Don Summerville Revitalization

In partnership with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), Applegrove has taken on a leadership role in engaging tenants on issues related to revitalization of the TCHC Don Summerville site at 1555 and 1575 Queen Street East.  Tenants are engaged in all aspects of the revitalization process, which aims to transform this aging social housing complex into a vibrant integrated, mixed use and mixed income community. 

The physical redevelopment of Don Summerville is accompanied by social transformation. In January 2020, a community benefits program was launched. The program supports social and economic development for tenants through a $100,000 scholarship fund, a $250,000 economic/social development fund, and TCHC tenant job opportunities valued at a minimum of $500,000. In addition, a community action plan supports social cohesion and connectivity for tenants and the community as a whole.  

Learn more about Don Summerville Revitalization:

Scholarship Program

Toronto Community Housing, its development partners Context Developments Inc. and RioCan Living, and Applegrove are working together to deliver the Don Summerville Scholarship Program. This program supports tenants to pursue post-secondary education in college, university, career academy and/or a trade school and recognizes the commitment of tenants to contributing to their community, bettering the world around them and cultivating change in their career field of interest. Scholarships are intended for full-time and part-time students with the goal of obtaining a degree or academic certificate.

 Key Information

  • Recipients can be awarded
    • Up to $1,500 for part-time students + a $250 bursary
    • Up to $3,000 for full-time students + a $500 bursary
  • Recipients will be chosen by an impartial panel of evaluators.
  • Application Deadline: Monday, October 17, 2022 at 5:00 pm.

Instagram: @donsummervillehub

Facebook: don summerville hub

Application Deadline

The 2022 application period is now closed. The next opportunity to apply for the Don Summerville Scholarship will be early Spring 2023. 

Interested relocated tenants from our Don Summerville community can attend an online information session that will be organized and hosted by TCHC in the spring to learn more. More information will be shared through TCHC social media channels, this website, and other communication channels. 

2022 Scholarship Award Winners 

Congratulations to our 2022 scholarship recipients!  

From left to right, our 2022 Don Summerville Scholarship winners: Taryn Raffin; Sami Abdo; Iman Abdo; Abeba Haile Okbamichael; Marlyse Mariette Obono Menounga. Not shown: Welela Leul

Have any questions?

Contact Marveh Farhoodi at [email protected] or 416-688-1583

Click here to meet 2021 scholarship recipients

Community Action Plan (CAP)

Revitalization is not just about new buildings. It is also about people and facilitating a positive neighbourhood for all. The CAP is a living document created by tenants, TCHC and community partners. It provides a road map for building community engagement, social inclusion and economic empowerment into the revitalization process.

The first pillar in the CAP is celebrating heritage. TCHC, RioCan, Context Development Inc. and Applegrove are working with East End Arts to support a community-driven heritage project based on gathering and sharing stories and photos of Don Summerville tenants.

Employment Program

As part of revitalization, TCHC, RioCan, Context Development Inc. and Applegrove are collaborating with WoodGreen Employment Services and TDSB Next Steps Employment Centre to connect TCHC tenants with employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Some but not all opportunities are associated with the revitalization project itself, for example in construction and the trades. Applegrove is also committed to providing seasonal employment opportunities to youth from Don Summerville

For more information contact Marveh Farhoodi at [email protected]