Tenant LOOP - Summer 2023

Summer 2023

You, your community and your city

Reaching out and giving back A basketball player from P4 Jane and Finch uses lessons from the court to help others

How tenants can P12 “build up” a career in the trades

A Don Summerville tenant shares her love of languages

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Your Summer Tenant LOOP In this issue: Celebrating community at Ratna Lane

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Creating lasting connections P3

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Reaching out and giving back

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Building up a future in the trades P4 Contest: photos of your favourite summer gathering spaces

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Art in the city

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Interim CEO announcement

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Summer fire safety tips

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Tenant Survey

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Breaking down barriers

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Bringing awareness and education P6 to the community

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Sharing her love of languages P8

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P10towards the future A vision

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P12 Your comment, our solution

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P13 Goodbye from Jag Sharma P14

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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

Annual unit inspections 2

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Call 416-981-5500 or email help@torontohousing.ca.

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Celebrating Community at Ratna Lane

Members of the Regent Park community celebrate the Living Lane unveiling

This past July, the Regent Park community gathered at 35 Tubman Avenue for the unveiling of the Living Lane. It was developed as part of the neighbourhood’s revitalization project. This pedestrian walkway is formally called Ratna Lane, in loving memory of a local community member.

Ms. Ratna passed away in 2019. Following a community vote led by TCHC and supported by then Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, residents voted to name the laneway “Ratna Lane” in Ms. Ratna’s honour. As a space focused on connection, it is fitting that the community voted to name Ratna Lane in memory of a local resident who made a positive impact on the community.

While laneways are often used for storing garbage or accessing parking garages, Ratna Lane is a thoughtful community gathering space. TCHC and The Daniels Corporation (Daniels), one of our developer partners in Regent Park, worked together on the vision for Ratna Lane’s design. A few goals of the design were to add beauty and encourage community use.

At the unveiling ceremony, Nujhat Latif reflected on her aunt’s legacy. “This laneway was built with community in mind.

It was built as a place to build connections, form friendships and create strength within the community. And my phuphu (aunt in Bengali) was just that. She was an anchor for people, and I want Ratna Lane to honour that and be a space where people can feel like home. Just the way she felt like home to me.”

An anchor for people

Ismathara Ratna was a mother, aunt, and a dedicated community member in Regent Park. She often acted as a support worker for Bengali newcomers in the downtown east neighbourhood, accompanying people to doctor, immigration or housing appointments. She also helped families secure childcare services, and provided language and moral support.

The ceremony was followed by the first annual “Regent Park Block Party”, hosted

by Canadian contemporary artist Benny Bing. The event was sponsored by several organizations, including Daniels and TCHC. With art installations, kids’ art workshops, food vendors and more, the day brought to life what the laneway means to the Regent Park community.

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Reaching out and giving back

Kwasi Adu-Poku back on the court

A basketball player from the Jane and Finch community uses lessons learned on the court to help others

Standing at six-foot-five, Kwasi Adu-Poku has a lot of reach. This is clear when watching him drive to the net at one of his old basketball courts in the heart of the Jane and Finch community. Having been out of the basketball scene for a few years, it really looks like he hasn’t missed a step. He hits basket after basket with effortless grace and a bright smile.

Kwasi moved to the area when he was four years old. The community has always felt like home to him. “Growing up there was very special for me for a lot of different reasons,” said Kwasi, touching on various inspiring landmarks and places to play ball, as well as the general warmth of the community. He remembers attending Gosford Public School, but then having to go to school outside the area because of the gifted program he was placed in.

As a result, he sometimes felt it would be difficult to fit in, but the community had his back. “Even when there were times I felt 4

like an outsider, the community was never shy to show me love and I always treasured that, especially on the basketball court,” he said.

“Even when there were times I felt like an outsider, the community was never shy to show me love.”

His basketball prowess led Kwasi to a varsity scholarship at McMaster University, but it wasn’t without hard work. “Growing up, when I first started trying to get into basketball, I would come to Driftwood Community Centre to hoop and I also spent a lot of time biking to York University, spending hours-on-end on that court by myself trying to get better,” Kwasi said.

The self-discipline and determination not only led to academic success, but increased his confidence to believe in himself and help others.

This path wasn’t without its challenges.

“As a kid, trying to use basketball to create

a better life for myself, if I had a great game I’d feel everything is perfect, but when I had a bad game, I wouldn’t feel so great,” he said. This got worse during his varsity years, when after a bad game he sometimes wouldn’t eat properly and had trouble getting out of bed. “I eventually realized it was unhealthy to connect who I am as a player to who I am as a person, and that’s when I started accessing resources like therapy, which helped me separate the two,” Kwasi continued. “This helped me on and off the court, and I’ve taken it to different areas of my life.”

This revelation led Kwasi to found the Reach Series, a platform for holistic wellness and personal development.

The platform shares insights from reallife experiences, research, and formal education to uplift and empower people through workshops, panels, and personal development events. “I made a promise to myself that I wanted to use my experiences to help other people with whatever

darkness they may be going through,” he said. “Through this platform, I’ve been able to show people that they’re not alone in many different ways.”

“Jane and Finch has been a great foundational component in my life.”

Kwasi is currently working for the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing but he will always lend a helping hand to the community that helped him get to this point. “Jane and Finch has been a great foundational component in my life,” he said. “The people I’ve been around, the landmarks and the lessons I’ve learned in being here have all prepared me for the man that I will continue to become.”

For more information on The Reach Series, you can visit thereachseries.com or email thereachseries@gmail.com.

Kwasi met with us at Driftwood Community Centre, one of his favourite places to play as a youth

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Art in the city

The new mural at 20 Vanauley Street

A new Alexandra Park mural reflects its proud community

The vibrant community of Alexandra Park recently had a new mural installed at 20 Vanauley Road, near Spadina and Queen Street West. The 18 feet long, 40 feet high artwork is a deliverable of the Alexandra Park Revitalization.

In the summer of 2018, residents and Revitalization staff created the 20 Vanauley Mural Committee. That was the start of the process of building out the engagement scope and artistic direction for an open call for artists to deliver a mural on the south side of the building. Three members of the committee–Dolores, Ingrid and William–were critical to the development of the mural. They engaged with residents and invested countless hours in working with the artist to bring forward a design that represented their community.

“The Alexandra Park community is a key TCHC neighbourhood in downtown Toronto,” Ingrid said. “Its central location means that we are a primary showcase of what can be accomplished by the welcoming and caring residents of a neighbourhood and the hardworking staff who assist in its upkeep and safety.”

Ingrid was glad to be a part of the process 6

and is proud that the mural shows what successful community housing can be to the tourists who visit the neighbourhood.

“The residents wanted to have a mural that conveyed the pride, history and heritage of the existing Alexandra Park,” said Committee member Dolores.

“The residents wanted to have a mural that conveyed the pride, history and heritage of the existing Alexandra Park.”

“They wanted an artistic representation that would draw from the surrounding Queen West community and Alexandra Park, and connect Alexandra Park with the broader downtown neighbourhood.”

The Committee made sure the mural highlighted the cultural and diverse attributes of Alexandra Park. Filip Filipovic, TCHC Supervisor of Revitalization and Renewal Communities, coordinated the installation of the mural across the final stretch of the project.

“The mural is a celebration of Alexandra Park’s unique character, honouring the Indigenous peoples that have lived on

large-scale multi-panel installations. The mural also has a legend mounted below, explaining what each part represents.

this land since time immemorial and the different cultures that settled in the neighbourhood and made it the dynamic, special place it is today,” said Filip. “It’s big, bold, bright and directly visible from Queen Street, and will draw in visitors to experience the artwork and learn more about the community.”

During the mural’s installation, the community came out to support and watch it take shape. Residents and passersby alike took photographs, admiring the art and enjoying food and beverages prepared by Alexandra Park resident-led small businesses.

The mural is titled Further Together.

It captures the vibrant, unique textile designs from the Caribbean, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Somalia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Ukraine, Poland, England, the Jewish community, and Indigenous peoples.

“It’s big, bold, bright, and will draw in visitors to experience the artwork and learn more about the community.”

Annie Hamel, a Montreal-based artist, was selected in 2019 to develop the mural.

She started her work with TCHC and the 20 Vanauley Mural Committee to forge ideas and construct the concepts behind it.

The mural consists of several aluminum panels installed on the south side of 20 Vanauley. This was done with the help of a company that specializes in

Committee member William expressed his passion for photography and his admiration of the installation by collecting over 1,000 photos of the Alexandra Park revitalization and mural process. “This is how I look at it, it’s my community,” said William. “I live here. We all refer to it as ‘my community.’ Take ownership of where you live, for safety, for security, for everything!”

Mural artist Annie Hamel Toronto Community Housing |

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Tenant Notices

Please review this section for important updates from TCHC

TCHC welcomes new Interim President and CEO,

Tom Hunter

working at CityHousing Hamilton, Tom worked in health care and seniors services and long-term care.

Along with his depth of expertise in the housing sector and his strong working relationship with the City of Toronto, Tom has worked closely with TCHC leadership over the past year through the establishment of TSHC. This includes the ongoing shared services between both organizations.

Effective July 31, 2023, Tom Hunter transitioned into the role of Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at Toronto Community Housing (TCHC). His previous role was the Chief Executive Officer of Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC).

This change comes in response to Jag Sharma’s move to his new role as Deputy City Manager at the City of Toronto.

Before Tom became the first CEO of TSHC, he worked at CityHousing Hamilton, where he served as a CEO since 2015. Prior to 8

TCHC and TSHC continue to work to strengthen the diverse communities we serve, making sure the needs of tenants and staff are supported.

Before Jag moved to his new role at the City of Toronto, he and Tom worked together to make sure there would be a smooth transition in leadership changes. The TCHC Board of Directors continues the search process for a new permanent President and Chief Executive Officer.

Te No na tic nt es

Summer fire safety tips

Fires happen fast. Never leave your stove or oven unattended when cooking. If you need to leave the kitchen, turn off the stove and move any pots and pans off the hot element.

Hallways, stairwells and exits must be kept clear and accessible at all times: lives depend on it. Do not block or clutter these areas. Bicycles, shopping carts and mobility devices must only be stored in designated locations.

Never leave hot appliances such as space heaters and irons on or unattended. Turn off and unplug all heat producing appliances when not in use and/or if you have to step away.

Fireworks are dangerous and not permitted on TCHC property Fireworks are not allowed on Toronto Community Housing properties. Fireworks can hurt people. They can also start fires and damage property.

The City of Toronto puts on firework displays during the year. You can find a public display near you by visiting toronto.ca or calling 3-1-1.

If you want a permit to use fireworks off TCHC property, please contact Toronto Fire Services at tfs_events@toronto.ca or 416-338-8783.

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

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t n a es n Te otic N

The 2023 Tenant Survey is coming Building cleanliness. Unit repairs. Regular communications about things that affect your tenancy.

Have your say about the things that matter to you!

Toronto Community Housing has partnered with Forum Research Inc. to bring you the 2023 Tenant Survey this October.

Every household will receive the survey through the mail. You will also be able to complete the survey online or over the phone, using instructions in each survey package.

This survey is completely anonymous. It isn’t mandatory, but we’d like to get as many surveys completed as possible as it will help us to understand where we are meeting your needs, and where there is room for improvement.

You can go to torontohousing.ca/survey to look at the results of the 2021 Tenant Survey. You can also learn more about the action we’ve taken in three main areas of your feedback.

Annual unit inspections are starting Toronto Community Housing is starting the annual unit inspection process across our portfolio.

Annual unit inspections are required by law and are considered essential work. Unit inspections help keep you safe by identifying unsafe unit conditions, property damage and more.

Building staff are starting the inspections in August, and we expect them to run until the end of the year. Notices will be posted in buildings, and you will get at least 24 hours notice of entry before staff come to your unit.

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Creating lasting connections How two tenants are transforming 250 Davenport into a thriving community hub Christopher King and John Corso, tenants at 250 Davenport, have been honoured for their exceptional leadership and communitybuilding efforts. This spring, the Annex Residents’ Association presented the two community leaders with the prestigious Community Builders Award for their hard work and commitment.

Chris and John shed light on their experiences as tenants and as community leaders, sharing the challenges and triumphs they have encountered over the years.

A significant challenge they had to overcome was establishing connections with community agencies and organizations in order to introduce programs that would benefit the residents. Working closely with other tenants and TCHC staff, they developed a comprehensive social development plan to promote community engagement and implement key social programs.

From left: tenants John Corso and Christopher King pose with their awards in front of the community garden at 250 Davenport The market helped to enhance food security and increased engagement within the community and beyond.

Through partnerships with organizations like Second Harvest and the introduction of community gardens, Chris and John have actively contributed to increasing access to fresh produce and reducing food waste. They also offer valuable suggestions on how to strengthen partnerships that will help TCHC tenants make lasting connections with the wider Annex neighbourhood.

Through their leadership, perseverance, and dedication to creating positive change, Chris and John have inspired their fellow tenants to create a vibrant and thriving community at 250 Davenport. Their One of their notable achievements was the contributions have not only improved successful implementation of a food security the lives of TCHC tenants, but have also fostered a sense of togetherness and program called the Good Neighbour food market. It helps provide affordable groceries inclusion within the Annex neighbourhood. for everyone living at 250 Davenport.

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Building up a future in the trades Construction program offers training and employment opportunities to TCHC tenants

Building Up program participants celebrate a job well done

During our visit to the Building Up Training Centre in May, it happened to be “demolition day”. As we arrived at the Etobicoke building, there were walls being taken down, noisy drilling and lots of commotion.

Inside Building Up, trainees were busy dismantling and prying off drywall panels that they had installed just a few weeks prior–the last thing they had to do before graduating. It was a unique experience, one that gave us insight 12

into those preparing to embark on a new and exciting career path in the trades.

Building Up is a non-profit social enterprise that trains and employs individuals who face a variety of barriers to employment and sets them up for long-term career success in the construction industry.

They give housing providers, like Toronto Community Housing (TCHC), an opportunity to connect work that needs to be done in their buildings with the people in their buildings that need the work.

Building Up has partnered with TCHC since 2016. Thirty-eight tenants graduated from the Building Up program in 2022, with 13 finishing the year working on construction sites. Twenty-one grads were placed in apprenticeship programs and full-time career placements in the trades, like electrical work and general carpentry.

16 weeks, program participants are provided with all the necessary hard and soft skills to build a career in the construction industry.

They take classes in mathematics, health and safety, and job training. The last eight weeks is where participants put their newly acquired skills to the test, working on active construction sites around the city.

“When you’re in the program, you’re an employee. Your life doesn’t have to stop, and it’s a sustainable way to build your future.”

Another unique feature about this program is that every participant is paid for their time. “When you’re in the program, you’re an employee. Your life doesn’t have to stop, and it’s a sustainable way to build your future,” said Marc Soberano, Executive Director of Building Up.

Graduates have also gone on to become private contractor hires, returned to school, or joined Building Up to help others.

Building Up is much more than your typical training program, combining classroom knowledge and practical skills with real life working experiences. Over the course of

For more information on applying to the Building Up program, visit buildingup.ca or contact Melisa Savone, Building Up’s Outreach and Marketing Manager, at melisa.savone@buildingup.ca.

Building Up Executive Director Marc Soberano and Chief Operating Officer Tarah Clark

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Continued from page 13

Recent tenant graduates of Building Up Ken Mao A resident of Alexandra Park for the past 15 years, Ken Mao is a graduate of the Building Up program. After graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University, Ken had a hard time finding a job due to the pandemic.

Ken applied to Building Up without any prior experience in the trades industry.

Fortunately, with the help of mentors and through their in-class and on-site training, Ken was able to quickly learn the basic skills necessary. “I didn’t know how to use hand tools. Building Up has really helped me learn how to use them so I don’t feel embarrassed when someone asks me to do something on the job site,” stated Ken. “It was such a good learning experience for me, to get a foundation of basic skills you’ll need for any kind of trade you’d like to do.”

“It was such a good learning experience for me. It created a foundation of basic skills you would need for any kind of trade that you’d like to do.”

Ken explained that Building Up was more than just a construction trades training program. “Building Up has provided a lot of support for us. We have mental health support, career support, and ultimately they’ve been teaching us skills like punctuality, communication, mathematics, basic use of hand tools, and the use of construction materials for green buildings.”

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Program graduate Ken Mao Building Up has helped Ken successfully seek further opportunities in construction and trades. Building Up continued to give Ken support throughout his journey to becoming a tradesperson, including help with his job search and with figuring out next steps. Since he graduated, Ken was able to enroll in a pre-apprenticeship program with The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), an Electrical Union. “Building Up helped me get into the program, which was such a very rare opportunity. I’m so grateful that they were able to get me in” said Ken. In the future, Ken would like to get his electrician’s license and become a master electrician. He has hopes of eventually opening his own business. “There are so many things to learn in the field. You can never learn everything, and I love that.”

Emmanuel Frimpong Emmanuel Frimpong has lived in the Ardwick community for 27 years and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate Department of Political Science at York University, specializing in Canadian and Black politics.

Emmanuel’s original goal was to attend law school, however after completing his postgraduate studies, he decided to take a break. He worked a variety of jobs, one being a Program Coordinator with YouthWorx, a TCHC summer program.

Program graduate Emmanuel Frimpong

“I loved the mentoring aspect of the job so much that it caused me to reflect upon whether or not law school was really for me,” said Emmanuel. “Upon reflection, I realized that I only wanted to be a lawyer because that’s what I had been conditioned to believe was one of a few pathways to sure success. Consequently, I started thinking about other career paths.”

“For anyone on the fence or unsure about whether or not the trades might be for them, I say go for it.”

It was after attending a TCHC youth job fair that Emmanuel learned about Building Up. He then applied and was accepted into the program. “At the Building Up Training Centre, I (re)learned fundamental math skills…which helped me immensely on the work sites where I was erecting all sorts of structures like forms and frames,” Emmanuel explained. “Also, Building Up allowed me to explore a range of different trades work and helped me to

narrow my focus on carpentry.” Building Up provided Emmanuel with a holistic, well-rounded introduction to the trades through building hard and soft skills, providing personalized coaching and mentorship and on-the-job training.

One main advantage of the program is that Building Up pays students while they are enrolled. This can help reduce barriers to entry for those who are not able to financially afford the program and who need to complete a college program before doing an apprenticeship.

Emmanuel encourages those interested in the trades to learn more about Building Up and to apply. “The industry demand is expected to grow exponentially over the next few decades, so for anyone on the fence or unsure about whether or not the trades might be for them, I say go for it,” he said. “If it works out great, if not, you have a better sense of what you’d like to do with your life in terms of your career.”

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Contest:

Photos of your favourite summer gathering spaces Throughout the warm summer months, people like to come together for all sorts of events and activities. This may be gathering in a park for a barbeque, the basketball court for a pick-up game, or a local community centre for a painting workshop.

Share photos of your favourite summer gathering spaces with us and you could win a $50 Amazon gift card. Your photo(s) may also be used in our fall 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, October 2, 2023.

Congratulations to Symone, the winner of our “Spring Cleaning Tips” contest from the spring issue. Symone had some wonderful tips to share, like: • Have a main cleaning tote or caddy with all your cleaning supplies in it, which will save lots of time • Dollarama and the Dollar Tree are two great places to get cost-efficient supplies that will not bust your budget • Be realistic and tackle one room at a time; not everything needs to be done in one day Thanks for the tips, Symone. They’re sure to come in handy!

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Breaking down barriers Meet Alisha Griffith: promoting financial literacy within TCHC communities As a TCHC tenant living in the Parma Court community, Alisha Griffith understands her neighbours’ needs first-hand. From a young age, she developed a passion for serving and supporting her fellow tenants across Toronto. As a community leader, she doesn’t hesitate to get involved.

In 2021, Alisha founded Unified We Grow.

This non-profit organization improves the overall livelihood of TCHC tenants and community members living within limited means. With the support of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, she operates a free mobile tax clinic serving communities in West Toronto. “I believe that everybody should know how to do their taxes, as well as all the different tax slips as they are taxed differently,” she said.

Each year, Alisha’s organization provides tax clinic access to individuals and families who face financial adversities or other limitations, providing barrier-free services.

Not only does the tax clinic support annual filing, but they also motivate others to understand the tax process and the importance of money management and financial literacy.

Clients who access the Unified We Grow mobile tax clinic have the opportunity to participate in workshops.

Tenant tax expert Alisha Griffith Topics include budgeting, spending, saving, and expanding clients’ financial awareness to build fundamental financial skills.

Alisha expresses the importance of starting your taxes early. Tax season runs from February to April, but she recommends calling the CRA before then. It will often result in a quick response, allowing you to get a head start on filing. Her advice to those feeling overwhelmed is to “Start early, take a step back and write everything down.”

Outside of tax season, Alisha spends most of her time addressing the growing needs of her community. She develops programs and services to enhance and expand practical skills for employability. Asked about her future plans for Unified We Grow, Alisha hopes to expand the organization, “where people can benefit in a way that builds their future, either through economic prosperity or skill building, or by serving their community service hours.”

For more information on the mobile tax clinic, visit unifiedwegrow.com

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Bringing awareness and education to the community The Centre offers engaging and informative anti-Black racism training for TCHC tenants and staff The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People’s Education and Advocacy team has been working closely with tenant leaders and community partners to bring awareness and educate the community about issues affecting Black tenants. This is done in response to the stated needs of tenants, especially youth.

TAIBU (Kiswahili word for “Be in TCHC tenants attend the Black Mental good health“) Community Health Round Table Health Centre’s Mobile Crisis Team, the roundtable featured workshops on recognizing the signs of mental health crisis, getting mental health support, and tips on taking care of one’s mental health.

Black Mental Health Round Table

“The Black Mental Health Round Table was a great experience because I heard from other tenants in different regions,” said tenant leader Chevon Smith. “Through the open discussion with tenants, I learned that lack of communication is a major issue that requires a collective effort by tenants and staff to be remedied.”

This aligns with their commitment to implement the Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) strategy. The Centre team partnered with tenant leaders and community partners to create safe and inclusive spaces to discuss and address mental health and its impacts on the Black community.

Following a successful mental health roundtable for the east region, The Centre team plans to develop system navigation workshops for Black tenant leaders and partner with other organizations to host mental health workshops in the west region.

With Toronto facing a mental health crisis, TCHC communities are not immune to the impacts of the crisis. During the 2022 Tenant Action Tables, tenants asked for more opportunities for Black tenant leaders to meet and discuss mental health in their communities.

On April 15, 2023, the Centre hosted its first Black tenant mental health roundtable with tenant leaders from 10 communities across the east region. In partnership with 18

For more Black mental health resources, scan the QR code or visit tchc.qrd.by/zjwhn9.

The Centre supports community events

Over the last several months, the Education and Advocacy team has been active in supporting and participating in TCHC events and initiatives with community partners.

Here are some highlights of the events they have supported so far: • May 2023: Ubuntu: “I am because you are” youth forum event centered on Black wellness and mental health • June 2023: Developmental workshops at Midnight Basketball and participating in the Regent Park Summer Jam

The Education and Advocacy team hopes to engage with tenants and facilitate more community workshops. Currently they offer workshops to tenants on the following topics: • Anti-Black racism: highlighting how colonization has shaped the behaviours we see in presentday society and institutions

the range of reactions that can occur following a traumatic event

• Anti-oppression: for tenants who want to learn more about identifying and combating systemic discrimination • System navigation: giving tenants the tools and knowledge to navigate TCHC processes and improve their overall tenancy experience

The Centre Training Facilitators at the Midnight Basketball workshop

• Emotional intelligence: for tenant leaders who want to develop skills in regulating emotions, managing triggers and learning positive coping mechanisms while in their roles • Trauma-informed practices: giving tenants the tools to apply strengthbased approaches after identifying

Members of The Centre and others at Regent Park Summer Jam

If you want to connect with The Centre or have CABR training and programs in your community, email thecentre.educationadvocacy@torontohousing.ca to connect with a Centre team member.

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Sharing her love of languages A Don Summerville tenant teaches French to TCHC youth As a native French speaker, Marlyse Obono Menoung has a passion for teaching the French language. She has been a resident of the Don Summerville community since 2018 and has taught young children French and helped them with their homework.

“Naturally, young people came to me because they heard me speak French,” she said. “They asked me if I could help them with their French homework. Since teaching is my passion, I did it with pleasure. The children were really happy because they think French is a beautiful language.”

She shares that learning a second language, including French, can have many benefits for young people today.

This is regardless of their background or life situation. “For young people growing up in public housing, the ability to speak a second language like French can open doors and provide opportunities that would otherwise not be available,” she said.

Marlyse confided that as a mother working full time, it was difficult to teach youth at the same time. However, she adds that despite the challenges, she finds that balancing work, family, and community involvement can be rewarding and 20

Tenant and French teacher Marlyse Obono Menoung fulfilling. “It can provide opportunities for personal growth, professional development and have a positive impact on the world,” she said.

Marlyse is a two-time recipient of the Don Summerville Scholarship (she received it in 2022 as well as this year) based on her achievements and commitment to the community. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education at the University of Ottawa. “University studies are expensive,” she said. The scholarship helped me pay tuition fees and they have a dynamic team available to help you during your application process.”

A lesson well learned.

Are you interested in applying for a Don Summerville Scholarship? You can find out more on our website at torontohousing.ca/scholarships or you can visit the Don Summerville Instagram page at #wearedonsummerville (@donsummervillehub).

A vision towards the future

Providing education and employment training in Lawrence Heights The Skilled Trades Fair and college campus tour were well-attended

This past spring in the Lawrence Heights community, TCHC’s Safer Communities team hosted a Construction and Skilled Trades Fair and an Education and Employment Information Fair at the Lawrence Allen Centre. This team is also known as the Violence Reduction Program, West Region.

it looks presentable,” said one participant.

“I can use these skills for when I attend college and when I am applying for jobs.”

They also launched the second iteration of TrueVision, a youth career development program with community partners Wealthsimple Foundation, Toronto Metropolitan University and The Neighbourhood Group. TrueVision is among the many initiatives the team has been involved in, providing social and economic supports to the West region community in collaboration with the City of Toronto.

As part of the TrueVision program, tenants could take part in workshops and roundtables to prepare them for job interviews, debt and credit sessions and exploring scholarships.

“They helped me understand resumé and cover letters, how to write and make sure that I know how to put my information together so that it makes sense and so that

Youth from TCHC communities were also invited to tour Seneca College’s King Campus, where they spent the day learning about its programs and facilities. This was an opportunity to hear from alumni and to learn how they can get involved in student life. TrueVision was an overall great experience for the attendees and proved to be quite educational as well. “I’ve never learned so much about how life worked in just a month,” said one participant. “I truly felt like I learned so many skills and I love feeling this way.”

This fall, the Safer Communities and Community Economic Development team will be launching the I AM Series in October, focused on women entrepreneurship, and the TCHC Cleaner Apprenticeship program.

For more information on how to get involved, email Phillip Auguste, Community Services Coordinator at phillip.auguste@torontohousing.ca or Kelly de Hoop, Community Services Coordinator at kelly.dehoop@torontohousing.ca.

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Your comment Our solution Your comment: I am having issues in my building. I want to transfer to a unit somewhere else. How do I do that?

Our solution: We manage several different transfer categories: • Crisis priority transfers: when there is a direct, immediate, elevated and severe risk to a tenant’s health or safety. These transfers happen when the issue can only be addressed by moving them to another unit. For example: if you are suffering intimidation, and/or are a victim or witness of a traumatic incident in your unit or residential complex.

• Medical accommodation transfers: when a tenant has a disability or situation that is protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the duty to accommodate can only be met by a transfer. TCHC will always attempt to reasonably accommodate the need in the current unit before we consider a transfer.

If you are only looking to move to a different rent-geared-to-income unit, you will need to add yourself to the City of Toronto’s Centralized Waiting List. You may contact Access to Housing directly at 416-338-8888 or toronto.ca/accesstohousing.

Go to torontohousing.ca/transfers for more information, including how to apply for a TCHC unit transfer.

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

@torontohousing

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

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 |

Summer 2023

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Goodbye from Jag Sharma Dear TCHC tenants, On June 14, the City of Toronto announced the creation of a brand new service area made up of City Planning, Housing Secretariat and Toronto Building Divisions, as well as the soon-to-be established Development Review Division, with a mandate to build more housing faster. I will be leaving Toronto Community Housing to lead this new service area at the City of Toronto as Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services.

It has been an incredible honour to work for TCHC because I have seen how passionate you and your neighbours are for the betterment of your communities.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. I will take everything that I have learned from you with me into this new role.

Jag Sharma Outgoing President and CEO, Toronto Community Housing