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Community agency providing vital services purchases building in Scarborough

TORONTO – Tropicana Community Services is thrilled to announce that they have purchased a building located at 1385 Huntingwood Drive in Scarborough. The 28,000 square foot structure will serve as Tropicana’s Centre of Excellence housing much of the agency’s core programming which is currently spread across six separate sites in East Toronto.

In 2005, Tropicana established a capital campaign to create a Centre of Excellence in Scarborough. The campaign received an incredible boost from the provincial government in September 2011 when it was awarded a $2 million grant through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

“We are extremely grateful to all of our donors,” says Sharon Shelton, Tropicana’s Executive Director, “this building is the result of hard work, perseverance and the support of those who donated everything from $2 right up to $2 million. It is rewarding for the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and other government figures such as Minister Margarett Best, to recognize the value of the service Tropicana provides to the city and to support our vision in such a public fashion.”

Established in 1980, Tropicana’s first space was in a small industrial unit that it quickly outgrew as the demand for its services far exceeded those that could be provided in the space. Its next rental was the basement of a strip mall. In 1994, Tropicana’s Head Office moved out of that basement to its current location on Progress Avenue… a far cry from the basement, yet still a compromise in terms of space. Several of Tropicana’s programs are situated in six separate locations which makes multi-service access difficult for clients. Consolidating services under one roof will better serve the needs of the community.

After renovations, the Centre will house community and social service facilities such as counselling rooms, resource and employment training facilities, a teaching kitchen and multi-purpose gymnasium.

About Tropicana Community Services

Tropicana Community Services, a Toronto-based multi-service organization, provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices. More information can be found at www.tropicanacommunity.org

For more information:
Kim England
Manager, Community Relations and Resource Development
(416) 439-9009 ext. 221.
kengland@tropicanacommunity.org