By Lincoln DePradine

A Scarborough-based organization is embarking on a housing project that would benefit youth in the east of Toronto, many of them from the Black and Caribbean community.

The Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of East Scarborough has purchased land at 62 Orchard Park Drive and plans on building 47 affordable housing units that will become home to Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC).

 “It’s very exciting,’’ BGC East Scarborough’s Ashley Abdul told Caribbean Camera, in commenting on what’s being called the “Yemoja Village Project’’.

“Not only are they going to be having these affordable units, but they’re going to have access to other programs and services to be able to basically build a plan for themselves and be able to move forward from that transitional housing, instead of just being in affordable units till there is no end and no additional solution. But we are providing them with the next step,’’ explained Abdul, marketing and communications specialist with BGC East Scarborough.

BGC, whose mission is to help children, youth and families in East Scarborough to “discover and achieve their dreams and grow to be healthy, engaged, and successful members of society’’, is headed by Trinidad-born Utcha Sawyer as chief executive officer.

According to BGC, it “seeks to provide a holistic approach’’ that would lead its service recipients into pursuing “healthy lifestyles, personal competency, self-esteem, social and cultural integration and a sense of belonging’’.

BGC East Scarborough has embarked on a “Silent Struggle Campaign’’ to raise awareness of the “Yemoja Village Project’’, which is being financed through the organization’s fundraising efforts and partners’ grants, and with assistance from the City of Toronto.

Project construction is expected to begin next year for the housing units, which will be located adjacent to BGC East Scarborough’s Mentoring Academic Arts Technology (MAAT) Youth Innovation & Cultural Centre.

The Yemoja Village Project, says BGC, will help address “the pressing need for affordable housing in East Scarborough, an area grappling with significant housing challenges’’.

Abdul said housing needs are one of a number of major issues confronting youth seeking BGC’s services.

“A lot of them, we have to move youth to places like Durham or move them as far out as Hamilton or St Catherine,’’ she said. “Those who will occupy our housing units will benefit from the support of wrap-around resources, programs and services provided by BGC and MAAT.’’

The programs to be offered at Yemoja Village will include academic support, art, mentorship, and employment and career assistance.

For more information, email sakinsanya@esbgc.ca or call 416-809-0230.

  Housing