The People, Places and Priorities of Riverdale:

A Health Promotion Approach to Understanding Communities

What is the Riverdale Community Quality of Life Project About?

In September, 1996 the South Riverdale Community Health Centre and the University of Toronto received funding to carry out a Community Quality of Life Project in Riverdale. The purpose of the project was to learn about the aspects of Riverdale that contributed to people's quality of life as well as the things that did not. We were also interested in learning how people cope and manage in Riverdale and about some of the programs or services that people wanted to see in the community. By doing so we hoped to identify community strengths that should be preserved and needs that could be addressed.

Over the course of the project we spoke with 14 groups of community members involving 102 people, 11 different service providers, and six elected representatives. Community members also went out and interviewed 65 of their neighbours and friends. The questions that were asked and answered were:

• What is it about Riverdale that makes life good for people?
• What is it about Riverdale that does not make life good for people who live here?
• What are some of the things in the neighbourhood or community that help you cope or manage when you or your family has problems?
• What would you like to see in the neighbourhood or community that would help you cope or manage?

What We Learned About Life in Riverdale

The People of Riverdale

The picture of Riverdale that emerges is a vibrant community that is uniquely caring and active. It is also rich in both cultural and socio-economic diversity. Another unique aspect of this community is its elected representatives. The people chosen to represent Riverdale are in touch with the issues and concerns of residents.

The Places of Riverdale

Riverdale is an urban environment with many natural amenities such as parks. Its urban amenities allow residents to meet day-to-day needs. These these include public transit, places to shop, health care facilities, and recreation centres. Its many agencies are places where residents can engage in recreation activities, receive assistance in times of need, and contribute to help others in the community.

The Priorities of Riverdale

Riverdale has its share of problems. While many battles have been won, environmental problems persist around issues of bad air and bad water. The employment and income issues in Riverdale involve poverty and unemployment. Finally, people are concerned about crime, vandalism, and personal safety.

Riverdale is a uniquely caring and concerned community. People and neighbours care about and help each other in many ways. They also support local agencies, and volunteer to help people in need.

It is an activist community where people are willing to take a stand. Community agencies, volunteer groups, and local representatives work closely with citizens to have their voices heard.

Corner of Broadview and Gerrard Streets

In Riverdale there's a certain amount of spunkiness, particularly among the people that have been here a very long time. They're not going to be defeated. - Service Provider

Riverdale is a very active political community. It has an awful lot of caring folk who get very involved in not just the issues that are of concern to them, but are of concern to the community. - Marilyn Churley, MPP

The Strengths of Riverdale:
Its Agencies and Resources

Community agencies and resources make life good for people in Riverdale. Recreation and community centres like Woodgreen and Ralph Thornton bring people together, offer activities, and help when needed. The South Riverdale Community Health Centre provides medical care and other kinds of support. Residents feel these services should be maintained and be kept free.

Woodgreen Seniors' Residence on Queen St.

A lot of people would not know what to do without Woodgreen. - Senior

We are lucky to have a community centre, because some communities don't have one. - Youth

Community dinners at Woodgreen Church are really good. It gives an opportunity to talk and socialize. And you get a free meal which is good because some people are not able to cook, or because of financial reasons are not able to afford it. - Adult

Riverdale Priority:
Environmental Problems

Riverdale is well known for its many citizen movements that have worked for better air, water, and soil quality. Citizen movements shut down large incinerators, and caused the largest lead contaminated soil removal in North America.

There are still challenges. Riverdale still has bad air related to local industries, the Metro Sewage Works, and expressways. The beaches are often unsafe and the Don River is polluted. Many citizen groups are addressing these issues.

Don River Looking North From Queen Street Bridge

Riverdale is named after a river but most people thought of it as an open sewer. - Metro Councillor Jack Layton

People are cleaning it up, concrete things, not just asking for money, but actually taking a garbage bag and going along the Don River and cleaning it up, which is done every year.

We have major problem with land-fill sites, down by the Commissioners Plant and the torn down gas stations. There are landfills with animals, sewage, and PCBs. - Riverdale Residents

Riverdale Priority:
Unemployment and Poverty

As compared to Toronto as a whole, Riverdale, and South Riverdale in particular, have a higher percentage of lone parent families, persons with less education, and more on social assistance.

Riverdale has lost many industrial jobs creating high levels of unemployment. Cuts to social assistance rates have also hurt many Riverdale residents and have created even more poverty.

Closed Factory at Dundas and Logan

Over the past year there's more people begging on the Danforth. Things are getting worse. There are definitely more people falling through the cracks.

People are worried about jobs now, everyone is. It seems like we are getting ourselves into a depression instead of getting out of one. -Riverdale Residents

It used to be a very solid working class area with a lot of jobs. There were factories and plants in the area, but many of those have closed. - Toronto Mayor Barbara Hall

Riverdale Priority:
Crime and Safety

People generally feel safe in Riverdale -- during the day. There is worry about break-ins, personal safety, and drug use. There is a concern about vandalism that many believe is caused by youth.

Concern exists about unwanted businesses in the neighbourhood and their associated clientele. And many people believe that service cuts are only going to make things worse.

Riverdale Street

We have a place that has been broken into twice this summer. Now we lock the door, even when we are home.

Vandalism still goes around, young kids break the antennae on the cars. It's primarily by youth, at schools and at the recreation centres.

I don't go out at night. There is crime anywhere. The day is okay but night time is different. - Riverdale Residents

Riverdale Responses:

Riverdale's network of community-based agencies and services work together and with residents to build upon community strengths.

Citizen groups such as Riverdale Against the Cuts, Greater Riverdale Economic Action Together, and the Task Force to Bring Back the Don act to improve the community.

These activities are supported by the City government. The local representatives work closely with the community.

Riverdale Business Centre on Queen Street

The highly organized nature of Riverdale in Ward 8 has made a real difference in being able to do anything at all. - City Councillor Peter Tabuns

Whenever there's problems people work together. - Riverdale Resident

I would say a good portion of the ward are very sharp and astute and keen to get involved when they see fit. - Public School Trustee Soo Wong

Towards the Future

Riverdale residents, service providers, and representatives work hard to deal with local problems. There are many services available in Riverdale, but we heard about gaps. Many women feel that adequate and affordable child care is not available. There is a need for youth and seniors programs. Some felt that agencies didn't work hard enough to let people know what was available. New Canadians face many challenges in gaining education and employment experience.

People are worried about funding cuts. Some services have been capped, and others reduced. We heard about the effects of welfare cuts on families and children and how it has increased hunger and the need for emergency food services. For many people the presence of low-cost services are important means by which they cope and manage. Riverdale needs to consider the effects on people, and the community itself, of further reductions in services.

Use of This Report

The Community Quality of Life Project has allowed us to learn about and from the community. A number of project reports document the strengths and problems of Riverdale and how people work to improve quality of life. We urge as many people as possible to consider its implications for improving quality of life in Riverdale. If the past history of Riverdale is any guide, this should lead to thoughtful and effective action.

Special Thanks . . .

To the many community members and service providers in Riverdale and Lawrence Heights who took the time and effort to tell us about themselves and their work. We also wish to thank the Mayors of Toronto and North York, the Riverdale and Lawrence Heights City Councillors, Metropolitan Toronto Councillors, Members of the Provincial Parliament, and School Trustees for their participation.

The Community Quality of Life was a partnership of the South Riverdale and Lawrence Heights Community Health Centres (CHCs), and the University ofToronto. The project was carried out with the assistance of the North York andToronto Departments of Public Health, the Metropolitan Toronto District Health Council, and the Canadian Mental Health Association National Office. The North York Community House and the Somaliland Women's Organization were community collaborators in the Lawrence Heights Study.

Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Religious, Charitable, and Educational Fund of Jacksonville, Florida.

Supplementary funding was given by the North York Community Health Promotion Research Unit.

Pizza Pizza and Druxy's served as corporate supporters of the project.