Community Safety

Information-Sharing

We equip community members with knowledge on how to participate in decision-making processes that tackle the root causes of violence and conflict. This includes:

• Featuring stories in SCAN’s monthly newsletter that spotlight local individuals and organizations working to build safer communities.

• Sharing resources that support community safety, such as legal aid, safety audit tools, and advocacy guides.

Capacity-Building

We provide tools and learning opportunities to empower Scarborough residents—especially youth—to take action and engage with policy processes. This includes:

• Delivering an online workshop series for youth focused on creating safer communities. Topics include organizing local campaigns, understanding civic processes, and engaging elected officials. These workshops draw parallels to successful advocacy movements (e.g., harm reduction, pedestrian safety, MADD).

• Co-developing content with partners such as the Toronto Youth Cabinet, Scarborough youth-led groups, SLYE, and Zero Gun Violence Movement.

• Partnering with grassroots and youth-oriented organizations to facilitate workshops.

• Collaborating with safety networks, initiatives, and Youth Outreach Workers (YOWs).

Civic Action Campaigns

We mobilize youth and community members to lead advocacy efforts aimed at expanding access to safe, supportive environments. Campaigns will focus on:

• Launching a social media initiative — “My Vision for a Safe Community in Scarborough” — to crowdsource ideas and amplify youth voices.

• Advocating for increased funding for youth spaces, mental health supports, and employment opportunities in underserved communities.

• Supporting youth-led organizing and campaign implementation, ensuring young people are central to the work.

Priority Communities for 2024 - 2025:

• The economically vulnerable.
• Racialized communities.
• Residents in underserved neighbourhoods.
• Immigrants.
• Seniors.
• Women.