Organizations doing great work for our community

Happy Valentine’s Day, Centennial!

This month, we celebrate the people and relationships that have a positive impact on our lives; however, we can’t forget about the organizations and agencies that make our home of Scarborough – Rouge Park a great place to live.

TAIBU Community Health Centre

In February, we also celebrate Black History Month, recognizing the history, heritage and contributions of African-Canadians. Locally in the Malvern Community, we are fortunate to have TAIBU, which offers Black-identifying clients from the Greater Toronto Area access to primary care, health promotion and disease prevention programs in a culturally affirming environment.

In addition to providing health-related services, TAIBU is engaged in the Black Leadership and Governance Project funded by the City of Toronto, which aims to devise a method of dismantling Anti-Black Racist barriers hindering the participation of Black Canadians at imperative decision-making tables.

For more information on TAIBU, visit taibuchc.ca.

BGC East Scarborough

BGC (Boys and Girls Club) East Scarborough seeks to provide a holistic approach as it supports children, youth and families in pursuing healthy lifestyles, personal competency, self-esteem, social and cultural integration and a sense of belonging. In addition to offering programming to children, youth and seniors, BGC East Scarborough also addresses food insecurity in our community through its breakfast program in local schools and Harvest Kitchen, which provides prepared meals to local agencies.

For more information on BGC East Scarborough, visit esbgc.ca.

Malvern Family Resource Centre

The Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC) serves families and residents through inclusive, innovative and effective programs and services in North East Scarborough. MFRC also opened the Malvern Urban Farm in 2021, which created 18 plots of farmable land in the Toronto Hydro Corridor on Morningside Ave.

 Malvern Urban Farm brings agriculture into the city, and shows how public lands like the hydro corridor can have a new purpose. Residents were also able to enjoy the harvest from the farm by purchasing some of the crop at the farmers’ market, which ran from August to October.

For more information on Malvern Family Resource Centre, visit mfrc.org.

Feed Scarborough

Feed Scarborough aims to create a hunger-free and resilient Scarborough by addressing food insecurity through food banks, a healthy meal program and educational initiatives serving approximately 3,000 Scarborough residents each week.

Recently, Feed Scarborough opened their free community grocery store that provides patrons with the opportunity to select their own groceries. The grocery store model encourages individual choice, supports cultural tastes and respects patrons’ dignity.

For more information on Feed Scarborough, visit scarboroughfoodsecurityinitiative.com.

Parents Engaged in Education

Since 2015, Parents Engaged in Education has taken meaningful action to ensure that parents, educators and students across Ontario have the opportunities and supplies necessary to effectively learn and grow. Currently, Parents Engaged in Education’s Education Bank is providing supplies and supports to those experiencing barriers in accessing educational materials. All supplies at the Education Bank are free for students in need, and include: art supplies, books, learning games, stationery, self-care items and more. For additional information, visit educationbank.ca.

These are only some of the wonderful organizations doing great work for our community. Thank you for all that you do!

We’re Here to Work for You

For local updates, please sign up for my weekly e-newsletter at www.jennifermckelvie.ca. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, via my handle @McKelvieWard25. My office continues to serve our residents. Please email me at councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca.