October 20, 1999

To: Policy and Finance Committee

From: City Clerk

Subject: Funding for AKid Safe@, A Safety Project

The Grants Sub-Committee on October 20, 1999, directed that the attached communication (October 18, 1999) from Councillor Olivia Chow, Ward 24 - Downtown, with respect to AKid Safe@, be forwarded to the Policy and Finance Committee.

The Grants Sub-Committee reports, for the information of the Policy and Finance Committee, having directed that:

(1) a special meeting of the Grants Sub-Committee be held prior to the November 10, 1999, meeting of the Policy and Finance Committee; and

(2) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be requested to report to such meeting, providing information on the organization=s budget and any other financial contributions.

Background:

The Committee had before it a communication (October 18, 1999) from Councillor Olivia Chow, Ward 24-Downtown, proposing a conditional grant of $10,000.00 for production of a children=s educational safety booklet; and requesting that a recommendation from the Grants Sub-Committee be forwarded to the next meeting of City Council.

City Clerk

B.Sears/tl

Item No. 5

c. Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

Mr. Chris Brillinger, Community and Neighbourhood Services Department

Councillor Olivia Chow, Ward 24-Downtown

(Communication dated October 18, 1999, addressed to the

Grants Sub-Committee from the

Councillor Olivia Chow, Ward 24-Downtown)

I am submitting a proposal for a conditional grant for a children=s educational safety project.

In speaking with the commissioner of Social Services and the appropriate staff they have indicated their support in this project. However, this grant must go through Grants Contingency because AKid Safe@ does not conform to existing criteria for grants.

When this project first came to my attention, METRAC requested $20,000.00 in funding for printing and distribution from City Hall. Since that time, private and public sector funding from Breaking the Cycle of Violence, United Way of Greater Toronto, Molson=s and the Gannet Foundation (Mediacom), has reduced that figure by half. The current request is for $10,000.00 from the City.

One week before the first day of school, The Toronto Star distributed 350,000 full colour copies of AKid Safe@, an educational safety booklet geared to children.

METRAC pioneered the safety audit process that is so successfully used by the TTC and community groups, universities, community colleges and hundreds of neighbourhood groups and individuals. AKid Safe@ is the result of a 1994 project involving the entire community of Lord Dufferin School in downtown Toronto. Staff, parents, and children worked together to address their safety concerns, developing Safety Needs and Resource Maps, an education and action tool for learning about personal safety. AKid Safe@ is Safety Needs and Resource Maps adapted to a book format.

This is an incredible opportunity for everyone, but especially for the children in the City of Toronto because the AKid Safe@ publication enables them to feel empowered by taking their safety concerns about our City into their own hands.

Because this issue is time-sensitive, I would ask that you please forward your recommendation to the next City Council.