Tenant LOOP - Fall/Winter 2023

Fall/Winter 2023

You, your community and your city

A fall season worth celebrating LaToya Jane: P4 a celebration of will and talent

Upgraded basketball courts are a slam dunk with tenants

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Cultivating better mental health

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Your Fall Tenant LOOP In this issue: YouthWorx: celebrating a decade of building futures

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Get to know the Tenant Advisory P3 Committee

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LaToya Jane: a celebration of will and talent

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Hoop dreams: upgraded courts are P4 a slam dunk with tenants

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R-PATH 10th anniversary

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Lawrence Heights 10th anniversary

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Chester Le CABR workshops

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Contest: favourite fall recipes

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Cultivating better mental health P6 Catching up with Venesha Cardwell-Thomas P8 Understanding radiator heating P10

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Your comment, our solution P12

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P13 Mesloh Village provides a helping hand to mothers

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Tenant service hub review

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Fall fire safety tips

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Updating the tenant human rights process

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How to book a private event

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You can P15 reach us any time through the Client Care Centre: • If you need help with daily living needs (food and medicine) • To request repairs or maintenance in your unit • To make an appointment to meet with staff Call 416-981-5500 or email help@torontohousing.ca.

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YouthWorx 10th anniversary Celebrating a decade of building futures In August, the YouthWorx program celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

This unique program provides youths, aged 14 to 29, with paid employment, along with mentoring and support.

“We have seen young people go on to achieve greatness. I have had calls from alumni thanking me and telling me the difference the program has made in their lives,” said Stacy Golding, a TCHC Community Services Coordinator. She has overseen the program since its beginning.

Youth are employed from July to August and take part in various small-scale labour jobs. This includes community gardening, painting, clean-up and light repair work.

They also job shadow custodial staff in the community. For many young people, YouthWorx is often their first exposure to the workforce. Making sure the program is enriching and educational is important to building their self-confidence.

“A lot of young folks have an opportunity to observe what supervisors and cleaners are doing. They use machinery and tools that they’ve seen in hardware stores and homes, they get to know how to use them,” said Phillip Auguste, Program Coordinator.

Besides gaining employment experience, young people are also given valuable skills training. “It is not just a job program; it is an experience...we bring in subject experts from different industries to share

TCHC staff and tenants came out to celebrate with them about the legal profession, mental health, financial literacy... to give them a well-rounded idea of the world,” continued Auguste.

TCHC is also working constantly to improve the program. “We connect with all our community partners to make sure we improve the program, we enhance the program and get these resources to our community to make them (participants) better citizens,” said Betelhem Wondimu, Program Coordinator.

When asked about his views on the program, Radwan Abdulahi, a YouthWorx alumnus said it best. “I 100 per cent would recommend YouthWorx. It provides young people from marginalized communities skills needed for future employment. I had a blank resumé, and they took a chance on me.”

For more information about the YouthWorx program and how to apply, you can visit torontohousing.ca/YouthWorx or email hireyouth@torontohousing.ca.

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LaToya Jane: a celebration of will and talent How LaToya changed her outlook and her life

LaToya Jane returns to Shoreham Court

Latoya Rodney credits a series of hard life lessons and self-reflection as her inspiration when writing lyrics and music. She is known professionally by her stage name LaToya Jane, and earlier in her career as Jane from Finch.

programs, so we’d get ourselves into trouble.”

LaToya grew up in the 90s (her family moved to Shoreham Court in 1989), when communities didn’t have some of the parental supports and programs for children as they do today. “It was hard because there was nothing for us to do,” she said. “There were no parks or

Things really hit home for LaToya when she lost one brother to gun violence, and when another brother was seriously injured. LaToya shares, “that was the first time when I wanted to change, to try and do some community work and to go to school. I started taking my music

LaToya found herself caught up in gang life.

“The lure of the streets can be a powerful thing to youth, but it’s an illusion,” she said. “Adults in your life are mad at you or disappointed, but the streets love you, so Today, LaToya is a successful singer, rapper, they’ll take you.” song writer, performer, and motivational “Believe in yourself and invest in speaker. But getting to this point has been your growth.” a long road.

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seriously as well. I was going out on tour and my mom told me to keep pushing, there will be light on the other side.”

“TCHC definitely made an impact on my life because they hired me and helped me grow.”

LaToya started by giving back to her community. She got a job with TCHC and worked with youth through the Kickstart, Youthworx and Rookie League programs.

She credits this work experience as helping with her personal growth. “Housing gave me a chance. I’ve worked for some big organizations and I used what I learned from housing. This experience helped me to change,” she said. “TCHC definitely made an impact on my life because they hired me and helped me grow. I love outreach and giving people opportunities, and I’m still very connected to my community. I often connect people with jobs, training and whatever they need.”

A lesson worth learning.

LaToya has just released a new album entitled 4020. You can visit her on Instagram at @latoyajanemusic, on Facebook at LatoyaJanefrfinch and on YouTube at LaToya Jane Music.

LaToya is pictured by her childhood home

Musically, LaToya credits Lauren Hill, Bob Marley and 50 Cent as her main inspirations. “Lauren sings through her pain and I do the same thing; I’ve learned to channel it from being on the street to taking it out in the studio,” she said. “Bob Marley never gave up, and 50 Cent is a really smart businessman who also never gave up to reach where he is today.”

When asked what advice she’d give to a young person who’s going through the same struggle she did, LaToya is all about personal investment. “Believe in yourself and invest in your growth. The right people will support you when they’re supposed to support you. That’s just how life goes.”

Shoreham Park holds some fond memories for LaToya

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R-PATH Reports: Committee celebrates 10th anniversary

On July 11, 2023, the Responsible Personal Accessibility in Toronto Housing (R-PATH) Committee celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first meeting.

Throughout the past decade, the members of R-PATH have volunteered their time and energy to work with senior management of Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) in creating accessible and inclusive communities for disabled tenants and staff.

To celebrate 10 years of dedication and commitment, we asked Committee members what being part of R-PATH means to them.

“When I created R-PATH the goal was to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in TCHC and Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC) and to live in place longer. It gives me great pleasure to see that we are accomplishing that and educating people about accessibility at the same time.”

- Cathy Birch, Founder and Chair of R-PATH “I grew up wanting to change the world.

Being a member of R-PATH allows me to do that, one accessible step at a time.

Hundreds of tenants and their families function better in their apartments and their communities because of the work R-PATH does. I’m proud of that.”

- Lene Andersen 6

“I’ve always wanted to be part of a group that have the same passion for accessibility that I do. It’s such a fantastic thing to see what’s being done for tenants with disabilities. It makes me feel great to be part of this work.”

- Amanda Boudreau

“We make a difference. So much has been done and the progress has really surprised me. It’s been such a pleasure.”

- Jane Donohue

“R-PATH is a shining example of how tenants can provide leadership in areas where we have expertise. Because we’re tenant-led, we’ve been able to change TCHC and TSHC and removed barriers to accessibility in so many areas.”

- Joe Knapper

The anniversary ceremony was held at 931 Yonge Street, and featured an award presentation for R-PATH Committee members in attendance.

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Empowering Chester Le community members in CABR workshops The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People (The Centre)’s Education and Advocacy team offers a series of workshops to tenants. The goal of these workshops is to empower tenants to confront anti-Black racism and create dialogue for change in their communities.

As part of their community priorities, tenant leaders from Chester Le collaborated with The Centre to create unique workshops that will help build the knowledge and skills to recognize and confront anti-Black racism. The community participated in a four-week program for families and residents of all ages.

The Centre’s Education and Advocacy team with children and youth in Chester Le

Topics included system navigation, emotional intelligence (coping after traumatic events), trauma-informed practices and anti-Black racism.

“We designed these workshops to provide tenants with the tools and knowledge to navigate through TCHC, Youth share their manage stress, build self-esteem, develop problemsolving skills and use the art as a tool of expression,” ideas in a CABR said K’Mesha Maloney, a Training Facilitator with The workshop Centre. “By building these skills, we are empowering the community to break systemic barriers that had negatively impacted the Black community for a long time.”

Community members also discussed the importance of confronting racism in present-day society and institutions through advocacy, inclusion and collective responsibilities.

The Centre’s Education and Advocacy team continues to collaborate with tenants, youth and community partners in an effort to bring awareness about issues affecting Black tenants and to dismantle anti-Black racism. If you are interested in having a CABR workshop in your community, email thecentre.educationadvocacy@torontohousing.ca to connect with a Centre team member.

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Mesloh Village provides a helping hand to mothers

Mesloh Village founders Sashalee Carty and Tamika Johnson

For Sashalee Carty and Tamika Johnson, it was a friendship grounded in lived experiences and a passion for early childcare education that led them to found Mesloh Village.

can use at home.” This can help improve a child’s mental well-being and reduce their chance of issues related to behaviour and development as they age.

“Children are like sponges. It’s important to teach children well in their younger years because it sets the foundation for elementary school, high school, university, and adulthood,” said Tamika when asked about the importance of quality early childhood education.

As a non-profit organization devoted to helping mothers and their children who live in marginalized communities, Mesloh Village provides community service referrals and in-person and online parenting workshops. They also offer early intervention and coaching for special needs children and children identified as being on Mental health issues, lack of support and the Autism spectrum. single motherhood stigma are just a few of the other challenges single mothers face.

According to Sashalee and Tamika, there Mesloh Village offers workshops, spiritual has been an increase in behavioural programs and a single mother’s support problems among children in recent years. group (virtually and in-person) to help “We have more children being diagnosed them connect with resources within the for being on the spectrum every year,” said community and with one another.

Sasha. “Without proper support, there will be issues.”

As long as single motherhood challenges are present, Mesloh Village will continue Behavioural therapy is expensive and helping mothers to successfully raise their children and experience the joys of many mothers weren’t even sure where to begin to get the help. Mesloh Village steps parenting. “We understand the complex in to bridge the gap by providing early problems mothers face and want to help,” intervention training. Tamika and Sasha said Tamika. draw on their own experiences as educators and mothers to lead workshops that teach For more information about Mesloh Village, relevant skills. “We teach them how to you can visit meslohvillage.org, email support children with issues,” said Sasha. them at meslohvillage@gmail.com or call “We try to give them practical tips that they 647-361-9446.

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Fall/Winter 2023

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Tenant Notices Tenant Service Hub review Toronto Community Housing consistently looks for ways to improve how we deliver services to our tenants. Over the next few months, we will be reviewing the total number of Tenant Service Hubs that are open for tenant services.

We have received feedback that tenants have experienced challenges with accessing services at our Hub locations.

Through this review, we are looking for ways to improve the locations so that TCHC staff can deliver consistent and accessible services to tenants.

Please review this section for important updates from TCHC The review process includes gathering direct feedback from our tenants. We invite you to fill out the online feedback form below to let us know about your experience visiting your local Tenant Service Hub. Your feedback will be considered as we review our Tenant Service Hub model with a goal of making improvements in 2024.

Scan the QR code to complete the online feedback form now.

For more information about the Tenant Service Hub review and to find your local Tenant Service Hub, visit torontohousing.ca/tenantservicehubreview.

Fall fire safety tips Always use an ashtray to butt out cigarettes. Never throw them off your balcony, into bushes or down the garbage chute. This is dangerous and can cause a fire.

Never stack items so high that they may fall over. Keep all pathways and exits clear at all times to allow for a safe escape during a fire.

Keep your cooking area hazard-free by removing anything that can burn and cause a fire, including oven mitts, food packaging and wooden utensils. Always clean up food spills before using the oven or stove as spills can easily catch fire.

Visit torontohousing.ca/firesafety for more fire safety tips.

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Updating the tenant human rights process Learn more about our timeline and next steps

T No ena tic nt es

Toronto Community Housing is continuing to move forward on our project to improve the way we receive, investigate, and address tenant human rights complaints.

Tracking the timeline so far • October 2022: We started the project to improve tenant human rights processes.

• May to August 2023: We consulted with tenants to hear how the current Human Rights, Harassment and Fair Access Policy Tenant Complaint Procedure related to Human Rights impacts them.

We also met with external stakeholder groups, including local legal clinics and tenant advocacy groups.

• June 2023: The Ombudsman Toronto published “An Investigation into Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s Tenant Human Rights Complaints Process.” This report has recommendations for our policies and procedures.

• October 2023: We posted a summary of tenant feedback from the consultation series on our website.

that is consistent, equitable and tenant-focused.

New interim Human Rights Policy and Procedure While we work on the final updates to the tenant human rights system, we have developed a new interim complaint procedure. This procedure includes information on what is considered a human rights complaint, how to file one, how tenants can access external support, and more.

What’s next?

Toronto Community Housing is rolling out the new interim tenant human rights complaint process beginning with staff training. The process will be communicated to tenants in January 2024.

Partnering with our tenants to learn more

Go to torontohousing.ca/human-rights or scan the QR code to:

• What works in the current human rights policy and processes?

• What doesn’t work in the current policy and processes?

• What can make the policy and processes better?

• Read a full summary of feedback from the tenant consultations

During tenant consultations, discussions focused on these questions:

• Find forms to submit a complaint

The goal was to discover how we can better support our tenants’ human rights in a way Toronto Community Housing |

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How to book a private event

Are you looking to use a TCHC common space for a winter holiday party or event? Here’s how to do it!

Private events

You can book a common space for a private event (not open to the community) with staff at your local Tenant Service Hub, or contact your Community Services Coordinator. There is no booking deadline for private events, so please check space availability.

Community events

If you have an idea for an event that is open to other tenants or members of the community, fill out the One Time Use of Space application on the TCHC website.

Recurring events

If you have an idea for a program that will happen on a regular basis (like a hobby club or a support group), you can also apply for Recurring use of Space at TCHC.

Have questions?

Your local Community Services Coordinator can help with your Use of Space application.

They can let you know which spaces are available and help make sure your application is complete and filled out correctly. Incomplete applications may take longer to process.

Apply online

If you’re looking to book a space to host a one-time event you can scan the QR code on the right with your mobile device.

One-time

If you’re looking to book a space to use on a repeating basis for a tenant-led program, you can scan the QR code on the right with your mobile device.

Repeating

You can also find the application forms and more information about using TCHC common spaces at torontohousing.ca/useofspace.

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Toronto Community Housing’s Tenant Advisory Committee is now formed The newly formed Tenant Advisory Committee was comprised in June and formal meetings started in September. They will advise TCHC on: • The implementation of the refreshed Tenant Engagement System • Corporate initiatives that advance tenant priorities

Some Tenant Advisory Committee (TAC) members gather for a group photo at the first meeting

The main goal of the Tenant Advisory Committee is to advise TCHC on improvements to the implementation of the refreshed Tenant Engagement System. This system is the formal structure to engage tenants who live in Toronto Community Housing, with the goal to increase tenant participation in local decision-making.

The Tenant Advisory Committee is one of the stakeholders that supports the organization in making informed decisions. There are four (4) vacancies as of December 5.

This advisory committee includes 17 voting members and three tenant directors of TCHC’s Board of Directors, who have been invited as non-voting members.

Voting members Sara Abdella Robert Bezanson John Corso Ines Garcia Rosemarie Hibbert Tracy Izzard

Petra Jeffers Doug Maybank Debbie Menezes Susel Munoz Karlene Nation Abdul Rahman

Non-voting members

You can go to torontohousing.ca/TAC to read the committee’s terms of reference and learn more about their mandate.

Marcel Charlebois Ubah Farah Ziva Ferreira

Toronto Community Housing |

Tameka Richards Charmaine Roye Shabnam Shekh Catherine Wilkinson Tabitha Vacant (4 roles)

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Hoop dreams: upgraded courts are a slam dunk with tenants Three basketball court revitalizations bring communities out to celebrate This year, a trio of TCHC communities had a chance to get their game on and celebrate some new (and newly improved) spaces to play ball.

Don Mount Court welcomes the WNBA

This September, residents of Don Mount Court couldn’t contain their excitement when the City of Toronto unveiled the newly restored Don Mount basketball court in Toronto’s Rivertowne community.

This unveiling was done in collaboration with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and the Canadian non-profit organization Buckets & Borders.

A young Chester Le tenant takes his best shot a core group of young people in the community to oversee and steer the process so it’s reflective of what their needs are,” said Samuel Maloney-Lee, Community Services Coordinator. “It’s another way we, as community builders, can contribute and make it a positive place.”

Alexandra Park court unveiling draws some big-name talent

Also in September, Alexandra Park tenants celebrated the grand reopening of a refinished basketball court. This was To celebrate the collaboration and court made possible through a joint initiative by unveiling, Buckets & Borders hosted an Their Opportunity, the PS43 Foundation, event for fans. It featured a basketball clinic The John Tavares Foundation, Tridel, for youth in the community, live music from Toronto Community Housing, and the a local DJ, and a basketball competition Alexandra Park Community Centre. featuring Hoop Queens, a network for Canadian female basketball players.

The official unveiling of the revamped basketball court took place at the heart of The revitalization of the Don Mount the Alexandra Park community. This marked basketball court involved the installation a significant step towards enhancing sports of new asphalt, backboards and rims. facilities and community engagement in the The court was painted by youth from the vibrant downtown Toronto neighbourhood. community with guidance from Buckets & Youth enrolled in programs at the Borders and a local artist. “We engaged community centre participated in activities 14

run by Their Opportunity, practicing their skills alongside Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam and Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares.

“The City of Toronto has been home to me and my family, and what makes this City special is the people,” said Siakam. “This court is a place where all youth can come together to play, work on their skills, and build connections.”

Chester Le community welcomes a new court

Chester Le tenants gathered in late October to celebrate the opening of a new basketball half-court in their community.

TCHC staff, community partners and leaders, tenants and youth participated in

shooting contests, a mini-tournament, and even got into the Halloween spirit with a costume contest.

Tenants are very supportive of the new court with the hopes of increasing community engagement, especially amongst the Chester Le youth. “My daughter plays basketball; the court gives her and other kids the chance to bond with each other instead of causing trouble” said Natalie Wright, a Community Representative.

The court is also seen as a step in the right direction to heal existing trauma within the community. Community Representative Keisha Gayle feels it will bring the community together in a big way: “It erases the dark past we have had and gives us a positive outlook for the future.”

The Don Mount Court opening drew lots of tenants and staff. Councillor Paula Fletcher also attended.

Some big stars came out to shine along with our tenants in Alexandra Park The Chester Le community was all smiles at their court unveiling Toronto Community Housing |

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Lawrence Heights Community shines at #LH10 Summer Festival

Tenants Nicholas and Tracy enjoy some festival fun

Celebrating 10 years of progress in TCHC’s largest revitalization community It was an overcast August afternoon, but the weather did not dampen the mood as residents gathered at 10 Old Meadow Lane to showcase their community love at the #LH10 Summer Festival.

Tracy, a Lawrence Heights resident shared that “Lawrence Heights is a very community-friendly neighbourhood to live in. There are always events that involve the whole community, whether it is a farmer’s market or events for kids. It is very family The beloved annual community tradition oriented. As far as safety, I always feel safe was held outdoors in the heart of this large because there are always police or security and culturally diverse TCHC neighbourhood. close by.”

This year’s festivities also marked 10 years since the community’s revitalization began. It was an opportunity for tenants and TCHC staff to pay tribute to Lawrence Heights’ history and the progress the community has made over the past decade, and to look ahead to the future.

Community roots run deep

It was easy to see the depth of community connections that exist within Lawrence Heights, thanks to an interactive art exhibit called the Deep Roots Tree. Throughout the evening, tenants wrote down their favourite memories and hopes for the community on a paper leaf and hung it to a tree.

During the celebration, tenants reflected on what makes Lawrence Heights such a special place.

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“Lawrence Heights is a beautiful and diverse neighbourhood,” said Nicholas, another resident. “My favourite part is where my brothers and I went to school – all very close, within walking distance. It’s different from where we used to live. It’s less noisy. A lot more peaceful. Everyone here is trying to get a little bit better, working with each other.”

To hear more from tenants on what Lawrence Heights means to them, visit torontohousing.ca/lh10 or scan the QR code below to watch a video.

Contest:

Your favourite fall recipes for comfort food As we head into cooler fall temperatures and prepare for the festive season, many of us like to dust off our tried-and-true comfort food recipes to warm us up and help provide some much-needed cheer.

Share your favourite fall comfort food recipes with us and you could win a $50 Amazon gift card. Your recipe(s) may also be showcased in our spring 2024 issue. This contest is only open to tenants of Toronto Community Housing.

Contest entries can be sent via: • Email to TenantLOOP@torontohousing.ca • Direct message to our Facebook page at facebook.com/TorontoCommunityHousing • Mail to 931 Yonge St., 7th floor, Toronto, ON M4W 2H2 (Attn: Tenant LOOP) Please submit your entries by Monday, February 5, 2024.

Congratulations to Roseni, the winner of our “favourite gathering spaces” photo contest from the summer issue. Roseni sent us some fabulous shots of some of her favourite Toronto hang outs. Thanks for the great photos, Roseni. Keep that camera snapping!

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Cultivating better mental health Gardening for health and wellbeing at Gordonridge and Adanac What benefits do community gardens provide besides growing fresh produce? The volunteers of the Gordonridge and Adanac communities have the answer. They told us how both gardens located in Scarborough have helped tenants to get to know one another, spark a curiosity about nature, and create a sense of community pride. They have become places for healing and comfort.

“You can be in the worst mood but as soon as you get your hands in the soil, and you start smelling the flowers and produce...it brightens your day, so it’s really important for your mental health,” said Petra Jeffers, founder of the Gordonridge Place community garden.

Petra Jeffers, Tenant Representative of the Gordonridge Community and founder of Lorna’s One Love Community Garden Jeffers said. “She was brilliant. The wealth of knowledge she had on gardening was amazing.”

Following Richards’ passing, the Gordonridge community made sure her legacy lived on by erecting a plaque in her honour, and renamed the garden as “Lorna’s One Love”. It stands as a tribute to the hard work and passion she had for her community.

A similar heartfelt dedication exists at the Adanac community located at 140 Adanac Drive. The Gloria Sexton community garden is named after the late Gloria Sexton, who was adored by her community. She was described as passionate and selfless towards her fellow tenants, and an avid Reminiscing about Lorna Richards, a beloved community member of Gordonridge gardener. “She would tell us how to get and a former garden coordinator, Jeffers plants to grow and how to make them revealed the significant impact the garden look nice. She was always outside, doing good things for the community,” former had in giving Richards a sense of purpose. tenant Tim Davidson said. Tenants were “When I met Ms. Lorna, she did not want to able to build the community garden meet or talk to anybody, but I brought her by accessing funds from the Centre for out and made her the garden coordinator,” Advancing the Interests of Black People’s 18

Community Funds.

Through the Centre’s Community Funds, tenants have continued Gloria’s legacy by planting trees and maintaining the garden, and it brings them peace.

“Gardening helps to relieve the pressure of day-to-day life. It helps with depression and stress,” said James Archer, a tenant and close friend of Sexton.

Len Mirander, a Gordonridge Place tenant and gardening coordinator, shares Archer’s love for gardening. He also regularly immerses himself in the garden’s beauty and feels rejuvenated after spending some time in it. “I usually get out here at 6 o’clock in the morning to hear the birds,

to see the bees and butterflies…. it’s like going into space… it’s unbelievable.”

Plant beds at the Gloria Sexton Community Garden

If you’d like to join or start your own community garden, contact your local Community Services Coordinator or visit torontohousing.ca/community-gardens.

If you are interested in planting trees and shrubs, contact LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) which runs the TCHC Planting and Stewardship Initiative: yourleaf.org/tch-planting-and-stewardship-program.

42 Hubbard Boulevard gardens recognized The City of Toronto recently held their annual gardening contest and awarded 42 Hubbard Boulevard a second-place finish in the high-density category. The City’s recognition of the garden as one of the best in Toronto is a testament to the hard work the community has put into beautifying it over the years.

In the words of Deborah Beaven, a building representative, “Good things can happen in a community when all are of one mind.”

Receiving the City of Toronto gardening award at the Clark Centre for the Arts

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Catching up with Venesha Cardwell-Thomas Poet, community builder and youth leader On a bright September day, we caught up with Venesha Cardwell-Thomas at a park close to where she grew up in Toronto’s west region. It’s been a few years since she appeared in Tenant Loop’s 2020 fall edition as an Investing in Our Diversity Scholarship program recipient, but she remains active and committed as ever to community work and leadership.

Today, Venesha is working as an equitable city-building researcher, and recently completed a residency with the Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere (RISE) arts program. RISE gives young performance artists the opportunity to express themselves in a positive way. One of the highlights for Venesha was performing spoken word, a type of poetry which uses voice and physical movements, to bring attention to youth employment law and rights.

Venesha has also been involved in a project called “Firgrove Mixed-Media Oral Narratives,” a collaboration between young artists and community leaders in Firgrove with a team from York University to develop an exhibit for York University’s 2023 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. This project featured the works of community artists in various media formats, 20

Venesha CardwellThomas

like virtual reality or graphic design.

The purpose of the work is to celebrate history, heritage, and culture, amidst the current TCHC Firgrove revitalization.

In explaining the exhibit, Venesha said that someone walking around the room with a VR (virtual reality) headset on will be able to see that “there are places that we are no longer physically able to visit because they’re gone. So, we would enter a virtual world where many are often met with feelings of nostalgia; it brings back memories and is something familiar where multiple people are able to connect.”

Venesha is very grateful for the opportunity to try her hand at spoken word, meet other talented artists and to work with her mentors. As she looks back, she says “it was years ago that I was the recipient for one of the scholarships through TCHC and I’m really blessed that it benefited me in my final year of post-secondary studies. It’s nice to have the opportunity to share where I’m currently at today.”

To learn more about the RISE program, visit riseedutainment.com. To learn about the different types of scholarships that TCHC offers, visit torontohousing.ca/scholarships.

Understanding radiator heating in tenant units Toronto Community Housing is committed to keeping you comfortable throughout the winter. Learn how your unit is heated, and how to stay warm this season.

Excessive heating is a health risk

Your unit temperature during the heating months

Toronto Public Health recommends a maximum indoor temperature of 26°C. Indoor temperatures exceeding this can negatively affect your sleep and overall health.

TCHC heats units to 22-25°C. The Toronto Municipal Code requires 21°C. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends 20 to 24°C.

How radiators heat your unit

What to do if it’s cold in your unit

Hot water from a boiler is transported into the radiator.

If you have a thermostat, check that your heat is on, and set between 22°C to 25°C.

The heat from the water is transferred to the radiator, which then gives off heat to the room.

Radiators take some time to heat up. Wait a few minutes after it turns on for it to warm.

The now cool water goes back to the boiler to be heated again.

Dress for the weather; wear layers of warm clothing in the winter.

Once the set temperature is reached, heating turns off.

Keep your windows closed.

Closed windows keep heat inside, and prevent cold drafts.

The surface of the radiator will not always feel hot.The radiator’s temperature is automatically adjusted according to the temperature outside.

On a warmer fall or spring day, the surface of your radiator will be cooler.

Keep your radiators clear, to allow more heating to enter your unit.

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Your comment Our solution Your comment: My fob is not working. How can I access my building and other common areas without a fob key?

Our solution: Key fobs are assigned to household members who are on the lease.

Please do not give copies of your fob to anyone who is not a member of your household.

If you lose your fob or it stops working, you can: • Speak to your building’s superintendent • Contact the Client Care Centre at 416-981-5500 if it is after business hours

Your comment: I have come across social media posts about children and youth programs. Why are these programs not promoted in my community?

Our solution: Our social media channels are one of the ways we promote initiatives

and programs that are happening across our many communities. For community-wide initiatives, we send posters to all the buildings before each statutory holiday. If you would like to stay updated about programs and initiatives that are available in your community, you can: • Visit torontohousing.ca/building-posters to download copies of latest building posters • Visit torontohousing.ca/emailupdates to receive email communications from us • Contact your Community Services Coordinator or visit your local Tenant Service Hub

How to get in touch You can call these numbers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or reach us by email at help@torontohousing.ca • Client Care Centre 416-981-5500 • Community Safety Unit 416-921-2323 22

• Crime Stoppers 416-222-8477

Tenant LOOP is available in many languages

Call

416-981-5500 to request a translated copy

@TOHousing

To request this newsletter in an accessible format, please contact the Client Care Centre at help@torontohousing.ca or 416-981-5500.

Thank you!

This issue was made possible by the incredibly inspiring community members featured in our stories.

TorontoCommunityHousing

@torontohousing

in TorontoCommunityHousing Tenant LOOP

Thanks also to everyone else who has helped us put a spotlight on our communities and city.

We welcome editorial tips and comments. Contact us at TenantLOOP@torontohousing.ca © 2023 Toronto Community Housing Corporation

Toronto Community Housing |

Fall/Winter 2023

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