Youth

Creating their own spaces

Community safety is more than the absence of violence. It’s about social equity and ensuring that everyone, particularly youth and seniors in vulnerable communities, is treated with dignity and respect. It’s also about making sure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city—but it is also a city of neighbourhoods. We live in neighbourhoods, we identify with them and we call them home, but not all neighbourhoods have been created equally. The City of Toronto identified 13 neighbourhoods that, because of their higher levels of poverty, underemployment and lack of community services and social infrastructure, have been designated as priority neighbourhoods for investment. The City is investing in these areas by providing new programs and facilities.

For example, City staff, youth and youth workers are learning together as they partner to create new youth spaces in the 13 priority neighbourhoods for investment. Youth – the end users of the created space – share in the decision-making and are actively involved in deciding what to spend the money on.

In Malvern, youth are working with library staff, youth workers and Community Development staff to create a dedicated youth space attached to the Malvern Branch. One of the young people involved in the project had this to say: “We appreciate the opportunity to help out in The SPOT initiative. We know what youth in the community want in a centre.” The SPOT initiative also benefits City staff as they develop their engagement skills and learn to work innovatively.

Other spaces are being created in Weston-Mount Denis, Dorset Park, Flemingdon/Victoria Village, Eglinton East-Kennedy Park and Steeles-L’Amoureaux. All these projects are being funded through the Partnership Opportunities Legacy (POL) Fund and City partners.

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