Year-end TCATs celebrate continued success across all regions

We finished the year with our celebratory Tenant Community Action Tables (TCATs) across all three regions. Under Toronto Community Housing’s (TCHC) Engage Together model, all tenants can attend TCATs.

The events celebrated tenant leaders who have contributed to their communities. Attendees also heard about programs like the Local Initiative Funding for Tenants (LIFT). Here are some highlights from each region.

West region

The TCAT in the West region was a joyous afternoon filled with good music, presentations, dancing, and good cheer. There was also a variety of food and dessert for attendees to enjoy.

Likwa Nkala, General Manager for the region, highlighted exciting new programs and initiatives for the group. This included food banks and newly opened youth spaces.

During the presentation, Levi Warrack, Supervisor of Active Living & Centralized Programs, recognized tenant leaders for their hard work and continuous efforts in supporting the Tenant Engagement System.

Tenants received tote bags from the Tenant Engagement team as a small token of appreciation. Tenants also had the chance to enter and win small prizes in some raffles.

The Community Marketplace showcased departments like Tenant Insurance, Client Care Centre, and the Community Safety Unit. Staff were available to answer questions and get tenant feedback on their services. 

Christine Aina, Acting Manager of Engagement Data and Impact, discussed the LIFT program and its purpose to bring people together build community building.  

East region

On Saturday, November 29, tenants from the East region came together for their year-end TCAT celebration. The room glowed with warmth from familiar faces, shared stories, and the smell of delicious food and desserts drifting through the air. 

Gail Johnson, Manager, Community Safety and Support, opened the event. Gail shared how neighbours build safer communities through the Neighbourhood Watch program. She highlighted the Danzig Breakfast Food Program and the RBI Select Program, a partnership with the Active Living team that now reaches 18 communities. 

New Tenant Council Members joined the celebration and shared their hopes for stronger, more connected communities. Community Service Coordinators gave an overview of tenant accomplishments and highlighted projects funded by LIFT. Pablo Vivanco, Director, Tenant Engagement and Community Development, updated everyone on the Engage Together system, Tenant Council Elections, and LIFT. 

Teams from across TCHC filled the marketplace and talked with tenants. They shared resources on Community Economic Development, the Strategic Plan, the Tenant Survey, and the Violence Reduction Program. A DJ set the rhythm, a live photo booth captured joy in real time, and neighbours talked, laughed, and smiled everywhere. 

Central region

Attendees joyfully arrived at the Central region’s TCAT event on Saturday, December 6. Others hugged fellow tenants they hadn’t seen since last year’s celebrations. 

Junior Taylor, Manager, Community Safety and Support for the Central region, opened and closed the celebrations by discussing the hard work of the tenants and TCHC staff who contributed to the year’s success. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by celebrating the wins of many community activities.  

Staff and community leaders provided speeches and presentations. Topics discussed included human trafficking, statistics on funding used for tenant-led initiatives, and the successful community BBQ that brought toys to children and made friends out of neighbours.

The afternoon ended on a high note as more than half of the crowd walked away with prizes in a raffle led by the region’s Administrative Coordinator, Leandro Rocha.

Thanks to everyone who attended our TCATs. We are looking forward to further community building in 2026. Check your inbox and the TCHC website for 2026 TCAT dates.