WoodGreen partnership empowers TCHC women and children to achieve economic independence

Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) and WoodGreen Community Services are proud to announce a transformative new collaboration to bring WoodGreen’s Homeward Bound program to women-led families with children living in TCHC buildings. Launching in early 2025, this three-year pilot program will support up to 25 single mothers with a proven pathway to achieve stability and economic independence, empowering them to transform their lives and build brighter futures for their families.

Homeward Bound is an intensive education and employment training program designed to empower women-led families to overcome systemic barriers and transition into sustainable careers. The program provides participants with access to academic upgrading, fully-funded college education, employability training, internships, and holistic family supports. This includes after-school programs and trauma-informed counselling. The program is both challenging and rewarding, requiring determination, resilience, and a commitment to personal growth.

Now in its 20th year, Homeward Bound has helped 320 women and 476 children transition off social assistance and into meaningful employment. Since its inception in 2004, this transformative work has been supported by Ed Clark and the Clark Family Foundation, whose commitment has been instrumental in its success and the expansion to TCHC.

Consultations between the two organizations revealed that many women living in TCHC are eager to gain independence and create better opportunities for their families. Participants in this pilot program will progress through Homeward Bound as a cohort, fostering a sense of community and mutual encouragement—a key factor in the program’s long-standing success. 

Quotes

“This partnership marks a significant step in creating meaningful opportunities for underserved women and their families. Homeward Bound has a proven track record of breaking down barriers and empowering women to achieve their goals. This collaboration with TCHC will bring the program’s benefits to more families, helping them build new paths toward stability and success.”

- Anne Babcock, President and CEO, WoodGreen Community Services. 

“At TCHC, 53 per cent of our households are women-led. We want these women to chase their aspirations knowing that they always have a stable, supportive place to call home. Entire households will benefit from both the economic opportunity and personal growth that Homeward Bound offers, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish when these women realize their full potential.”

- Sean Baird, President & CEO, Toronto Community Housing

“Over the past 20 years, I’ve proudly witnessed the transformative impact Homeward Bound has had on the lives of so many women and their families. This partnership with TCHC is an exciting step forward, bringing the program’s proven model to even more women-led families who deserve opportunities to build brighter futures. I’m thrilled to see this expansion and the continued positive change it will bring to our community.”

— Ed Clark, Supporter, Clark Family Foundation

About Toronto Community Housing

Toronto Community Housing is Canada's largest social housing provider, with more than 20 years of service to the community. Annually named a Greater Toronto Top Employer, TCHC provides supportive housing to 43,000 low- and moderate-income households and nearly 100,000 tenants living in neighbourhoods across the city

About Woodgreen Community Services

WoodGreen is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto, serving more than 40,000 people each year. We offer over 75 programs and services tackling the social determinants that affect the health and well-being of individuals in our community.