Today, Mayor John Tory launched nominations for the Toronto Community Champion Award, as part of the Stronger TOgether initiative funded in part by the Government of Canada, to recognize organizations that provided exceptional support for Torontonians during the pandemic. The awards are now open for residents to nominate organizations that provided vital support to individuals and communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and into recovery.
The Toronto Community Champion Award provides an opportunity for the City to honour the collective commitment and unwavering determination of communities to support each other through some of the most challenging times in Toronto’s history. Priority will be given to organizations that are community-focused, demonstrate an inclusive and innovative approach to their work, which serve vulnerable populations and provide community service as their primary focus.
The award recognizes the extraordinary leadership of Toronto-based community organizations and celebrates the resilience of Toronto residents as the city continues to recover from the pandemic.
To be eligible for a Toronto Community Champion Award, organizations must:
Some examples of eligible organizations include: organizations that provide support to vulnerable residents including the elderly or equity-deserving communities, groups that work to reduce social isolation or connect residents to vaccines or personal protective equipment or those providing support to anyone experiencing loss due to COVID-19.
Nominations are open to Toronto residents until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2023. Winners will be announced and honoured at an award ceremony in March 2023.
Stronger TOgether is a free and accessible program that will provide opportunities for people across the city to reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on recognizing disproportionately affected communities and those who continue to live with the effects of the pandemic.
More information on the Toronto Community Champion Award, including applications and award criteria is available at Toronto.ca/StrongerTOgether. Further details will be announced and published to the webpage later this month and again early in 2023.
Team Toronto has now administered more than 7.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine since the start of its vaccination campaign. Updated COVID-19 vaccine data is available on the Toronto Public Health Vaccine Dashboard.
Quotes:
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, community-organizations stepped up and showed tremendous leadership supporting Torontonians who needed it most. The Toronto Community Champion Awards recognize and acknowledge the extraordinary contributions they made to support the health and wellbeing of Torontonians throughout the pandemic, and continue to make today. I encourage Toronto residents nominate those organizations who’ve made an impact. I’d also like to thank the federal government for making this form of recognition possible through generous funding.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Coming together in difficult times strengthens our connections, enriches our society and breaks down barriers. These moments of unity are due in part to the initiatives of many community organizations that promote respect, equity and dignity. We are proud to support the Toronto Community Champion Award to recognize the projects—and more importantly the people behind those projects—that have made a difference during those challenging times.”
– The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.