To fight the rising ranges of loneliness and social isolation in Toronto, the Toronto Basis and Volunteer Toronto have introduced an extension of the deadline for The Energy of Us microgrant program. This system permits resident-led teams, grassroots organizations, and casual collectives throughout the Metropolis of Toronto to entry grants of as much as $1000. The prolonged deadline for purposes is now January 15, 2024, in honor of Worldwide Volunteer Day.
The 2023 Toronto’s Important Indicators, launched by the Toronto Basis, highlighted regarding developments within the metropolis:
Participation in teams and actions has decreased by roughly 30% in comparison with pre-pandemic ranges.
Toronto has been recognized as one of many loneliest locations within the nation, with roughly 925,000 adults (37%) reporting emotions of loneliness on not less than three or 4 days within the final week of 2023, a price greater than the nationwide common of 28%.
The volunteer price in Toronto declined from 37% in 2018 to 25% in 2022, leading to a lack of 300,000 volunteers.
The Energy of Us microgrant program goals to handle these points by offering funding for tasks that foster social connections, improve civic participation, and scale back loneliness. Some examples of eligible tasks embody neighborhood block events, neighborhood gardens, park clean-ups, skills-sharing workshops, toy and meals drives, and neighborhood sports activities tournaments or demonstrations.
Partaking with the neighborhood can have a optimistic affect on particular person well-being, increase social help networks, and contribute to the betterment of society. By encouraging Toronto residents to take part in group actions and initiatives, the microgrant program seeks to reverse the pattern of social isolation.
Final week the mainstream media expressed considerations concerning the metropolis’s loneliness downside and inspired readers to reconnect with neighbors, associates, and colleagues. This name to motion aligns with the World Well being Group’s current announcement of a brand new Fee on Social Connection, recognizing the worldwide menace posed by loneliness.
With substantial microgrant funding accessible, this initiative presents a chance to revitalize town and create a larger sense of belonging amongst its residents. Members are inspired to contribute to the interactive Civic Optimism Map, which serves as a supply of motivation for others to re-engage in social actions and strengthen neighborhood bonds.
https://torontofoundation.ca/torontos-vital-signs-grants/
