Turning participants into leaders

Established in 2018, TCHC’s 37 Kids employment program makes positive strides in the Lawrence Heights and Neptune community. The eight-week program employs youth between the ages of 13 and 18 and focuses on social media management, event planning, marketing and outreach. The program has also been a launch pad for budding entrepreneurs.

Tenant youth like Deborah Bakare, Treasure William-Smith, and LaToya Thompson, all started as program participants and then became Community Program Leaders in 2024.

“I started as a participant, but I always had the desire to become a Community Program Leader," said Deborah, who hopes to become a child and youth worker. As a program leader, Deborah is “now in the position to work with youth, leading by example by showing up early, wearing my uniform.” She continued, “This program pushes me to be my best. It’s setting me up for the real world where I will have to show up as a professional.”

Treasure participated in the 37 Kids program in 2016 and is now a Community Program Leader and aspiring entrepreneur. As she stood over a table of her own branded clothing and slippers at a community event, she said, “This program has taught me a lot of life skills. I even learned a lot from the participants.” Treasure has used this opportunity to network and build positive relationships with the people in her community. “I also got the chance to work with TCHC staff to share information with tenants. By using youth like us to inform our community, we can be translators for families who don’t speak English and provide them with information that come directly from TCHC staff," she said.

The big finale for the 37 Kids program is the Youth Showcase, held at the end of summer. At the start of the program, Community Program Leaders were tasked with leading various community campaigns, and to think of ideas for a better tomorrow. One campaign, the Community Business Asset Mapping project, looked at the types of businesses and service providers tenants want to see in the community, and how tenants respond to products and services sold by their neighbours. Another campaign showcased how successful social tactics, like ice cream socials, could be used to keep tenants informed—in this case, reaching 150 tenants to share useful local resources and revitalization updates.

As a 37 Kids program leader this summer, LaToya organized the “How to be a Good Neighbour” campaign. This campaign reminds community members in the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood to be considerate and compassionate towards one another. It also includes sharing updates on revitalization with others, thinking of ideas to improve community connections, and looking out for others who are in need. LaToya has also been involved in revitalization outreach in her community as a proud Revite NERD (Neighbourhood Expert in Revitalization Development).

“It is important for me to be a good example in my community and show other youth that they can also be a positive influence in Lawrence Heights.” - LaToya

LaToya is grateful for the opportunities that have come her way because of her involvement with 37 Kids: “There are so many connections, opportunities, and resources available in Lawrence Heights that other people don’t have. If I didn’t live in Lawrence Heights, I wouldn’t have these job opportunities and experiences that I can now put on my resume.”

Treasure and LaToya both graduated from the Revite NERDs program and received a scholarship from Lawrence Heights-Neptune Development in 2022 for their significant community contributions towards revitalization.

To learn more about the 37 Kids program, visit the TCHC Revitalization Office located at 37 Varna Avenue or email lawrenceheights@torontohousing.ca.