Markham Stouffville Review, September 2023

2 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER 2023
Building Safer Communities Fund targets Markham for resident-led initiatives
BY STEPHEN SWEET
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Markham is working with the Canadian
government to try and make our communities
safer.
Four focus areas in York Region,
including south-central Markham, are being
included in a community action program to
increase safety in those locales via residentled
plans.
“York Region collaborated with Public
Safety Canada to receive funding under the
Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF)
to increase education and awareness about
community safety and well-being,” said
Lisa Alfieri Sladen, York Region’s manager
of Community Innovation and Partnerships.
“This is including, but not limited to,
education and awareness of the risks and
consequences of gang involvement.
“The region will use this funding to
roll out the Community Violence Prevention
Fund to help address underlying social risk
factors, with a focus on promoting youth
and community resiliency and lowering barriers
to services.”
Through the BSCF, York Region will
receive $7.3 million over four years to help
support and implement the Community
Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) plan.
Along with Markham, three other
locales in northern Georgina, central Newmarket
and south-central Richmond Hill
were chosen for this initiative.
“The decision behind all (of) the focus
areas was based on data and research,” she
said. “Focus areas were determined using a
composite measure of data across three domains:
economic stability, social and human
development, and health and well-being.
“These were also validated through
consultations with residents and local municipalities.”
Given the vast differences between
demographics even within communities of
York Region, there is no expectation of running
a ‘one size fits all’ program.
“Effective community development
initiatives acknowledge that each community
is unique,” she said. “Taking an
approach that factors in these unique needs
allows York Region to coordinate culturally
appropriate and relevant supports.
“By focusing on those communities
that can benefit the most, the CSWB Plan
provides the opportunity to leverage local
resources and strengths and bridge gaps to
make the greatest impact.”
Another element which she sees as a
key to potential success is that the ideas are
to come from community members themselves.
This way, the plans can empower
Markham residents and open the floor to
some potential long-term solutions.
“Creating resident-led initiatives
allows for increased capacity building in
grassroots groups that may not have had
access to funding previously,” she said.
“There are many leaders throughout our
York Region will receive $7.3 million over four years to help support and implement the Community
Safety and Well-Being plan. (YR photo)
communities who have great ideas, (have)
lived experiences and (carry) a strong
understanding of their community’s needs
who can inform and lead this work.”
Having the ideas come from people
living in the city, she feels, can lead to a
greater benefit.
“Our goal is to empower the residents
who are passionate about creating positive
change in their local communities by providing
them with resources to equip them
for success,” she said. “With the guidance
of a local non-profit and York Region’s
Community Development team, these
residents will have the opportunity to bring
their local solutions to fruition.
“This also means that culturally appropriate
and relevant support is available
when connecting with communities that can
benefit most.”
Those with ideas for plans can receive
up to $4000 to implement their projects.
Each resident-led group must be made up of
at least five community members who are
not related to one another and not live at the
same address.
They must either be members of a
resident group or have come together to
implement a community violence prevention
project.
Applications for the plans will be
evaluated on an ongoing basis until November
30, 2023, or until all funds have been
allocated.
For more information about the Community
Violence Prevention Fund, as well
as to find a link to the application online,
visit york.ca/CommunityAction.
Markham Fair tradition continues
The urban and rural worlds meet at the
Markham Fair on September 28, 29, 30,
and October 1.
There is something for everyone to
celebrate – from art and entertainment to
animals and country cooking.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” said
Chris Reesor, 2023 Markham Fair President.
“Markham has the features of the city
at its doorstep and 179 years of agricultural
heritage behind its Fair.”
Hundreds of dedicated volunteers
continue to be the core strength of this
cornerstone community event which attracts
upwards of 70,000 attendees.
It’s quite a package for the whole family.
This year the Markham Fair features
a variety of performers, from a meet and
greet with Paw Patrol’s Chase and Sky to
the renowned Freestyle MX Big Air Insanity
and Monster Truck Crush show to the
fabulous President’s Choice SuperDogs.
They also have a terrific Teen Talent Show,
Best Scarecrow, and Best Dressed Pet competitions,
as well as a Monster Midway for
fun.
Others will enjoy the High-Octane
Tractor Pulls, a Demo Derby, Livestock
shows, and the biggest Pumpkins and
Squashes you’ll ever see.
With all those activities, you’re guaranteed
to work up an appetite for some of the
best country cooking and home baking that
every city wishes it had.
It’s all at the 179th Markham Fair. See
you there!
Visit markhamfair.ca for more information.