Our community development initiative, in partnership with World Vision Canadian Programs, seeks the peace and wellbeing of the entire Jane-Finch community. Our hope is that children, youth and their families will live out their days in safety and good health, full of hope and opportunity.

This community development effort is a journey with community to express dreams and aspirations, discover assets, name limitations, and generate solutions for peace and well-being.

Our vision of peace and well-being enables families, communities and neighbourhoods to thrive and reach their God-given potential as measured by hope, safety, health and education:

• Health – The process of growth towards optimal physical, social, and mental capacity that enables individuals to confront challenges with resiliency and contribute to society at her or his full potential.
• Safety – The access to healthy food, safe housing, and stable employment that reduces vulnerabilities and enhances the development of capacities that enable full participation in society, in the present and the future.
• Education – The knowledge and skill development that enables age-appropriate achievement in life and employment preparation.
• Hope – The spiritual affirmation, rooted in an unfolding of God’s goodness and love that allows individuals to envision and pursue life in all of its fullness.

We recognize that our Jane-Finch community is a great place to be and we desire for it to be even better, never settling for second best. In an effort to continue to grow stronger and healthier, it is our desire to identify and empower every member of the community to use their talents and gifts—none too small—to make our community a welcoming place.

We hope to develop this cooperative and collaborative approach to community development through networking between people, organizations, businesses, service agencies and anyone else who wants to invest in our Jane-Finch community.

Stewart Vander Velden is spearheading this effort, along with Karen Robinson. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in this transformational effort for our community please contact us (Select Programs: Jane-Finch Community Development from the drop-down menu).

This community development work is being done in partnership with World Vision Canadian Programs.