Centre for Community Learning & Development

The Centre for Community Learning & Development (CCL&D) is dedicated to creating a strong culture of community engagement in Toronto's most vulnerable neighbourhoods. Through our adult education, digital storytelling, leadership development, partnerships, and community engagement activities, we contribute to healthier neighbourhoods and increased sense of belonging for many.

We respond to changing community needs, including the growing demand for solution-focused initiatives that promote active learning and community engagement. As a result, our programs intentionally leverage the resources and collaborative strengths of residents, private sector organizations, educational institutions, community agencies and government, to increase social capital and build the capacity of individuals and communities.

Our programs and activities help to mitigate the effects of poverty, and make it easier for many to move out of poverty - people who are marginalized take on leadership roles in their communities, and many individuals and families connect with each other, with the broader community, and with the programs and services they need.

CCL&D delivers programs and activities that contribute to creating a strong culture of community engagement in some of Toronto's most vulnerable neighbourhoods.

Through our adult education, leadership development, partnerships, social enterprise incubation, community engagement, and youth development programs, we contribute to healthier neighbourhoods and increased sense of belonging for many.

For example, participants in our leadership training develop skills and capacities that they, in turn, use to add value to their communities. They conduct needs assessments, learning circles, workshops, and serve as sources of information and referral for their families, friends and neighbours--activities that also help to increase their own employability.

Over time, we have developed increased clarity, and a sharper focus on our role in helping to mitigate the effects of poverty, and/or helping people and communities move out of poverty.

We take into account, not just the direct impact we hope to achieve, but also our contribution to the sector as a whole. In addition to our mission, vision and intended impact, we have an endgame focused on "replication."

We are committed to expanding our programs and models, so other organizations can deliver and/or support delivery of versions of our programs in their respective neighbourhoods. They may be able to implement our approach more effectively, because they have a stronger existing infrastructure, or enjoy greater trust within their communities.

Our long-term goal in adopting this endgame is to serve as a body that maintains quality standards, learning content, and as a centre of excellence, that demonstrates best practices to potential replicators.