RPTV WEEKLY NEWS (TP 83) - Community Explores Council Fire Native Cultural Centre at Doors Open 2024

RPTV Weekly News Show Episode 83 (May 24th to June 1st) - in this weekly news show hosted by RPTV reporters Fred Alvarado, Jabin Haque, Thunder Cloud, Kedar Ahmed, and Gabriel Meissner, we present news that impacts Toronto's Regent Park and the surrounding areas.

In this episode, we present the following news:
0:00 intro
01:28 Firearm Discharge in Regent Park: Police Seek Information;
02:31 2024 TCHC (Toronto Community Housing) Summer Safety Jam is back!;
04:34 TCHC and Tridel Launch Regent Park Scholarship Program;
05:50 Community Explores Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre at Doors Open Toronto 2024;
17:32 TNG Women's Program Mobilizes Against Health Care Privatization;
23:48 Building Roots Unveils Moss Park Chronicles: Capturing Community Stories;
37:28 TDSB CREATES Program celebrates “CURIOSITY” with Visual Arts Exhibition & Performances;
40:18 Events and Jobs in Regent Park community.

This week’s lead story:

Community Explores Council Fire Native Cultural Centre at Doors Open 2024

 By Fred Alvarado Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

Recently, Doors Open Toronto invited the public to explore the city’s most beloved buildings and sites for free. Among the highlights was the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, located in the Regent Park/Cabbagetown area.

Founded in 1976, Council Fire established a permanent home at 439 Dundas Street East in May 1997. This move allowed for the expansion of its support services and skill development initiatives. The Centre, which serves over 175,000 clients annually, is currently undergoing a period of restructuring and revitalization.

As one of many Aboriginal service providers in the Greater Toronto Area, the Centre addresses the social, health, education, economic, and cultural needs of Toronto's urban Aboriginal population. It offers a wide range of services, including housing help, income support, education and employment training, clinic referrals, detox and treatment referrals, and volunteer opportunities.

During Doors Open Toronto, visitors had the chance to tour the facility, which features workshop areas, classrooms, a kitchen, and offices. The Centre's food support programs are a critical resource for the community, providing breakfast for up to 90 people and lunch for 125 people daily. The food bank operates bi-weekly, serving those in need.

RPTV reporter Fred Alvarado visited the Centre and witnessed firsthand the dedication of the staff, who warmly welcomed guests and proudly showcased their vital work. The event highlighted the Centre's role as a cornerstone of support and empowerment for the community, reinforcing its significance within the urban Indigenous landscape of Toronto.