Employment & Economic Development Working Group of the Regent Park Social Development Plan

By Dawar Naeem
(Dawar is journalist with the Focus Media Arts Centre)

The Employment & Economic Development Committee (EED) is one of the four working groups of the SDP. The goal of the EED committee is to increase employment rates and entrepreneurial opportunities for residents of Regent Park.

The Employment and Economic Development Committee (EED) meets once every Month to discuss and plan how to remove barriers to employment and economic opportunities for the residents of Regent Park.

The March session of the EED meeting was facilitated by Ismail Afrah, co-chair of the EED working group.  The meeting began by updating the attendees about the funding application that was submitted in partnership with the Regent Park Community Health Centre. The funding request is for $200,000 over a two-year period.  The application was submitted to the Metcalf Opportunity Fund. This fund will help create two pathways, an employment pathway and  an entrepreneurial pathway.

Gail Lynch, presented a concept map in regards to the Women's Entrepreneurial Group which was discussed in the February session. Gail desired to see all the stakeholders and agencies active in Regent Park make this group happen and provide the Women entrepreneurs of Regent Park with supports they need.

Foad Karimian from TCHC, informed the attendees about TCHC various programs and scholarships.
Fatima Saya, Senior Manager of Social Impact At Daniels Corporation, told the attendees about the website that Daniels have developed for various employment opportunities in Regent Park. Asal Afshar from Tridel mentioned that the Tridel website also has support for youth and other job seekers in the community.