For Immediate Release
May 20, 2010

Toronto Community Housing and Scadding Court Community Centre award 2010 Investing in Our Diversity Scholarships

TORONTO, ON - Twenty four young champions of diversity, equity and anti-racism will have their contributions recognized by receiving 2010 Toronto Community Housing and Scadding Court Community Centre Investing in Our Diversity Scholarships.

The recipients, all high school students headed to post-secondary education, were awarded the scholarships at a dinner and silent auction this evening. Attending the ceremony were head patron, former Chief Justice Roy McMurtry, journalist Hamelin Grange, Sara Diamond, President, OCAD, Scadding Court Community Centre Program Director Herman Ellis, Toronto Community Housing Board of Directors Chair David Mitchell, as well as representatives from program sponsors.

"Being Canada's largest social housing provider is about more than providing good quality housing. It's also about creating healthy communities. The Investing in Our Diversity Scholarships support that goal by investing in 24 outstanding young people and connecting them to higher education, training, skills development and business development opportunities. The scholarships demonstrate a shared commitment by all who are involved to a stronger more prosperous Toronto where people from all backgrounds have access to opportunities to succeed," said David Mitchell, Chair of Toronto Community Housing's Board of Directors.

The Investing in Our Diversity Scholarship Program, now in its ninth year, awards $4,000 post-secondary scholarships to youth leaders active in issues of diversity, equity and/or anti-racism. The program targets youth from marginalized communities who are working actively to improve their communities and their city. Matching funding of $4,000 is provided by the partnering post-secondary institution in the student's second year.

This year, 24 scholarships and bursaries were awarded for a total of $84,000. Since 2002, a total of 86 scholarships and bursaries with a value of $338,500 have been awarded.

This year's winners are:

Natalia Marta Blicharska

Abdulkarim Muhaseen

Muna Yusuf Hassan

Shaenor Simone Keeling

Abdiaziz Said Jama

Munira Abukar

Idil A. Abdi

Tharnya Gengathata

Shamil Ishraq

David Louis

Iman A. Dirshe

Hodan A. Aden

DeiJaumar D. Clarke

Latoya Maria Dell

Sara Yoseph

Osamah M. Ali

Iman Zion Mohamed

Ayanna Joyce Nash

Amer Choudhury

Brindini Selvarajah

Jinthujah Selvarathinam

Dhayo Tenzin Khangsar

Idil Osman

Eddie E.W. Wong

Sponsors of the program include:

• Blaney McMurtry LLP
• Scotiabank
• TD Securities
• WeirFoulds LLP
• Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
• Mount Sinai Hospital
• Harry A. Newman Memorial Foundation
• Enbridge
• Gowlings
• University of Toronto
• Ameresco • York University
• Ryerson University
• Humber College
• Ontario College of Art & Design
• Centennial College
• Greater Toronto Apartment Association
• Richview Flooring Limited
• Universal Cleaning & Painting
• Firenza Plumbing & Heating Ltd.
• Housing Connections

About Toronto Community Housing
Toronto Community Housing is Canada's largest social housing provider and home to more than 164,000 tenants, about 6% of the city's population, with low and moderate incomes. Toronto Community Housing employs 1,400 staff in a broad range of jobs who deliver its mandate to provide quality housing and build great neighbourhoods. Toronto Community Housing is one of Canada's 2010 Top 100 Employers.

About Scadding Court Community Centre
Scadding Court Community Centre is a leader in service and program delivery in the areas of social recreation, settlement, the environment, and on issues of access and equity. Based in a high-density area of downtown west Toronto, SCCC has a focus on civic engagement and creates innovative and proactive, local and global approaches to community building. Working closely with non-traditional and unique partners, the organization seeks to contribute to developing a vibrant neighbourhood, city and society where everyone is included.
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For more information:

Lori Bosworth
Media Relations, Toronto Community Housing
t. 416-981-4229
lori.bosworth@torontohousing.ca

Susanne Burkhardt
Scadding Court Community Centre
t. 647-203-1327