Invisible City: Documentary showcases UWT partner, Pathways to Education

 

The National Film Board of Canada, Industry Pictures and Shine Films present the award-winning documentary, Invisible City. Directed by Oscar nominee Hubert Davis, the film traces three years in the challenging lives of two teenage boys living in Canada’s largest social housing project, Regent Park in Toronto. The documentary showcases the work of Pathways to Education, a United Way Toronto partnership.

 

See this doc on the big screen in 'Little Italy' at the Royal Cinema on Friday, February 5th at 7 pm; Saturday, February 6th at 4:30 pm and 7 pm; Monday, February 8th at 7 pm; or Tuesday, February 9th at 7 pm. 

United Way Partners With MicroSkills – Etobicoke Guardian

MicroSkills is taking action to provide residents in Rexdale with the resources they need to strengthen their neighbourhood. As they put the finishing touches on their office at 2667 Kipling Ave., MicroSkills hopes to open the Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC) in Rexdale early this month. Part of the United Way's Building Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy, the ANC seeks to provide residents with the resources and help they need to address concerns they identify in their neighbourhood.

Toronto School Board Thinks Outside The Box – National Post

At the TDSB, a movement is growing for new alternative or specialty schools, which "help retain and attract students." The board currently offers nine arts-focused programs, six sports programs and 11 programs that focus on technology, math, or science. In addition, 37 alternative schools take educational approaches that cater to different types of students. Three other alternative schools will open their doors for the first time in September: The holistic Whole Child School, the much-debated Africentric Alternative School, and the da Vinci school, which puts as much emphasis on physical education and art as on traditional subjects such as math and science.

Hidden City Seen By Young Eyes – Toronto Star

Canon Canada and the City of Toronto are partnering to provide digital photo workshops for youth in the 13 priority neighbourhoods. On completion, they will get a camera to photograph their lives and enter the pictures in a contest. Winners will have their work on display at City Hall next February, published in a book, and will receive an internship with the city's culture division.

Race And Poverty Matter As Early As Grade 3 – Toronto Star

Students who live in poverty or come from certain racial backgrounds are falling behind in school as early as Grade 3, says a survey conducted by Toronto District School Board. The survey found that while there are high achievers from all backgrounds, there is a big overall gap when children are as young as 8. The report finds, "at this early age, there are already differences between the achievement of some children based on student and family background characteristics, with some of the largest gaps" seen among black, Latin American, and Middle Eastern students.

Breaking Down Health Care Silos – Comment, Toronto Star

Innovative hybrids are sprouting across Ontario. Childcare centres are being built in seniors' residences; food banks are operating out of health clinics. The provincial government supports this collaboration in principle, but rarely in practice. Any community that wants to turn its provincially funded health centre into a one-stop shop for seniors, young mothers, immigrants, jobless workers, social assistance recipients, and people who need mental health and addiction services, has to raise the money itself. Now a coalition of community health agencies has come up with a plan to get things moving. It is asking Ontario to set up a $150 million Community Hub Infrastructure fund, allowing municipalities to pull together the medical and social services people need to stay healthy.

Anti-Poverty Bill Features '25-In-5' Vow – Toronto Star

The Ontario government will enshrine in law its goal of reducing child poverty by 25 per cent within five years with new legislation being introduced today. With this bill, which the governing Liberals hope will not easily be undone by any future administration, the government is committing to remove about 90,000 Ontario children from poverty by 2014.

If You Want Your Neighbourhood Back, Do It The Point Douglas Way – Opinion, Globe and Mail

Sel Burrows took a lead from the famous Chicago community organizer Saul Alinsky: Start small, show results, and go from there. Results have been there for Point Douglas, one of Winnipeg's formerly troubled inner-city neighbourhoods., Courtesy of Mr. Burrows’ determination, and that of the residents, they have worked with the police and civic authorities to rescue their community from crack dealers, cokeheads, pimps, and prostitutes.

Fast-Track Immigrant Program Expanded – Toronto Star

Worried that it's losing talented newcomers to other provinces, Ontario is expanding its immigrant recruitment fast-track program despite the economic downturn.

Welfare's Lousy Diet – Opinion, Toronto Star

Welfare recipients are at high risk of obesity due to their diets often loaded with cheap carbohydrates. They are also prone to high blood pressure  because there is so much salt in the canned foods and high-calorie snacks they eat. They have a higher than normal incidence of diabetes (too much fat and sugar), anemia (too little iron), osteoporosis (too little calcium), and a host of other chronic diseases. Anti-poverty activists are pushing for the Ontario government to provide a $100 healthy food supplement to all adults on welfare.

Help our hubs rebuild – Toronto Star, Comment

Small communities have taken root across Canada, but they also blossom within big cities - neighbourhoods with their own boundaries, character, history and challenges. Federal officials should bear that in mind as they go about the business of allocating billions of dollars to projects that will stimulate Canada's economy. Urban activists in Toronto are hoping to tap the small community fund to help pay for badly needed projects in some of the city's most troubled neighbourhoods. In particular, United Way Toronto and the city have a plan to build small "hub" agencies in 13 of Toronto's under serviced and poor neighbourhoods. This sort of project, however worthy, doesn't easily fit into the big $4 billion infrastructure initiative that is at the heart of the budget. But it could reasonably be considered under the "small communities" fund. In our view, selected neighbourhoods are entitled to that designation as well as cities, towns and villages.

Plan is (good) food for thought: Top doc – Toronto Sun

Dr. David McKeown, Toronto chief medical officer of health, says the Ontario government should introduce a $100 healthy-food supplement for all adults on social assistance.

Africentric school looks like 'a go' – Toronto Star

Nearly 60 children have signed up for the proposed Africentric alternative school – 50 per cent more than the target of 40 needed by the deadline in two weeks – meaning the controversial program almost surely will open this fall. The Toronto public board narrowly approved the school a year ago, but officials said it would need at least two consecutive classes of about 20 students each to open this fall. Enrolment was slow to start, but community supporters have been working hard to generate interest. The alternative program, open to children of any background, is designed to help fight a stubborn 40 per cent dropout rate among black students by providing more diverse teaching staff and lessons that stretch beyond the traditional focus on Europe.

Charities anticipate drop in donations – Globe & Mail

Four out of 10 Canadian charities expect a drop in donations this year, suggests a survey by The Innovative Research Group. A second survey by the group shows public priorities have changed: While health-related charities once received the bulk of support, social service agencies, such as United Way and the Salvation Army, have now surpassed them to become the top choice among donors.

To rebuild a tower, first tear down a silo – Toronto Star

The Mayor's Tower Renewal aims to retrofit the more than 1,000 residential highrises scattered throughout Toronto. Launched last fall, the idea is to make them energy-efficient and socially appropriate.

Headlines is now going to be a weekly feature, highlighting some of the interesting stories from our newspapers from the previous week.

Unique Mount Dennis theatre project will involve the community

Clark Kim, York Guardian – A new theatre project is starting up in Mount Dennis where the local residents will make up the cast and crew as well as contribute in every aspect of the production from script writing to costume design. Dale Hamilton, formerly of Action for Neighbourhood Change, says the project will be used as a tool for community development.

Hundreds swarm job fair

Jason Miller, Toronto Star – United Way Toronto member agency JVS Toronto’s Job Fair drew more than 600 people looking for work, nearly double last year's numbers. The crowds found long line-ups and apprehensive employers.

TAIBU opens doors in Malvern

Mike Adler, Scarborough Mirror – TAIBU, Scarborough's latest community health centre, is open in Malvern. Which means, after a few years of struggle and anticipation, that community gets a chance to improve its own physical, mental and even spiritual health. Only the second such centre to open in Scarborough (United Way member agency Westhill Community Services has recently added two satellites covering the rest of the area), TAIBU serves residents east of McCowan Road and north of Hwy. 401.

Jane-Finch pricey place

Tom Godrey, Toronto Sun – The lower-income Jane-Finch neighbourhood is one of the more expensive places in Toronto to buy the basic foodstuffs that all families need for a healthy diet, a Heart and Stroke Foundation survey found.

Mayor doles out $1.3M

Bryn Weese, Toronto Sun – Under the banner "Your city can help," the mayor announced a myriad of programs to help people find work, provide cheap meals for seniors and interest-free loans for renters facing eviction.