ToP in Community and Public Service Organizations

The stone thrown in the water creates a ripple effect. In this case the ripples from community development work reached the agencies and organizations serving the communities in which ICA worked. ToP methods have been applied in a wide variety of situations serving the "common good." ToP work inchuman services, education and health care has enabled organizations to develop innovative systems and involve stakeholders in making decisions about service.		Organizational Planning Workshop
Planning a new strategy     Planning a community outreach campaign	The Regent Park Community Health Centre is located in Canada's oldest and largest public housing community. It serves a diverse population of approximately 26,000 most of whom live in subsidized housing. The Community Health Centre provides a wide range of integrated health and social services to address the complex needs and challenges of the residents of the area. The focus is comprehensive in that it focuses on disease prevention and health promotion in addition to treatment. ICA has facilitated several ToP events with staff and community residents. Many of the residents struggle to find opportunities amidst a long line of social, cultural and educational barriers. The Health Centre knew that the two most important social determinants of health are education and income. In an effort to address poverty and other barriers that exist within the community of Regent Park, a focus was placed on youth and breaking the cycle of poverty through the creation of the Pathways to Education Program. The Program is structured with four pillars of support; academic, social, financial, and advocacy. Taken together, this approach increases the chances for youth to move on to post-secondary education. The Program has built working relationships with funders, schools, the community, the health centre and parents. In working together towards a common goal, the Pathways to Education Program has been key in not only transforming the community but building brighter futures for youth at-risk. The program received wide recognition and is being replicated in many communities.
ToP facilitation enables groups serving the public good to examine their situation and develop creative strategies. Around the world, ToP facilitators have helped groups like the Regent Park Community Health Centre make substantial innovations.

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