Stories

PARC Stories

A sign is being held up in protest of the affordable housing crisis in Toronto. A white banner reads "Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre" and "HOUSING is a RIGHT!!" with a red star on the banner.

The Housing Crisis Didn’t Happen Overnight

Decades of underinvestment shaped Toronto’s Housing crisis It wasn’t always like this… The affordable housing crisis...

Close-up of a person filling out an Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) “Mandatory Special Necessities Benefit Application” form on a desk, with a keyboard nearby.

Helping Members with Applying for ODSP 

“I’m Here to Help Navigate the Complexity” Lisa is a PARC caseworker helping community members with...

Poster art for the PARC Benefit Concert, art by cartoonist Michael DeForge

Join us at the PARC Benefit Concert – July 23rd, 2026

Not Dead Yet, Shout!, Licentia and PARC present…a Benefit Concert for PARC! Join us on July...

A white man in glasses is smiling at something off camera. He is wearing a blue and yellow baseball cap, and a blue collared shirt with a shark pattern.

PARC Story: Mickey

This PARC Story follows Mickey, a Parkdale resident who found his community, his calling, and his...

Chris Friesen, PARC's Manager of Collaborative Care, on mental health support in Parkdale. He is wearing a baseball cap, thick rimmed glasses, a yellow cardigan, and light blue button-down shirt.

A Conversation on Mental Health Support

“We Don’t Ask People to Change” For Mental Health Week, we sat down with Chris Friesen,...

PARC Story: Rob

Rob remembers 1499 Queen Street West from when he was a kid, back when it was...

What PARC Means to Me: Kevin

As we celebrate 45 years of PARC, we’re excited to continue sharing PARC Stories, highlighting what...

What PARC Means to Me: Waylon

As we celebrate 45 years of PARC, we’re excited to continue sharing PARC Stories, highlighting what...

What PARC Means to Me: William

As we celebrate 45 years of PARC, we’re excited to continue sharing PARC Stories, highlighting what...

What PARC Means to Me: Darcy

As we celebrate 45 years of PARC, we’re excited to continue sharing PARC Stories, highlighting what...

What PARC Means to Me: Caroline

As we celebrate 45 years of PARC, we’re excited to continue sharing PARC Stories, highlighting what...

What PARC Means to Me: Robert

As we celebrate 45 years of PARC, we’re excited to continue sharing PARC Stories, highlighting what...

What PARC Means to Me: Amanda

As we celebrate 45 years of PARC, we’re excited to continue sharing PARC Stories, highlighting what...

What PARC Means to Me: Donna

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC...

What PARC Means to Me: Blair

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC...

What PARC Means to Me: Jerry

As part of our 44th year, we are sharing stories from PARC people to capture their PARC...