On Wednesday, June 12, residents, community partners, and local service providers gathered at the UN Urban Pavilion in the heart of Regent Park for Regent Park Connect — a civic event hosted by the Employment and Economic Development (EED) Working Group of the Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP).

Dawar Naeem – Local Journalism Initiative

Framed by the pressing issue of equitable access to employment in one of Toronto’s fastest-changing neighbourhoods, the event highlighted local efforts to strengthen job pathways and close gaps in the employment ecosystem.

At the centre of the event was the Workforce Integration Project — a collaborative initiative designed to connect job seekers with local employers and employment services, while addressing the systemic barriers that often prevent residents from securing meaningful work. Through door-to-door outreach,strategic partnerships, and a community-owned approach, the project aims to create a more responsive and inclusive employment system for Regent Park.

Hosted with accessibility in mind, the event featured free food and child-minding services, ensuring that families and working individuals could take part. But beyond convenience, Regent Park Connect served as a platform for civic engagement and accountability — bringing together those directly affected by employment challenges with those in positions to implement change.

Elena Mehrzad Taghizadeh, Co-Chair of the EED Working Group, opened the event by welcoming attendees and offering an overview of the group’s mission. She emphasized the importance of community-driven planning in shaping local economic development, and reinforced the EED’s commitment to building employment, training, and entrepreneurship pathways that are rooted in the needs of Regent Parkers.

One of the key presentations came from Tiffany Lambert, Acting Manager of Revitalization and Renewal Communities at Toronto Community Housing (TCHC). Lambert spoke about the upcoming Community Benefits Vote, which gives residents the power to help decide how $26.8 million in community investment funds will be spent over the next 10 to 15 years. This funding, made possible through TCHC’s partnership with Tridel for Phases 4 and 5 of the Regent Park revitalization, represents a major opportunity to shape the neighbourhood’s future through a lens of equity and inclusion.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation by Ismail Mohammed, the Workforce Integrator for the EED Working Group. Mohammed outlined the goals and structure of the Workforce Integration Project, which brings together job seekers, employers, and service providers to build a cohesive and community-centered employment network. From supporting resume building and job readiness to connecting residents with training, certifications, and uniforms, the project is designed to meet people where they are — and help them move forward with confidence.

Also on the program was an uplifting and motivational talk by Dr. Glenroy Williams, Workforce Engagement Supervisor at Yonge Street Mission. Dr. Williams introduced the TOP-YET Cycle, a concept grounded in recognizing one’s Talent, seizing Opportunities, and realizing Potential — even when success feels out of reach. His message struck a chord with attendees, reinforcing the idea that community transformation begins with belief in one’s own value.

The event wrapped up with a participatory feedback activity, where residents responded to prompts about their employment needs, challenges, and aspirations. Using post-it notes and chart paper,attendees shared insights that will directly inform the next phase of the Workforce Integration Project. The responses will help ensure that the initiative continues to evolve in a way that reflects the voices and realities of Regent Parkers.

As Regent Park continues to grow and change through revitalization, events like Regent Park Connect remind us that community development must be more than bricks and mortar — it must be about people. With residents actively shaping programs, voting on investments, and co-creating solutions, the future of Regent Park is being written not just by planners and developers, but by those who call it home.