Since its inception in 2004, the CUI's Urban Leadership Awards program has been paying tribute to individuals, groups and organizations that have made a profound and lasting impact on the quality of life in Canada's cities and urban regions.
2011 Local Hero Award Recipient:
The Lawrence Heights Community Animators are a group of committed and passionate activist tenant
leaders who live in the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood, and who are truly reflective of the wide range
of diversity in this community. Lawrence Heights is designated by the City of Toronto as one of the 13
Priority Neighbourhoods characterized by persistently low incomes, an unequal distribution of services
and facilities and facing significant social challenges.
For the past 3 years, the community animators have worked collaboratively with Toronto Community
Housing, the City of Toronto, community organizations and agencies as well as their families, friends and
neighbours to develop a vision for their community as a result of the physical and social transformation
that will occur as a result of a community revitalization process. They worked to develop a set of
principles to guide the revitalization process and they played a fundamental role in the political process of getting the Lawrence-Allen Revitalization Plan through North York Community Council and Toronto City Council. Many animators demonstrated their leadership by making public deputations at North York Community Council and articulating their commitment to strengthening their community. They also supported and facilitated their neighbours' participation in the civic process.
During the past 3 years, they have conducted more than 1500 surveys to family members, friends and
neighbours to ensure that the community's priorities, hopes and concerns are reflected in the
revitalization plan. They have engaged in one-on-one outreach, organized community meetings,
discussions, workshops, Friday Night Café's, youth events, arts-based activities to outreach to their
community to find out what's important to them and to be strong advocates on their behalf. They
encouraged and supported the participation of others. They have been frequently called upon as
speakers and panel members on issues relating to community building and civic engagement and they
represented their community in city-wide issues and debate. They have hosted community tours and
discussions with visiting planners and urban renewal experts from Chicago, Brooklyn, New York,
Johannesburg, South Africa and Copenhagen, highlighting the importance of resident engagement and
inclusion in a community renewal process.
The Lawrence Heights animators are outstanding mentors and leaders in outreach, engagement,
mentorship and advocacy on behalf of their community. They bring to their work a deep understanding
and respect for the issues faced by marginalized and newcomer communities which is grounded in their
lived experience.
In addition to being engaged in the community revitalization process, they make outstanding contributions
to a strong and healthy community in a wide range of leadership roles: animators are Co-Chairs of
Community Safety Committee's, members of local school Parent Councils, community gardeners, they
Co-ordinate the Neptune Renewal Group which received one of the Mayor's Community Safety Awards
for 2010, they are Pathways to Education program tutors, Coordinators of grass roots women's groups,
members of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, volunteers with the Local Immigration Partnership program,
community caterers, leaders of East African parent associations, they actively participate in a number of
Lawrence Heights Inter Organization Committees such as the Food Justice Working Group, the
Education and Training working group and the Youth Outreach Committee.
The Lawrence Heights Animators have overcome social, institutional and economic barriers, in order to
protect and voice the interests of their community. Their commitment, dedication and strong voice for their
community resulted in a better revitalization plan -- a plan that is a source of community pride and
aspiration.
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Lawrence Heights, youth speak out.movby grich54942,016 views
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