Community Resources in Regent Park, Toronto

  

Regent was one of Canada’s most significant housing projects. It has a mix of old and new housing projects. The neighbours also confirmed during an interview that the new high-rise buildings have both affordable housing and luxury ones.

Regent Park had a community newspaper, Regent Park Community News, which used to be published twice a month. In 1977, the Regent Park Community discussed the necessity of a community centre mainly for the youth, and they were planning and submitting a proposal on how and where it would be created. In those days, they had community guardians. The Salvation Army opened its first fitness center in Regent Park in 1977.

Nowadays, they have a website with different kinds of information, news, a direct message system, apps, and a system for virtual tours or in-person tours.

Currently, the Regent Park community has a COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION:

-          REGENT PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE (features recreation facilities)

-          PAM MCCONNELL AQUATIC CENTRE (Previously, it was the community center (Source: Interview the front desk; it has a 25-metre lap pool)

-          CNH - CENTRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSING (This is a 108-year-old settlement center. The second old settlement centre in Toronto. Their staff and volunteers provide different services, like for children and youth and newcomers)

-          EMPLOYMENT CENTRE (Help to search for jobs)

-          REGENT PARK COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE (This organization works for people living or working in the Regent Park area to improve their health and well-being.)

-          DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM (They have a team of certified diabetes educators, registered nurses and dietitians who educate people about type 2 diabetes)

-          TORONTO BIRTH CENTRE (A community-based health care centre where pregnant people can give a safe birth in a family environment.)

-          SUMAC CREEK HEALTH CENTRE (They provide after-hours medical services)

-          CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT - TD LEARNING CENTRE (This organization provides educational opportunities to develop the community)

-          EARLY ON CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE

-          NELSON MANDELA PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL (Offers JK to Grade 8 programs.)

-          PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION™ PROGRAM (provide various supports to high school students who are living in the communities)

-          CRC - Christian Resources Centre (For over 50 years, they have provided services for low-income people, like providing healthy food four days a week, affordable housing support, food training, gardening, etc.)

-          DIXON HALL (They started as a soup kitchen but now provide services to the vulnerable and at most risk.)

-          NEIGHBOURHOOD INFORMATION POST–NIP (This organization provides a homeless prevention program.

-          YSM – YOUNG STREET MISSION (A local Christian development company that works for people who are in poverty)

-          DANIELS SPECTRUM (“Rooted in Regent Park, Open to the World” This is a community cultural hub. It has many arts bases and community-based organizations. Where people can work, play, or study. It has exhibition spaces, Ada Sleight Hall, the Artscape Lounge, a network of hallway galleries and the Courtyard.)

LOCAL BUSINESS:

-          F45 REGENT PARK (Provide functional training)

-          LE BEAU (They have the best coffee, handcrafted pastries, and beautiful plates of food)

-          JERK PARADISE (Serves jerk and fried chicken, burgers, roti, and other quick to-go meals)

-          NOOR PIZZA (They combine Ethiopian and Italian pizzas, including super inexpensive slices and Ethiopian Tibs/Salad/Injera plates.)

-          SULTAN OF SAMOSAS (They have a variety of samosas and fritters, ten savoury, and two types of sweet)

-          PAINTBOX BISTRO (This is an award-winning hospitality hub and social enterprise featuring a catering company, plant-based café, and event space.)

-          SUKHOTHAI (A kitchen from Thai cooking)

-          WEHLIYE RESTAURANT (Somali restaurant)

-          WENDY'S (Food court)

-          SUBWAY SANDWICH (Food court)

-          TIM HORTONS (Food court)

-          SHOPPERS DRUG MART (Shopping centre)

-          ROGERS (Network Company)

LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

-          COAT CHECK 4 CHANGE INC (A service company that takes on various events, like corporate events, holiday parties, fundraising events, concert events and more.)

-          INFINIGUARD (Provide training and services)

-          QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP (Provide popular items)

-          TASTLLING (Food entrepreneurship for the new immigrant)

-          REGENT PARK CATERING COLLECTIVE (Cooking academy)

-          BEAR STANDING TALL & ASSOCIATES CULTURAL AWARENESS TRAINING (Indigenous-owned company that provides Consulting and Corporate Training)

OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES:                

-          GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE CAMPUS (For Fashion)

-          CHURCH

References:

(1977, May 18) Regent Park Community News

https://www.connexions.org/SevenNews/RegentNews/RegentParkNews-V6N8.pdf

(N.D.) Regent Park Community Health Centre https://regentparkchc.org/

(N.D.) Regent Park Social https://www.regentparksocial.org/

(N.D.) Toronto https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/3502/index.html