Scholarships awarded to deserving students in TCHC’s Alexandra Park Community

A total of 12 scholarships were awarded on October 23, 2024, as part of Toronto Community Housing’s (TCHC) revitalization of the Alexandra Park community. The scholarships, totaling $40,000, were given out with Tridel – TCHC’s developer partner on the project.   

This is the second year of the Alexandra Park scholarship program. It is a key component of the revitalization’s social and economic development within the community, which also includes the Atkinson Co-operative. The Alexandra Park scholarship program will run annually until the revitalization is completed in 2038.  

The scholarship award ceremony was held at the Alexandra Park Community Centre (APCC) where recipients and dignitaries enjoyed dinner, the awards presentation and socializing. The evening also featured a selfie-booth and a DJ who kept the beats flowing.  

TCHC President and CEO Sean Baird was on-hand to honour the recipients. He offered these words as part of the event: “These scholarships will help create opportunities for students to access higher education and training. They’re also an example of the economic development initiatives that are part of each of our revitalization projects.”  

Alexandra Pryce is a first-time scholarship recipient. She is completing a pre-health degree at Toronto Metropolitan University in hopes it will lead to veterinary school. She shared, “Getting this scholarship is awesome. I’ll be in school a really long time, so every little bit helps.”  

Alexandra said she was relocated to a new unit on Augusta Avenue as part of the Alexandra Park revitalization: “The new place is pretty good. We have more space now and there’s a dog park nearby, which is great for me.”  

Another recipient, Ryan Akhadia, is currently studying criminology with minors in political science and forensic science at the University of Toronto. Following graduation, Ryan plans on attending law school and eventually wants to practice immigration and family law.

Ryan has lived in the Alexandra Park community for 14 years with his mother, who is very proud of her son. She shared, “I wanted to pursue a career in law myself, but life got in the way. For him to pursue this makes me very proud.” 

Aside from some influence from his mother, Ryan said he wants to study law because, “I want to be able to give back to the community. I view this as a necessary service and I have a real passion for it.”  

In his spare time, Ryan likes to play football, cook, and is in the debate club at school. “I have a pretty full schedule,” he said with a laugh.   

Sean Baird, who spent the evening talking to recipients and their families, said he really enjoyed getting to know everyone: “I’m really looking forward to seeing these young people achieve their goals and to watching them inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”