TO Wards Peace
TO Wards Peace (TWP) is a risk-driven, community-centric model being implemented in the Northwest of the City that uses a public health approach to the interruption, intervention and prevention of gun violence and victimization. Anchored in community by the local health centre; Rexdale Community Health Centre/Black Creek Community Health Centre and driven by local anti-violence grassroots group, Think 2Wice (T2) in Rexdale and Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE) in Jane and Finch neighbourhoods, Violence Disruption Workers with relevant expertise and lived experience with anti-black racism, trauma and violence are hired to work on integrated teams made up of community, hospitals and City resources. Through a multi-sector approach the pilot combines effective community engagement approaches, innovative communication tools, hospital based interventions social media strategies and focused investments geared at violence interruption and prevention to support racialized youth and communities most vulnerable to serious violence and crime.
PeaceProjects at a Glance
Peace Projects to help promote youth engagement, empowerment and community safety in Rexdale/Jane & Finch. These projects aim to enhance and build on youth’s capacity to accomplish creative ideas and initiatives that aspires to bring peace, cohesion and unity to disrupt violence and conflict. The Youth Peace Ambassador will interact with young people and oversee four (4) youth-led Peace Projects. The Youth Peace Ambassador will inspire, engage, mentor and support youth to achieve their project goals whilst making authentic connections with other youth/residents, advocacy groups, agencies, schools, other stakeholders and the community at large in Rexdale/Jane & Finch.
More about our Anchor Organizations
Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) is a non-profit community-based organization that provides health care services and programs geared to vulnerable populations living in Toronto’s North West communities. Their mission is to engage with individuals, families and organizations to deliver comprehensive health services and programs that enhance community health and well-being.
Rexdale Community Health Centre (RCHC) is a non-profit, multi-service, community-based organization that serves communities in Rexdale and North-West Etobicoke. Operating out of three locations, RCHC offers core services that include; primary health care, health promotion, community development programs, Pathways to Education and Diabetes Education Centre.
More about our Grassroot Organizations
The Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (Y.A.A.A.C.E) uses a social inclusion framework that enables participants to access opportunities, engage in academic activities, build self-confidence, and enhance self-identification. Y.A.A.A.C.E’s social inclusion framework is a socio-mechanism designed to impact the lives of children and youth so that they grow, learn and play in a context that is responsive and supportive of their needs, interests, expectations and aspirations, thereby enhancing the likelihood of them becoming twenty first century learners and global citizens.
Think 2wice's mission is to support individuals through the healing process and empower them to turn their pain into purpose while building positive leaders within the community. They envision the empowerment of racialized people by eliminating the impact of inequality and social injustice.
