By Dawar NAEEM

Dawar is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE.

We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP) Grant.

This exciting milestone highlights the Regent Park SDP’s commitment to fostering equity, well-being, and opportunity across our vibrant Regent Park community.

In 2023, the Regent Park Social Development Plan was refreshed through a community-led process, emphasizing equity-centered engagement. This ensures that the projects funded by the SDP Grant align with the community’s priorities and provide equitable access to opportunities and resources for all residents.

The 2024 SDP Grant supports organizations, grassroots groups, Toronto Community Housing tenants, and community members advancing one or more of the plan's key focus areas:

• Community Safety

• Communication

• Employment & Economic Development

• Community Building

This year, the SDP received 58 applications requesting a total of $4,054,933, far exceeding the available $500,000 funding envelope.

Applications underwent an eligibility review by City staff and were assessed by a resident-led panel consisting of Regent Park residents with deep knowledge of the SDP.

2024 SDP Grant Recipients

We are pleased to congratulate the following groups whose projects will enrich the Regent Park community:

• Centre of Learning and Development: The Cultural Bazaar x Regent Park Fashion Show 2025
  Grant Amount: $64,150

• Community Building Working Group: Sunday in the Park 2025 Festival
  Grant Amount: $40,000

• Community Music Schools of Toronto: Regent Park Rhythms
  Grant Amount: $25,560

• Friends of Regent Park: Connecting Bridges in Regent Park
  Grant Amount: $36,795.60

• Mental Health Matters (MHM): Mental Health Matters
  Grant Amount: $95,691.22

• Regent Park OUTLOUD: Regent Park OUTLOUD
  Grant Amount: $37,200

• Regent Park Safety Network: The Regent Park S.A.W Workshop Series
  Grant Amount: $36,284.54

• Rhythm & Roots: Regent Park Women’s Dance Collective: Rhythm & Roots
  Grant Amount: $1,700

• SDP Employment and Economic Development: Regent Park Workforce Integration Project
  Grant Amount: $53,133.96

• The Children's Book Bank and Literacy Foundation: Youth Employment at The Children’s Book Bank
  Grant Amount: $29,945

• Toronto Birth Centre: Improving Access for Perinatal Services in Regent Park
  Grant Amount: $100,000

For any inquiries, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Community Funding team at Communityfunding@toronto.ca.

As the year comes to a close, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and engagement with Regent Park TV. Whether you’ve tuned in to watch local stories, participated in community events, or shared your experiences with us, you’ve helped make 2024 a remarkable year.

We wish you and your loved ones peace, joy, and warmth this holiday season. May the new year bring renewed energy, opportunities, and continued connections within our vibrant Regent Park community. We can’t wait to bring you even more exciting stories and local content in 2025!