FAQs
Q: What is the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park community? What are the boundaries?
A: The Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park community has been designated as a priority neighbourhood, by the City of Toronto and the United Way. The boundaries have been defined in the west as Scarborough Golf Club Road, east to Manse Road, north to just north of Ellesmere and south to the railway tracks south of Kingston Road.
Q: How can I find out about events that take place in the Kingston Galloway/Orton Park area?
A: Please visit our EVENTS page to see a calendar of events happening in the community.
Q: What is Residents Rising? How can I get involved?
A: Residents Rising is a grassroots resident’s association whose purpose is to raise community awareness and participation among the people who need a way to connect with their community.
Residents Rising brings community members together to speak with their fellow residents about their dreams for the community, to actively participate in community events and to spread the word about what services are available, what events are happening and where people can best connect to make their voices heard.
Q: What is Storefront? What services do they offer?
A: The Storefront is a partnership of community members and services working together to create a thriving community in East Scarborough.
Helpful staff at the Storefront can help you find information or services on a number of issues, including: health, housing, jobs, computer training, legal issues, mental health, parenting, recreation, seniors’ services, settlement services, social assistance, youth services, and more…
Q: How can I keep myself updated with what’s happening in the Kingston Galloway/Orton Park area?
A: Talk to your neighbours, your friends and your family!
Check out this website – www.ourkgocommunity.com
Read the flyers in your buildings, on community
bulletin boards and at community centres.
Ask staff and volunteers from the agencies working in
the neighbourhood.
Get involved! There are many opportunities to work with
neighbours to make your community a better place to
live.
Q: I’ve heard of Community Speaks, what are they?
A: Eight times a year, community members gather for dinner, fun activities and facilitated discussion on topics relevant to the community. From these discussions come recommendations which guide community building activities in the following months.
Q: Does getting involved really make a difference?
A: YES!!
Agencies in the neighbourhood take recommendations from Community Speaks very seriously. The feedback that the community members provide is used by the Storefront, the Neighbourhood Action Partnership and other community stakeholders to ensure that the work being done on behalf of community members is driven by a community agenda. The information from the community is summarized in a brochure and mailed to the participants, the politicians and others.
Just one example of individuals coming together to make a difference is the 54A TTC Bus Campaign.
After the need to improve service on route 54A was identified at a Community Speak, Storefront, the Neighbourhood Action Partnership and Residents Rising worked together to advocate for better service.
The result was a personal letter from the TTC Chair, accessible or ‘kneeling’ busses replaced older model buses which weren’t accessible for people with mobility issues, and increased frequency of buses.
Q: What community centres and libraries are located in the Kingston Galloway/Orton Park area?
A: Curran Hall Community Centre at 277 Orton Park Rd., (416)396-5156
Heron Park Community Centre at 292 Manse Rd., (416)396-4035
Cedar Ridge Creative Centre at 225 Confederation Dr., (416) 396-7043
Morningside Library at 4279 Lawrence AVe. E., (416)396-8881
Q: Where can my children go for after school activities?
A: Programs are offered at the local community centres, the library and the East Scarborough Boys & Girls Club.
Q: Who do I call for graffiti removal, lighting issues, trees, park permits, etc.?
A: Click here for more information.
Q: What is Neighbourhood Action Partnership? How can I get involved?
A: The Neighbourhood Action Partnership (NAP) is a City initiative designed to increase the capacity of City departments and non-profit agencies to serve at risk communities through collaboration.
In Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park, the NAP is the means by which local service providers communicate, plan and vision together to help create a thriving community.
Residents are encouraged to join a sub-committee to work with others who have similar interests.
NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION BACKGROUNDER
The Community Safety Plan is the City of Toronto’s comprehensive approach to violence prevention. By focusing on at-risk youth and investing in neighbourhoods, the plan is helping to build safer communities.
Working with a wide range of partners, the City has created many opportunities for young people to gain new skills and employment experience. New programs have also been developed that help youth disengage from criminal involvements and start on a new path. Other projects have focused on expanding recreation and cultural opportunities. Implementation of the Community Safety involves many program areas and community partners. Much of the work is focused on 13 priority neighbourhoods identified in the plan and specifically looks at opportunities to support local Neighbourhood Action.
Neighbourhood Action
Growing out of the Community Safety Plan, Neighbourhood Action is an essential aspect of the City’s response to young people and vulnerable neighbourhoods. It is a new approach to community development based on service partnerships. Neighbourhood Action can have many aspects and can involve many different stakeholders including City staff, schools and other educational institutions, corporations, unions, community agencies, and residents.
Neighbourhood Action Teams
City staff working in local areas have come together to form Neighbourhood Action teams to find ways to plan and deliver services—particularly services for youth— in a more coordinated and effective way.
Who’s at the Table?
Most of the Neighbourhood Action teams include staff from:
- Parks, Forestry and Recreation
- Public Health
- Social Services
- Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
- Children’s Services
- Toronto Public Library
- Toronto Police Service
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation
Federal and provincial and school board staff have also joined many of the teams. Kingston-Gallioway/Orton Park’s Neighbourhood Action Partnership includes members from key local community agencies and networks and local residents.
Liaison and Leadership
A lead director has been assigned to work with each Neighbourhood Action team. These senior managers meet regularly to share information and coordinate their activities. Additional support for the process comes from the Interdivisional Committee on Integrated Responses to Priority Neighbourhoods, a committee of general managers chaired by Deputy City Manager Sue Corke. The committee was formed to promote collaboration within the City government and with its external partners.
Neighbourhood Action Agenda
The issues facing each neighbourhood are different. So are the local resources which can be brought to bear. For that reason Neighbourhood Action has taken different forms in each neighbourhood.
Common to all Neighbourhood Action teams is a commitment to a collaborative approach: sharing information and working together to make the planning and delivery of services more effective. There is a commitment to work with local residents and organizations to identify what resources are needed to improve quality of life in the area.
The Future
The initial focus of Neighbourhood Action has been to better coordinate the activities of the City and its most immediate partners such as TCHC and the school boards. Neighbourhood Action is an inclusive process committed to building the capacity of neighbourhoods. Community agencies, local businesses, residents’ organizations and faith groups are being involved in building a comprehensive approach to community planning and development.
Given the early successes of Neighbourhood Action, the approach will result in stronger, safer neighbourhoods.
For More information on Neighbourhood Action:
Nrinder Nann, Manager, Community Development
Social Development, Finance and Administration
City of Toronto
Tel: 416.392.0103
Q: How do I contact my representatives in government?
A: City Counsillor: Paul Anislie – Ward 43
Constituency Office: Scarborough Civic Centre
150 Borough Drive, 2nd floor
Scarborough, ON M1P 4N7
Phone: (416)396-7222
councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
Member of Provincial Parliament: Margarett Best – Scarborough-Guildwood
Constituency Office
4117 Lawrence Avenue East Unit 109
Toronto, ON M1E 2S2
Phone: (416) 281-2787
mbest.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Member of Parliament: Hon. John McKay – Scarborough-Guildwood
Constituency Office
3785 Kingston Road, Unit 10
Scarborough, ON M1J 3H4
Phone: (416)283-1226
jmckay@johnmckaymp.on.ca
