Dear Neighbours,

As members of our community, I am pleased to share with you some important information involving grants for community organizations in Toronto.

The Community Investment Funding Programs provide time-limited funding to established and emerging not-for-profit groups in the City of Toronto to test new ideas or enhance existing models that lead to meaningful change in our communities. There are currently two funding programs that can be applied for:

2016 Community Festivals & Special Events Investment Funding Program

Provides start-up or early-stage funding for small not-for-profit festivals and community events held in the City of Toronto that encourage residents to have fun, participate in their community, connect with each other, and contribute to a community's strength. This program grants on average between $8,000 - $10,000 for a maximum of up to two years to fund small scale, new or emerging festivals, and to help them to start or grow and increase their effectiveness. (Deadline: December 2, 2015.)

2016 Community Recreation Investment Funding Program

Provides short-term funding to Toronto-based not-for-profit groups offering quality projects that a) increase participation in recreation, b) engage diverse residents reflective of their neighbourhoods, c) builds skills, and d) uses recreation as a tool to develop the physical and social health of Toronto's residents. This program grants on average between $16,500 - $43,000 for a maximum of two years for projects that are enhancements to existing programs or for brand new projects. (Deadline: December 9, 2015.) 

I encourage you to participate and take advantage of these funding programs as it is a great opportunity to help community organizations expand it's programming in our community. To learn more about these programs, an information session is being held on Tuesday, November 17, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at North York Civic Centre, Council Chamber (5100 Yonge Street, Yonge Street north of Sheppard Avenue). More information can also be found on the Community Funding website at http://goo.gl/d99a6z. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office and we would be more than happy to help.

Sincerely,

Ana Bailão

City Councillor

Ward 18, Davenport 

Toronto's Housing Advocate

I am very excited to bring forward a major victory regarding the proposal to expand the Perth-Dupont Library. Over the past two years I have been working closely with the community to identify opportunities and strategies to improve library services in the Junction Triangle neighbourhood.

Since our first public meeting back in August, 2011, with nearly 100 community residents, I have been investigating every opportunity available to expand the Perth-Dupont library. This opportunity has come with the development at 299 Campbell. Through negotiations with the developer, and Section 37 contributions from surrounding developments, the new development will have 10,000 ft2 reserved specifically for the new library - even when including the 2nd floor of the existing Perth Dupont Library, this will be 4 times larger!

To date, I have successfully added this project to the capital list of the Toronto Library Board and ensured the necessary zoning changes at City Council. I look forward to working closely with the community as this exciting project moves forward!

When negotiating with the developer at 362 Wallace Avenue, I knew that community space was a major priority for the area. For this reason, I succeeded in bringing a brand new 7,000 ft² community building to our community as part of this development application.

This will be a city-owned building and a Request for Proposals was put out for youth and family services to operate at this location. With the growing number of children and families moving to the area, I felt it was very important to secure these community benefits which will be a tremendous impact on the surrounding community.

The Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Centre was selected by the City as the building operators with Greenhere coming in as a tenant as well.

This will also be a great addition to the West Toronto Railpath, which has an entrance nearby. As I continue to work on the final design of this new space, I look forward to working with local organizations to activate this public space and maximize the exciting potential of this new community hub. 

For the last three years, I have been working hard to deliver a positive community plan for the 158 Sterling site by bringing all parties together – including the developer, local residents, Nestle and City staff. After so much work to negotiate a solution that worked for the local community, I am pleased to announce that a plan has been approved! This development will include:

• A brand new park
• A new 36 space day nursery for infant care
• New affordable housing
• 40% of units are 2 & 3 bedrooms designed families
• Restoration to the Heritage building
• Three new buildings dedicate to employment space
• New entrance to the West Toronto Railpath

This project will bring new residents, new businesses, new jobs and new services to our community. The community and I expressed concern about the need to keep employment opportunities in the area. As a result, this project also includes three buildings dedicated to employment to ensure that our community is well-served with jobs and opportunity. A further community concern I was able to address was development height, which will now be significantly lower than the existing heritage building on the site.

The combination of affordability, community services, residential and employment will make this a great new neighbourhood for residents to live, work and play in our community.

I will continue to work hard to ensure this project represents the best possible planning for our community.