Building a Healthy Connected Bramalea

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is working with local leaders and organizations to facilitate collective action that supports local resilience, well-being, engagement, and sustainability.

PROGRAM
OBJECTIVES

PROGRAM
ACTIVITIES

EVENTS &
INITIATIVES

About Healthy Connected Bramalea

In support of the Community Resilience recommendations identified by the Bramalea SNAP Action Plan, the Building a Healthy Connected Bramalea program builds on past collective work to kickstart resident-led, action-oriented projects in the community.

Led by TRCA, a network of local community leaders, educators, parents, youth activists, agencies, and service organizations are helping to facilitate several high-impact, signature SNAP revitalization projects, including ecospace parks, streetscapes, and tower revitalization.

This program includes the facilitation of regular multi-stakeholder meetings, annual events with resident leadership, local partnership development, and a focus on neighbourhood engagement to support local revitalization projects.

This work is supported by funding from the United Way Greater Toronto Community Programs until March 2028.

Program Objectives

1. Bramalea Community Collaborative & Community Champions Program (CCP) Facilitation:
To foster community engagement and collaboration on local projects and programs, advancing the objectives of the Bramalea Community Network, and to provide input and leadership on high impact SNAP revitalization projects including ecospace park design, streetscape, and tower revitalization.

2. Engagement and Influence in Local Decision-making:
Increasing resident and organization influence in local decision-making by engaging community members in SNAP revitalization projects; achieving inclusive and diverse engagement that reaches those facing a risk of poverty and/or other challenges or barriers; involving community in all stages of concept planning, design, implementation, and management to support meaningful initiatives with long term ownership.

3. Community Connections through Learning and Action:
Building on the SNAP Action Planning process by increasing neighbour connections, nurturing local resident leaders, and enhancing overall community resilience through asset-based community development approaches; working with residents to deliver events and training workshops based on local interest.

4. Socio-economic Co-benefits:
Achieving community health and well-being co-benefits through resident participation in healthy built and natural environment initiatives, including increased physical activity, access to nature, and skills development in urban agriculture, active living, green infrastructure, and nature-based education.

Program Activities

Key program activities include:

Facilitation of bi-monthly Community Collaborative meetings.

Through the Bramalea SNAP Community Champions Program, two annual tailored leadership training, skills development, and mentorship opportunities will be offered to empower residents to take on leadership roles, organize community initiatives, and build a robust foundation for ongoing community-led action.

One annual community event, delivered in collaboration with CCG members, community champions, and residents.

NGO-led projects, programs and activities.

Funding Available for NGOs to Support Projects in Bramalea

As part of this program, TRCA is offering $60,000 in total funding to local groups and non-government organizations (NGOs) over the next three years (up to $20,000 per year).

This funding is intended to support community engagement, skills training, and the delivery of projects and programs to enhance the built and natural environment in Bramalea.

Projects and programs should:

Engage residents, including equity-seeking groups, in local initiatives.

Strengthen community resilience and foster neighbour-to-neighbour connections through activities such as community events, skills-building workshops, and resident leadership development

Improve the local environment and deliver health and well-being benefits.

All project activities must be completed by March 31, 2028.

Examples of eligible projects or activities include: neighbourhood events; climate-inspired art projects; outdoor or nature-based programming; experiential learning; skills-building workshops; urban agriculture projects; tree or native garden planting projects; and stormwater management projects.

A partnership agreement with TRCA will be required.

The deadline for the first round of applications has closed.

If any funds remain unallocated, an additional call for proposals will be issued in future years.

To learn more about this opportunity, please email bhavisha.solanki@trca.ca or call (437) 880-2159.

Events and Initiatives Highlights

Bramalea SNAP neighbourhood residents take part in a health and wellness workshop

Bramalea SNAP neighbouhood residents take part in a nature journalling workshop

TRCA partners with local NGOs, the Bramalea SNAP Community Collaborative, and the community on collective action initiatives and events that support the program.

Highlights include: