United Way Greater Toronto invests over $1 Million in eight projects in Jane-Finch area

BY PAUL JUNOR

The United Way Greater Toronto is poised to make a significant difference in one of the most impoverished and stigmatized communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Over the years, it has been involved in a vast network of agencies and initiatives in: Peel, Toronto and York Region. United Way is rooted in ground-breaking: research, strategic leadership, local advocacy, and cross -sectoral partnerships committed to building a more equitable region and lasting solutions to the GTA’s greatest challenges. On Wednesday, December 18^th, 2024, a special press release was issued in which it was revealed that eight projects in the Jane-Finch community will receive over $1 million from a Community Action Grant program to advance community-informed priorities.

There have been many changes that the Jane-Finch corridor have gone through over the years. Much attention has focused on the gentrification of the neighbourhood and transit investments as well as incidences of crime. There have been meetings with civic officials: federal, provincial and municipal leaders to tackle these systemic issues and ongoing challenges. The press release notes that seven projects will benefit from the first round of the $1 million funding. They will focus on tackling systemic inequities which relate to:

• Employment
• Community safety and wellbeing
• Food justice
• Anti-displacement

The following are some of the organizations that will benefit:

• The Smile Society
• Afrocentric Parenting Program
• From the Roots Up

One of the community-based organizations that will benefit from the grant is Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAACE). It was founded by Devon Jones in 2007. Their mission is to empower the community.  In addition, it is a: Black-led, Black- focused, and Black-serving organization, providing culturally reflective programs and services to mitigate the opportunity gap for residents and under-resourced communities. Dr. Ardavan Eizadirad, Executive Director of YAAACE states, “We are deeply grateful to United Way Greater Toronto for its commitment to our vision of fostering transformative change in underserved communities. This funding strengthens our capacity to empower Black parents impacted by the justice system by equipping them with culturally responsive, trauma-informed tools and skills to navigate systemic barriers, while providing vital support in mental health, elder mentorship, and digital literacy. These efforts align with YAAACE’s vision to create dynamic communities with positive life outcomes for all.”

There was a collaborative process involved in the grant reviews and decision-making process. Residents of the community were represented significantly on the 10-member committee which include: City of Toronto and York University representatives. The press release notes, “This diverse group brought deep knowledge of the community’s needs, existing programs, and the capacity of applicants to deliver impactful initiatives ensuring investments are grounded in lived experience and drive meaningful community-led change.”

Nation Cheong, Vice-President, Community Impact and Mobilization United Way Greater Toronto states, “By investing in the ideas and leadership of local residents of Jane-Finch, we’re ensuring the community’s voices are directly shaping their neighbourhoods, spaces, and our community, we are working together to build a future Jane-Finch with the people who knows it best.”

“There will be $100,000 that will go toward the development of a Community Hub and Centre for the Arts. This is an extra project that involves partnership with the City of Toronto ” to support community participation and engagement work.”

“The funds will be administered by the Jane/Finch Centre, which will enable the organizing committee to begin planning for the next phase of hub design and development,” Michelle Dagnino, Executive Director of the Jane/Finch Centre states. “Our community is stronger when we work together and we’re so proud to support the distribution of this impactful grant funding, and excited to see what kind of meaningful change it will enable our resident groups to achieve.”