The Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) is the City of Toronto’s action plan for building partnerships in Toronto’s neighbourhoods so they can succeed and thrive. The strategy supports the engagement and capacity development of community-led groups and leaders across Toronto’s four district areas Etobicoke-York, North York, Toronto-East York and Scarborough. TSNS prioritizes the leadership and participation of Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving groups within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIA), Emerging Neighbourhooods and other communities of focus. The strategy strengthens the social, economic and physical conditions and delivers local impact for city-wide change.
To achieve equitable opportunities across all Toronto neighbourhoods by:
No matter what neighbourhood Torontonians call home, there are equitable opportunities for well-being.
Engaging with community-led groups and leaders is a key area of focus for the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS). A number of different methods will be used to engage with community-led groups and leaders.
City staff are available to meet to learn more about your community-led group, priorities and your neighbourhood. Find the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy Community Development Officer in your area.
To support a comprehensive understanding of the community-led groups and leaders working across the city, please complete this survey.
The Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) Advisory Group brings together resident leaders from across Toronto’s four district areas of Etobicoke-York, North York, Toronto-East York and Scarborough to contribute community perspectives to initiatives connected to neighbourhood wellbeing, equity and community resilience across Toronto.
The Advisory Group creates opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and resident leadership development while helping strengthen connections between local community priorities and broader city-wide initiatives.
TSNS Advisory Group Member Biographies
I am a fourth year university student studying Psychology, with minors in Criminology and Sociology. I am interested in understanding people, communities, and the social issues that affect everyday life. enjoy being involved in my community and looking for opportunities where I can contribute and connect with others. I am especially passionate about youth involvement, accessibility, mental health awareness, animal welfare, and creating communities where people feel supported and included.
I’m Tiffany! I care about sustainability, education, equity. I was part of the Women4Climate program with the City of Toronto. I believe that we can create neighbourhoods for the people.
I was born and raised in York South–Weston and currently live in Mount Dennis. I spent a few years in London, Ontario where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Western University. I was heavily inspired to pursue my degree through my upbringing and community, witnessing how unequal access to education, employment, income, and other essential resources can shape a person’s opportunities. Since then, I have come to recognize that many of these challenges stem from a lack of institutional intervention and equity-focused policies. Despite the need for broader attention, I believe meaningful change is highly effective when individuals with firsthand experience are at the centre of shaping it. This belief has driven my commitment to taking an active role in my community. I have spent several years working with For Youth Initiative, supporting marginalized youth in accessing post-secondary education. I am passionate about educational access, economic opportunity, youth empowerment, and ensuring that communities most affected by inequality have a meaningful voice in shaping the policies and decisions that impact them.
I am a writer, event planner and community organizer with a focus on seniors. I enjoy writing memoirs of cultural experiences from the Afro-Caribbean culture as well as initiating and organizing programs for seniors. I am a self-starter and idea person with a love for life. My two passions are my culture and seniors. I view seniors as the elders and pillars of the community who can use their retirement years to pass on their legacy and be an inspiration for young people.
Carmen Ocampo is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist, curator, psychologist, and community development practitioner originally from Colombia. Her work explores healing, identity, empowerment, and social change through socially engaged and collaborative arts practices. Drawing on her background in clinical and community psychology, she creates spaces that foster creative expression, participation, resilience, and collective empowerment. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University and is the founder of Proyecto Matiz, a transdisciplinary art collective focused on community-based practices. She is also the founding director of the recently established Mabelle Area Association, supporting a community-led social development process in the Mabelle Area.
I hold a PhD in Environmental and Resource Management and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. I currently work as a Health and Safety Specialist, where I contribute to protecting workers and strengthening workplace health and safety. I am a passionate community builder who devotes much of my free time to volunteering and supporting environmental, civic, and community-development initiatives in Malvern, across the Greater Toronto Area, and in Africa. For three years, I volunteered with the Toronto Zoo, supporting environmental education programs for students. I also volunteered for one season with Parks Canada, assisting with surveys of endangered amphibian species in Rouge National Urban Park. In addition, I volunteered for one year on a University of Toronto research project focused on endangered bee species in the Rouge Park area. These experiences strengthened my commitment to environmental education, biodiversity conservation, and community-based action.
My name is Samara, I am going into my fourth year of my undergraduate degree. I am studying Health Sciences at McMaster University. Outside of studying, I love to play and coach basketball. I started a grassroots non-profit called Nurturing Youth Excellence, which provides free basketball and leadership opportunities for youth in the Jane and Finch community. I am passionate about creating equitable recreational opportunities for youth across the city, ensuring all kids are given the proper support and opportunities to thrive.
I am a community leader, journalist, communications professional, and grant writer with a longstanding commit ment to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for residents to thrive. Originally from Ghana, I have called Canada home for many years, where my community involvement began with co-founding an African women’s organization in Kitchener-Waterloo. That experience shaped my belief in grassroots leadership, volunteerism, and the importance of building strong neighbourhood connections. My professional career has spanned journalism, communications, and nonprofit leadership. I have designed community programs, developed partnerships, and secured funding to support youth, seniors, newcomers, women, and Black communities. Living and working in Dubai also strengthened my ability to communicate across cultures and reinforced my belief that people are more alike than we often realize when we take the time to listen and learn from one another. I am passionate about community engagement, equity, civic participation, and resident leadership. I believe the strongest neighbourhoods are built when residents are genuinely involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. I am excited to contribute my experience while continuing to learn from fellow Advisory Group members, City staff, and community leaders as we work together to strengthen Toronto’s neighbourhoods.
I have a background in Law and Human Resources management, and I am currently studying Social Service Work at Humber College. I am passionate about settlement, employment, community development, and event management, especially initiatives that support newcomers, women, and people experiencing homelessness or living in shelters. I enjoy bringing people together, organizing events, and connecting community members with meaningful resources and opportunities. I currently volunteer with The Shoebox Project as the Local Chapter Coordinator for Central GTA, where I support women experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Through my education, work, and community involvement, I have developed strong skills in leadership, event coordination, partnership building, and community engagement. I hope to bring my experience and perspective to the TSNS Advisory Group and contribute to creating more inclusive, connected, and supportive communities in Toronto.
Celena Knight (she/her) is a mother of three, longtime Lawrence Heights resident, community leader, founder of 2 Open Hands, co-founder of LHEEP Labs, and an avid learner committed to uplifting vulnerable communities. She practices and facilitates Therapeutic Art and has served as a Lawrence Heights daycare centre board member for over 20 years. Guided by her mother’s legacy of integrity, compassion, and love, Celena advocates for children with disabilities, individuals going through a mental health crisis, or families navigating the school system; individuals needing resources, and people experiencing housing insecurity. Celena is also committed to raising awareness and building support for individuals and families affected by Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Through advocacy, education, and community connection, she empowers others to know that their voices matter and they deserve to be seen, heard, valued, and supported.
I’m a Toronto-based entrepreneur and project management professional, originally from Nigeria. I recently completed my MSc in Project Management with a concentration in Data Analytics at Northeastern University, where I served as a Student Ambassador, Peer Mentor, and AI Incubator Toronto President. I am also the founder of BinR, a B2B circular economy marketplace focused on helping businesses reduce waste and create value from surplus materials. I’m deeply passionate about sustainability, community-driven solutions, and creating pathways for underrepresented voices to be heard by the people making decisions. Through my academic, professional, and entrepreneurial experiences, I’ve developed a strong interest in bringing people together, listening to different perspectives, and turning ideas into meaningful action. I care about building genuine, two-way relationships between communities and decision-makers, not just consultation for its own sake, and I’m excited to bring both my project management background and my experience as a member of Toronto’s diaspora community to the TSNS Advisory Group.
My name is Shah Mohiuddin, Bangladeshi Canadian citizen since 2001. I am married with wife, two adult children and a granddaughter. I am a grant recipient of the Local Leadership Grants, where my project provided seeds, seedlings, composts and trainings to the gardeners to grow green, fresh, healthy and nutrient vegetables. I am a climate action champion, ravine champion, park people walking leader and Toronto Nature Stewardship volunteer. I am the Prairie Drive Park resident- led group leader of over 30 group members and volunteers. I have the excellent leadership capacity to mobilize the members and volunteers and hosting diverse communities events to engage, socialize, integrate and unite them and bring them out from home to break social isolation, frustration and loneliness. I am also the member of different local community organizations to work with them in a collaborative, coordinated and cooperative way.
My name is Patrick King Mwesigye, and I am a community leader, advocate, and social impact professional dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging for refugees, newcomers, and other marginalized communities in Toronto. As a Black queer newcomer, my lived experience has shaped my commitment to building welcoming communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I am actively involved in several community initiatives focused on refugee protection, housing, homelessness, civic engagement, and 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. I believe in the power of grassroots leadership, collaboration, and community partnerships to create meaningful and lasting change. I am passionate about strengthening neighbourhoods, promoting social inclusion, advancing refugee and human rights, improving access to affordable housing, and ensuring that residents with lived experience have a meaningful voice in shaping public policy and community development. I enjoy connecting people, building partnerships, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating opportunities that empower communities to succeed. I am honoured to serve on the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy Advisory Group and look forward to contributing to more connected, equitable, and resilient neighbourhoods across Toronto.
I am a Toronto-based community builder and non-profit operations professional dedicated to fostering inclusive, connected neighborhoods. Currently, I serve as the Director of Programs and Communications at Hijabi Ballers and lead the Muslimah Athletic Club, where I oversee community-driven sports programs, communications, and operational frameworks. My background integrates human resources and grassroots advocacy, allowing me to translate strategic inclusion goals into tangible neighborhood impact. I am deeply passionate about equitable access to public and recreational spaces, youth empowerment, and creating safe, culturally responsive environments for equity-deserving groups, particularly racialized women and girls. I believe strong communities thrive when local voices are actively engaged in shaping the tools, programs, and policies that serve them.
I came to Canada in 1989 and have called Scarborough home ever since. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Empower the Youth Foundation, and currently work as a Provincial Youth Outreach Worker with YouthLink. I am passionate about youth empowerment, community development, and creating opportunities for underserved communities. I completed the Community Development Work program at Centennial College and am currently in my final year of the Honours Bachelor of Social and Community Development program. Outside of my community work, I enjoy anime, going for walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Samreen Ishaq is a community services professional and advocate with several years of experience working alongside diverse Toronto communities to address barriers related to health, housing, income security, and access to services. Through her frontline work, she has supported residents navigating complex systems while collaborating with healthcare providers, community organizations, and service partners to improve access to resources and supports. Her experience spans community outreach, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, partnership building, and the coordination of community initiatives and events. Samreen has also served on the St James Town Health Access Steering Committee and Health Access Executive Table, where she contributes a frontline and community perspective to discussions on healthcare access, service coordination, community needs, partnerships, and program priorities. Working across frontline, community, and collaborative planning spaces has given Samreen firsthand insight into the challenges residents can face when navigating services, as well as opportunities to strengthen access, coordination, and collaboration.
Maria was born and raised in the Philippines, and is engaged in the fight against hunger and homelessness. She became one the first members of Toronto Food Policy Council. Her work has evolved from thinking about food security to food sovereignty, and she is active in anti-racist work. Maria is currently serving as an ordained minister for the United Church of Canada.
I am a health and public policy professional with a background in health administration and community health. I recently completed my Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law at York University and currently work as a Policy Analyst. Previously, as a Health Access Coordinator with Progress Place/Community Place Hub, I worked with over 20 community partner agencies in Weston Mount Dennis to improve access to health and social supports. I am passionate about health equity, strengthening community services, and ensuring that people can access the supports they need. I enjoy bringing people and organizations together to share knowledge, build partnerships, and create meaningful community impact.
I am a public servant, community leader, and advocate passionate about creating opportunities for young people and strengthening inclusive, connected communities. Professionally, I support policy development, industry research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic initiatives that contribute to Ontario’s creative sectors. This experience has strengthened my understanding of how government, community organizations, and industry partners can work together to turn community priorities into meaningful action. Outside of my professional work, I am deeply involved in community development and youth leadership. I currently serve as a Director at Brown Citizen Circle, a Toronto-based nonprofit focused on supporting South Asian youth through mentorship, skill-building, civic engagement, and access to opportunities. Through this work, I have collaborated with diverse communities and led initiatives designed to address barriers facing young people and build local capacity. My community work has also included leading projects supported by several City of Toronto grants, including the Identify & Impact Grant, the Community Crisis Response Fund, and the Toronto Downtown East Resident Grant. Through these initiatives, I have worked to expand youth employment opportunities, connect young people with mentorship and career pathways, and support communities affected by violence through youth engagement, community healing, and prevention initiatives. I am particularly passionate about youth employment, civic engagement, community safety, equity, and creating pathways for young people, especially those from equity-deserving communities to participate meaningfully in their communities and access opportunities.
I am a Women’s Health Program Coordinator. I have 5+ years of experience in the non-profit sector. My work is grounded in community engagement, women’s health, HIV awareness and prevention, research, and creating more equitable and inclusive spaces for underserved communities. I have a background in Social Work as well as experience in Long-term and Community care. I enjoy working in and supporting communities; my work focuses on African, Caribbean, and Black communities, women, mothers, and self-care. I am also actively involved in community initiatives, research, mentorship, and advocacy focused on health equity, anti-racism, gender-based violence, and social justice. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy volunteering, baking, going to social events like concerts or shows, and I love Hello Kitty!
My name is Syeda, and I aspire to be a social innovator marching towards healthier communities. With a background in public health, I am passionate about the upstream factors that shape our health, from policies and city planning to food security, fostering safety and belonging. I am involved with the Women’s Healthy Environments Network, the South Asian Health Alliance, and the Malvern Youth Advocacy and Action Program. Outside of community work, I love exploring food from different cultures and street photography!
Tansi, my name is Amber Crockard, I have been working and providing social services to the first nations community for the past fifteen years. I am a First Nations person, a part of the Mathias Colomb Cree nation originally from Winnipeg Manitoba. I am Bear clan on my mother’s side and a wolf clan on my father’s. My spiritual name is Ahcahk Sisikwun (Spirit rattler). I had been working in the field as a front-line worker providing mental health, mentoring and wrap-around services to the Indigenous community. I currently have the honour of representing- WCG/Employment Ontario as the Indigenous Relationship Lead where I continue to collaborate with community, service providers and build relations with Indigenous organizations.
Ukot Umezinne is a Toronto based founder and community organizer rooted in Scarborough, where much of her work centres on youth empowerment and neighbourhood level impact. Ukot leads Confident Child Global, an umbrella of ventures including Brave Voices Academy, a public speaking and confidence program for children and teens, and LifeNav, an AI powered life and career skills app for youth ages 12 to 17. Ukot’s background spans enterprise B2B sales, instructional design, nonprofit program management, and grassroots organizing, giving her a practical, cross sector view of what young people and families need to thrive. Ukot is passionate about reducing barriers to opportunity for children of Black descent, building safe spaces for young people to find their voice, and strengthening community trust and accountability in L’Amoreaux West and across Scarborough.
Jason spent a decade in Toronto as a construction professional helping lead large projects and successfully delivered over 2.5 billion dollars in infrastructure that have become key landmarks in the city. Jason has a few post secondary diplomas under his belt. After being faced with a period of significant challenges which resulted in him homeless and suffering from addictions, Jason has since seen his hard work and commitment pay off. His meteoric rise has seen him regain stable housing, achieve more than 2.5 years of continuous sobriety and has since become a leader not just in his community but across Ontario. Jason has worked closely with policy/decision makers, main stream media and all levels of government to help successfully inspire the federally funded Build Canada Homes program. Locally he has had a large impact and successfully advocated and deputed for millions of dollars spent on affordable and support housing options across Toronto. He has used his experiences and his voice to continue to advocate for those still suffering from homelessness and addictions and has become widely known in the city for doing so. Jason has gotten very involved in his community in order to give back and create spaces that support and strengthen his community. He is a member of PARC’s – Brock Avenue Welcome Committee, currently in the planning stages to support future new residents and help them integrate into the Parkdale community. He plans and hosts a DunNation Community BBQ event with funding support from the City of Toronto. Feeding hundreds and offering local residents and those staying in a nearby long-term care facility an afternoon of free food, music from multiple local bands and words of welcome from all 3 levels of Parkdale’s political leadership. Jason once dedicated his time to the construction of buildings, now he’s much happier focusing on the people that use them.
I came to this work through a background in law and a Master’s in Global Affairs at the University of Toronto where I took an Urban Policy course and got deeply interested in community level amd city level work. Along the way, my involvement with community organizations, including East Scarborough Storefront, gave me the opportunity to work alongside residents on community-led policy and neighbourhood resilience. I co-developed the Bouncing Forward Neighbourhood Climate Resilience Plan for Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park, which brought together community knowledge, climate risks, and practical actions for the neighbourhood. Today, I’m a Project Manager with the Canadian Red Cross, where I manage a pilot focused on extreme heat preparedness across Toronto. I work with three community partners to support low-income families, newcomers, seniors, youth, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities in preparing for the impacts of extreme heat. I’m particularly interested in the ways climate risk intersects with existing social and economic inequities, and how we can build neighbourhood resilience before a crisis happens.
I am a community-minded advocate with an academic and professional background in Law and Society, public administration, and paralegal studies. My experiences have shaped a strong interest in social justice, public policy, community development, and improving access to services for marginalized communities. My community involvement has included volunteering and assisting individuals navigating issues related to immigration, housing, and landlord-and-tenant matters. Through this work, I have seen how legal, economic, and social barriers can affect people’s ability to access opportunities, exercise their rights, and participate fully in their communities. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to advocacy that is grounded in listening to community members and recognizing their lived experiences. I am particularly passionate about equity, affordable housing, newcomer inclusion, access to justice, neighbourhood development, and reducing systemic barriers. I am interested in opportunities that allow me to bring together my academic knowledge, community experience, and commitment to public service to contribute to meaningful and sustainable change.
I am 19 years old and enrolled in the third year of my Business Management course at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Growing up in Toronto Community Housing has greatly impacted my outlook on life. It has exposed me to many experiences and taught me the importance of the concepts of resilience, resourcefulness, and community. Since childhood, involvement with my environment has been important as it has provided me with opportunities to interact and create relationships with my environment.
I am a community-focused professional with a background in Child and Youth Care, community development, settlement services, and family well-being. I am passionate about supporting children, youth, newcomers, and families to build stronger, safer, and more connected communities. Through my work and volunteer involvement, I engage in community outreach, advocacy, partnerships, and programs that promote inclusion, mental well-being, youth empowerment, and access to resources. I am especially passionate about addressing barriers faced by Black and newcomer communities, strengthening resident leadership, and creating opportunities for people to have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their neighbourhoods.
I’m a community-based mental health therapist, social worker and researcher who has primarily worked in areas of interpersonal and systemic trauma and violence. I have worked across crisis lines, hospitals and community non-profits to reduce barriers and promote the safety and health of 2S/LGBTQ+, BIPOC, newcomers, and disabled individuals/families. I am passionate about building a more trauma-informed and accessible city. When I’m not working, you can find me resting through hiking, kayaking, gardening, spending time with my cats and loved ones, playing video games, and making pottery.
Amina Khote is a long‑time resident of Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park with over five decades of lived experience in the community. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Home Essentials Newcomer Support (HENS), a volunteer‑led organization that supports newcomer and refugee and families transitioning from shelters to permanent homes with essential household items, food security, and settlement stabilization. Amina is also deeply involved in senior programming, leading culturally responsive Gujarati Senior Programs in both Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park to reduce isolation and strengthen social connections for older adults. Her background includes extensive work in healthcare administration, community services, and frontline program coordination. Amina’s interests center on equitable access, newcomer stabilization, senior wellness, and strengthening community‑led supports. She is passionate about addressing socio‑economic and cultural barriers that impact racialized and newcomer families, and her contributions have been recognized nationally through the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Leah Harrison was born and raised in Toronto and is deeply passionate about community-building. She has been actively involved in grassroots initiatives across the city focused on expanding access to local resources and fostering stronger, more connected communities. Leah currently works at the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE), where she leads the organization’s marketing, communications, and event initiatives. In this role, she works closely with partners to develop strategic marketing and communications plans, deliver impactful campaigns, and support the planning and execution of events
I have a strong commitment to building healthier, more connected, and inclusive communities. I live in downtown Toronto, but I have had the opportunity to work and volunteer in different neighbourhoods, including Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, Rexdale, Eglinton East, and Eglinton-Lawrence. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the strengths, needs, and diversity within our communities. I believe connected communities are drivers of healthier communities. I am passionate about creating spaces where people feel empowered to engage, take action, and work together to make things better. My experience caring for my two immigrant parents, who came to Canada in their 80s, also gave me firsthand insight into the barriers immigrant seniors can face. I am excited to bring these experiences and perspectives to the Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy and contribute to building stronger, more inclusive communities across Toronto.
I’m a Scarborough-based grassroots leader and community program developer with experience in youth engagement, food education, community outreach and partnership-building. Much of my work focuses on creating hands-on learning opportunities, supporting young people and connecting residents with programs, resources and community-based opportunities. Through initiatives such as the Spice Master Boot Camp and other community programming, I have worked with students, educators, community organizations and local partners to create accessible and engaging experiences. I’m passionate about strengthening Scarborough communities, supporting youth, education, leadership development and creating stronger connections between residents, community organizations and the City. As a TSNS Advisory Group member, I look forward to learning, listening and contributing my practical experience wherever it can be useful.
I’m a Regent Park resident, TCHC tenant, and journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University. Most of my work comes from trying to tell the stories around me properly and help people feel connected to the spaces they’re already part of. I’ve supported tenant outreach, community events, digital access, youth engagement, interviews, and media work through TCHC, the Regent Park Tech Library, and Toronto Islamic Centre. The issues closest to me are tenant voices, youth opportunities and representation, as well as making sure communities like mine feel genuinely represented and heard.
I am a youth worker, community advocate, and long-time resident of Jane and Finch. I am currently a PYOW with Jane Finch Centre, and also run my own young men’s initiative called Peace’s of a Man. I’m very passionate about the intersection of frontline work, community advocacy, and policy, as I want to understand ways to bridge all three together in order to affect change.
As a first-generation immigrant, building community hasn’t been abstract, it’s something lots of us learn to do out of necessity. However, working as a product designer at the intersection of implementation science, design thinking, and placemaking, has given me the opportunity to better understand that communities aren’t built by chance. They are living systems, shaped by people, structures, processes, feedback loops, and countless intersecting elements. The work I lead with my neighbourhood group, Friends of Cedarvale, has been one of my greatest playgrounds for exploring this. I’ve seen firsthand how shared spaces (e.g., our local park and ravine) can become the needle that weaves a community together, and how observing, naming, and giving visibility to what often goes unnoticed is what makes that weaving intentional. The questions that describe and guide lot of my work are about these conditions of change. What are the mechanisms that make communities thrive and how can we better design for belonging at a neighbourhood level?
I recently completed my BSc in Psychology and Health Sciences with a certificate in Global Development, Environment, and Health from the University of Toronto and am currently pursuing a diploma in Social Service Work at Durham College. I am passionate about helping others, meeting new people, and learning from their experiences. Community, psychology, and social work are the best fields for me to pursue this passion and apply my past and present knowledge. I am an outdoor person and love all nature activities. I have many hobbies, some of which are photography/videography, visual arts, badminton, content creation, and interior design. I am looking forward to working alongside all of you and contributing my ideas to the TSNS Advisory group.
Ayaan is an equity and community leader passionate about public health, social impact, creativity, and culture. She enjoys building meaningful programs, amplifying diverse voices, exploring new places, and creating spaces where people can find belonging and safety.
I am a Canadian-born man of Jamaican descent and a married father of four adult children. I was raised in the Briar Hill-Belgravia neighbourhood and currently live in Oakwood Village. My interests are Critical Pedagogy, Civic Engagement and Political Activism. I am interested in empowering youth by strengthening their literacy and critical-thinking skills to help create safer neighbourhoods, while also fostering the belief that they can achieve their goals through determination, perseverance, and a commitment to their aspirations. My community involvement includes conducting weekly outreach programs and creating opportunities for community members to connect, engage, and build meaningful relationships. The issues and causes I am most passionate about include youth violence and high incarceration rates, community safety, and homelessness
The Local Leadership Grant supports place-based, resident-led projects that focus on wellness, social inclusion and the promotion of civic engagement and education across all neighbourhoods. The Local Leadership Grant will prioritize the leadership and participation of Indigenous, Black and other equity-deserving groups within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and Emerging Neighbourhoods.
Learn more about the Local Leadership Grant.
Community‑led groups and leaders are invited to take part in a day of learning, connection and celebration.
Attendees can look forward to:
Register today. The Deadline to register is October 30, 2026.
Community Hubs are neighbourhood gathering places that welcome local residents to connect with each other and their community. They are places to relax, meet up or work. Hubs offer a wide range of spaces for local community groups to meet, hold events and workshops and can also include programs, supports and services from non-profit organizations. Learn more about Community Hubs.
In partnership with Social Planning Toronto, a selection of TSNS Advisory Group members developed a Resident Engagement Toolkit designed to support community-based organizations and City partners in deepening their understanding of the best practices for engagement, particularly with equity-deserving groups. This workshop toolkit was a collaborative project and is the outcome of community consultations carried out between August and December 2022. The consultations aimed to center resident leaders’ expertise, current realities, identify tools and approaches to facilitate meaningful engagement and partnerships and support enhanced community development outcomes for sustainable, resident-led neighbourhood work in Toronto. Everyone is welcome to review and use the Resident Engagement Toolkit to inform their ongoing work and engagement with equity-deserving communities.
City staff partnered with Social Planning Toronto to develop the Community Playbook to assist community leaders with concrete knowledge and tools they can use in their place-based community engagement work, as well as to support new Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) Community Networks. The Community Playbook serves as an interactive guide with more than 100 pages of resources for community leaders and residents involved in community engagement projects within their respective networks and neighborhoods to help them in their planning, engagement, funding applications, project coordination and more! Check out the Community Playbook and how you might be able to utilize this exciting new resource in your community development work.
The City of Toronto now has 158 social planning neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood designations help City staff collect data, plan, analyze and forecast City services. While these neighbourhoods may not fully encompass every historical, cultural, ethnic or economic neighbourhood area, they do provide a way for planners and researchers to track information about them over time. Learn more about updates to Toronto's social planning neighbourhoods.
In 2014, the City used the Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool to score neighbourhoods under five domains of neighbourhood well-being. The five domains were:
The Urban HEART scores helped the City identify Neighbourhoods Improvement Areas for additional investment through the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy.
The City is partnering with the United Way Greater Toronto to create a tool to help residents, community organizations, and City staff understand the unique needs, opportunities and assets of Toronto neighbourhoods and communities. The tool will be created through a community-informed process and will support evidence-based decision-making that advances equity in Toronto using quantitative and qualitative data.
Learn more about Toronto Neighborhood Assessment Framework.
Stay informed about updates, opportunities, resources and tools for community-led groups leaders across the city. Regular updates sent are bi-weekly. You may unsubscribe at any time.