By Adonis Huggins
Adonis Huggins is a staff journalist with RPTV

The Regent Park Social Development Plan, also known as the SDP, is a community- wide initiative aimed at fostering unity and togetherness among all the different residents and stakeholder groups in the community.

The Employment and Economic Development Working Group, known as the EED Working Group, is one the four working groups of the SDP. The working group is made up of residents, grassroots groups and organizations serving Regent Park.

The goal of the EED committee is to increase employment rates and entrepreneurial opportunities for residents of Regent Park. Considered among the lowest income neighbourhoods in Toronto, anedotal evidence suggests that many Regent Park households are struggling with employment barriers related to language, lack of skills, lack of accreditation, mental health, Islamophobia, systemic racism and more.
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On Tuesday, January 17th, 2023, the EED Working Group held a hybrid meeting at the Daniels Spectrum Arts Centre, from 5-7 pm.

The meeting was chaired by Asal Afshar from Tridel Development Corporation and Shane Bourne from Toronto Housing and was an opportunity for residents to hear about all the employment, entrepreneurial and scholarship opportunities in the community.
 
At the meeting, Afshar discussed construction career opportunities through the BOLT Foundation, as well as summer employment opportunities through Tridel’s annual summer internship program.

Shane talked about scholarship opportunities through the Investing in Our Diversity scholarship program and co-op/summer opportunities through TCHC.

Glenroy Williams a staff member of Young Street Mission’s Employment Services presented information about a 5-week employment and career development training program for adults in the community.

Ismail Afrah the EED Access to Recreation Coordinator spoke about youth employment with Park Forestry and Recreation as well as a job opportunities for a workforce Integrator position dedicated to help residents find employment.   

Finally Gail Lynch gave a update on a Women Entrepreneurship Program.

With all the available job opportunities available to residents in Regent Park, the employment future of the community appears to be bright.