Regent Park’s 2024 Summer Safety Jam
The event aimed to kick off a safe summer by promoting community safety. Residents, community partners, and local stakeholders gathered to connect and strengthen relationships.
Warm and sunny weather with the occasional cool breeze. The DJ blasting just the right mix of hip hop and R&B. The smell of halal BBQ in the air and kids laughing wherever you went.
On Saturday, June 2, nearly 2,500 Regent Park residents came out for the annual Regent Park Summer Safety Jam – a free, fun-filled community celebration hosted by Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) at The Big Park. The event promotes community safety where residents, community partners, and local stakeholders gather to connect and create a safer summer.
“This is one of the biggest events for my community and it’s always a blast!” said Adam Elmi, a TCHC tenant who grew up in Regent Park. “Over the years, I’ve loved attending these events with friends. It’s my opportunity to learn more about the safety and development initiatives happening where my family lives.”
Community Safety Unit (CSU) officers pose with MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (in green), TCHC President and CEO Sean Baird (centre), and other TCHC staff members at the annual Regent Park Summer Safety Jam.
Since safety is the main theme for the event, TCHC and its partners, including the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire, Regent Park Safety Network, and the City of Toronto's Community Crisis Response Program, were there to address safety in the community. Co-hosted by TCHC’s Regent Park revitalization team, in collaboration with Community Safety Unit (CSU) and Violence Reduction Program (VRP) and with support from developer partners Daniels and Tridel, the event featured a free halal BBQ, formal remarks, live entertainment, a local bazaar, family activities, and more.
Summer Safety Jam is also an engagement opportunity for the Regent Park revitalization. A new addition this year, TCHC’s development team opened a call for residents in a "dotmocracy" initiative to help select final names for consideration for a new street (Street "G", part of Phase 4a - see PDF for reference).
Regent Park community residents had their final say on potential names for a new street to be created as part of Phase 4a. TCHC will submit the top four names to the City of Toronto in July for consideration.
Esha Kidwai, a member of TCHC’s Development team who works specifically in Regent Park and helped organize this year’s Summer Safety Jam, spoke about the importance of community engagement.
“While this is a fun, summer BBQ, it’s also where staff and community partners engage with residents face-to-face,” said Esha. “ They listen, highlight, and explore opportunities to enhance community safety through revitalization, whether that’s through jobs, programs, or design.”
Residents participate in the dotmocracy initiative and engage with TCHC’s Development team about ongoing revitalization projects in their community.
Dozens of canopies set up by community and safety partners lined the park, offering an opportunity for community residents to drop by and ask questions, raise concerns, and learn about available resources. Community partners included: Mothers of Peace, Regent Park Pride Collective, Friends of Regent Park, Local Fire Services, and 51 Division Police. Councillor Christopher Moise and MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam were also present to take photos and listen to the attendees. Both know first-hand the experiences of community residents and the importance of investing in their safety.
“I was so happy to see both Councillor Moise and MPP Wong-Tam join us today,” said Adam. “It makes us feel that we – and the community’s well-being – are top priorities.”
Canopies line The Big Park as Regent Park residents take part in TCHC’s annual Summer Safety Jam.
TCHC continues to improve community safety through engagement, community economic development opportunities, and animated public spaces. The emphasis is on tenant collaboration, with both staff and external partners.
“This year’s Summer Safety Jam was a success,” said Esha. “As a team, we’re proud of the effort we put into this event. But we know this is just the beginning and the work continues.”
