A Home. A Job. A Friend. A Neighbourhood.

Hi Neighbour,

Happy Birthday to PARC! This week, we celebrated 46 years of supporting our community in Parkdale.

We are also getting ready to open our doors for Parkdale Day on March 28, where we will host a showcase of our Member Art Group. The event highlights the incredible talent of our members, with artwork available for purchase and 100% of sales going directly to the artists.

We also took time to reflect on International Women’s Day and held the inaugural meeting of the 11 Brock Welcome Committee, an important first step toward welcoming tenants into our new supportive housing at 11 Brock Avenue, opening Fall 2026.

Thank you, as always, for being part of our community.

- Kerry from PARC

Happy 46th Anniversary to PARC!

This week, PARC marks 46 years of serving the community.

PARC began in the wake of deinstitutionalization in the 1960s and 1970s, when the provincial government discharged thousands of long-term psychiatric patients from Queen Street Mental Health Centre and Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital. Many were displaced into Parkdale’s rooming houses with little preparation or support.

Starting in 1977, a group of concerned volunteers saw what was happening and began working directly with the psychiatric survivors who became our very first members. Later, on March 17th 1980, PARC officially opened its doors at 1499 Queen Street West.

The building wasn’t fancy, with mostly reclaimed furniture and an old pool table. But it offered a place where people with mental health challenges could feel safe and welcomed, connect with others, and find purpose through activities and supports. And it was all made possible by dedicated workers who kept showing up, day after day.

Forty-six years later, and PARC still does that work. The faces have changed, and the challenges have evolved, but the need for a warm meal and a place to belong has only grown. Today, PARC offers a drop-in centre with two meals every day, social and recreational programs, 107 units of supportive housing, employment support, voluntary financial trusteeship, and so much more.

Through it all, Parkdale has been a community grounded in supporting people that others overlook, and we thank you for being a part of that over the years.

Here's to 46 years, and to the community that made all of it possible.

Parkdale Day: Arts Showcase at PARC

On Saturday, March 28th, 2026

PARC is joining Project Parkdale to celebrate Parkdale Day, which marks the anniversary of Parkdale’s annexation to the City of Toronto on March 23, 1889.

Parkdale Day brings together local businesses, artists, and community members to celebrate the neighbourhood across various locations and includes 5 markets, live music, walking tours, discounts, food specials, art shows and more!

As part of the festivities, PARC is hosting an Arts Showcase and Marketplace in our 2nd Floor Auditorium, featuring ten of our talented member artists. Original works will be on display and available to purchase - with all proceeds going directly to our member artists. We will also be selling PARC totes, t-shirts, toques, and copies of our member-written book Let's Face It.

Come celebrate the creativity, community, and people who make Parkdale such a special place!

Celebrating International Women's Day

PARC marked this year’s International Women’s Day by celebrating and connecting with our members. We welcomed everyone for a morning of pastries, bracelet-making, and free manicures. Purple carnations, the colour of Women’s Day, were provided by our favourite florists Willem and Jools and given to all female-identifying members.

A special thank you to Nail Technicians Network, a grassroots organization started by nail technicians with support from PQWCHC and the Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic to share knowledge, build skills, and support safe, healthy workplaces. Members of NTN provided manicures to our community and helped make the morning extra special.

We also want to recognize the women who are the backbone of social services in Canada. Front-line care workers, support staff, and community advocates do demanding work that is often underrecognized, powered by compassion and a sense of justice. At PARC, that shows up in the care our staff bring to every member.

Thank you to our staff and community partners for making this day so special for our female identifying members.

Update on the 11 Brock Welcome Committee

Last week, PARC hosted the first meeting of the 11 Brock Avenue Welcome Committee, and we were so inspired by the outpouring of support.

Over 20 volunteers gathered in our Auditorium on March 12, bringing together a mix of professional expertise and lived experience, united by a shared belief that Parkdale is a place where people are welcomed. Their energy and care for our community reminded us why this work matters so deeply.

The Welcome Committee is made up of volunteers who will support new tenants at 11 Brock feel truly welcomed and supported from day one. Committee members will be planning and preparing welcome packages with essentials, developing a neighbourhood resource guide to help tenants navigate Parkdale, and leading volunteer-led activities and walking tours so new residents can get to know their community.

Moving into housing after a period of instability is a big transition and the committee’s work ensures tenants aren't navigating it alone. We are so grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved.

About 11 Brock Ave Supportive Housing

11 Brock Avenue is a 42-unit supportive housing development opening in Fall 2026, operated by PARC and owned by the City of Toronto. It will provide safe, stable, and affordable homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Supportive housing works because it combines affordable homes with on-site supports, helping people with mental health and addiction challenges achieve greater stability and wellbeing. It is not a temporary fix. It is an evidence-based solution that provides the foundation people need to rebuild their lives.

1. The St. Andrews Society of Toronto for their support of our community meal program.
2. St. Martin-in-the-Field Anglican Church for their gift toward our Supportive Housing Fund.
3. Comedian Alistair Ogden for donating proceeds from his show Comedians Solve the Housing Crisis.
4. Willem & Jools Flowers for providing discounted flowers for our members on International Women's Day.
5. The Nail Technicians’ Network for pampering our members for International Women's Day.
6. Sunnyside Provisions who donated a 6L coffee percolator in support of our Drop-In coffee bar.
7. Brands for Canada for coming in and speaking with our members about opportunities with their employment program.

A Community where People Rebuild Their Lives

Visit us online: parc.on.ca

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To donate: parc.on.ca/donate