Making our communities safer, stronger and more vibrant for all residents
The Toronto East Quadrant Local Immigration Partnership (TEQ LIP) in collaboration with local and regional partners has organized its 2nd Scarborough Community Safety Week taking place from September 22nd to 26th, 2014. The event aims to create opportunities for service providers and newcomer communities to work together in addressing safety issues and improving neighbourhood safety measures for Scarborough’s diverse immigrant resident groups through collaboration amongst service providers and other key stakeholders.
The Opening Celebration was held on Monday, September 22, 2014 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm at McGregor Park Community Centre
The event featured a keynote speech by Toronto Police Service, shortly followed by an interactive Road Safety display led by Toronto Police Services and partners at the same location. Participants had the opportunity to learn more on how to be safe on the road as driver, cyclist or pedestrian through interactive simulators, demonstrations, displays and informative discussions.
The Wrap-up Celebration was held on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 11:00am to 1:00 pm at Scarborough Civic Centre , 150 Borough Drive, Scarborough.
At this Closing event The Crisis Response Team of the City of Toronto presented a workshop on Community Safety. This workshop featured the viewing of “Mouse”, a powerful film produced by Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School. The short film addressed the issues of gang recruitment and gang involvement.
Click here to find out what happened during 2014 Safety Week across Scarborough.
Target Groups:
Scarborough newcomer/immigrant residents, newcomer civic leaders and newcomer service providers in Scarborough.
Expected Outcomes:
- Service providers are aware of different types of safety issues newcomers face and have the ability to guide newcomer clients.
- Newcomers are aware of different safety issues and are able to access service providers that can assist them with their safety concerns.
- Stronger relationships among service providers and newcomers are developed, building on effective models of collaboration and community engagement.
Major Themes of the Safety Week:
- Road Safety – Includes Pedestrian Safety including schoolchildren, seniors and youth, cyclists and commuting issues, vehicle safety, etc.
- Community Safety – Includes Violence, fear of violence, crimes, safety of children, seniors and women in the neighbourhood/ public space, community relationships and neighbourhood matters
- Family Safety – Includes Domestic issues and family safety, Resistance techniques, Gas and electrical and fire safety, Safety of children at home, Senior abuse/ safety, Sexual health and safety, etc.
- Financial Safety – Includes Financial Safety for newcomers, Senior financial safety, Common scams and fraud that targets newcomers, Consumer safety, Documentation and legal awareness
- Youth Safety – Includes Dealing with youth related issues i.e. bullying, cyber vigilance, drug activities, gangs, homelessness
Format of the Event
Monday, Sep 22: Kick-off event at 12.00 pm shortly followed by Road Safety Event at McGregor Park Community Centre – 2231, Lawrence Ave East, Scarborough, M1P 2P5
Sep 22 to 26 : Workshops, seminars, discussions and information sessions on Financial Safety, Family Safety, Youth Safety and Community Safety will be held in multiple locations across Scarborough at community service organizations, libraries, hubs, high-schools, etc.
Friday, Sep 26: Wrap up celebration and Community Safety event at 11.00 am at 150 Borough Drive, Scarborough ON M1P 4N7
Organizing Committee Members
- Canadian Red Cross Society
- Centre for Information and Services (CICS)
- City of Toronto – Crisis Response
- TDSB – Newcomer Services
- Toronto Police – 41, 42 and 43 Divisions
- Toronto East Quadrant Local Immigration Partnership
- Victim Services Toronto
- Warden Woods Community Centre
- YWCA Jump Start
Key Outcomes
23 organizations and 15 schools participated in organizing 43 Workshops and events on safety during the week, reaching close to 800 residents and over 1150 high school students, of which many are newcomers, in events held at schools. The week’s success was enhanced by sponsors who contributed refreshments to various Safety Week events and significant prize gifts for a raffle that made the Kick-off event even more interactive and engaging, including gift certificates for driving school and other prizes.
TEQ LIP wants to thank the Planning Committee members, all the community partners, main stream organizations and sponsors who contributed to making this week a great success.