A few years ago, it was a real challenge for Greenwin Property Management Inc. to manage its apartment property in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood of Toronto. Crime, vandalism, thefts and break-ins meant the company was constantly making repairs to a building that was never up to par. Residents weren’t happy and the turnover rate was high.

That’s when Greenwin decided something had to be done. The company engaged local politicians, police officers at 31 Division and business owners, and met with Stephanie Payne, a Toronto-based social programmer and community advocate. She convinced Greenwin to set up the San Romanoway Revitalization Association (SRRA) in the community, with the help of government funding. Payne is now executive director of the SRRA, a not-for-profit social services organization founded on the premise of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) and Crime Prevention through Social Development (CPTSD).

Since the start of its commitment to social programming, Greenwin has saved money on building repairs (approximately 15 per cent). The Jane-Finch apartment now has a low vacancy rate and, at times, there is even a waiting list of people wanting to move into the building.

Developing a model for social programming
Payne was originally hesitant to get involved with Greenwin, fearing it was simply looking to raise rents. But Greenwin was able to convince her the partnership would be mutually beneficial, so she climbed on board.

Payne helped Greenwin turn its focus from crime prevention to the needs of the community. She believed building a healthy community would result in less crime on the property.

Payne and Greenwin staff met with building residents and stakeholders to determine what could be done about the crime and vandalism, and to hear ideas for turning the neighbourhood around. They wanted to ensure the programs that were introduced addressed the residents’ concerns.

“The residents wanted safe, culturally-appropriate educational programs for children and youth,” says Payne. “They were concerned about the high unemployment rate, loitering, drugs and vandalism.”

Originally, the project occupied space in the basement of 15 San Romanoway, but the programs were so popular that the space was quickly outgrown. Greenwin provided support to renovate a three-bedroom unit at 10 San Romanoway. The property management company used its industry contacts to build an appropriate space for a breakfast and after-school program for school-aged children.

Across the parking lot, at the property’s community centre, the SRRA runs a recording studio for youth. There’s also a lounge, recreation centre and the Jordan Manners Multi-Purpose Gallery, a forum that displays the art of local community members that was created in remembrance of a Grade 9 student who was fatally shot May 23, 2007. The pool was repurposed as a screening room, sponsored by Cineplex, and is used by residents of all ages.

At 25 San Romanoway, a three-bedroom unit was converted into program space. Leased at minimum rent from Greenwin, two of the SRRA’s federally funded programs are housed here: Citizen and Immigration Canada Youth Host, and the Department of Justice Achievers Project.

Forming a breakfast club
Payne organized a free breakfast and after-school program so that parents who work long hours wouldn’t have to worry about finding safe daycare facilities for their children. The kids are fed healthy meals that provide them with the energy they need to make it through a successful school day. They are then walked to school, picked up at 3:30 p.m. when school is over and brought back to the building where they are fed another healthy meal. After dinner there are tutors available to help the kids with their homework and planned physical activity.

“We’ve been told by parents that the kids who come out of these programs are way ahead of other kids (in the neighbourhood),” says Morris Beckford, a retired teacher and executive director of Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services.

The community development organization has partnered with Greenwin to provide social programming at The Oaks and Chalkfarm. Both properties are located in the Jane-Wilson neighbourhood.

Beckford has seen firsthand the difference breakfast programs make for children who live in poverty. He remembers kids in his classroom that were so preoccupied with where they’d get their next meal that they couldn’t concentrate on their schoolwork.

“I’ve seen kids holding their stomachs – they’re hungry,” he says. “They’re not paying attention to anything you’re saying, they’re constantly wanting to leave the classroom to go to the washroom or they’re putting their heads on their desks. “

Greenwin’s breakfast and after-school program provides the fuel kids need to learn, and with classroom success comes hope of a better life. But it isn’t just the kids who gain from the program; the breakfast and after-school program provides parents with the freedom to work a full day. Many parents don’t have enough money to pay for daycare, so without support from Greenwin’s program, they’d have to turn down employment.

Going beyond breakfast
While the breakfast and after-school program is where Greenwin sees the greatest need and reward in the community, Robert Weiman, vice-president of corporate development, says the company is always trying to find new ways to meet the social needs of the community.

“The breakfast program is a great start but if we stopped there, we wouldn’t have the kind of success we’ve been able to achieve by finding resources for residents of all age groups,” he says.

Branching out
The programs at the SRRA have been such a success that Greenwin has begun to implement similar programs at The Oaks. In the past year, the number of shootings and arrests at this property have been halved. There are far fewer instances where people have been banned from the building for various reasons, a good indication that the community is now safer in general. And Greenwin has only just begun its efforts at The Oaks. It will soon open a drop-in centre for youth aged 10 to 16 that will provide mentoring opportunities to those who have few options beyond the choice of gangs and drugs. The mentorship program will help young people build their self-esteem and provide them with educational support.

Spider Jones, a former gang member, ex-boxer and award-winning journalist, has partnered with Greenwin and Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services to give kids some more rewarding options.

“The drop-in centre will run from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m., five nights a week. (It will have) computers, drama programs and reading (time), among other workshops,” he says.

Social programming for youth can have steep start-up costs but there are a lot of funding options for these programs. And there’s plenty of help from volunteers who are happy to mentor kids and teenagers that are trying to build good lives for themselves.

The proof is in the pudding
Even though Greenwin has only just begun its efforts at The Oaks and the drop-in centre hasn’t yet opened, its work has paid off. People in the building are happier and the community is growing stronger.

“What we’re trying to do is give people the best possible living scenario in the environment they choose to live in,” says Greenwin’s Weiman. “Whether that’s (the neighbourhood of) Yonge-Eglinton or Jane-Finch, it doesn’t matter. People deserve to get the absolute best they can afford where they choose to live and that’s how we go about it.”

Amie Silverwood is editor-in-chief of Canadian Apartment Magazine.