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PARC Stories

Your PARC Moment: Paul

Your PARC Moment: Paul

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC moment, here’s Paul's:  What Does PARC mean to you? "PARC fosters a real community spirit amongst folks who might otherwise live in isolation. I myself have found in PARC an...

Your PARC Moment: Richard

Your PARC Moment: Richard

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC moment, here’s Richard's:  “PARC & all the resources from the programs can help so many of us it’s so unbelievable its already 44 with 44 more. ”

Your PARC Moment: Tony

Your PARC Moment: Tony

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC moment, here’s Tony's:  “When I was sleeping at the ‘Better Living’ on my way to PARC every morning, I would cross a tiny little speck of a street called, none too modestly, the...

Your PARC Moment: Diana

Your PARC Moment: Diana

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC moment, here’s Diana's:  “PARC means a safe friendly environment that offers nice, delicious breakfast, lunches, and healthy snacks. They have movies that you can watch weekly....

Your PARC Moment: David and Jazz

Your PARC Moment: David and Jazz

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC moment, here’s David and Jazz's:  "It means be treated like a human being with kindness and respect in a pretty cold and cruel world. Well, not always, but sometimes, especially...

Your PARC Moment: Himae

Your PARC Moment: Himae

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC moment, here’s Himae's:  "To me, PARC is like a sanctuary. A place for everyone that comes to socialize, be together and seek help for whoever needs it. A fun place to be...

Your PARC Moment: Deanna

Your PARC Moment: Deanna

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC moment, here’s Deanna’s:  "PARC is an all-inclusive substitute to “Mom’s House” to me my parents aren’t around to catch me when I fall but PARC is here to lend a helping hand...

The legacy of Dr. Rita Cox in Parkdale

The legacy of Dr. Rita Cox in Parkdale

As we celebrate Black History Month, it is crucial to recognize the remarkable contributions of Dr. Rita Cox to the Parkdale community. Dr. Cox, served as the head librarian at the Parkdale branch for over twenty years, established the Black and Caribbean Heritage...

PARC Hockey Team

PARC Hockey Team

PARC Hockey team was started by a volunteer who was a former player in the community. Ice hockey is an expensive sport and not accessible to anyone on a fixed income, especially for our homeless members. For the PARC Hockey team, the game is where our members can...

We Remember Sheila Koffman

We Remember Sheila Koffman

Sheila Koffman was enormously compassionate and caring, with a deep belief in community. The entrepreneur and activist founded and ran Another Story bookstore for over three decades with a fierce commitment to equity, diversity, and social justice. Sheila also served...

PARC Is Diverse

PARC Is Diverse

We had our first in-person staff meeting after almost two years of online Zoom meetings. One of the activities provided space for our staff to share stories and map out their diverse backgrounds.We strive to make PARC  a safe, authentic space that is respectful,...

Embracing Equity #IWD 2023

Embracing Equity #IWD 2023

Every year we're proud to mark International Women’s Day, to celebrate all the significant and impactful work of our staff, members, volunteers and board, who work to embrace equity, inclusion and diversity – advocating and fighting for issues women face locally and...

Meet Zepheniah James

Meet Zepheniah James

“I’m a hugger, it brings the tension down”   We recently had the chance to sit down with Zepheniah James (Zephie) who worked at PARC for 17 1/2 years before retiring in 2016.  He brought passion for community and a unique musical experience which played a large part...

Black History Month

Black History Month

This month the PARC team collected content for Black History Month to recognize and celebrate the Black citizens, residents and staff who have made change in Parkdale, the City and beyond. Black History Month is one amazing month but every day is a day to learn and...