A Safe Summer Starts with Opportunity
- Jun 4
- 7 min read
Every summer, I spend time visiting parks, community centres, neighbourhood events, and youth programs across Don Valley North. Some of my favourite conversations are with young people who are trying something new, whether it's their first summer job, a leadership program, a basketball league, or a community arts project.
I remember speaking with a young resident last summer who told me that a recreation program had completely changed the course of his summer. Instead of spending long days feeling isolated, he found a place where he could learn new skills, make friends, and connect with mentors who believed in him. His story was a reminder that safety is about much more than enforcement. It is about creating opportunities, building connections, and ensuring every young person feels they belong.
That is why I am pleased to share that the City of Toronto has launched its 2026 Summer Safety Plan, backed by more than $5 million in funding for youth violence prevention and community well-being programs, offset by funds secured from the Federal Government. A big thank you to our local Member of Parliament, Maggie Chi, whose advocacy work helped secure this federal funding through the Building Safer Communities Fund.
I am grateful for, and echo Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw’s endorsement of the plan. He said that in addition to its law enforcement role, the Toronto Police Service prioritizes intervention, prevention and programs that foster trust and strengthen communities. As part of the Summer Safety Plan, our Neighbourhood Community Officers will lead a series of programs and activities ranging from education and sports to community-building. This City-led initiative demonstrates the impact of working together to support youth, prevent violence before it happens, and deliver meaningful results for our communities.
Building on the success of last year's initiative, the Summer Safety Plan brings together more than 200 programs, services, and events designed to help young people stay active, supported, and connected throughout the summer months. These opportunities include sports and recreation programs, arts and leadership initiatives, job training and employment opportunities, mentorship programs, mental health supports, and extended access to safe community spaces.
The City expects to engage thousands of young people and families across Toronto this summer, while providing mental health supports and training to more than 5,000 youth and supporting hundreds of parents and caregivers through violence prevention programs and workshops.
The Summer Safety Plan is also making it easier than ever for families to find local opportunities. A new online search tool allows residents to browse programs by neighbourhood and area of interest, helping connect young people with activities and supports close to home.
This work is part of the City's broader SafeTO strategy, which recognizes that strong communities are built through prevention, early intervention, and meaningful investments in people. Following a rise in youth violence in 2024, Toronto brought together community organizations, school boards, Toronto Police Service, City divisions, and residents through the Mayor's Youth Safety Task Force to take coordinated action.
The results from last year’s Summer Safety Plan were strong and measurable. In summer 2025, Toronto saw a 40 per cent reduction in gun violence, alongside a continued decline in incidents involving youth and shootings.
Youth employment remains a cornerstone of the City's approach. Each year, the City and its partners create more than 16,000 employment opportunities for young people. These jobs provide more than a paycheque. They help young residents build confidence, gain experience, develop skills, and establish connections that can shape their futures.
What makes this work so important is that we are already seeing the impact of targeted investments in our own community.
Through a pilot program supported by youth safety funding, Toronto Police Service's 33 Division worked directly with families and at-risk youth using a holistic, community-based approach. The program focused on building trust, creating connections, and providing young people with positive pathways to success.
Building on that success, 33 Division’s Superintendent Donovan Locke partnered with Councillor Burnside and me to help create a new opportunity for local youth. This summer, Toronto Police Service and the City of Toronto are collaborating to deliver the Emergency Services Academy, a paid experiential learning program for 40 upper-level high school students.
Participants will spend eight weeks at Seneca College earning a micro-credential while gaining firsthand exposure to careers in policing and firefighting. The program is designed to introduce young people to rewarding career paths, break down barriers between youth and emergency services, build stronger relationships with public institutions, and create meaningful employment opportunities.
This is what prevention looks like. When we invest in young people, we strengthen both individual futures and community safety.
Other local programs include a Grade 6–8 Literacy and Numeracy Program at St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School, which provides summer school programming offering Language and Mathematics support for students in Grades 6 to 8. Additional opportunities include CampTO Youth Day Camps at Seneca Village Community Centre, where children and youth up to age 16 can stay active, learn new skills, and make lasting memories close to home. These camps feature a range of activities, including physical recreation, arts and crafts, nature-based programming, outdoor park activities, and more.
The Summer Safety Plan sets the foundation for a safe, active, and connected summer across Toronto, and I am grateful to everyone who helps make this work possible. It reflects what we know to be true in Don Valley North: safety is built through prevention, opportunity, and strong community partnerships. I encourage families to explore the many opportunities available through the Summer Safety Plan. Whether it is a recreation program, leadership opportunity, summer job, mentorship initiative, or community event, these programs help create the conditions for young people to thrive.
As we move through the summer months, I also want to share several upcoming local events and opportunities I am hosting. These gatherings are a chance to connect directly, celebrate our neighbourhoods, and highlight the programs and partnerships that are making a difference for residents of all ages.
A reminder to join me at Van Horne Park this Saturday, June 6, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m for my DVN Youth Soccer Event, hosted in partnership with the City of Toronto’s Youth Development Unit.
We’ll have:
FIFA giveaways
A free community BBQ
Music and entertainment
Community activations and engagement opportunities
Interactive booths and activities from local partners
7-a-side soccer mini pitches set up with rolling drop-in games throughout the day
I am excited to invite you to the grand opening of a new indoor play space at the Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Community Recreation Centre and Library.
Back in 2023, I began working with the community to design a space on the third floor that reflects what families told us they needed most: a safe, welcoming, and joyful place for children to play, especially during the colder winter months. That feedback shaped every part of this project.
The result is a bright and creative indoor play space designed for children ages five to twelve, with equipment and features that support physical activity, imagination, creativity, and social development. It is a place where children can learn, grow, and simply enjoy being kids.
Please join us to celebrate this exciting new addition to our community, the first of it’s kind in North York!
Grand Opening of the Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Indoor Play Space
Saturday, June 27
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Community Recreation Centre and Library
Families and youth are invited to enjoy light refreshments, music, and interactive activities throughout the space. Everyone is welcome, and I hope to see you there as we open this wonderful new place for children and families in our community.
A reminder that the Community Center is TTC accessible, with paid Green P parking available on site.
I am so excited to officially announce that Summer Celebration is returning once again this year!
Join me on July 4 at Oriole Community Centre, for a free, joyful afternoon hosted by my team for residents of Don Valley North. This annual event is our way of kicking off the summer season together, with good food, great entertainment, and the most important ingredient of all, community.
Enjoy free BBQ, an ice cream truck, games, activities, and plenty of space to connect with neighbours and friends of all ages.
This is a true highlight of the summer calendar, and I am always grateful for the chance to gather with so many of you in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Save the date, and I hope to see you there. More details will be shared soon.
Outdoor Movie Night in Parkway Forest Park
I am looking forward to seeing you ay my annual Outdoor Movie Night, returning once again this summer.
Join me on July 7, in the evening at Parkway Forest Park, for a relaxed community screening under the stars. Bring a blanket, gather your family and friends, and settle in for a fun summer night outdoors.
We’ll have popcorn, a welcoming community atmosphere, and plenty of space to enjoy the evening together. The movie selection will be announced soon, so stay tuned.
This is one of my favourite summer traditions in Don Valley North, and I look forward to sharing a great night with you.
Park Pop-Ups Are Back This Summer
You may remember back in 2021, as the weather warmed up, my team and I began popping up in local parks to hear directly from you about what was happening in your neighbourhood. I am happy to share that our Park Pop-Ups are back again this summer!
Throughout the summer, my team and I will be visiting parks across Don Valley North for informal drop-ins. These pop-ups are a simple way to come say hello, raise questions, share ideas, and talk about what matters most in your community.
We will be dropping flyers in advance of each visit, so please keep an eye out for a notice letting you know when we are coming to a park near you.
And if you see a big pink tent in your local park this summer, please come by and say hello. I look forward to seeing you there!
