Regent Park lies at the centre of downtown Toronto but for many of its residents the neighbourhood remains physically and psychologically a world apart. It has no streets, a few stores dot the surrounding area, and it often seems empty as if waiting for a signal to come to life, a red light turning to green.

Its residents know this. Those living here are often reminded that Regent Park remains one of the poorest communities in the province. Many citizens do not speak English and those that do often struggle to find opportunities amidst a long line of social, cultural and educational barriers.

So how come nobody wants to leave?

Ask residents and they’ll tell you that things are changing in Regent Park. They’ll tell you that you can’t keep a good community down. They’ll tell you the steps they’re taking today are having a direct result in creating a brighter, more stable future for the community. And they’ll tell you part of the reason is community succession.
At its simplest, community succession is an idea common to virtually every community in the world. It’s the idea that the children of the community will make a difference by achieving their potential to become the doctors and nurses, administrators, lawyers and civil servants, ultimately returning to the community and supporting ongoing development.

Originally developed in the United States, the idea, nurtured through the efforts of the Regent Park Community Health Centre, has developed a strong and committed following of local public and private sector partners, volunteers, educators, parents and local residents. In the case of Regent Park, it’s community succession with a twist, offering a three-tiered approach that not only focuses on providing tools for children but enhancing opportunities for youth and adults. In doing so, it improves their chances for meaningful employment and facilitates ongoing support for children.

“Community Succession is the ultimate vision of the Regent Park Community Health Centre,” explains Carolyn Acker, Executive Director. “What we want 20 years from now is for the children of this community to live and work here rather than driving in from other parts of the city. The two things that have the biggest impact on the health of a community are education and income. By helping these children to get through high school and move on to be productive citizens, we break the cycle of poverty and build on the strengths and capacity of Regent Park.”

A key component of the community succession project is a Pathways to Education program that provides students with access to tutors and mentors and offers financial incentives to pursue post-secondary education. The program aims to raise student expectations around education, to set higher goals for themselves and provide a closer focus on student monitoring and responsible behaviour. It also works with parents to ensure they play an active role in support of the process.

“The Regent Park Community Health Centre has always been at the forefront of community health but also socially in terms of support for the community. Through this project and on a broader level, they’re saying we’re all partners. It will only work if there’s partnership between schools, the community, the health centre and the parents, working together on a common purpose, “ said Ainsworth Morgan, a teacher at nearby Nelson Mandela Park Public School. “Pathways to Education is much like the effect that a teacher may have on you. You can’t see the effect today or tomorrow but five, ten years down the road you realize the teacher had a lasting effect. They helped to lay the foundation for your success.”

Still in its early stages, the program has already experienced dramatic results. More than 90% of eligible students and their parents are enrolled. At the first mentoring session 30 people were expected; 49 showed up. The area’s participation in the Serve Canada employment program was nearly 300% greater than anticipated and a community barbeque intended to profile Pathways to Education and the Community Succession project attracted more than 300 people including students, parents, teachers, mentors and external supporters.

“We had a vision, but it was only with the assistance of the Ontario Trillium Foundation that we’re able to make the difference. We’re gathering the evidence to show the impact we’re having by making interventions in selected areas. Without Trillium’s help, where would we be? It would still be a good idea but we couldn’t have taken the next step,” says Acker. “This model can be replicated by many, many communities across the province. When they hear the results that we’re having they’re interested. We’re already working with two communities, one in Hamilton and the North Shore Tribal Council in northern Ontario who are interested in replicating this. It shows we all want the same things, it's just a matter of making it happen. It’s all coming together in Regent Park.”