Partnerships play a vital role in Yonge Street Mission’s ability to serve the community. One of our trusted collaborations, which dates back to 2019, is with electric power company Kinectrics. It started when our President & CEO Angie Peters was invited by Kinectrics’ CEO David Harris to speak about YSM’s programs and services at the grand opening of Kinectrics’ downtown office. 

Kellie Foster, Manager of Advanced Reactor Integration & Analysis at Kinectrics, was inspired by Angie’s presentation and felt compelled to get involved with YSM. When she expressed her enthusiasm to David, he encouraged her to lead the company’s philanthropic collaborations with us.

Shortly after, Kellie and four colleagues, including one of Kinectrics’ owners, participated in a group volunteering experience at YSM’s Evergreen Centre for Street-Involved Youth, where they prepared and served lunch to more than 100 youth. 

“Our first experience was incredible and left us feeling a much greater sense of purpose than when we arrived,” says Kellie. “I was personally very inspired to broaden our support and outreach to the communities YSM serves. We have sent over 50 staff to support lunch services now, and the feedback has been nothing but overwhelmingly positive.”

Educational activities and programs are an important part of Kinectrics’ philanthropic efforts. The company recently hosted a science and technology-themed field trip for YSM Cornerstone’s March break camp participants, through which 45 children toured their Etobicoke campus, including its testing and qualification facilities, radioactive material and chemistry laboratories and various other areas. The company also provided the children with lunch and a backpack full of new school supplies. 

In addition to regularly supporting  YSM’s participation in the annual fundraising walk Coldest Night of the Year, Kinectrics has also hosted its own Food Bank and Toy Market support drives and made various corporate donations to support YSM’s community initiatives. The company believes these ongoing philanthropic efforts are an important part of its overall mandate.

“Poverty is not a one-and-done situation,” said Kellie. “At Kinectrics,  we care deeply about making a 

lasting and meaningful impact in the communities in which we operate. Citizenship is one of the company’s  core values and we do our best to live up to that value year-round.”

Thank you, Kinectrics  – we are ‘better together’ thanks to your continuing support!