Neighbourhoods

Building Strong Neighbourhoods

Photo: Ben Legg

The Situation

Recent research by United Way Toronto has indicated a trend of growing poverty in many of Toronto's inner suburbs. Many of the neighbourhoods in these suburbs are lacking the social infrastructure that is necessary for communities to succeed socially and economically. Accessible transportation options, safe playgrounds and community recreation centres are just a few of the fundamental components of a healthy community that are lacking in these high poverty neighbourhoods. Two key groups of people are directly impacted by the challenges faced in these suburban areas—newcomers and youth.

The Facts

  • In 1981, there were 30 higher poverty neighbourhoods in Toronto. In 2001, there were 120. (Higher poverty neighbourhoods are defined as neighbourhoods with at least 26 per cent of the population living below the poverty line—twice the national average).
  • The rate of family poverty in Toronto is 19.4 per cent, compared to only 12.8 per cent for Canada as a whole (2004).
  • Opportunities for youth were cited in recent research as the most pressing concern from Toronto residents. Youth violence continues to be a major issue in the inner suburbs with 92 per cent of the youth population growth occurring in these areas.

United Way Support

United Way Toronto, in partnership with the City of Toronto, has responded to the growing trends of poverty and increasing population growth with a five-year Neighbourhood Strategy aimed at strengthening underserved, inner suburban neighbourhoods. The Strategy involves a broad range of activities with a particular emphasis on 13 priority neighbourhoods as jointly identified by United Way Toronto and the City of Toronto as requiring targeted social investment and support. Components of the strategy include:

Action for Neighbourhood Change an initiative that will strengthen 13 priority neighbourhoods through resident engagement and community building with a view to long-term sustainable change

Community Hubs—an initiative that will seed development of new community service hubs in eight of the priority neighbourhoods, where infrastructure is particularly lacking

Youth Programs—a series of special youth initiatives that focus on leadership, community engagement through the arts, and investment in educational success Incremental Investment—75 per cent of all new funding raised annually from the UW campaign will be targeted to inner suburban neighbourhoods

The little neighbourhood that could

How a simple game of cricket is creating positive change in Scarborough

"I truly believe in this neighbourhood."

- Tully Ghanny

It's shocking but true. United Way research shows that the number of high poverty neighbourhoods in Toronto jumped from 30 in 1981 to 120 in 2001. The majority of these neighbourhoods are located in the inner suburbs where social services and infrastructure are sorely lacking. One such neighbourhood is Scarborough Village.

"I truly believe in this neighbourhood," says Tully Ghanny, a local resident who moved to Canada from Ghuyana 30 years ago. Tully now leads the Scarborough Village Cricket Club—a social and recreational venture made possible by Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC), a joint initiative of the Federal government and United Way that is based on the idea that strong neighbourhoods are those where local residents take leadership and responsibility for their community. Funding for the cricket equipment was secured and ANC connected residents with Parks and Recreation to obtain permits for use of the city park. Now kids from diverse backgrounds – Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian, Afghani, West Indian—come together to play a sport that not only has cultural resonance for them but also teaches skills such as teamwork, discipline and leadership.

Parents watch their children play from the sidelines, sharing laughs and personal stories. With positive connections like this being made, it's not long before residents begin to feel a sense of community.

How your dollars make an impact

$100 provides breakfast every morning for the school year to a child who would otherwise go hungry. A good breakfast increases learning potential at school.

$330 provides a month of daily home visits to a senior living alone, offering a social connection and reducing isolation and potential need for institutionalization.

$566 provides an unemployed youth at risk with three months of employment support (one hour per week), including employment counselling and job placement.

$1,025 allows a low-income newcomer teen to attend an after-school program three days a week for a year, with English language training, homework tutorials and sessions on social and communications skills, helping increase confidence and adjust to school.

Your donation makes a difference by supporting:

  • Social, recreational and educational programs for children, families and youth
  • Day programs for isolated seniors
  • Employment training for youth and newcomers
  • Family counselling
  • Community centres
  • Parenting workshops and family resource libraries

Download the brochure: Building Strong Neighbourhoods (pdf - 87 KB).