#MalvernMade, Malvern Family Resource Centre Launches Community Campaign to Celebrate Local ChangeMakers
February 2, 2024 (Toronto) – The Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC) is launching #MalvernMade, a campaign to recognize and celebrate Malvern residents who are making a positive impact in the community. The campaign was launched earlier today with notable attendees including politicians, local business leaders, and community leaders. .
#MalvernMade highlighted changemakers from the community including Shaniqua Wright, a resilient 22-year-old changemaker working with the community youth, Balasingham Arumugam, a senior and a community leader championing the cause of healthy aging, and Thilaksion Kumariah, a 26-year-old a youth advocate who through his efforts got Malvern its first skateboarding park.
#MalvernMade will spread awareness about Malvern, its amazing residents, and their needs and invite people across the GTA to engage more in this side of the city. Malvern is located in northeast Scarborough and has diverse demographics. A 2016 report indicated that 15% of the population in Malvern were youth, higher than the city average. Pre-retirement and seniors together make up 26% of the area’s population, while 18% are children. This calls for dedicated programming across various age groups in the community.
Speaking at the launch, Josh Berman, Executive Director of MFRC said, “There are amazing community members across Malvern and MFRC is excited to launch #MalvernMade to highlight them”.
“As an local Community Hub for over 40 years , serving 13,000 community members in 2023 , Malvern Family Resource Centre has been a catalyst in enabling positive change. Our children’s program supports young and school-aged children to get a great start. Our Malvern Urban Farm drives fresh food access twith our Youth Hubs provide safe and welcoming spaces for young people to connect. Our newcomer programs engage and support new community members, and our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility team delivers targeted programming that focuses on building more equitable and just communities. We offer counseling and psychotherapy services and resources for survivors of gender-based violence and community seniors engage in social, educational, physical, and mental wellness programs”, Berman added.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Mayor McKelvie said “Malvern Family Resource Centre is a vital part of our community. Community members at the Urban Farm have grown over 80,000 pounds of fresh produce. It’s grown in the community, by the community. I want to also highlight MFRC’s Youth Hubs that provide spaces for youth academic and employment supports, access to nutritious meals and a place where youth can get together. I’m excited about MFRC’s #MalvernMade campaign and look forward to future engagements.
Business and community leaders present at the event demonstrated their commitment to supporting MFRC and its impactful work in the community.
In addition to the #MalvernMade launch event, MFRC will hold a series of community engagements starting with the Iftar gathering in the month of Ramadan, to engaging events and programs with newcomers and seniors.