Community service initiatives in Greater Toronto to receive over $2 million in funding, as announced by United Way.
United Way Greater Toronto Announces $2 Million in Grants for Community Projects
United Way Greater Toronto has announced a substantial investment of more than $2 million to support the expansion and improvement of community services in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The funding will benefit 13 projects addressing issues such as food security, housing, health, and support services for aging and newcomer communities.
The grants are part of United Way Greater Toronto's Community Real Estate Initiative, a 10-year, $23 million commitment aimed at establishing and expanding sustainable community spaces across the GTA. The first instalment of this initiative will provide funding for various projects, enabling the creation of 240,000 square feet of new or improved community service space.
According to Ruth Crammond, the vice-president of community infrastructure at United Way Greater Toronto, the organization is passionate about protecting non-profit community spaces in light of the GTA's ongoing growth. Crammond emphasized the need to create spaces that are not in the private market, as some past projects in private market spaces have been displaced by rising rents.
The funded projects include organizations such as The 519, which supports the LGBTQ community; StepStones for Youth, helping youth involved in child welfare; Parkdale Community Foodbank; Indus Community Services, providing support for newcomers, families, women, and seniors; Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services; Family Services York Region; and Toronto People With AIDS Foundation.
Local organizations like the Parkdale Community Foodbank, which recently purchased a new building at 5 Brock Ave., will use their grants to make the facilities more accessible, improve food preparation and storage, and enlarge spaces for staff, volunteers, and clients. Upgrades are expected to be complete in April.
Meanwhile, Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services plans to use its $150,000 grant to develop a sports and recreation facility at a newly acquired reception house for refugee families arriving in Peel Region. Indus Community Services intends to invest its $185,000 grant towards the pre-development and design of a 154-unit affordable housing project in Brampton's Mount Pleasant Village. This affordable housing project will also house culturally responsive support services for seniors, enabling family members to continue working instead of providing caregiving.
The Community Real Estate Initiative is part of United Way Greater Toronto's larger goal to invest $100 million over a decade to establish 10 new community hubs by 2035, focusing on reducing poverty and fostering community resilience throughout the GTA.
- United Way Greater Toronto's Community Real Estate Initiative includes a project for Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services, aiming to develop a sports and recreation facility at a reception house for refugee families in Peel Region.
- Local news in Toronto might report on the improvements at the Parkdale Community Foodbank, funded by the United Way Greater Toronto grant, which includes making facilities more accessible, improving food preparation and storage, and enlarging spaces for staff, volunteers, and clients.
- The media might cover Indus Community Services' plans to use their United Way Greater Toronto grant towards the pre-development and design of a 154-unit affordable housing project in Brampton's Mount Pleasant Village, offering culturally responsive support services for seniors to enable family members to continue working.
- The Toronto Weather Network or local television meteorologists could mention the anticipated completion of the Parkdale Community Foodbank upgrades, which is expected to be in April.
- Education and self-development platforms might discuss the importance of investments in community projects like those supported by United Way Greater Toronto, as they contribute significantly to the well-being and education of diverse communities within the Greater Toronto Area.
