Our Community Leaders program enriches peoples’ lives and helps meet basic needs by equipping program participants in Moss Park with skills to build and lead community programming and advocacy. They also receive valuable professional development training at no cost, and are provided with a monthly honorarium. Specifically they learn:
- Collective strategizing and impact through enhanced leadership and peer advocacy.
- Practical skills that encourage cultural bonding, agency and gaining experience that can support future employment goals .
- Being an active participant in their neighborhood while increasing trust and purpose.
Program content is community-driven and peer-led, and we prioritize program participants that are economically disadvantaged including newcomers, unhoused or precariously housed, and those living at or below the poverty level. The workshops offered to the community reflect our pillars – food, urban agriculture and community building.
A peer-led approach fosters genuine engagement, as people are more likely to participate in and benefit from initiatives that reflect their needs, values, and cultural contexts.
As each cohort of Community Leaders is trained and graduated, another cohort will begin. We amplify the impact as each trained leader can mentor others, creating a ripple effect of knowledge and support. The program also directly benefits the wider community by providing fresh meals, produce, and essential resources each month, alleviating food insecurity and fostering a sense of belonging.
Applications of Interest for our 2025 Community Leaders Program are Open
The theme of our 2025 program is People, Land, and Food, and as a group we will explore the importance of these themes coming together for change-making in our neighbourhood. By the end of the summer, participants will have nurtured deeper relations with the land, people, plants, and creatures around us and will better understand how to access the web of connectivity and belonging that unites us all.
Participants will develop their skills in and knowledge of food justice work, gardening, community stewardship, and more. We will visit community hubs around the neighbourhood and beyond. Participants will receive a monthly stipend of $250 for their participation.
All Moss Park residents (18+) who are passionate about community and can commit at least 2 hours per week to the program are invited to participate. Participants may miss only one session over the course of the summer. People of all life experiences are welcome to apply, so long as you have a passion for community.
Send an email to info@buildingroots.ca stating a bit about your interest in participating or visit the Moss Park Market on Saturdays from 11 AM – 3 PM and speak to a staff member about your interest.
