Jane and Finch

Jane and Finch is a neighbourhood located in the former city of North York in northwestern Toronto, centred around the intersection of two arterial roads: Jane Street and Finch Avenue. The area is roughly bounded by Jane Street to the west, Driftwood Avenue to the east, Grandravine Drive to the south, and Shoreham Drive to the north.

The Jane-Finch community has one of the largest concentrations of criminal gangs of any area in Canada. It also has "one of the highest proportions of youth, sole-supported families, refugees and immigrants, low-income earners and public housing tenants of any community in Toronto” (p.5, A Report of the Jane-Finch Street Involved Youth Issues Coalition, December 2002).

As well, there is a substantial and equally diverse population living in middle class detached, semi-detached, townhouses and high-rise tower blocks.

History

Jane-Finch was originally developed as a model suburb in the 1960s in response to the rapid urban growth of Toronto. The community was planned to accommodate a socially diverse population and included a substantial amount of public housing, but insufficient thought was given to the social infrastructure needed to sustain community life.

The 1960s development plans spearheaded by the Ontario Housing Corporation (OHC) coincided with North York Planning Department’s goal of creating a more urban-looking suburb. Known for its series of high-rise buildings and, concomitantly, its above average population density, Jane-Finch experienced astronomical growth from 1961 to 1971 when the population went from 1,300 to 33,000, thereby accounting for more than 40% of the growth in North York (Sakamoto, 1986). In general, urban planners, local politicians, residents of Jane-Finch, and others today are of the opinion that the OHC and North York erred seriously, contributing to rapid population growth in the area without anticipating its negative consequences.

In 1973, a group of dedicated residents, politicians and community workers started identifying ways to address community problems. They concentrated their efforts on improving their neighbourhood’s negative image and creating a sense of community pride. Since then the neighbourhood has developed over 30 grassroots associations, including social and health service organizations, based on principles of mutual aid.

Jane-Finch residents managed to create the infra-structure their community needed to become healthy and sustainable. They succeeded in bringing together their various sectors to address a wide range of economic, social and recreational needs. (Trillium Foundation, Press Release, 1998 cited by MacNevin, Wanda, From the Edge: A Woman’s Evolution from Abuse to Activism, Picas and Points Publishing, 1999, p. 236-37).

The United Way’s [http://www.unitedwaytoronto.com/Poverty-by-Postal-Code/ “Poverty by Postal Code-The Geography of Neighbourhood Poverty: 1981-2001”] (2004) Report explained that by 2001, there were more higher-poverty neighbourhoods in the former City of North York than in any of the other former cities. More than one in five families in North York live in poverty, and in the Jane-Finch region, there is currently no youth drop-in centre that is available and accessible to youth.

The Toronto City Summit Alliance’s [http://www.torontoalliance.ca/tcsa_initiatives/strong_neighbourhoods/ Strong Neighbourhoods Task Force] identified the Black Creek Neighbourhood as one of the 13 Priority Neighbourhoods across the city, where there are not enough social services to address the growing needs of the community. The United Way “Strong Neighbourhoods: A Call to Action” (2001) Fact Sheet on Black Creek also reports that the Black Creek Neighbourhood, which is encompassed in the catchment region of this project, has a higher rate of [http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=6034 racialized] groups, immigrants, recent newcomers, children, youth, lone parents, low income families, low income unattached individuals, lower median household income, higher percentage of households with incomes below $30 000, higher proportion of rental households, higher unemployment, lower percentage of population with university education, and higher percentage of population with less than high school education.

Between 1981 and 2001, the total population of North York grew by 8.7%; higher economic families by 9%, but poor economic families by 80.5%. Poverty intensified in 5 main areas; the most prominent is the Jane-Finch area, where formerly ‘high’ poverty neighbourhoods evolved into four ‘very high’ poverty areas, and where others that had ‘lower’ or ‘moderate’ levels now have ‘high poverty’. By 2001, a major shift had taken place, with the immigrant family population now accounting for 62.4% of the total family population in these communities, while Canadian born made up 37.6%. The immigrants were disproportionately poor, as 65% of the ‘poor’ family persons were immigrants. Between 1981 and 2001, the number of racialized family persons also increased by 219%; and the racialized family population accounted for two thirds of the total family population in higher poverty neighbourhoods. "See related articles, Poverty in Canada and Economic impact of immigration to Canada"

The resulting fact that so many more children are being raised in higher poverty neighbourhoods today, that their numbers are disproportionately higher than in the city as a whole, and that they make up a growing proportion of the population of higher poverty neighbourhoods highlights the need for an effective action plan. [http://www.twpcommunityministry.org/home/editorfiles/Jane_Finch_Neighbourhood_Action_Plan.pdf (Jane Finch Neighbourhood Action Plan Report).]

Currently, several community-based organizations, businesses, community residents and city staff have joined together to form the Black Creek West Community Capacity Building Project. Funded by the City of Toronto, the project aims to “improve the quality of life for residents living in the Black Creek West community by placing emphasis on building on assets and capacities, prevention, community involvement, diversity and community well-being.” There are also a number of other organizations and networks that have come together to develop programs and solutions to the problems that have been identified in the various reports. One organization that stands out as a difference maker in the Jane and Finch community is San Romanoway Revitalization Association. From its birth in 2002, San Romanoway Revitalization Association located in the North East Quadrant of Jane and Finch decrease crime rate by as much as 80% with in the Jane and Finch Community.fact|date=September 2008

Cultural Activities

Being one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the City of Toronto, the Jane-Finch community hosts a number of cultural activities:

Jane-finch.com - Jane-Finch.com is a community website dedicated to promoting the positive side of the Jane-Finch neighbourhood. The website gives an unprecedented look inside the community and its residents.

International Women's Day - The Jane-Finch community is an active participant in International Women's Day. For example, in 2004, Driftwood Community Centre hosted the event for the community, the theme of which was "Balancing Family and Work." Several community organizations sponsored the event, such as Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services, Delta Family Resource Centre, Driftwood Community Centre and the Jane/Finch Community & Family Centre. Other participating agencies included Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Costi and the North York Women's Centre. Activities of the day included a "Women & Work" resource table, parenting seminars, child care and poetry readings from award-winning poet Lillian Allen. Women were also treated to manicures, hair-braiding and yoga.The Black Creek Community Health Centre also participates in the planning and organizing of International Women's Day, through a Planning Group that hosts a series of community-based planning workshops. The International Women's Day conference provides the opportunity for women in the community to build relationships, develop a coalition across differences and gain skills related to civic participation.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - The Jane-Finch community gets involved in the ‘’International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.’’ In 1999, MuchMusic hosted a Stop Racism Video Competition, accepting 320 entries nationwide. One of the top ten winners included Paul Nguyen, a Jane-Finch community member and creator of [http://www.jane-finch.com Jane-Finch.com] , and his team members Helen Vong and Chris Williams. At the awards show on March 3, 1999, the team was awarded various prizes by Dr. Hedy Fry, Minister of Multiculturalism (see [http://www.pvefilms.com/racism.htm Much Music Stop Racism Video Award).]

[http://www.caribana.com/schedule.html Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade] Kids’ Carnival - A part of Toronto's celebrated annual ‘’Caribbean Carnival Parade’’ (Caribana) is the Junior Parade for children ages 4-16. This "Kiddie's Carnival" parade and Caribbean marketplace are held in the heart of the Jane-Finch community and are open to the public. Children spend the day proudly showing off their colourful costumes, dancing to festive music, competing for prizes and crowns, and celebrating a sense of pride in their culture and community. In 2006 the parade was held on Saturday July 22, beginning at 10 a.m., north of the Jane-Finch intersection, and ending at 4 p.m. in front of the judging stands in the parking lot of Yorkgate Mall (Jane & Finch).

[http://www.chdp.ca Canadian Hispanic Day Parade] - Run by a non-profit organization that aims to promote the cultural heritage of the Latin American people of Canada, the Canadian Hispanic Day Parade is an annual event held in the Jane-Finch community. In 2006, the 6th annual parade was held on August 26 and 27, beginning at the Jane and Sheppard Mall and ending at the John Booth Arena (Jane and Shoreham). The parade gives the Latin community an opportunity to come together, celebrate a sense of belonging and share Latin culture and heritage with others. It is the only such parade in Canada.

Members of the Hispanic Day Parade/Super Latin World Arts Festival Inc. organizing committee(s) also work to support Jane-Finch youth by raising funds through various fundraising activities. These funds aim to increase youth accessibility to bursaries provided by the Toronto Board of Education and 31 Division, which are offered to 10 students in the Jane Finch community who have been identified as community leaders by the Board of Education. These youth must be pursuing post-secondary education and must be paying a portion of their tuition independently from the bursary. Recognizing that this is not possible for some community youth, members of Hispanic Day Parade/Super Latin World Arts Festival organizing committee(s) raise funds that are held in trust by the Jane-Finch Community and Family Centre and disbursed to selected youth within the community.

[http://jane-finch.com/videos/driftwoodfest.htm Driftwood's Annual Multicultural Festival] - Every year, Driftwood Community Centre (4401 Jane Street) holds an Annual Multicultural Festival for the Jane-Finch community. In 2006, the event was held at Driftwood Community Centre on Saturday June 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Many people attended to participate in and enjoy the various activities such as the Cultural Stage, the Children's Dance Theatre, children's activities and games, live animals, and food and drinks.

Places of interest

* Black Creek Pioneer Village
* York University
* Seneca College (Seneca@York and Yorkgate Mall campuses)
* Toronto Public Library (York Woods Library, including its Theatre, and Jane Sheppard Library)
* Jane Finch Mall (featured in the video for Organized Rhyme's hit song "Check the O.R." [ [http://jane-finch.com/history/organizedrhyme.htm Organized Rhyme (1992) - Check the O.R.> at jane-finch.com] ] )

Notable residents and ex-residents

*Jully Black
*Dream Warriors
*Chuckie Akenz
*Paul Nguyen
*Mark Simms
*Denham Brown
*Glenn Lewis
*Olu Famutimi

Community & Links

[http://www.jane-finch.com Jane-Finch.com]

Black Creek West

[http://www.bcchc.com Black Creek Community Health Centre]

[http://www.friendshipintoronto.com Friendship Community Church]

[http://jane-finch.com/links.htm Driftwood Community Centre]

[http://jane-finch.com/links.htm Oakdale Community Centre]

[http://jane-finch.com/links.htm Firgrove Community Centre]

[http://www.janefinchcentre.org/ Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre]

[http://www.caglomissions.org Belka Enrichment Centre]

[http://www.cmsd.org Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview]

[http://www.rapdict.org/Jane_and_Finch Rap Dictionary: Jane and Finch]

References