Programs and partnerships
Connecting tenants and youth across TCHC communities to programs and engagement opportunities.
Investing in potential
There was a greater sense of normalcy in 2022 with most programs being offered beyond video-conference settings and tenants finally being able to come together in-person. Working together with our corporate partners and funders, we connected tenants across TCHC communities to programs and engagement opportunities throughout the year.
Our flagship and regional programs invested in the potential and talents of our youth tenants and focused on physical literacy, sports, arts, employment, education, leadership skills, and more.
Here are some highlights of the year.
TCHC President and CEO Jag Sharma and staff at the Limitless Heights Scholarship event.
TCHC President and CEO Jag Sharma and staff at the Limitless Heights Scholarship event.
Participant and TCHC staff member of the Midnight Basketball program.
Participant and TCHC staff member of the Midnight Basketball program.
Participants and staff of Rookie League.
Participants and staff of Rookie League.
Midnight Basketball League
In partnership with MLSE Foundation and University of Toronto
Midnight Basketball League (MBL) returned in 2022 after a 3-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It is a unique basketball program that provides a positive space for TCHC boys aged 14 to 18 to develop their skills both on and off the court. The program featured a longer season. In addition to traditional sport outcomes, this program dedicated time each week to deliver off-court workshops focused on health, academics and economic empowerment through employment as a means to increase community safety. Last year included a star-studded roster of guest speakers, including players from the Toronto Raptors.
League of Her Own
In partnership with MLSE Foundation and University of Toronto
A brand new pilot program was launched in 2022 specifically for TCHC female youth aged 13 to 18. The basketball program, League of Her Own presented by Midnight Basketball, was created in partnership with MLSE Foundation and the University of Toronto. 35 female youth from across TCHC regions could come to a safe place to learn, practice, and enhance skills for four weeks in the summer at the University of Toronto. Featuring student athletes and special guest speakers, youth participated in workshops on success as a student athlete, how to take care of their bodies and building long-lasting positive habits.
Rookie League
In partnership with Jays Care Foundation
This past summer, TCHC continued to run its popular, summer-long baseball day camp for children ages 6 to 12. Running from July to August and fully in-person, the program launched on Opening Day 2022 at Dovercourt Park where hundreds of kids were able to participate in a full day of interactive games, skills-and-drills and play stations featuring bouncy castles and inflatables. Rookie League also continued to offer a Leader in Training (LIT) camp for youth ages 13 to 15. LIT included both virtual and in-person components where youth gained life skills in leadership, teamwork, communication and self-esteem.
KickStart
In partnership with MLSE Foundation
In 2022, 229 kids ages 6 to 12 registered for the soccer camp from across East, West, and Central regions. Finally coming together in-person with friends in their respective communities, children were able to participate in physical activity through skills and drills, stretches, and scrimmages. In August, the program held its annual season-end ‘Fun Day’ at BMO Training Ground where 80 kids from 7 TCHC communities participated in soccer activities, scrimmages and had a meet-and-greet with players from the Toronto FC.
YouthWorx
YouthWorx is an employment program that focuses on employing young people between the ages of 14 and 29 as Youth Community Workers. Last year, 100 Youth Community Workers were hired for eight weeks during the months of July and August as they carried out work at 50 community sites. YouthWorx reduced barriers to employment for youth and provided opportunities in various small-scale labour jobs, including community clean ups, light repair jobs, community gardening and more.
Investing In Our Diversity Scholarship
The Investing In Our Diversity Scholarship (IIODS) awards $4,000 scholarships to Toronto Community Housing youth based on academic excellence, financial eligibility and volunteer involvement in community leadership, anti-racism or diversity initiatives. In 2022, 54 scholarships were awarded to recipients to support their post-secondary tuition and expenses.
Use of Space
The Strategic Service Partnerships and Compliance (SSPC) team was formed in September 2020 with a focus on bringing partners currently operating into compliance and streamlining the use of space processes and improving service delivery. Since September 2020, SSPC has engaged with 207 agencies and 112 tenant-led groups to animate the use of non-residential spaces. In April 2022, the Ontario government lifted all public health measures. As a result, all indoor and outdoor amenity spaces were opened for essential and community support programming after a use of space agreement was signed with TCHC. SSPC implemented an opt-in/application process to ensure a seamless return for partners in 2022.
From the inception of the SSPC team, 319 applications for non-exclusive use of space have been processed. Of these, 198 were reoccurring use of space applications and 121 were one-time use of space applications. In 2022 alone, 186 applications have been processed, 58 one-time and 128 re-occurring use of space applications. As of December 30, 2022, 52 distinct partners have been offering reoccurring programs for tenants in 72 TCHC buildings.
Built with Shorthand