums, our AGM, caucuses, regular communications and in our advocacy initiatives/campaigns and through special projects.
Financial Support for Members: Funds are allocated to members to subsidize the cost of training, to provide backfill of staff who are attending training, and to support drop-ins to lead participant engagement activities.
TDIN is a voice for drop-in communities, advocating for what is required for an equitable and sustainable sector and for the dignity, health and safety of drop-in participants. TDIN shares the expertise and the passion of our members and communities at cross-sectoral, program planning, networking and advocacy tables and initiatives.
Contact
For Training Opportunities; Drop-in Research, Resources, and Tools; Capacity-building Initiatives; Assistance with the ICE Tool; or to join the Standing Committees (Training and Advocacy): Marianne Kozinets, Training and Engagement Coordinator engage@tdin.ca | 647-464-1733
For Membership Support, Registering for Training and Backfill, Participant Engagement Funds, Drop-in Meal Lists and TDIN E-digest, and Website Support: Anne Ndirangu, Member Support Coordinator support@tdin.ca | 647-883-3843
For information about TDIN, Member Engagement Opportunities, Partnership and Advocacy Initiatives and Campaigns, or to join the Steering Committee: Daniella Leacock, Manager manager@tdin.ca | 416-824-4172
Find us on Social Media: 
@TODropinNetwork
Stories are vital. They remind us of the impact we have working with people and the struggles that they are going through. They can be reminders that drop-in work is important. These stories can be use for advocacy, when we are asking for funding, or to just remind ourselves that everyone has a story worth hearing.
Want to share a story? Contact Marianne Kozinets, Training and Engagement Coordinator at 647-464-1733 | engage@tdin.ca
by Katrin Clouse, Feb 2023
"My name is Katrin Clouse and I would like to share a short version of my story as a reminder to those working in Drop-Ins to let you know how important and meaningful your work is.
My first experience with a drop-in came at a time when I was at my lowest, full of sadness and despair. I was homeless, relying on Out of the Cold for shelter, wasn’t coping with a loss and using crystal meth on a daily basis. Overall, I was struggling immensely with being homeless. The amount of stress I had was so
overwhelming I started to self harm.
During this time, I relied on drop-ins for food and would find myself at a variety of different places. Spaces where I felt safe were difficult for me. I was struggling to find a place where I fit in. At one point, I had to leave the shelter where I was staying and was referred to St. Stephen’s. I did not realize this would be a pivotal experience in my life. Like a pair of perfect warm gloves, this was a fit for me. I was treated well, with dignity and kindness. I was able to open my eyes and see postings for opportunities that gave me meaning and purpose.
The first opportunity I was given was to join the Peer Mediation Training, where I was actually getting paid to learn. I felt valued. I was able to implement some skills learned from this training and it was the beginning of St. Stephen’s Community House using peers to work in the drop-in space. With that experience, I started to re-connect with myself and found that I was beginning to like myself again. Through a referral from St. Stephen’s, I secured housing.
Eight years later, I’m still here. It’s not just housing, it’s a home.
Up next was the Peer Support Worker Training Program. This experience was life altering. It taught me about the shame and stigma around those who use drugs, which I completely identified with at that time. I received support and made friends. From this support I received confidence, motivation and a sense of purpose. I also was given the resources to have my teeth fixed. I had fun. I replaced sadness and loneliness with happiness.
After completing the Peer Support Program, I was given a working placement. I was earning money based on my knowledge, skills and experience. I felt a huge sense of pride, something that I actually had not felt before.
Receiving kindness taught me to be kind to myself. My need to use meth decreased substantially. I had clarity. I hope this doesn’t sound over the top, but in a way, it is for me; I started seeing St. Stephen’s as a sacred place, the place where I started to feel healthy. It was a place that felt safe and cool for me. I became passionate about the importance of drop-ins, of finding the one that is the best fit for you. The opportunities for us are out there, whether that means social, counselling, medical, training, employment or just overall connections. I can honestly say if I hadn’t found my way to St. Stephens that I would likely be incarcerated.
The skills that I received allowed me to apply and find employment in other drop-ins. I have recently been working as a co-facilitator for the workshop, Effectively Working with People Who Use Crystal Meth. This experience has been spiritually satisfying by debunking myths around those who use drugs and at the same time, I was feeling heard and validated. Knowing that those who have taken this workshop are able to bring my ideas and experiences forward to help those who are still struggling is an amazing feeling.
I’d like to end by sharing some advice that was given to me during one of my darkest moments when I was selfharming. A very wise doctor told me to take some of my energy, my frustration, my angst and hug myself.
We all deserve kindness!"
Toronto Drop-In Network acknowledges our lives and work takes place on the land of the ancestral Haudenosonee and most recently the Mississauga of the New Credit. We give thanks for the privilege on living and working on this land, and stand with First Nations as the keepers of it. We also acknowledge the effects of colonialization and systemic oppression which has grievously impacted First Nations people, particularly in the context of our work.
The Toronto Drop-In Network (TDIN) is an active member-based coalition of 59 organizations that run at least 56 diverse drop-in centres across the city of Toronto. Our members work with people who are homeless, marginally housed, or socially isolated, including men, women, transgender and non-binary people, youth and seniors.
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