CBC's Thorncliffe Park event celebrates community and the future ahead
David Common hosts the mayor and a powerful local lineup
Thorncliffe Park residents recently attended Facing the Future Together, a community event at the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub, following months of consultation and community engagement with CBC Toronto journalists.
That engagement has led to a series of stories, which you can find here.
Metro Morning host David Common spoke to the more than 120 attendees who packed the event about Thorncliffe Park's challenges, and the best path forward to a successful collective future for the community.
The event is the culmination of CBC Toronto's Communities in Focus initiative, which saw journalists dedicated to the east end neighbourhood.
Labibah Salim's moving spoken word performance set the tone for the evening.
"When I think of Thorncliffe, I think of humanity," said Salim. "With everything going on in the world, with everything making me feel like I am out of place and I don't have a place to call home, the idea of humanity is what brings me back."
The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO), which runs the youth hub, partnered with CBC Toronto to host the event.
Ahmed Hussein, TNO's executive director, walked guests through the venue and explained the various youth services it provides, including employment and mental health programs.
The engaged and enthusiastic audience heard from an inspiring panel of young residents who outlined the challenges, but also the beauty and solidarity of the community.
"I like to give back to my community to show them that it is possible," said entrepreneur and volunteer Adnan Vania. "To the youth, there is a future, whatever your dreams are."
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow then took to the stage to address various community concerns and answer questions about the local government's commitment to the future of Thorncliffe Park.
Chow made a special announcement regarding ball hockey, a popular sport in the area. After recent CBC Toronto coverage, the city will now provide space and funding to make the sport more accessible within the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood.
On-stage guests also included grassroots organizers Sabina Ali, from the Thorncliffe Park Women's Committee, Aamir Sukhera, a member of I Am Thorncliffe, Nemoy Lewis, an assistant professor of urban planning at Toronto Metropolitan University, and strategist and consultant Zahra Ebrahim.
Young up-and-coming community volunteers, including Faheem Vawd, were honoured as "Thorncliffe Heroes," acknowledging their commitment and ongoing contributions to the neighbourhood.
Overall, the evening was met with glowing feedback. The community felt prioritized by CBC, heard and seen, and the space offered an opportunity for residents, journalists and community leaders to connect meaningfully.
While this Communities in Focus initiative has wrapped, the CBC Toronto newsroom will continue its relationship with the community and is committed to covering stories in this vibrant and diverse Toronto neighbourhood.
The invaluable connections that were forged between CBC journalists and the local residents will continue to inspire editorial and news coverage.
If you have tips about stories or input on other community initiatives in Thorncliffe Park, please contact TOnews@cbc.ca.
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