In The News

Congratulations to our very own President and Chief Executive Officer, Bill Sinclair, for being named one of the 2021 recipients of the 2021 Frances Lankin Community Service Award for Lifetime Achievement! Bill is in good company as his predecessor, St. Stephen’s amazing former Executive Director, Liane Regandanz, was the very first recipient of the Frances Lankin Award.

Bill has worked in the non-profit community service sector for 33 years. Since 1999, he served in varying roles at St. Stephen’s, starting as Director of Community and Homeless Services, then as Associate Executive Director, and Executive Director in 2015. Under Bill’s guidance, St. Stephen’s developed:

• Youth drop-in’s – recognized as a best practice model by the city of Toronto – which includes support for youth justice, conflict resolution and onsite healthcare
• Overdose prevention site
• Trustee Hub – a program to help 30+ grass-roots community organizations
• Paid peer participant model
• Toronto Community Addictions Team
• Decent work and affordable child care advocacy

Bill’s leadership was, and continues to be, key in the development of ground-breaking innovative services in supportive housing, harm reduction, youth services, and trusteeships of grass roots community organizations. He is committed to connecting sector agencies and partners in sector–wide advocacy on varying issues, and establishing effective relationships with all levels of government. Bill’s reputation as an innovative and respected leader has made him a welcome collaborator on the Ontario Nonprofit Network Policy Committee, Ontario Health Team (LHIN) restructuring work, the United Way Greater Toronto, the Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership and Toronto Neighbourhood Centres.

After the merger of The Neighbourhood Group Community Services and St. Stephen’s in April 2021, Bill became the President and CEO of The Neighbourhood Group, overseeing a United Way Anchor organization with more than 600 staff, over 2000 volunteers, 30 locations, and a budget close to $50 million. His dedication and leadership will continue to inspire his colleagues, and dramatically improve the lives of Toronto’s most vulnerable people.