We find ways to plant roots in the community.
As communities change and grow, our main priority is to provide responsive, culturally-sensitive and effective programs and services. Civic engagement programs are key to building resilient, healthy and thriving communities. With this in mind, we offer newcomers and immigrants several opportunities for community involvement and to build on their own personal networks.
At our Victoria Park Hub location, we are working with local stakeholders and residents we are bringing together local organizations in the Golden Mile Network to identify and articulate needs in the area. We are also working with local residents of the Neighbourhood Improvement areas in Victoria Village, O’Connor and Ionview to voice their needs.
We support a number of volunteer run, language support programs at several of our locations. Newcomers gain confidence in with their spoken English skills and gain cultural knowledge and understanding in an informal and friendly setting.
Food Security is defined as “a condition in which all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (FAO). However, this is not a reality for many residents in Toronto. Located in the Don Mills-Sheppard community, the ORIOLE FOOD SPACE is a partnership that began in 2013 between WWCC, Flemingdon Health Centre and North York Harvest Food Bank, which promotes direct access to food supports, such as local food banks, community kitchen workshops and community gardens.
Our Food Security project, launched in spring 2017, focuses on the expansion and strengthening of the Oriole Food Space. The core goals of this work are to highlight systemic issues related to food security, increase the community’s access to food programs and create opportunities for resident engagement. This three-year project receives funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation and additional support from the City of Toronto, which ensures its long-term sustainability.
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