Regent Park SDP Planning Committee Maps Out Summer Strategy and Leadership Updates

By -

On May 21, 2026, members of the Regent Park Social Development Plan (RPSDP) Network’s Planning Committee gathered on Zoom for a Meeting focused on advancing plans for the upcoming stakeholders’ table and related activities.

The meeting was facilitated by the co-chair of the Network, Tamanna Yeasmin and Adonis Huggins and brought together committee members, working group representatives, and community partners.   
         
The meeting opened with a brief check-in and recap from the previous session. Tamanna confirmed that Levi Collins had been elected as co-chair representing Toronto Community Housing (TCHC), and later in the meeting Rabia Alsabaie confirmed that she could fill the market-housing co-chair position for the Community Building working group.

The conversation then shifted to a proposal on what Community building working group could look like moving forward. Adonis outlined a workshop-based approach led by ArtHubs, with support from Yonge Street Mission (YSM). The proposal centers on engaging residents through programming and involving them in decisions around the use of community spaces, such as Daniels Spectrum and the Ada Slaight Hall. The goal is to create a more inclusive and participatory process, where residents help shape how space and resources are allocated. 

The discussion then moved to upcoming events, including stakeholder meetings planned for June. These meetings aim to increase awareness of the Regent Park Social Development Plan Network, share information about working groups, and encourage residents to get involved. Adonis noted that outreach efforts will play a key role in building participation and engagement.
Planning for Summer Jam, scheduled for June 13, was also discussed. Committee members shared plans to attend and distribute flyers, magazines, and information about the SDP to raise visibility. It was noted that the event is organized by Toronto Community Housing in partnership with other groups, reinforcing its importance as a community outreach opportunity.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on detailed planning for the upcoming stakeholders’ table. Members discussed logistics, scheduling, and interactive activities designed to engage attendees. Ideas included a “passport” activity where participants visit different tables representing working groups, as well as games like Jeopardy to share information about SDP initiatives. While members agreed these activities could boost engagement, there were ongoing concerns about time constraints, clarity of purpose, and ensuring meaningful participation rather than surface-level interaction.

The group emphasized that the primary goal of the stakeholders’ meeting is outreach and recruitment, helping residents understand the SDP, learn about ongoing projects, and find opportunities to get involved. Members also discussed the importance of structuring the event clearly so participants understand its purpose and outcomes.

Budget constraints became a key concern toward the end of the meeting. With limited confirmed funding, members explored fundraising options, including reaching out to local businesses and restaurants for food sponsorships. A draft outreach letter was reviewed, and plans were made to refine it for future use. Despite some uncertainty around available resources, the group agreed to continue planning while pursuing additional support.

The meeting concluded with participant evaluations, with most members rating the session positively while acknowledging ongoing challenges around time management, structure, and resources.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Regent Park Portrayed in Film and Television

By -
Image
Toronto has a rich history of being a go-to shooting location for many television and film production companies. Some notable films shot here over the years include Good Will Hunting (1997), Billy Madison (1998), American Psycho (2000), and X-Men (2000). Regent Park has also had its share of showcases in film. This article aims to review the general content of movie dramas and televisions shows shot in Regent and explore their relationship to the community. Clement Virgo is a director, producer, and writer from Montego Bay, Jamaica. He was born in 1966 and moved to the Regent Park area in Toronto in 1977. During this time Regent Park was generally populated by low-income families and as a hot spot for drugs. Virgo is most recently known for his roles in Greenleaf (2016-2018), The Book of Negroes (2015), and The Wire (2002) as Director and/or Producer. His first feature-length film, however, was Rude (1995), which was filmed almost entirely in the old Regent Park. “The film told...
Read more

MIGUEL AVILA-VELARDE – A portrait of a Regent Park Community Activist

By -
Image
Miguel is a long-time resident of Regent Park area. He is also a member of the Regent Park Neighborhood Association, the Coalition for Community Benefits, and the Tenant Representative for 220 Oak St, a Toronto Community Housing building. Miguel is also an Indigenous man originally from Peru. Miguel’s activism is born from his personal lived experience as an indigenous person, and as someone who is living with physical and mental issues. In his own words, Miguel has said, “my life long project.. is to leave a better society, a better place for everyone, and a living legacy.” In May of 2021, with the discovery of residential school burial grounds of indigenous children, Canadian society was rudely awakened to a history that had remained hidden, forgotten and set aside… a history of oppression, and some say genocide. “The remains of 215 children, some as young as 3 years old, have been found buried on the site of what was once Canada's largest Indigenous residential school —...
Read more

Regent Park Roots: Paul Tobias’ Story of Breaking Barriers

By -
Image
Paul Tobias’ journey from growing up in Regent Park to becoming a published author and community leader is a testament to resilience and the power of generational change. His life story, shaped by the challenges of public housing, systemic inequities, and racial discrimination, speaks to larger societal issues that demand collective attention. Dimitrije Martinovic – Local Journalism Initiative Paul’s book, written as a reflection on his struggles and triumphs, challenges social stigmas often attached to public housing residents and immigrants. By sharing his personal narrative, Paul highlights the persistence required to rise above systemic barriers while calling for reforms in housing policies and social service accountability. His experience also underscores the need for equitable access to education as a means of breaking cycles of poverty. Education played a central role in Paul’s life and became the legacy he passed on to his children. Through his deter...
Read more