Community Partners
Anchored and driven by lead agencies Rexdale Community Health Centre (RCHC), and Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC). In collaboration with local anti-violence grassroots organizations, they will identify escalating situations of risks and pivotal points for violence intervention, prevention and interruption. The grassroot organizations will coordinate access to a variety of resources and services to further mitigate the potential for violence and increase life-stabilizing protective factors in communities.
The local anti-violence grassroots organizations and other relevant agencies and groups will identify cohorts of youth currently involved in or most vulnerable to violence. The cohort members are selected based on multiple risk factors that result in elevated risk of harm, victimization, and engagement in serious crime or violence before being involved in TO Wards Peace.
Northwest Lead Agency
Rexdale Community Health Centre (RCHC)
RCHC has a vision for a healthy and empowered community. Their doors are open to support and advocate for the physical, economic, social, and mental health and well-being of our diverse community. RCHC works together with our community and partners to improve equitable access to quality care and services.
Northwest Grassroots Organizations
Think2wice (Rexdale)
Think 2wice Intl is an organization that provides trauma-informed, culturally relevant initiatives and programming to incarcerated individuals as well as youth and communities who are impacted by gun violence worldwide. Think 2wice has supported many incarcerated young people as well as youth and families in the community. In their 15 years of operation and with approximately 20 partners, they have provided various initiatives and support in eight federal institutions and multiple Neighborhood Improvement Areas (NIA’s) throughout the GTA.
Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (Y.A.A.A.C.E) (Jane/Finch)
Y.A.A.A.C.E. Founded in 2007, the Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (Y.A.A.A.C.E) is a community organization that seeks to engage children and youth from all communities – particularly those from marginalized and poor under-resourced communities through participation in year-round comprehensive programming and activities such as academics, athletics, recreation, technology and the arts. Y.A.A.A.C.E’s mandate is twofold: to build capacity in all children and youth thus enhancing their capacity to become 21st-century learners and global citizens.
Generation Chosen (Northwest)
Generation Chosen is the community partner within TO Wards Peace that supports Peace Projects in Black Creek (Jane and Finch) communities. Generation Chosen is a not-for-profit organization devoted to helping youth from underserved and racialized communities interrupt and examine intergenerational cycles of trauma and poverty.
Scarborough Lead Agency
Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC)
Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities is one of the most established and comprehensive community health organizations in the province. SCHC takes a holistic approach to health services in Scarborough, striving to provide accessible, equitable and transformational health and social service choices, for the overall health and wellbeing of our diverse communities. Through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, a focus on the social determinants of health and the delivery of a comprehensive range of culturally competent health and social services; we aim to ignite the strength of community.
The Forgiveness Project (Scarborough)
The Forgiveness Project (TFP) is a research-based, non-profit community organization, which for the last 14 years has been engaging youth and young adults aged 18-35, through community programs and services that utilize principles of forgiveness, restorative justice, and conflict management. Through arts based programming, such as skill-building workshops, creative writing programs, and self-improvement activities, F-YOU creates a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and addresses the specific needs of over 2000 young people per year. In addition to these initiatives, the organization provides vital advocacy services for its participants, including program completion certificates, regular wellness check-ins, and a safe space for meaningful conversations with staff and other participants.
IMPACT ‘n Communities (Scarborough)
IMPACT ‘n Communities is a social services development and engagement organization that is steadily working to improve communities across the GTA. Based in the Kingston/ Galloway Westhill, Woburn, Orton Park & Glendower priority neighbourhoods of Scarborough. We facilitate progressive community enhancement initiatives, events, programs, and services towards impactful transformation and improved quality of life. We offer programs for all ages; however, we specialize in youth-serving programs and services such as: IMPACT ‘n Youth Drop-in – this gives youth a positive, safe place where they can access a wide range of valuable programs, services and resources in the areas of leadership, life skills, arts, academics, athletics, recreation, violence intervention mental and physical health. They focus on serving communities that often lack access to arts opportunities.
These initiatives contribute to violence prevention and intervention by creating viable alternatives and pathways of thinking for young individuals.