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Revitalization and Memory in Regent Park. A look back at a 2019 partnership project between the University of Toronto and Focus Media Arts Centre.

St. James Town—a neighborhood built on resilience—celebrated Black History Month 2025 by honoring the stories of its Black residents who continue to shape and uplift their community. Their experiences are not just about survival but about building a future rooted in unity, support, and unwavering determination. For Patricia Gray, St. James Town has been home for 50 years. She has seen the neighborhood evolve through struggles and triumphs. When a fire displaced dozens of residents last February 15th, 2025, Patricia didn’t hesitate—she mobilized the community, ensuring no one went without shelter or a warm meal. Lewis Gabon, who arrived from Kinshasa in 2018, dedicates his time to helping others adjust to life in Canada. As a volunteer French teacher at The Community Corner, he guides newcomers through the challenges of settling in a new country. Yet, while he supports others, Lewis himself faces an uncertain future, fighting to remain in Canada on humanitarian grounds. His dream of cre...

The 20th Annual Strawberry Ceremony for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans, and Two-Spirit people took place outside Toronto Police Headquarters on February 14th. It was a day of remembrance, resistance, and resilience, carrying even greater weight as the first ceremony since the passing of Elder Wanda Whitebird, a guiding force behind this event. Her absence was deeply felt, yet her legacy remained in the voices and prayers of those gathered. Hosted by Audrey Huntley of No More Silence, the ceremony brought together Elders, advocates, and families still seeking justice. Elder Whitebird’s daughter, stood alongside Elder Joyce Carpenter, a mother still searching for her missing daughter. Students from Wandering Spirit School lent their voices in solidarity, ensuring that the next generation carries this fight forward. The crisis continues. More than 4,000 Indigenous women, girls, trans, and Two-Spirit people are missing or murdered in Canada. Despite the National Inquir...

In Regent Park, home to a large and vibrant Muslim population, the Iftar celebration took on a special resonance. The event featured Quranic recitations and reflective discussions on themes of patience, compassion, and spiritual growth. As the fast ended, attendees gathered to share a nourishing meal, exchanging blessings and stories. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and camaraderie, turning the simple act of eating together into a powerful expression of community. Organized by the Femme Collective, a dynamic group of young women dedicated to fostering connection and empowerment, the event offered more than a meal—it was a reflection of Regent Park’s diversity and the enduring power of faith to bring people together. The Femme Collective’s role in organizing the event highlighted the growing leadership of young women in Regent Park. Their dedication to creating spaces for connection and celebration underscored the importance of youth-led initiatives in fostering social cohesion. ...

The March 20 meeting of the Regent Park Strategic Development Plan (SDP) Planning Committee brought together community leaders, residents, and organizational representatives for a dynamic session centered on engagement, coordination, and advocacy. A highlight of the meeting was a report to the planning committee by Adonis Huggins of Focus Media Arts Centre, on the Executive Director (ED) Network's upcoming meeting with the SDP strategic planning committee. The intent of the meeting is to inform members of the ED network of the strategic changes that the SDP network has implemented. The Executive Directors Network, is a coalition of local non-profit leaders working together to coordinate efforts and strengthen collaboration among service agencies. The network plays a key role in ensuring that organizational actions remain aligned with the community’s broader strategic goals.

Saqib Ahsan’s story begins in Regent Park, where he grew up surrounded by the challenges and resilience that define many inner-city neighborhoods. A South Asian Muslim and long-time resident, Saqib credits his personal growth to a network of community support—social services, education programs, and a deep culture of volunteerism. One program in particular, Pathways to Education, played a key role in shaping his aspirations during his high school years. Saquib is also the author of a science fiction novel Voyagers, a futuristic tale set a thousand years after an apocalyptic event. Drawing inspiration from Regent Park, the story’s fictional world of Acadia is shaped by waves of migration, power struggles, and deep structural inequalities. The parallels are intentional. Through speculative fiction, Saqib interrogates the legacy of poverty, the persistence of class, and the hidden costs of urban revitalization.

At the Budget Subcommittee meetings on January 21 and 22, 2025, residents from across Toronto gathered at City Hall and virtually to voice their concerns and advocate for priorities in the City’s 2025 Capital and Operating Budgets. The hearings provided an essential platform for public input, with impactful testimonies from a diverse array of communities. Among the most impactful testimonies were those from Regent Park residents, who painted a vivid picture of the challenges faced by their community. Speakers called for urgent investments in affordable housing, youth programs, and the Social Development Plan in Regent Park to address the ongoing issues of gentrification and economic inequality. Two residents also highlighted the valuable work of Regent Park TV and advocated for more support for the station, emphasizing its role in amplifying community voices and fostering local engagement. Community members voiced strong opposition to the proposed $46.2 million budget increase for Toro...

On March 31, 2025, frontline health workers, harm reduction advocates, and community members gathered outside Regent Park Community Health Centre (RPCHC) to protest the closure of Bevel Up Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS). The decision comes despite a court injunction allowing supervised consumption sites to remain open and an active two-year federal exemption permitting Bevel Up to operate. Speakers at the rally condemned the move as cruel and unnecessary, highlighting the impact on vulnerable residents. Harm reduction workers spoke of the emotional toll of losing clients to preventable overdoses and urged RPCHC leadership to reconsider. Many questioned why the site was closing at all when legal protections were in place. Amid the grief, a small but significant victory emerged. A recent court ruling allows other sites affected by the province’s 200-metre restriction to remain open while the legal battle continues. However, funding challenges and political pressure still threate...

Regent Park has always been more than just a neighbourhood—it is a testament to resilience, self-reliance, and civic engagement. As part of the Regent Park: Past, Present, and Future series, we explore how community leaders have continuously shaped this evolving landscape. Among them is Kevin Jeffers, a coach, mentor, and community builder who has spent over two decades using basketball as a vehicle for youth empowerment. Born and raised in Regent Park, Jeffers experienced firsthand the challenges that many marginalized youth face—economic hardship, limited resources, and systemic barriers. However, he also witnessed the power of community and mentorship in overcoming these obstacles. Inspired by the support he received from local leaders, he saw basketball as more than just a game—it was a tool for transformation. Kevin Jeffers’ story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the youth of Regent Park. His work exemplifies civic engagement in its purest form—usin...

Harm Reduction advocates gathered outside 330 University Avenue as an Ontario court heard a charter challenge against the province’s plan to shut down 10 supervised consumption sites across Ontario by April 1, 2025. Among the sites at risk is the Regent Park Community Health Centre, a critical service that has prevented overdoses and saved countless lives. The challenge, led by a neighborhood group and two individuals who use these services, argues that Ontario’s plan violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, specifically the right to life, liberty, and security of the person. Harm reduction experts warn that closing these sites amid a toxic drug crisis will disproportionately harm marginalized communities in Downtown East Toronto. Mskwaasin Agnew, an Indigenous harm reduction advocate, emphasized that the closures are rooted in “racism” ignoring evidence that these sites create safer environments and provide essential support. She highlighted the devastating impact of toxic drugs o...