Tenants’ vision inspires TCHC community spaces
Building UP partners with Toronto Community Housing to renovate several community spaces.
Recently, Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) invested over $150,000 through the Violence Reduction Program to renovate the community hubs at Danzig, Mount Olive, and Sparroway.
Building UP participants working on the Sparroway Community Hub.
TCHC first reached out to Building UP in November 2024 to establish a partnership to help complete the renovation project. Building Up is a non-profit organization that provides job opportunities in the trades to people experiencing barriers to employment. Since 2016, TCHC has partnered with Building UP to connect tenants with employment opportunities in construction and to help renovate community spaces.
“The Violence Reduction Program, along with the Regional engagement [and Facilities Management] teams, worked hard to make these renovated spaces a reality in 2025,” said Alex Yeaman, Violence Reduction Program Manager. “We engaged with Building UP to get the spaces ready in a short time frame."
Partnering with TCHC on this project, Building UP played a role in light building repairs, including painting, drywall repairs, furniture installation, artwork installation, and TV setup.
Diego Savone, Director of General Labour at Building UP.
“What makes this renovation project special is that there are TCHC residents hired to do the work, and these spaces are for them,” explained Diego Savone, Director of General Labour at Building UP. “They know the people who this project will impact, and they are playing a role by building their own communities.”
Building UP is known for hiring tenants to work on capital repair projects in TCHC communities, this project was no different. For this project, about 60 per cent of the workers reside in TCHC.
Ryan, a TCHC tenant hired by Building UP, applied for the position after someone he knew encouraged him to apply.
Building UP participant, Ryan, helping to build a cabinet at the Danzig location.
“Once I saw the poster in the building, I reached out and applied,” said Ryan. “So far, it has been a great experience to help create a space for kids for homework, playing video games—for everything.”
When asked about giving back to the community through these renovation projects, Ryan says it means everything. “I like how everyone is involved and how it builds community, especially with the youth.”
Beyond the partnership between TCHC and Building UP, the heart of this renovation project lies in community input, tenant engagement and advocacy.
Danzig community hub: Our space
Shondelle, a tenant leader in the Danzig community, identified her driving factor as recognizing the need for a space where therapists could directly speak with the tenants. “There is a huge need to address some of the issues that exist within this community,” explained Shondelle. “A few months ago, I flagged to TCHC that it was essential to have a comfortable space where residents can have sessions with a therapist.”
The community space located at 230 Danzig Street, also known as “Our Space,” was renovated with comfort in mind. The space aims to provide a welcoming environment for families to access resources and attend counselling sessions.
The counselling room in the Our Space hub.
The space includes one-on-one therapy sessions for youth and family therapy, a youth restorative justice program, a youth literacy program, a weekly art class for mothers and a daily breakfast program that serves up to 50 children Monday through Friday.
Mount Olive community hub: A haven for youth
Without a formal space in Mount Olive to run programs and events, it became essential for TCHC to find a way to create a dedicated space for the tenants, particularly the youth.
To make this space a reality, the Violence Reduction Program team engaged with the community to find out their needs and provide support.
“We sent a community survey in 2024 to every door to get feedback on programs needed. Residents were encouraged to contact me with any ideas or interests,” explained Community Navigator, Kelly Dehoop. “We focused on youth programming and skills building.”
This summer, in collaboration with the City of Toronto, TCHC was able to secure a townhouse unit that will be dedicated to community programming.
A cozy living room space was created in the Mount Olive hub for young people to gather.
Brian, a TCHC tenant living in the West region, worked on the renovations at Mount Olive, and believed that this was one of the best things that could have happened in his community.
“With Building UP, we are making these spaces safer for children and women,” said Brian. “I worked on the one in Mount Olive and Shoreham, and when my wife saw the work that I was doing, she loved the idea.”
Currently, youth tenant leaders use the space to run a Skills for Life program for youth ages 13-19, twice a week.
Sparroway community hub: A home away from home
While discussions to renovate the community hub in Sparroway began in 2018, it took several years for the project to be completed. The project got a jump start when Councillor Shelley Carroll was able to secure funding through the City’s Section 37 funds. This funding goes towards the capital costs of facilities, services and matters intended to serve development and redevelopment of communities.
The renovated community hub features three rooms, including a fitness room, a recreation room and youth space, all designed to meet the various needs of the Sparroway community.
A music production studio for youth in the Sparroway Community Hub.
Andrew Cox, a TCHC Community Navigator, with the Violence Reduction Program, shared his experience. He worked in partnership with the tenant group Sparroway Wellness Community throughout this project.
“I had initially worked with the Sparroway Wellness Committee and the Councillor to advocate for the space renovations and retrofitting. I held various community meetings and conducted surveys over the years,” explained Andrew. “Once I transferred teams, my colleague, Alexis Cheddesingh, supported me with integrated team meetings and onsite tenant support.”
Rui, a tenant leader and member of the Sparroway Wellness Committee, believes that the renovated community hub will benefit the community.
“It will keep the kids busy, the tenants happy and comfortable that they have a space close to home,” explained Rui. “As a member of the Sparroway Wellness Community, we played the role of liaison between the community and TCHC and got the community excited and engaged about this project.”
The community celebrated the opening of the hub earlier this summer.
Interested in learning more about the Building UP program? Visit the Building UP website or email Melisa Savone, Building UP’s Outreach and Marketing Manager, at melisa.savone@buildingup.ca.
