Item - 2022.EC31.22

The Economic and Community Development Committee received the report (June 14, 2022) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation for information.

At the October 29 and 30, 2019 City Council meeting, the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation were directed to: 1) to allocate funding from TO Wards Peace to support youth in the Jane Falstaff community who have lived experience with gun violence; 2) consult with youth from Jane Falstaff community and to report back on a local plan for the provision of recreation program and services.

The Jane Falstaff community is located at Jane Street and Falstaff Avenue within the boundaries of the Rustic Neighbourhood Improvement Area. The Jane Falstaff community is comprised of three Toronto Community Housing high-rise apartment buildings. This community has experienced a high level of violent incidents in recent years. Community members voiced concerns about personal safety, community safety, and the need for increased employment and recreation opportunities for local youth.

This report highlights actions taken by the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division to develop a local Youth Recreation Services Action Plan for the Jane Falstaff community and on funding allocations from the Social, Development, Finance and Administration Division. This work aligns with several City of Toronto corporate strategies, including the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Toronto Youth Equity Strategy, SafeTO, Youth Outcomes Framework and the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism.