Bordered by Dundas and Queen on the north and south and Cameron and Augusta on the east and west, Alex-andra Park is an engaging and unique community, struggling with some big questions and challenging contradictions. Composed of two TCHC buildings and the Atkinson Housing Co-operative, this culturally diverse community of more than 2000 residents has a majority of its residents living on a fixed income.

The Community Social Planning Council undertook to conduct a ‘scan' of available information on anticipated inflation rates and changes to income for the coming three years (2008-2011), to support organizations in planning for budgeting and funding proposals.

Poverty is making Canadians sick, robbing hundreds of thousands of their health and leading to widespread preventable illness and huge costs for the health care system, according to powerful new research released today by the Wellesley Institute, the University of Toronto's Social Assistance in the New Economy Project and the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto. 

Creating a populist, grassroots groundswell, involving people at every level of society and civic engagement in dialogue, volunteerism and financial contribution is something most of us only dream of. The recent success of Barack Obama's campaign shows us that it is possible. What if you could make it happen in your organization?

Join us October 20th from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm for a webinar and teleconference with renowned fundraiser and strategist Kim Klein, who will explore how small-sum donations, like those which have moved Obama's campaign, can help us to better identify and engage the people who support our issues.

What is grassroots fundraising?

TDSB’s 2007 Students Without Legal Immigration Status Policy: One Year Later

In May 2007, trustees with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) unanimously passed the Students Without Legal Immigration Status policy. This policy confirms non-status immigrant students' right to education as protected under section 49.1 of the Ontario Education Act. The TDSB policy states that:

"all children who are qualified to be resident pupils to the Board, including those who are without immigration status in Canada, shall be entitled to admission to school" and that "all children shall be welcomed, regardless of immigration status, and information about them or their families shall not be shared with Immigration authorities."

Download the full document here.

Executive Summary

Introduction

While attending schools in the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) in April of 2006, four non-status children were apprehended by immigration officials over a period of 48 hours. These children and their families were subsequently deported. These incidents led to considerable anxiety among non-status immigrant families with school-aged children – fears still in evidence today.

1. Improve student performance 
   Studies have demonstrated the positive impact participation in school-based after-hours programming has by promoting greater parental involvement in school, greater student engagement, increased commitment to homework, readiness to learn, and more positive educational outcomes for children and youth. Summer and after-school programs also can reduce the back-to-school learning gap. (Kane, T., University of California, 2004; William T Grant Foundation and Royal Commission on Learning, Ontario. 1994)
2. Encourage artistic and cultural expression to create vibrant communities and expand capacity for learning
   Opportunities for communities to 'come together' in community spaces involving the arts, dance, or music increase social connectedness and nurture the development of cultural and community life. In addition, there is increasing research on the value of the arts to learning and brain development and learning outcomes. (Ontario Arts Council 1997; and OMG Inc, et al. National Endowment for the Arts, 1991)

A groundbreaking new report on the state of homeless children in the education system was released by the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto and Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre on Monday, Oct. 1. Lost in the Shuffle - the first report of its kind in Canada - shows how thousands of homeless children each year are needlessly slipping through the cracks of Toronto's education system - and how to prevent this from happening.

Download the full report in PDF format.

Media Coverage

Homeless kids neglected - Report says educational, emotional support lacking for students living in shelters
Toronto Star - October 1, 2007

Opening up Ontario’s Schools for Expanded Community Use: 2007 Community Use of Schools Survey Results and Recommendations

Download the Full Report in PDF format

Executive Summary

In 2005 the SPACE Coalition, in conjunction with the CSPC-T, undertook an Ontario-wide survey of community users of school space to assess their awareness of the provincially funded CUS program (Community Use of Schools). CUS was designed to reverse the loss of affordable access to schools by community groups, resulting from changes to the education funding formula in the late 1990s.

This year’s survey sought to assess the changes to community groups’ ability to access schools, resulting from the $20 million annual provincial investment in CUS.

What is the Toronto Community Services Resource Guide for Non-Status Immigrants?

The Community Social Planning Council of Toronto and Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre, in partnership with the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Campaign, have developed a Community Resource Guide for non-status immigrants. The guide comes in the form of a printed booklet available in five languages (English, Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic), as well as a comprehensive website of community service listings.

You can visit the website and download the booklets here.