January 20, 2011
United Way Toronto Celebrates Opening Of Weston-Mt. Dennis Community Hub
The Jane Street Hub is the fourth of eight United Way hubs planned for the inner suburbs
TORONTO — The Jane Street Hub will bring much-needed services and community programs to the residents of Weston-Mt. Dennis and help revitalize the neighbourhood, said United Way Toronto's President and CEO Susan McIsaac at the grand opening of United Way's fourth Community Hub.
The Jane Street Hub will provide a wide range of services and support under one roof including youth programming and a drop-in, family and individual counselling, settlement services for the Somali community, parent and child programs, and an employment resource centre. The Hub will also house an Ontario Early Years Centre and a Community Health Care Centre.
"Six years ago, we began our Building Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy with a clear vision to strengthen Toronto's neighbourhoods," said McIsaac. "In some areas of our city it will take more than fostering local leadership and funding grassroots initiatives to meet the needs of the community where infrastructure is lacking."
McIsaac said United Way's Community Hubs will play a key role in strengthening the social fabric of our city. The Hubs will bring communities together by connecting people to services and programs, and they will give residents the opportunity to meet and gather in a central place at the heart of the community.
The project is a result of a partnership between COSTI Immigrant Services, Macaulay Child Development Centre, Midaynta Community Services, North York Community House, Yorktown Child and Family Centre, and lead agency Unison Health and Community Services.
"No one organization, no single level of government can solve our city's problems by working alone," said McIsaac. "This Community Hub is a shining example of what we can achieve when we work together," added McIsaac. "In an area of the city that was once challenged by a lack of space for community use and service delivery, we now have the Jane Street Hub—a place for people to come together, access services, and build a better life."
United Way is in a unique position to mobilize and leverage a broad range of resources to facilitate the development of Community Hubs. And the generosity and vision of three United Way donors will make a lasting difference in the Weston-Mt. Dennis community for many years to come, said McIsaac.
Don Johnson and Anna McCowan-Johnson contributed $600,000 to the Jane Street Hub. This Hub is the second one supported by the Johnsons. Goldie Feldman has been a United Way leadership donor for over 10 years and donated $250,000 to the project. RBC Capital Markets and RBC Foundation supported The Jane Street Hub through a $150,000 donation.
Established in 1956, United Way Toronto is a charity working to advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our city. Working in partnership with others, we mobilize people and resources to address the root causes of social problems and to change community conditions for the better. United Way supports agencies that provide services to strengthen individuals, families, and communities.
Media contact:
Caitlin Stidwill, United Way Toronto
Desk—416-777-1444 ex 396
Mobile—416-577-8508
Email—cstidwill@uwgt.org
