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MICRO-LOANS
PROGRAM TO HELP COMMUNITY
BY
JAZA, HONORARY EDITOR
TORONTO: The neglected but one of the most important localities of
Don Valley West, Greater Toronto Areas, Ontario and Canada---Thorncliffe
Park Drive and Flemingdon Park---have started to get some attention and
recognition they deserved. Thanks to the tireless efforts of those engaged
and involved in promoting and helping these areas.
As a result of discriminatory and negative propaganda by some
people and leaders with narrow thinking, sick mentality and vested
interests, bad impression was created about both Thorncliffe Park Drive
and Flemingdon Park. These localities were considered and labelled as
backward areas and most of the residents as crooks, criminals, illiterate
and uncivilized. The motive behind was mainly to deprive both the people
and localities of basic and important facilities, with the thinking that
they do not deserve such facilities, good impression and recognition.
The reality is completely different and the area councillor John
Parker knows it very well. The reason of his helplessness is not known.
Only he can give a good and valid explanation.
He knows that most of the people are very loving, caring,
supportive, helpful, highly educated, civilized, passionate, etc.
Crimes and incidents do happen in almost all areas. Only the
proportion varies. Because of some leaders who act like rain frogs,
poodles and pimps and have dirty mentality, all the people and the areas
cannot be and should not be
condemned.
John Parker too wants to meet
and work with people who are interested in promoting the Thorncliffe Park
and Flemingdon Park areas and people. He and the people both are fed up of
all the familiar opportunists and exploiters.
Fortunately, Thorncliffe and Flemingdon areas do not belong to the
high proportion ones. Yes, there were some areas in these localities which
had bad elements and considered unsafe but they have been cleared and
controlled. Police have increased patrolling and monitoring.
It is hoped that now full attention will be paid towards providing
necessary facilities including basic and recreational in these two areas.
Both are mostly lacking. The problems could be easily solved. The
community and party leaders can work with the councillor,
John Parker, and Mayor Rob Ford in this connection.
A senior citizen was walking near the Overlea Mall and got so tired
that he could hardly take a step forward. He said: “Where have all the
benches gone, near the bus stops and other necessary places, where we used
to sit and relax while walking. Now it has become extremely difficult for
us to walk and relax in these areas. If we don’t walk in the open areas
with fresh air we will get sick and die.
“If you go to the white-majority areas, you will find all such
facilities. Only we are being punished. This discrimination must end and
all necessary facilities restored. Funds should not be made an excuse.
Only will and interest is needed.”
Whenever people of these areas get some good news they become
very happy and thank all those involved.
One such very good news and opportunity is now available and
waiting for them. It is hoped that residents of Thorncliffe Park Drive and
Flemingdon Park areas would fully benefit from this program. We need more
such initiatives and programs which change practically, positively and
tremendously change the lives of the families and shape of the areas.
MICRO-LOANS: On June 16,
2011, ACCESS Community Capital Fund will launch a partnership with the
Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office (TNO), the newest chapter of their
community micro-lending program, says a Press release.
The event will be from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at 1 Leaside Park Drive,
Unit # 7 in Toronto, Ontario.
The new partnership comes as part of a three-year expansion project
to build community-based lending programs across the Greater Toronto Area.
The chapter in Thorncliffe Park is the second of its kind, joining an
already successful program in Black Creek.
“This is a community that is very educated and passionate,”
says Lee Hodgkinson, Chair of the Thorncliffe Park Loan Review Committee.
“Many are running home-based businesses or selling imported goods at the
community markets. The business support being provided by TNO alongside
the financing opportunity provided by ACCESS will go a long way towards
expanding this entrepreneurial spirit.”
In March, ACCESS established the Thorncliffe Park Loan Review
Committee, a team drawn from professionals, business owners and members of
the community. The group is responsible for evaluating and supporting loan
applicants in their pursuit of funding for their small business ideas.
Where ACCESS provides loans, the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office
will provide assistance in completing applications, overcome language
barriers and preparing applicants for interviews.
“Applying for a loan through the Thorncliffe Park program was a
valuable experience in itself,” says Trisha Taylor, owner of Pineapple
Express, the first loan recipient of the Thorncliffe Park program.
She continues: ”The expertise of my interviewers and their
genuine willingness to help my business become successful was
refreshing.”
In the spring of 2011, ACCESS received funding from the Citi
Foundation, with the specific aim of increasing the number of clients who
are able to access microloans through the community chapter program.
“Citi Foundation’s grant to establish the Chapter Development
Project fits well with our global focus on microfinance,” says John
Hastings, Chairman and CEO of Citibank Canada. “We are pleased to play a
part in the launch of this innovative program.”
The launch will be an opportunity for guests to meet with members
of the Thorncliffe Park Loan Review Committee, as well as noted attendees
including Local MPP Kathleen Wynn.
The evening’s celebrations will include an address by Trisha
Taylor, the recipient of the Thorncliffe Park chapter’s first
micro-loan.
ABOUT TNO: Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office is a community-based
multicultural, multi-service agency providing services to residents of
Thorncliffe Park and surrounding communities. Other programs and services
include information
and referral, counselling, settlement services, language classes for
newcomers and employment assistance services.
For more information, visit http://www.accessccf.com/thorncliffe_park
or
About
ACCESS Community Capital Fund: ACCESS Community Capital Fund, is a
registered charity which has distributed over $400,000 worth of Micro-loans
since the program was first established in the Riverdale community in
1999. Access funds are used to guarantee loans of up to $5,000, through
partner financial institutions. The guarantee fund itself is made up of
investments from socially minded individuals, organizations and
businesses.
For more information please visit, www.accessccf.com
or contact: Alex Kjorven Development
Manager, ACCESS Community Capital Fund. Tel: 416 462 0496. Email:
For further details, contact: Aamir Khawaja, Case Manager / Employment Counsellor, 1 Leaside Park Drive, Unit # 7, Toronto, ON, M4H1J5. Tel: 416-467-0126 (Ext. 228). Fax: 416-467-9145 akhawaja@thorncliffe.org.
www.thorncliffe.org.
---Javed Zaheer (JAZA/JAYZEE/JZEE),
Free Expression Award Winner, Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner,
Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto
Press Club, Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary
Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary)
of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English
Daily DAWN, Pakistan, Chairman, CANOPI, and Director, Canpak Camber of
Commerce, is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order
to serve all people and communities.
Contact: (416)696-0981/ javedz@hotmail.com.
To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit the following websites: www.letstree.com (Pressing needs of the world section), www.nepmcc.ca and www.nationalethnicpress.com (Home Pages & Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004 to 2010), www.pakistanabroad.ca (Issues) and www.caribbeanbusinessmagazine.ca. |