Alex Amaro Cycling Kindness Award
Cycle Toronto is calling for nominations for the Alex Amaro Cycling Kindness Award. Alexandra Mary Orme Amaro was 23 years old when she was killed in front of Dufferin Mall December 2, 2020 while riding her bike. The award was created to recognize an individual or group whose efforts exemplify a positive approach to making the city cycling friendlier, safer, more accessible, inclusive and environmentally healthier and sustainable for everyone. Details on how to submit a nomination are available here.
Call for Performing Artists
Are you an artist with a passion for reaching young people through the performing arts? Prologue Performing Arts is seeking professional performing artists to join their 2024-2025 company of artists working in schools and communities across Ontario.
Each season Prologue reaches over 300,000 children and youth through 1,000 performances and workshops across Ontario. Prologue works with performing artists in all relevant disciplines (dance, theatre, music, storytelling, spoken word, puppetry and others) who reflect the diversity of Ontario to deliver performances and workshops in schools and community venues. Apply here.
Funding for Net-Zero Program
The Foundation for Environmental Stewardship has launched N:OW for Net-Zero, a new project supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body. The program focuses on enhancing youth climate education and action so students can be the leaders and changemakers of a great transformation starting in their own schools.
Grants of $2,500-$15,000 will be awarded to student teams to implement projects that reduce emissions and/or improve net-zero literacy in their schools. Application deadline is December 18, 2023. Details here.
Power of Us Microgrants
These grants will provide up to $1,000 in funding to resident-led groups, grassroots organizations, and informal collectives across the city of Toronto to support projects that build social connections and increase civic participation. Application deadline is December 15, 2023. Details here.
TTC Fair Pass Transit Discount Program
The City of Toronto announced that low-income residents ages 20-64 will qualify for the newly expanded Fair Pass Transit Discount Program. This also includes those on the waitlist for subsidized housing and child care. Eligible applicants must live in Toronto, have an activated PRESTO card and with an after-tax income below $20,514 (single) or $41,028 (family of 4). Apply here.
EV Station Fund Grants for Multi-Family Building Residents
The Atmospheric Fund has just reopened their program to support the installation of up to 800 EV charging stations in GTHA apartments, condos and publicly accessible places. Details here.
Achēv Free Employment Programs
Are you looking for a job? Is your business hiring? Achēv can help. Achēv connects job seekers and employers. Achēv offers job search support, interview and resume-building seminars and programs to help people find jobs. For employers, Achēv offers job fairs, and recruitment and retention services. Services are FREE. Learn more here.
Become a GEM Mentor
The Girl E-Mentorship (GEM) program helps girls break through barriers to success by connecting them with a female mentor for a 9-month mentorship relationship. GEM mentors support mentees in navigating key personal and professional development areas including goal setting, time management and confidence building. Mentors help their mentees seek new opportunities, develop a professional network and stay committed to achieving their goals. Full details here.
Employment Support for Job Seekers with Developmental Disabilities
- The Family Support Network for Employment (FSNE) provides support for individuals with developmental disabilities looking for paid employment. For more information, email [email protected] or visit the website here.
Professional Access into Employment Program
- The Professional Access Into Employment (PAIE) is a 9-month program of Employment Ontario that caters to newcomers trained in the environmental sector looking to start their career. The February 2023 registration page is now open to applications from eligible residents.
Diversity Training for Employers
Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Businesses Breaking Barriers works with employers in the skilled trades and STEM fields to strengthen their teams by introducing the practice of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Starting with a company-wide culture assessment, Times Change offers FREE tools and resources as part of an individualized DEI plan focused on increasing the recruitment, retention and advancement of underrepresented employees/candidates on your team.
Please email Larysa at [email protected].
Hospitality Youth Program
- The Hospitality Workers Training Centre is presenting this free fast-track program for youth who are interested in working in the hospitality industry. With daily support from trainers, employment specialists, and a youth engagement and success specialist, Fast Track can help you discover a variety of hospitality career paths, and give you the opportunity to earn important industry certifications at no cost. For more information, call toll-free at 1-888-777-4982. Details here.
Women Breaking Barriers Program
- Women Breaking Barriers works to strengthen company practices around recruitment, retention, and advancement using free tools and resources with the goal to help small to medium-sized employers find qualified candidates for their open positions and help women find sustainable, high-paying employment. More information on their programs can be found here.
Income Tax Assistance from CRA
- Tax filing may be more challenging for some people this year because of COVID-19. Filing a tax return is very important as it will let the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) determine if someone is eligible for certain benefit and credit payments, such as the Canada Child Benefit and the GST/HST credit. To help, the CRA will offer extra support to eligible individuals who have previously received support through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). Individuals who need help completing their income tax return can call 1-833-995-2341. Visit Canada.ca/tax-filing-assistance.
Ukrainian Relief in Ontario
The Ontario government is launching a suite of supports for Ukrainian families arriving under the new emergency travel authorization to connect new arrivals with job search supports and local employers in the community.
- Hotline: 1-888-562-4769
- Email: [email protected]
- Ontario Webpage: https://www.ontario.ca/ukraine
Ukrainian Canadian Congress-National (UCC)
The UCC is working with Canadian government officials at all levels to learn what programs and assistance will be provided for displaced persons coming to Canada from Ukraine.
- Ukrainian Displaced Persons Support Committee: [email protected]
If you want to help a new arrival, complete the survey at ucc.ca
- Government of Canada Resources: Click here
Education Funding Opportunities
- Annual Studentship for Mental Health Program
Mental Health Research Canada is providing funding opportunities for university and college students. Click here for more information.
- Tuition Programs for Foster Kids
Are you a current or former foster kid? Did you always want to go to college or university but money got in the way? Click here for participating schools.
Ontario Arts Council Grants
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For more than 55 years, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has provided vital support to the professional arts community in Ontario. The OAC is financed through an annual grant from the Ontario government’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Visit the website here for information on the grants available or email [email protected].
Toronto Arts Council Grants
- Supporting the city’s artists and arts organizations through an established and effective granting program since 1974. Visit the website.
Art and Creative Skills Collective
An arts-based non-profit organization that offers free arts programming including story-writing, photography and film-making. Each program is designed to:
- Provide a safe space for youth to express themselves
- Build 21st-century skills among youth
- Give youth a platform to voice their opinion, artistically
- Deconstruct the stigma around mental illness
- Facilitate the development of positive and peer-learning support
- Help participants explore new career options and push their artistic inclination
- Support participants to work in a group setting and learn as a collective, fostering a deep sense of community
Visit the website.
Pathways to Success Program for Indigenous Youth
- The Indigenous Professional Association of Canada’s Pathways to Success Program creates new opportunities for internships and summer work experiences for Indigenous youth (17-29) in Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton. They are currently looking for employers and Indigenous youth to participate in the program. For more information, visit the Pathways to Success website and signup page.
Private Refugee Support Network Ontario
- The Private Refugee Sponsor Network Ontario (The Network) is a volunteer-driven organization with 260 sponsors working together in response to community need, offering information, education, problem solving, and networking opportunities to enable private sponsors to better support refugee families. The Network is playing a significant role in resolving post-arrival issues, addressing potential sponsorship breakdown and creating relationships with settlement agencies that will lead to more effective service delivery in the sector. To learn more about the Private Refugee Sponsor Network Ontario, email [email protected], or visit the website at www.refugeesponsornet.ca.
Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program
- Do you need help around your home? This program enables older adults and individuals with disabilities to continue to live independently and safely in their own homes with support from brokered home maintenance workers. Services at reasonable prices include: lawn and garden maintenance, snow shovelling, light housekeeping, odd jobs around the house. For more information, visit www.tigp.org, email [email protected] or call 416-676-5993.
Toronto Rent Bank Program
Toronto Rent Bank Program is currently offering grants of up to $4,000 or 3 months of rent to eligible low-income households who are facing eviction. Toronto residents may be eligible for an interest-free rental arrears or rental deposit grant if they:
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Live in Toronto
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Pay market rent for a rental unit covered by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)
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Fall within the low-income household eligibility requirement
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Are not currently in receipt of social assistance such as Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)*
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Can satisfy other Toronto Rent Bank Program requirements, as required
Please call 416-397-RENT (7368) for more information on how to apply. Operating hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This program is offered by Neighbourhood Information Post and funded by the City of Toronto. Visit www.torontorentbank.ca for more details.
*Residents in receipt of social assistance should contact their Ontario Works or ODSP office as they may qualify for the Housing Stabilization Fund.