Touchstone Family Association

OUR MISSION

Strengthening the social health and independence of families and children through effective intervention and support services.

OUR VALUES

Integrity - Is the foundation of our programs. Integrity requires that we operate with openness and fairness. Integrity is insuring appropriate and objective decision making.

Respect - Is the basis of our working relationship with clients, colleagues and contractors. Respect means being sensitive and responsive to culture and responsive to situations and individual circumstance. Respect requires that we act with courtesy and consideration at all times.

Cooperation - Is the approach we take meeting the challenges of providing the community services to which we are committed. Cooperation means working together to build partnerships. Co-operation requires that we act with commitment and innovation.

Our Guiding Principles

To recognize

- The basic strengths of family and individuals and providing support to maximise these strengths
- The diversity of our population by providing culturally sensitive services;
- The impact of changes on families, children and community and working with change to provide security and stability through professional services;

To respond

With effective intervention to families in need
To the needs of the community by providing services that are flexible and responsive;

To maintain

A safe and confidential environment for clients;
A sound working knowledge of the community, its resources and personnel
An eclectic approach to service provision;
Responsible fiscal management of public funds to ensure cost effective service delivery;
A professional service of excellence.

OUR HISTORY

Touchstone Family Association incorporated in 1993, and has served Richmond and its surrounding communities for more than four decades. Touchstone has also been accredited from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 2002, thus providing further accountability to our community and funders for more than 20 years. Touchstone has seen substantial growth over the past 40+ years, expanding our reach through new services and contracts, year after year. The Association began and maintains its operations with a strong commitment and partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).

Touchstone provides a therapeutic home for youth in the care of MCFD, as well as provides family support systems to enhance and promote family stabilisation and reintegration. In conjunction with this, Touchstone recognizes the need to also provide in‑home/outreach support so that families can, where and whenever possible, receive our services. Over the past four decades Touchstone has expanded our impact by growing our programming beyond MCFD funded programming. Fundraising initiatives, along with government and community grants have successfully helped the Association launch programming such as the Front Porch Program, and numerous programs and groups aimed at supporting children, youth and families.”