A New Direction for Thorncliffe Park
The Resilient Neighbourhood Economies Project in Thorncliffe Park is part of the multi-year pilot project developed by the Metcalf Foundation in collaboration with the Centre for City Ecology. The aim of this project is to improve the economic opportunities available to low-income people in two Toronto neighbourhoods, Kingston-Galloway Orton Park and Thorncliffe Park.
The initiative is in line with Metcalf Foundation's Inclusive Local Economies Program commitment to support people and organizations to develop the ideas, the strategies, and the policies that can improve low-income people's economic livelihoods and access to quality jobs. The Metcalf Foundation and the Centre for City Ecology will work in partnership with Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office along with Thorncliffe Park community residents, groups and organizations to create sustainable economic opportunities for Thorncliffe Park residents and provide support, bring and strengthen learning, resources and opportunities that currently exist within Thorncliffe Park and help remove obstacles. Specifically, the project aims to:
- Catalyze and support creative ground-level problem-solving that builds on pre-existing local work;
- Take advantage of emerging opportunities and link motivated people to key resources at the neighbourhood and city levels;
- Provide small sums of financial support to the initiatives that develop out of these creative problem-solving efforts;
- Strengthen the working web of connections that enable local communities to respond creatively to the current economic needs of all community members and to adapt effectively to changing economic circumstances.
Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office (TNO) is a community based multicultural, multi-service agency providing community-based services to residents of Thorncliffe Park and surrounding communities. Programs and services include information and referral, a family violence program, women's counseling, settlement services, language classes for newcomers, employment assistance services, an Ontario Early Years Centre for Don Valley West riding, youth services and delivery of community information workshops and seminars.
Please stay tuned for more updates about the project. All ideas and suggestions for this new initiative are welcomed and appreciated. Please email Esel Panlaqui at: epanlaqui@thorncliffe.org for more information.
