Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

The mission of the San Romanoway Revitalization Association (SRRA) is to promote a sense of belonging in the San Romanoway and Jane-Finch community through a wide range of programs serving residents of all ages and backgrounds. Through a partnership between the SRRA, building management, residents, local businesses, and the Toronto Police department, the SRRA seeks to combat increased crime rates and marginalization in one of Toronto’s 13 priority neighbourhoods by creating a safer and healthier community. The SRRA provides the residence of the San Romanoway and Jane Finch communities with a range of services geared at different segments of its residence. The SRRA actively involves participants throughout the planning and implementation of programs to stay in tune with the changing needs of this diverse community.

History of Organization

The SRRA has been recognized by a number of organizations, individuals and studies for the success of the program. Empirically, academic studies have shown concrete and significant reductions in the rates of property crime and vandalism, victimization, and stranger assaults. These improvements are reflected by the improvements of residence perceptions as assessed by surveys. The results of these surveys also show considerable increases in the areas of neighbourhood interaction, feelings of safety, and community cohesion. The SRRA has also received considerable positive media attention. Having been featured numerous times by national news papers and broadcasts, the efforts of the SRRA have gone a long way in beginning to change the perception of the Jane Finch neighbourhood. While there is much that remains to be done, the enormous improvements that have occurred have helped to break the negative stereotypes of what the Prime Minister of Canada once dubbed “Canada’s Worst Neighbourhood”.

Accolades and Accomplishments

The SRRA has been recognized by a number of organizations, individuals and studies for the success of the program. Empirically, academic studies have shown concrete and significant reductions in the rates of property crime and vandalism, victimization, and stranger assaults. These improvements are reflected by the improvements of residence perceptions as assessed by surveys. The results of these surveys also show considerable increases in the areas of neighbourhood interaction, feelings of safety, and community cohesion. The SRRA has also received considerable positive media attention. Having been featured numerous times by national news papers and broadcasts, the efforts of the SRRA have gone a long way in beginning to change the perception of the Jane Finch neighbourhood. While there is much that remains to be done, the enormous improvements that have occurred have helped to break the negative stereotypes of what the Prime Minister of Canada once dubbed “Canada’s Worst Neighbourhood”.

Programs

>Youth ‘N Charge
>Life Line
>HOST

The Acheivers Program The purpose of the project is to decrease the risk factors associated with crime and victimization and to enhance the pro-social skills and the protective factors for students, families, and the community.

Children’s Summer Camp 2008 welcomed more than 130 campers to the 9 week program which offers arts and crafts, competitive sports, swimming, tennis instruction and day trips to the zoo, The Ontario Science Centre, Ontario Place and other GTA attractions.

Before and After School.  The associaton operates a Breakfast and After School program for children 6-12 years of age. Two hot nutritious meals are provided five days each week. Qualified staff and volunteers provide the children with tutoring, homework assistance, mentoring, computer training, recreational activities and other supports such as one-on-one mentoring for individual children with special learning needs.

Seniors Drop-In Isolated seniors are offered an outlet to meet other seniors to socialize and discuss issues that impact their lives. Discussions focus on health issues, apartment security, elder abuse and crime, and other relevant resources that foster independence and self-reliance.

CIC Youth Host Program This is a youth-driven project aimed at enhancing the prospects for newcomer youth, 13 to 24 years old. The project facilitates settlement adaptation and integration for newcomer youth. Support services include English conversation circles, field trips, activity sessions, and tours of the Greater Toronto Area.

Music, Entreprenuership, and Publishing Skills (MEPS) A component of our Youth ‘N Charge prorgam, MEPS provides at-risk and underviced youth with professional music mentorship. Focusing on buisness, MEPS

participants have gone on to start there own music businesses, and find employment in the music industry.

Strong Women is an innovative new program that brings recreational opportunities to girls and young women 13 - 18 in the San Romanoway and wider Jane Finch Community.  The program provides girls with a positive recreational experience that enocourages life long healthy living.

Youth ‘N Charge

Youth ‘N Charge (YNC) is the youth component of the SRRA. Housed in 15 San Romanoway, YNC provides a safe space and engaging programming to at-risk and under-serviced youth. YNC offers youth counselling, resume and employment workshops, events, programs, internet and phone access, and a wide range of other social services. A youth driven initiative, YNC seeks to meet the needs of the community youth by giving them a leadership position in all stages of YNC operation. YNC is guided by the YNC Advisory Committee, a body made up of youth participants and staff who meet regularly to determine the direction the program will take. The heart of the YNC however, is ultimately an artistic one. In response to the input of the youth, a recording studio was built and is available free of charge to aspiring musicians from the community. In addition to the drop in component YNC and the SRRA offers a Music, Entrepreneurial, and Publishing Skills (MEPS) program. By providing aspiring musicians with professional mentorship from an established music industry professional, MEPS provides at-risk youth with a creative outlet, a safe space, and a healthy alternative to anti-social activities.

Program Impact

Serving on average approximately 70 youth a week, YNC has provided street-involved youth with an alternative to the streets, a safe space, a wide range of programming and social services. YNC and MEPS participants have gone on to start several businesses and find employment in the music industry.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“There are an estimated 100 -160 youth gangs across the City of Toronto (about double the number in 2000). Gangs actively recruit within high schools, and attract members as young as 13.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009) Youth ‘N Charge specifically addresses community safety by providing youth with a safe space, and empowering youth to take control and to combat youth and gang violence and antisocial behaviour in their own communities.

Participant Vignette

Kevon, 19. Kevon has been coming to the Youth ‘N Charge since the program started. A resident of the Jane Finch neighbourhood, Kevon had seen first hand the lack of social services available to youth. Furthermore, by growing up in the Jane Finch neighbourhood, Kevon was often confronted with the stigma attached to the community. When Kevon started coming to YNC he found that he finally had a chance to do something positive and creative. While Kevon has had contact with the criminal justice system in the past, the positive space and services provided by Youth ‘N Charge has helped him stay out of trouble. A talented young artist, Kevon was given the opportunity to learn about studio engineering in a studio environment. From this, he soon discovered his passion for media arts and now has become a member of a number of community arts organizations and will soon be shooting his first video. Kevon shows the power and creativity that is often overlooked due a lack of opportunities. His dedication to Youth ‘N Charge as a volunteer has been a tremendous asset to YNC. Kevon is also now on his way to becoming a volunteer mentor, and has expanded his volunteer activities beyond YNC. Kevon admits that through YNC he has come a long way in overcoming shyness and developed his social skills. 3 years in, Kevon is now a volunteer leader and a shining example of community based volunteerism.

Life Line

The Life Line program targets “at risk” girls ages 12 – 18 years of age from the San Romanoway After School Program, other related youth programs and the wider Jane-Finch community. The Life Line program provides participants with group, recreational and individual activities that also incorporate mentorship and peer learning. On occasion, younger girls ages 9 – 12 have attended the group and have enjoyed working with the older girls in the group. The major six (6) components of the program are Positive Self Image, Conflict Resolution, Bullying, Physical / Recreational Activity, Problem Solving, and Life Skills. Currently there are 24 girls that attend the program on a regular basis. The youth involved in this program come from ethnically diverse backgrounds and families with low socioeconomic status who live in the Jane-Finch community. The objectives of this program are to reduce conflicts, victimization, crime and other forms of anti-social behaviour while providing a safe place for young women to come together, learn and develop meaningful friendships. As well, this program aims to educate, empower and build on existing life skills.

Program Impact

This program along with other supports has helped these young women improve their grades, enhance their social skills and communication skills, and reduce aggression. Since the inception of the program, incidents at school such as bullying, and aggressive behaviour have decreased as have suspensions from school.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“Lifestyle choices increase the burden on the health system: 1.3 million people (58%) report that they are inactive during leisure time, including 38.9% of youth.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009) Life Line approaches issues of health and wellness through learning. By giving girls and young women the tools and information they need, Life Line hopes to impart life long healthy living skills.

Participant Vignette

Vicki (pseudonym) is a 12 year old girl who began attending the program on a regular basis in September 2009. In the beginning, she was a quiet, shy young woman who did not want to participate in many activities. As time progressed, she gained more confidence and spoke more often. When asked about her sudden interest in the program, she responded by saying “I just needed time to get more comfortable. I like coming here because everyone here is so nice and they don’t make me feel stupid or anything like that.” Vicki often seeks help with her homework and her grades have gone up because she feels focused and interested in her school work. “This program makes learning fun because it is not like school. We do all kinds of fun things and sometimes we get to choose what we want to do.” This program has impacted Vicki by making her feel that she is valued as well as has helped her gain some confidence while reducing her anxiety around school. Vicki noted that she loves coming to the program when she can and she has begun to become involved in extra curricular activities at school, something that she had previously avoided. Vicki loves acting, drawing and listening to music. “I love to act. I think it helps get my thoughts out. I especially love when our group does role plays about cool stuff that we all face growing up.”

HOST

HOST is a one-on-one befriending program which facilitates friendships with youth that are new to Canada (Permanent Residents) and volunteers (Canadian Citizens) from the community. HOST aims to assist newcomer youth with their transition to Canada and Canadian lifestyle. The Canadian volunteer - "Host" - is someone who lives in the neighbourhood and can assist newcomers in finding their way around Toronto. HOST relationships are based on educating participants on the customs, norms and traditions of Canada. Within this process, the Hosts themselves will gain an understanding of the experiences and lifestyles of the newcomers. Ultimately, the HOST program unifies people from various nations, bridging differences and strengthening the community. HOST Activities include: - English Conversation Circles - Various activity sessions at SRA - Tours of the Greater Toronto Area - Visits to Historical Toronto - Visits to the library and community centres - Shopping trips - Using public transportation (TTC) - Workshops relevant to living in Canada

Program Impact

The Youth HOST Program has seen over 200 newcomer youth become more familiar and adjusted to life in Canada. Group activities and conversations circles have contributed to greater understanding and use of the English language. Workshops and outings have increase participant knowledge, skill and confidence. Based on program surveys, 88% of those surveyed feel that they are less isolated than when they began taking part in the program. Ninety seven percent of those surveyed feel that they have learned something new about another culture, whether they were a newcomer to Canada or a program volunteer.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“Success for immigrants is vital to the City’s future well-being.”(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009) The HOST program addresses issues of isolation and integration by focusing on assisting newcomer youth and their families come into contact with tools and resources that will support their transition into life in Canada.

Participant Vignette

Ahmad is a 14 year old who emigrated from Afghanistan in 2008. He has been an active participant in the HOST program for 1 ½ years and often acts as a mentor to newer newcomers. Ahmad spoke with a limited level of English upon his first days in the program. Now he strives to use his English at every opportunity and questions if he is not sure about the proper use of a word or tense. On a group outing to the CN Tower, Ahmad discovered an interest in the architecture of downtown Toronto. Now that he is familiar with using the TTC, Ahmad, with his family often travels downtown to walk around and explore. In the past year Ahmad has participated in 3 art contests, photography, design and painting. Ahmad won 1st prize amongst all HOST programs in Ontario for his photography submission. His passion for the arts has inspired him to encourage other youth in the program to try new things. Ahmad has recently been selected to participate in a youth-driven research initiative that will focus on the needs of youth in the Jane & Finch Community. Based on his newly developed leadership abilities and confidence, Ahmad will conduct focus groups with his peers in order to gain and offer insight into youth issues within Jane & Finch. Ahmad’s progress offers a great example of how HOST assists newcomers with integrating into Canadian society and allowing them the freedom to be an individual amongst our strong cultural mosaic.