Community Foundations: LIFE*SPIN

Meet LIFE*SPIN, a non-profit organization focused on helping low-income families throughout the year and one of the Old East Village BIA’s Associate Partners! LIFE*SPIN started out in 1989 as a group of sole-support mothers trying to do what they could to help alleviate poverty within the community. “They found pooling resources really helped each other get ahead,” says Meagen Ciufo, co-executive director of LIFE*SPIN. “One person had a car, they could car share. One person had laundry, they could share laundry or childcare. So it grew from there, how can we share resources to get ahead.” LIFE*SPIN provides several services, including resources and information, advocacy support, community programs, and workshops and events. 

Located at 866 Dundas Street, LIFE*SPIN has been part of the Old East Village community for around 20 years. Prior to making their home in OEV, they operated out of a Church manse in downtown London, then expanded to a renovated fire hall on Adelaide Street, near Hamilton Road. LIFE*SPIN owns the building they currently operate out of, allowing them to greatly expand what they can do. “We have 10 low income apartments that are housed here a couple commercial fronts, and then our office space and our Free Store,” Ciufo says. “Our hope over time is that more of the building can be more used for community events or space.” She adds that the heritage of the building was really important to maintain, allowing them to have beautiful commercial and residential spaces, at affordable prices.

Being an organization that is driven by the community and wants to meet the community’s needs, LIFE*SPIN is proud to call OEV home. “I think it's a community with a lot of heart and that really wants to support one another,” says Ciufo. “A lot of people say, ‘Oh, I just live around the corner,’ or ‘I live in the area,’ and we've seen a lot of people who are our neighbors come out and support us.” In fact, the green space behind LIFE*SPIN is a result of community canvassing and working with the community to build a space that everyone can use.

At the time of publication, LIFE*SPIN is hosting its Christmas Sponsorship Program, which helps low income families during the holiday season. Families apply to the program, and after a quick intake, they’re matched with sponsors who will go through the family’s wish list, shop for gifts, then drop it off at the office. Then, through a massive volunteer team, they deliver those gifts to families. “We joke that Christmas starts here in October,” Ciufo says. “Our application opens up for families, and then we also start connecting with those sponsors that have sponsored families in the past. And then toys don't start coming in until November and December.” This year, LIFE*SPIN has had its highest number of direct sponsors since the inception of its Christmas program .

For those looking to donate, there’s still time! While they’re no longer accepting toy donations, they always accept monetary donations to help programs like their Christmas Program run. “Our philosophy is that kids have grown up being told if they're good, Santa will come. So we don't want any kid to not feel like they weren't good,” Ciufo says. “This year, we are close to 1400 families that we've helped, which is incredible.But, it’s also hard to see that the need every year continues to rise.” 

For more information on how you can support LIFE*SPIN, visit their website at https://www.lifespin.org/

📍 866 Dundas Street

☎️ (519) 438-8676

🌐 https://www.lifespin.org/