News 2024

Scarborough Senior Support Project (SSSP)

Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC) is pleased to present the “Scarborough Senior Support Project” (SSSP). The two-year initiative aims to foster healthy and safe support of vulnerable seniors through at-home services. The project will incorporate a holistic and supportive volunteer-based approach that will focus on providing services to seniors who need help to age at home, thereby increasing their sense of belonging and connection to their communities.

This project is FREE and aims to provide food security to low-income seniors as well as increase their confidence by providing education and awareness on active living tools and techniques. Furthermore, the project will build community capacity for healthy aging among seniors through volunteer based approach services as well as access to services and resources for better and healthy living.

To achieve the project objectives, HSDC will provide the following services: (1) Meal delivery and support; (2) Friendly visits to provide emotional and mental health support to seniors; (3) Volunteer drop off/accompaniment.

To be eligible for our program, seniors should be 60 and above, low-income, marginalized and living in the Scarborough area. We offer our services to seniors who have high care needs. This includes individuals who are isolated, single and/or have disabilities. HSDC will conduct an extensive community outreach in Scarborough to create awareness and recruit the targeted seniors.

HSDC is also recruiting volunteers to support the program. To participate in this exciting opportunity, please register online at: https://forms.gle/bMaRtqy1ZAcVtthG7

HSDC is a non-profit organization, established in 1993 with a mission to promote the social, cultural, and economic self-sufficiency and well-being of immigrants so that they and their families can enjoy and contribute to Canada’s opportunities. For more information about us, please visit www.hsdconline.org

For information or to refer a senior to the program, please contact:

Taslima Begum, Program Coordinator: taslimabegum@hsdconline.org

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Age Well at Home Initiative.

Projet de soutien aux personnes âgées à Scarborough

Le Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC) a le plaisir de présenter le « Projet de soutien aux personnes âgées à Scarborough ». Cette initiative de deux ans vise à favoriser un soutien sain et sûr aux personnes âgées vulnérables par le biais de services chez soi. Le projet incorporera une approche holistique et de soutien basée sur le bénévolat qui se concentrera sur la fourniture de services aux personnes âgées qui ont besoin d’aide pour vieillir à la maison, tout en augmentant leur sentiment d’appartenance et de connexion à leurs communautés.

Ce projet est GRATUIT et vise à assurer la sécurité alimentaire des personnes âgées à faible revenu ainsi qu’à accroître leur confiance en soi en leur fournissant une éducation et une sensibilisation aux outils et techniques de la vie active. En outre, le projet renforcera la capacité de la communauté à faire vieillir les personnes âgées en bonne santé grâce à des services d’approche basés sur le volontariat ainsi qu’à l’accès aux services et aux ressources pour une vie meilleure et plus saine.

Pour atteindre les objectifs du projet, HSDC fournira les services suivants : (1) livraison de repas et soutien ; (2) visites amicales pour apporter un soutien émotionnel et de santé mentale aux personnes âgées ; (3) dépôt / accompagnement.

Pour être éligibles à notre programme, les personnes âgées doivent être à faible revenu et marginalisées, avoir 60 ans ou plus et vivre dans la région de Scarborough. Nous offrons nos services aux personnes âgées qui ont des besoins élevés en matière de soins. Il s’agit notamment des personnes isolées, handicapées et vivant seules.

HSDC mènera une vaste campagne de sensibilisation auprès de la population de Scarborough afin de faire connaître le projet et de recruter des personnes âgées ciblées.

HSDC recrute également des bénévoles pour soutenir le programme. Pour participer à cette opportunité passionnante, veuillez-vous inscrire en ligne à l’adresse suivante : https://forms.gle/bMaRtqy1ZAcVtthG7

HSDC est une organisation à but non lucratif fondée en 1993 dont la mission est de promouvoir l’autosuffisance et le bien-être social, culturel et économique des immigrants afin qu’eux et leurs familles puissent profiter des opportunités offertes par le Canada et y contribuer. Pour plus d’informations à notre sujet, veuillez consulter le site : www.hsdconline.org

Pour obtenir des informations ou orienter une personne âgée vers le programme, veuillez contacter :

Taslima Begum, coordinatrice du programme : taslimabegum@hsdconline.org

Ce projet est financé en partie par l’initiative Bien vieillir chez soi du Gouvernement du Canada.

News 2023

“Black Youth Lead to Succeed (BYLS)”

Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC) in partnership with the Government of Ontario is pleased to present the “Black Youth Lead to Succeed (BYLS)” Project. The two-year-long program aims to support successful entry and advancement of Black youth in high opportunity sectors, specifically in technology through skills development, placement opportunities and wrap around support that will enable Black youth to succeed in the workforce. This program is FREE and includes a job placement opportunities to qualified individuals.

Participants will be trained to develop a broad range of essential leadership and career building/professional development skills and will benefit from mentorship, connection to employers, paid placement opportunities and complete wrap around support. This will foster their ability to access and advance in the labour market.

HSDC will provide the following activities: (1) Employment Retention & Career Training; (2) Career Counselling/Needs Assessment; (3) Leadership Training; (4) Mentor Connection; (5) Networking Sessions; (6) Paid Placement; and (7) Wrap Around support.

The project will start with the Career Skills Development & Employment Retention Training Program which will take starting February 13, 2023. Eligibility is black youth who are available for full time work between 22 to 35 years of age.

To participate in this exciting opportunity, please register online at; https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo-0sAp2qnZytswcN5iDRauuQh2QO2j0L8WLclDcucyZpMyA/viewform?usp=pp_url

We invite Black youth from the community to participate in this training to gain the necessary skills to fill skill gap thereby increasing career entry and advancement opportunities, including in high opportunity sectors.

HSDC is a non-profit organization, established in 1993 with a mission to promote the social, cultural, and economic self-sufficiency and well-being of immigrants so that they and their families can enjoy and contribute to the opportunities that Canada offers. For more information about us, please visit www.hsdconline.org

This project is funded by:

The Government of Ontario

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News 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2017

“Celebrating our Diversity” at the Scarborough Afro-Carib Fest this summer!

It’s BACK!! It’s BIGGER!! It’s BETTER!! The 6th annual Scarborough Afro-Carib Fest, taking place on August 26-27, 2017 inside Albert Campbell Square at the Scarborough Civic Centre, brings you live musical performances, exciting entertainment from local and international artists, mouth-watering ethnic cuisine, dance competitions, vendor exhibitions and marketplace, cultural fashion show, drum and dance workshops, kid’s zone and much more!

The event is FREE and welcomes over 25,000 people from across Canada and internationally. “Celebrating our Diversity” is the theme for this annual event that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the richness of the city’s diverse communities

Presented by Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC) with support from the Government of Ontario, the event fosters civic pride and demonstrates the richness of the Afro-Caribbean cultures and other ethnic groups that make up the fabric of Canada.

Uniquely Canadian, the Scarborough Afro-Carib Fest merges two rich cultures; African and Caribbean, in an effort to build community, bridge social, cultural and economic gaps through sharing music, dance, cuisine, arts and culture.

To learn more about the festival, please visit www.scarboroughafrocaribfest.com

For Sponsorship, Partnership Opportunities, please contact: info@scarboroughafrocaribfest.com. Phone: 416 345 1613

Vendor Opportunities: http://scarboroughafrocaribfest.com/vendor

About Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC):

HSDC is a grassroots non-profit organization established in 1993 to promote the health, social, cultural, and economic self-sufficiency of new immigrants, low-income, at-risk and marginalized groups in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). For information about HSDC, please visit: www.hsdconline.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2017

“Scarborough Celebrates Ontario” Festival taking place July 15 & 16, 2017

In commemoration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC) introduces “Scarborough Celebrates Ontario”; a fun filled weekend event that offers the entire family a chance to experience the richness of our heritage through the celebration of arts, history, culture, our shared values and uniqueness.

This FREE festival will take place on Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, 2017 from 12pm – 9pm at the Albert Campbell Square, Scarborough Civic Centre.

The event aims to celebrate the diversity and cultural richness of Canadians from various ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds. This exciting weekend multicultural festival is supported by the Government of Ontario and will include live musical performances from diverse Canadian artists, dance performances, exciting entertainment, international cuisine, vendor exhibitions, Kids Zone, interactive activities for the entire family, networking opportunities and much more!

For Sponsorship, Partnership or Vendor Opportunities, please contact:

Email: info@hsdconline.org; Phone: 416-345-1613

About Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC):

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April 26, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANNUAL FESTIVAL FROM HSDC RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS PROVINCIAL AWARD

SCARBOROUGH, ON- On Wednesday April 26, 2017, Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC) received the June Callwood Award for Excellence in Volunteer Management from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

The award was given to HSDC who hosts the Scarborough Afro-Carib Fest over the last five years, which is now one of the fastest growing multicultural festivals in Toronto. The event engages over 50 volunteers annually and attracts over 20,000 people from across Canada and the world. The festival invites individuals of all ages and backgrounds to experience the richness of Toronto’s diverse communities. “Scarborough’s community spirit is incredible and we cannot wait to host the sixth annual event on August 26th and 27th, 2017” added HSDC’s Executive Director, Charity Lebeanya.

HSDC received their award in the Excellence in Volunteer Management category, which recognizes the important work volunteer managers do to support and encourage volunteering in their communities. “It is amazing to be recognized for the work we do, and we thank the Ministry for this,” said Charity Lebeanya. “Our goal has always been to build our community and our volunteers are vital in making that happen. Events such as this remind us that there is a lot of good being done in the world and it encourages us to empower, connect and collaborate with one another”.

The Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration recognizes volunteers with exceptional contributions and extraordinary leadership, innovation, and creativity to their communities and the province through voluntary action such as volunteering their time, efforts, knowledge and resources. “These amazing volunteers honour the memory of June Callwood in every action they take to improve the lives of others. It is a privilege to be able to recognize and thank them for their important work on behalf of all Ontarians.” said Citizen and Immigration Minister, Laura Albanese.

About Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC): HSDC is a non-profit organization established in 1993 to promote the health, social, cultural, and economic self-sufficiency of new immigrants, low-income, at-risk and marginalized groups in the Greater Toronto Area. Since 2011, they have held the Scarborough Afro-Carib Fest, a uniquely Canadian festival which celebrates diversity and builds community, while bridging social, cultural and economic gaps through sharing music, dance, cuisine, arts and culture.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC)

Scarborough Afro Carib Fest
Charity Lebeanya
Executive Director
416-345-1613
info@hsdconline.org

Madeline Nwokeji
Program Director
416-345-1613
info@scarboroughafrocaribfest.com

Related Links:
Heritage Skills Development Centre Website- www.hsdconline.org
Scarborough Afro-Carib Fest Website- www.scarboroughafrocaribfest.com
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Website- http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca