Community Stories

Najeeb Siddiqui (Left) and Michelle Delaney (Right), co-project leads of the Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers. (Miyuki Wong/Toronto Observer) Written by Centennial College students: Pilar Alvarado and Miyuki Wong Neighbours of all ages come together and get their hands dirty Among all the high-density residential areas, two communal gardens in Thorncliffe Park bring the colour of nature into a

Carolynne Crawley is the co-founder of Turtle Protectors/Mishiikenh Gizhaasowin, along with Jenny Davis (not pictured). (Bella Policarpio/Toronto Observer) Written by Centennial College Journalism Students: Kismet Lally and Isabella Policarpio Turtle Protectors/Mishiikenh Gizhaasowin aim to protect Toronto’s turtles In June 2021, Carolynne Crawley and Jenny Davis met a mother snapping turtle in High Park who became

Across Toronto, many families raising autistic children are carrying a lot at once. Rising costs, long waitlists and complex systems can make it hard to find the right support. For newcomer families, language and cultural barriers can add another layer. When support is hard to access, families are often left to navigate on their own.

For more than 50 years, Annabel Slaight has helped young people engage with the world around them through curiosity, creativity and care. Many Canadians know her as a founder of Owl Magazine, now celebrating 50 years in print. But her work stretches far beyond the page—from protecting Lake Simcoe to building Clearwater Farm and co-creating

Philanthropy has long been shaped by urgency—responding to crisis, harm and need. But sustaining civic life also depends on what helps people gather, express themselves and remain open to one another. Award-winning public space expert Jay Pitter describes public joy as a form of civic infrastructure that supports collective flourishing. Her newly released book Black