Resident-led groups in Toronto Community Housing communities taking part in the Violence Reduction Program (VRP) can now apply for grants of up to $2,500 per project to support communities to recover from the impacts of violent incidents.

Applications are due May 21, 2021, by 12 p.m. (noon)

Application:

Poster:

Who can apply:

The grant is open to groups that:

• Are made up of members who live in Toronto Community Housing communities that are part of the Violence Reduction Plan. Please check the list at the bottom of this flyer to see if you are living in one of these communities
  
• Have three or more residents
• Are not a business, registered non-for-profit, or a social enterprise
• Do not have group members that are employed by the City of Toronto
  

Your project must:

• Be focused on community healing or violence prevention. Here are examples of potential projects:
• Community Healing: community wellness activities (e.g., facilitated group sessions), community resilience activities, mental health support, training on trauma, therapeutic arts sessions/activities
• Violence Prevention: conflict management support, safety planning, social media awareness, education for children, e.g., resolving conflict
• Be delivered virtually to avoid the spread of COVID-19
  
• Be open and free for residents of the Toronto Community Housing community
  

Connect with a Community Services Coordinator to discuss project idea before submitting your application:

• Andrew Cox - East, Andrew.Cox@torontohousing.ca, (647) 460-4796
  
• David Morales - East, David.Morales@torontohousing.ca, (647) 460-4833
  
• Farishta Wahidi – East, Farishta-maryam.Wahidi@torontohousing.ca, (647)746-3721
  
• Felicia Whtye- Central, Felicia.Whyte@torontohousing.ca, (416) 356-7603
  
• Jermal Humphrey - Central, Jermal.Humphrey@torontohousing.ca, (416)-554-0544
  
• Diandra Greaves - West, Diandra.Greaves@torontohousing.ca, (416) 670-3562
  
• Kwesi Kissi - West, Kwesi.Kissi@torontohousing.ca, (416) 409-3591
  

Note: Existing resident-led projects can apply for funding to support new pieces of work.

What you can use the funding for:

• Advertising and promotion
• Honoraria for volunteers (up to $300 total)
• Transportation - The maximum for eligible taxi receipts or mileage is $100 for the entire activity/event funding period
  
• Facilitator or speaker fees
• Printing (e.g., flyers)
• Project materials and supplies
  
• Gift certificates for people participating in the project. Gift certificates can be for participants buying food during the project (e.g., to replace meals that would have been shared if the project was in-person) or for prizes (only gift certificates from businesses that provide food)
• Volunteer expenses (e.g., food) Maximum of $50 for the entire activity/event funding period
  
• Other expenses on a case-by-case basis
  

What you can't use the funding for:

• Costs that happened before the grant was approved
• Alcohol
• Fundraising activities/events, donations to charitable causes
• Ongoing projects/programs
• Costs to maintain activities beyond the funding term
• Salaries, hourly wages and income-generating activities for staff, group members and/or mentors
• Fees paid to project partners
• TTC monthly passes
• Travel outside of the City of Toronto
• Training/education for individual group members
• Purchase of media equipment (e.g. computers or software)
• Activities related to religious and/or political purposes
  

Working with a Trustee:

All funded groups will need to work with a trustee. A trustee is an incorporated not-for-profit organization with the financial systems and organizational structure to administer your group's grant funds. A trustee will distribute the grant funding according to the approved project budget as well as be accountable for reporting on the grant funds to your group and the City. Trustees will have processes in place for how they provide funds and will require that your group provide receipts for your expenses. Funded groups can ask to use a specific agency as a trustee. If no request is made, funded groups will be matched with a trustee organization

Project Reports:

All funded projects will need to submit a brief report on their work.

Eligible Communities:

East Region:

Broader Lawrence East

Lawrence Valia & Meadowvale

Morningside Apartments

Morningside Ling

West Hill Apartments

Lawrence Galloway

Lawrence Orton

Lawrence Susan

Cedarbrae Manor

Victoria Park / Chester Le

Victoria Park Chester Le

Flemingdon Park

Flemingdon Park

Glenyan Manor

Markham Morningside

Malvern

Empringham Mews

Morningside Coronation (Danzig)

North Birchmount

Finch Birchmount

Sheppard Birchmount

East Finch

Shaunghnessy Blvd

Willowdale

Leslie Finch

Central Region:

Downtown East

Moss Park

Pembroke Mews

William Dennison Apartments

Dan Harrison Complex

Sherbourne Shuter

200 Wellesley

Bleecker Street

West Region:

Broader Jane / Shoreham

Downsview Acres

Edgeley Apartments

Edgeley Village Driftwood

Edgeley Village Shoreham

Jane Milo

Jane Yewtree

Islington St. Andrews

Islington St. Andrews

South Etobicoke

Queensway Windermere

Mabelle Place

Bloor Keele

East Mall

West Mall

Kipling Albion

Kipling Mount Olive

Martingrove Albion

Lightwood Sanagan

West Finch

Thistletown 1

Thistletown 2

Finch/Ardwick

Lawrence Heights

Lawrence Heights

Key Dates:

• Friday, May 21, 2021 at 12 p.m. (noon): Applications due
• Late May: Funding decisions announced
  
• June 14 - August 31: Projects are run
• September 30: Project reports due