Member leadership
Below you can read a summary on: West End Heat Registry & Heat Response Project, Knowledge Is Power Training, Members Caucus on the Board of Directors, Program Advisory Committee and The Ambassadors Project.
West End Heat Registry & Heat Response Project
Member volunteers have developed North America’s first heat registry and heat response model. It shows ways to improve public health practitioner awareness of the heat risks experienced by vulnerable persons.
Knowledge Is Power Training
The 14 week Anti-oppression training was ranked as the #1 most requested learning opportunity in a city wide Toronto Drop-in Network training survey. Graduates have gone on to acquire peer outreach positions, PARC member employment and involvement in PARC project work.
Members Caucus on the Board of Directors
The Caucus is “a group within a decision-making body seeking to represent a specific interest” namely, the interest of the members of PARC. The Caucus receive governance training as well as other opportunities for self-improvement that will assist the caucus members ability to govern.
Program Advisory Committee
PAC launched its eloquent Members Bill of Rights on the International Day for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination. PAC revised its working Terms of Reference to improve the recruitment, diversity, skills and development of member leadership involvement in this group.
Ambassadors
The Ambassadors Project developed from the need to inform and explain the concept of PARC’s building development, Edmond Place, to the community. The need arose after the city awarded PARC the building and many residents, property owners and business owners opposed the decision. Initial engagement with the neighbourhood indicated that some businesses and home owners felt that Edmond Place might be another boarding or rooming house. The Ambassadors were hired from PARCs members and trained to get information out to the community, explaining that this housing would have 24/7 supports, good maintenance, and security. With the PARC Ambassadors consulting the Parkdale Community, most of the community went from a state of extreme opposition to PARC’s building development, Edmond Place, from NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) to YIMBYism (Yes In My Back Yard).
With the advent of the PARC Ambassadors Program, many of our ambassadors, including a number of our members have gotten recognition in the community and in the City of Toronto at large. Last Spring the PARC Ambassadors presented at the Toronto Community Development Institute held at OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education)/University of Toronto, an all day event. Early last year, and again, in January of this year, a number of the PARC Ambassadors presented at the Alternative Housing Sub-Committee/ Shelter, Support & Housing Administration/City of Toronto, and were well received. Lately we have been attending the MHCC (Mental Health Commission Canada) to do with the MHCC Proposal/ Demonstration Project/Homelessness and Mental Illness.
The PARC Ambassadors will continue to keep a close relationship with the Parkdale Community, and maintain our connection with the neighborhood as a base to build on.
