$128,000 OTF Grant Strengthens Capacity for Community Engagement in the Alexandra Park neighbourhood
Toronto, ON – On Friday, local MPP Chris Glover met with the team at Alexandra Park Neighbourhood Learning Centre (APNLC) to hear how a $128,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) was used to rebuild its capacity to meaningfully engage local residents and develop responsive, dynamic programming. The grant, awarded in 2022, has supported APNLC and partner organizations to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by reconnecting with residents after several years of pandemic restrictions.
“I am pleased APNLC received the Resilient Communities Fund grant,” said Chris Glover, MPP for Spadina-Fort York. “As an MPP, I continue to see how important outreach and engagement is for communities. APNLC’s commitment to work alongside adult learners to meet their goals of enhanced independence, employment, apprenticeship, or post-secondary education through their literacy organization is commendable. The positive effects of programs like these will be felt for generations.”
Through hiring Community Ambassadors with deep roots in the neighbourhood to conduct peer outreach, APNLC and partners were able to re-engage both longstanding and new residents of Alexandra Park. In addition to hiring and training Community Ambassadors, APNLC and project partners Scadding Court Community Centre (SCCC) and Alexandra Park Community Centre (APCC) coordinated a series of community events that welcomed residents back into their physical spaces after several years of virtual programming. Cultural and community events included a Fall Festival, Lunar New Year community meal, Black History Month celebration, and more. While they reconnected with residents, project partners also reconnected with other local organizations and grassroots groups through a newly launched community table called AP Connects. This table will ensure that organizations work collaboratively to address community needs through their programs and services.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Katie McLeod, Director of APNLC. “This grant has allowed us to develop a comprehensive community engagement and outreach strategy to ensure that APNLC and project partners are well-connected to both residents and local service providers in Alexandra Park. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:
Katie McLeod, Executive Director
Alexandra Park Neighbourhood Learning Centre
416-591-7384