Backgrounder: Toronto Community Housing’s 2020 summer programs

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) is committed to adapting our active living and youth programs during the pandemic as part of our continuing efforts to support vibrant communities and provide summer job opportunities and scholarships in TCHC communities.

During the pandemic, TCHC has had to postpone or adapt our summer programs for tenants. However, we have maintained as many summer jobs as possible for youth. In particular, we're pleased to continue to offer scholarships as well as paid virtual career internships.

Summer programs

Rookie League

Each summer, TCHC works with Jays Care Foundation to deliver Rookie League, a free summer baseball day camp program. Children ages 6 to 14 learn to play baseball, have fun and pick up life skills. In addition, 100 or more teens in TCHC communities are hired as Rookie League coaches each summer. For many of the young coaches, the Rookie League is their first paid job experience, and TCHC staff provide mentoring to help them prepare for future job opportunities.

This year Rookie League is offering virtual activities program in July, with a possible extension into August. About 24 youth jobs will be offered to older teens.

YouthWorx

TCHC's YouthWorx Program provides 100 summer jobs to youth who live in Toronto Community Housing communities. Mentoring and skills development are part of the program, and the goal is to reduce barriers for youth facing employment obstacles.

As Youth Worx involves small-scale labour jobs and community beautification projects where it will be difficult to maintain physical distancing protocols, the program will not be offered in 2020.

KickStart

TCHC will not be offering the KickStart summer soccer program this summer.  The eight-week soccer program for children age 6 to 12 was scheduled to launch in August. Instead, TCHC and partners MLSE Foundation and Toronto FC and sponsor Kia Canada will offer an enhanced program starting in the spring of 2021.

Career and educational programs

Investing in Our Diversity Scholarship Program

This program provides young people involved in anti-racism and pro-diversity initiatives in their communities with postsecondary scholarships of up to $4,000 each year. Now in its 17th year, the program was founded by Blaney McMurtry LLP and Scadding Court Community Centre, and currently includes several generous donors. TCHC administers the program, organizes application seminars and offers coaching and supports for youth which will take place virtually in 2020.

Internship Programs

TCHC is offering paid internships this summer and fall where career-oriented youth can gain job experience and mentoring. This year's 17 summer internships will involve working virtually. The deadline to apply was May 20, 2020.

-30-

About Toronto Community Housing

Toronto Community Housing is Canada's largest social housing provider. We are owned by the City of Toronto and provide homes for 100,000 tenants in nearly 60,000 low- and moderate-income households. Our 2,100 buildings are found in more than 100 of the city's neighbourhoods and represent a $10-billion public asset.

Media contact: TCHC media line 416-737-1352 or media@torontohousing.ca