AccessPoint community hub to serve priority neighbourhoods.
AccessPoint hub development worker Nahom Berhane, right, has his blood pressure checked Tuesday by Dr. Jen Kane at the new community hub at 3079 Danforth Ave. (Aug. 31, 2010)
Staff photo/ERIC HEINO
A unique community service hub has opened its doors on the southeast corner of Victoria Park and Danforth avenues, offering a variety of medical, domestic and recreational facilities under the same roof.
Called AccessPoint, the newly renovated building was open to the public on Aug. 3, but won't be fully operational until Oct. 19. Serving the East York Crescent Town neighbourhood and Scarborough's Teesdale neighbourhood, the centre hosted an open house event on Aug. 31 to show the progress they are already making in the surrounding communities.
"We've already got tons of community groups contacting us for using the space," said Axelle Janczur, executive director of Access Alliance and administrator of the new site located at 3079 Danforth Ave.
"Accessible space for programming is a huge problem in this neighbourhood when people want to do their own community generated activities. Even organizations have a hard time finding meeting rooms. With the synergy that falls from all these organizations being in close contact, we are going to have more integrated needs assessment and do things more collaboratively, which is better."
When the site was approved for funding from the Ministry of Health about five years ago, it was only planned to serve as a medical centre. The United Way saw potential to make a greater impact in this priority neighbourhood and provided funding to make it an anchor for the entire community.
Aside from a medical centre, there are spaces for teens, an early years centre, conflict resolution counselling, free computer access, employment services, a rooftop garden and rooms that can be rented by community groups.
As the site grows, Janczur plans to incorporate suggestions form the community for additional programming. She already has plans for a small library in development.
Local councillors Janet Davis and Adrian Heaps also stopped by the site to see what it had to offer their constituents.
They were taken on a tour of the facility which despite still being a work in progress was already being used by residents.
Davis didn't think it was necessary to wait until all the services were up and running to pass judgement.
"I declare this a success right now. What we are doing for the first time is looking at the needs of neighbourhoods and targeting our investment. Our governments and community agencies are focused on what is called a place based approach to investment. We are identifying those neighbourhoods where we want to create new services, engage neighbours and looking to move to a new approach to neighbourhoods," said Davis.
She said that the city is already in the process of identifying city-wide "neighbourhood wellness indicators," to provide information on how to cater services in all of the city's neighbourhoods.
The bright yellow building is a sign of positive changes in the neighbourhood that long-time business owner and Crossroads of the Danforth Business Improvement Area Chair, Dan Glazier, has been looking forward to.
"Services were definitely lacking and it's great that the community now has a place to get together instead of having to go find another spot," said Glazier. "This is a really nice place to live. We are also getting the Victoria Park subway redone and by bringing more people here I hope they will realize that it is a nice place too."
More information on specific services offered at AccessPoint can be found at www.accessalliance.ca or by calling 416 693 8677.