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A remarkable tale of compassion and solidarity within our community emerged this holiday season as Project Hope, led by the Toronto Police Service officers and community volunteers, extended a heartwarming welcome to more than 500 newcomer and refugee families arriving to Canada. Their efforts brought not just essentials but also immeasurable joy to those in dire need. Starting with helping refugees from Afghanistan, Project Hope continues to grow as a beacon of the community's open arms towards refugees, embracing newcomers from various corners of the world. Led by the steadfast commitment of Regent Park Constables Farzad Ghotbi and Mustafa Popalzai, both refugees from Afghanistan and Iran, the project has gathered truckloads of essentials since August 2021, now totaling more than $1 million in donations. With the collaboration of 35 police officers, 40 volunteers, and generous contributions from corporate sponsors, Project Hope has woven a tapestry of compassion. Recently, on Dec...

Regent Park, is a vibrant and diverse community in Toronto, and has long been a focal point for initiatives addressing social issues and promoting unity. The annual event held on December 6th, 2023, to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance & Action against violence towards women, exemplifies the community's commitment to creating positive change. As the event unfolded, the traditional opening by Kevin Myron from the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre showcased the community's rich cultural tapestry. Athena Tomes' traditional Hoop Dance further underscored the importance of cultural expression in fostering resilience. Councillor Lily Cheng, serving as the keynote speaker, brought attention to key issues. Her address not only highlighted the challenges but also emphasized the community's collective strength in combating Gender-Based Violence, Human Trafficking, and the Opioid Crisis, particularly in marginalized communities. The Spoken Word performance ...

Muhammad Muzhural Haque is a local artist who has lived in Regent Park for the past 22 years and is deeply engaged in his community. His fascination with the diverse cultures and positive changes within the neighbourhood has inspired his artistic journey. Born and raised in Bangladesh, he cultivated his passion for art there and continued to pursue it as a career after immigrating to Canada. His creations primarily involve mixed media and digital printing, allowing him to bring his ideas and thoughts to vibrant life.   Once Muhammad and his family came to Canada, his passion for art only grew. As a local artist and resident of Regent Park, he began creating many paintings and artworks for the community. This allowed him to exhibit his work in gallery settings, such as the Rotating Regent Park Art Gallery hosted in the Daniels Presentation Centre in 2018. He also got the opportunity to display his artworks in many of Regent Park's structures, including the Paintbox, the 170 Sumach c...

In Regent Park, where people who are living in social housing are facing a renewed sense of urgency surrounding discussions of affordable housing - due in part to the rise in food prices, transportation and health care - keeping those discussions alive and current in the minds of policy makers becomes even more vital. In a November 21, 2023 Ontario Legislature meeting of the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, Regent Park resident Walied Khogali Ali, Co-Chair Community Working Group , Co-Chair Regent Park Stakeholders Table SDP, and Resident Co-Chair Community Benefits Oversight Working Group (CBOWG), delivered a deputation on behalf of the Federation of South Toronto Residents Association. Walied addressed members of the provincial Parliament in support of Bill 134, the Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act. FOSTRA, representing 25 residents associations in downtown Toronto, supports defining affordable rent based on a percentage of household income but is...