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The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) is a Toronto-based organization that provides multiple services with a focus on skills training and economic development. The foundation provides immigrant settlement, supports language training, career exploration, job search supports, youth programs, and mentorship along with a variety of other skills training. The Foundation is an advocate integrated employment programs and accessible child care. ==History== In the late 1970s, The Borough of York (now a municipality of Toronto) was going through a major economic downturn with closed factories, high unemployment and vacancies. This caused a decline in both incomes and tax revenue, deflating rent prices. As a result, the region became attractive to a wave of recent immigrants. However, without the tax revenue, the Borough was unable to provide adequate social, education, and employment services.〔(Pan-Canadian Community Development Learning Network Profile of Effective Practice: Learning Enrichment Foundation )〕 In response to these circumstances, a group of community stakeholders formed a charitable organization which incorporated itself as the Learning Enrichment Foundation in 1978. LEF started by providing multicultural theatre for children but quickly diversified into skill training and youth counseling.〔(History of LEF )〕 Over the years, LEF has continued to initiate programs and services that reflect the needs of the local community. As a reception area for recent immigrants and as the part of the Greater Toronto Area with the highest levels of poverty indicators, there was much to be accomplished. LEF now is a leader in community economic development, particularly as it relates to human capital, and still serves the local community. However, poverty and unemployment are not unique to the former City of York, and LEF continues to attract people from across the GTA. In the early 1980s, LEF opened child care centers, launched employment services and skills training programs.〔(History of LEF )〕 Programs and services include skill training in areas where there are local jobs, job search, counselling, recruitment service for employers, self-employment training and support, training enterprises including LEF Wood Works and Cooks Training for at risk youth, technology help desk, computer access sites, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes and literacy classes, a training loan fund, several social enterprises, 18 child care centres, 16 Before & After School Programs and a kitchen in which LEF prepares 500 meals a day, through a partnership with Second Harvest, to go to agencies which serve the homeless. LEF provides a hearty soup lunch to all clients in the building every Thursday, and to LINC nursery children (30 to 35) every day. By 1991, LEF outgrew its facility and moved into its current location of 116 Industry Street in Toronto.〔(History of LEF )〕 LEF has developed many co-operative relationships with many different government departments as well as local organizations and networks in order to plan, improve and develop innovative solutions to local needs. These include: social service (e.g. Second Harvest), immigrant service (e.g. OCASI), child care (e.g. York Early Years), disadvantaged youth (e.g. The Court’s Diversionary Program) and ex-convicts, (Pardons Canada). In relation to local employment, the co-operative relationships include specific skill training and recruitment for local employers, sharing job leads with 300 community partners weekly, active networking with many other organizations, umbrella groups and individuals, through referrals, collaboration and regular meetings. LEF is a founding member of The Canadian Community Economic Development Network and active on membership and Human Capital Development Committees and on the Policy Council. LEF is also a founding member of the Ontario and the Canadian CAP Networks. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Learning Enrichment Foundation」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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