SPT is seeking a full-time Communications Officer, with a proven track record working in the area of communications focused on community development and action.

This position encompasses the development and implementation of the overall communications, public relations and media strategies of SPT.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement internal and external communication strategies/policies;
• Prepare SPT annual communications plan;
• Write and develop press releases, articles, speeches, media kits, and cultivate media relations;

Social Planning Toronto is pleased to announce that the Frances Lankin Community Service Award for 2016 will be presented to Debbie Douglas

Debbie Douglas
Debbie Douglas has a long and impressive track record as a leader in the settlement sector and has made an outstanding contribution in other sectors over the last 25 years in support of social justice.

Over 100 service providers and housing advocates in Toronto, Peel Region and York Region took part in consultations on private-sector rental housing. As a member of the Neighbourhood Change Research Partnership (NCRP), Social Planning Toronto, in partnership with the Social Planning Council of Peel and the Social Planning Council of York Region, organized five consultations across the region to inform the NCRP's next phase of research which will include a focus on private-sector rental housing.

The consultation report, Private-Sector Rental Housing in Greater Toronto, highlights the troubling on-the-ground realities of tenants living in private-sector rental housing in the GTA.

Dozens of community groups and networks across Ontario are urging the Province to stop blocking municipalities from adopting inclusionary zoning policies to build desperately needed affordable housing. Through inclusionary zoning policies, cities and regions can create thousands of units of affordable housing within each new residential development.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2016

Community Groups across Ontario Tell the Province 
“The Time for Inclusionary Zoning is NOW”

March 11th, 2016 (Toronto, ON) – Dozens of community groups and networks across Ontario are urging the Province to stop blocking municipalities from adopting inclusionary zoning policies to build desperately needed affordable housing. Through inclusionary zoning policies, cities and regions can create thousands of units of affordable housing within each new residential development.

“Stop Stalling on Inclusionary Zoning, Let Us Build Housing”, communities tell Minister

Social Planning Toronto, ACORN, and Toronto City Councillor Mike Layton will be speaking to media about the urgent need for the Ontario government to allow municipalities the power to use inclusionary zoning policies to build new housing. In spite of the unrelenting call from city planners, community groups and political figures for many years, the Province continues to prohibit inclusionary zoning. In the latest call, 57 community groups and networks operating throughout Ontario called on the Province to act now on inclusionary zoning by moving either of the two private members’ bills (Bill 3 and Bill 39) already before the legislature.

1652 Keele Street Community Alliance

JOB POSTING

Job Title: Hub Coordinator
Status: Part-time contract for 29 weeks (part of SPT bargaining unit)
Hours: 21 hours per week (flexible schedule that might include evenings)
Rate: $22.95 per hour plus benefits

BACKGROUND: The 1652 Keele Street Community Alliance (the Alliance) is a multi-sectoral group of five non-profit organizations, providing a diverse range of services in a City-owned building. The Alliance consists of 5 independent organizations:

Fifty-seven community groups, including Social Planning Toronto, came together to call on the Ontario Government to give municipalities the authority to implement inclusionary zoning policies and build much needed affordable housing. Through this legislation, municipalities would have the power to require developers to create affordable housing within any new residential development. Inclusionary zoning policies offer one important tool in the policy tool kit to address Ontario’s affordable housing crisis.

Just days before the City enters its week of recreation registration, Social Planning Toronto releases a report highlighting importance of access to recreation for newcomer youth and the barriers they face.

Despite the importance of recreation programs, in health and in settlement, research findings show that newcomer youth in Toronto face serious challenges accessing recreation. Finding information, navigating systems and locating relevant programs close to home are just a few of the obstacles that can prevent newcomer youth from participating in recreation.

Social Planning Toronto and Toronto Women's City Alliance invite community leaders and their support workers to a Civic Engagement Café on Wednesday, February 3rd, from 9:30- 12:30 at Children's Aids Society of Toronto, 30 Isabella, 7th Floor auditorium.  This is a learning opportunity for community leaders to understand what is being proposed in 2016 budget, how much is allocated for Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy and what residents can do to shape the budget. This will also be a good opportunity to connect with other leaders who have been advocating for a strong poverty reduction plan for Toronto.
For more information please click here