Riverdale Housing Action Group (RHAG)

• Riverdale Housing Action Group (RHAG) is a community-based non-profit housing provider, established in 1986, to ensure safe, permanent and rent-geared-to income housing for the most vulnerable in our community. Focus is on women and single parent families who are leaving the shelter system. Currently owns and manages nine buildings (44 units in the city of Toronto east of the Don Valley) with 96 tenants – 42 families with 35 children.
• Riverdale Housing Animation Programs (RHAP), the charitable arm of RHAG, was created in 1997 to further address the needs of women, children, youth and children in the RHAG and larger Toronto East communities. Members find it difficult to cover even the costs of living and basic necessities – 100% of community members live below the poverty line. The average income for these families is $10,978.14 compared to the national average of $23,755.00 which is 54% lower than typical.
• RHAP’s goal is to ensure members are able to participate, develop and grow within their community through making available a comprehensive support program. These are free-of-charge connection services and supports aimed to address the gap between rich and poor, to break the cycle of poverty and violence, as well as to help tenants live independently and maintain housing
• . Educational opportunities and social, recreational and creative programs for RHAG members and their children are provided in a safe and healthy environment. The focus is to provide opportunities for cooperation, inclusion, participation and exploration, individual growth, the development of positive friendships and strong family relationships.
• RHAG and RHAP services and programs concentrate on advancing members’ social and economic well-being and enhancing quality of life. These services and programs have been created from the indicated needs and ideas of members to foster common interests and to ensure sustainability and relevance. Support services provided include advocacy, conflict mediation, counseling and mentoring, community development, crisis intervention, employment assistance such as networking, job readiness and resume composition, nutrition and health education, referrals to other programs and daily living skills development. Our support programs help to reduce isolation and build skills, and include workshops addressing social barriers, money management, and healthy relationships. They also include an annual winter and summer camp for children and youth, a Christmas toy-drive and celebration, Halloween party, monthly women and young men’s groups, a donation cycle of giving initiative, youth leadership and mentoring programs, and a community garden.