Item - 2019.EC7.13

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Requested the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, in collaboration with Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the end of 2019, on the Investment Funding grant approved by City Council on June 7, 2016 [CD12.4], the Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative, and on opportunities to co-locate a multi-agency-led service provision model at City of Toronto owned redevelopment sites in Ward 2.

In April 2016, the Community Development and Recreation Committee adopted item CD11.1 ( http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2016.CD11.1 ) In doing so, the committee conserved a presentation from Social Planning Toronto on Etobicoke Youth Network plans for a community hub. In June 2016, City Council adopted item CD12.4

 (http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2016.CD12.4  which provided an Investment Funding grant to a not-for-profit organization, in collaboration with Social Development, Finance and Administration, to develop a community hub strategy and feasibility study to address the needs of youth and seniors in Central Etobicoke.

From this study work, the Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative (CECHI) has formed into an organization which supports planning for a community hub. The proposed solution would address long-standing deficits including local space needs and service gaps in Central Etobicoke. This essential access point will enable youth, seniors, newcomers, individuals living alone, and families to interact and become fully engaged, healthy, socially included, and active residents. It will make it easier for local residents to access the health, social, cultural, recreational and other resources they need, together in one place. Information on The CECHI is available here: http://etobicokehub.org/index.html