Creating Caring Communities was first developed in 2008\u202fby Hospice Toronto in St. James Town, Toronto. Since 2023 Hospice Toronto has expanded the model to other locations around Canada.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creating Caring Communities is a transformational community development program where we collaborate in culturally sensitive ways with local social agencies and their networks to identify, engage, and assist those who are ill or elderly and their caregivers. With the goal of promoting sustained resiliency, families and friends can care for their loved ones and community members in their homes for as long as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While introducing our Creating Caring Communities model in some of Toronto\u2019s diverse communities, we have learned that while education is not the primary focus of our work, it is important to fully consider its impact when engaging diverse communities with a community development approach. Our commitment to a mutual process of information sharing to learn from one another has become the hallmark of our program and is a key element in its success. Community outreach within the St. James Town neighbourhood is driven by its members from the knowledge and trust they have developed through our focus group information workshops and subsequent training sessions. Through word of mouth, community members further engage their families, friends, and neighbours \u2013 it is one of our most effective strategies to engage the many diverse communities in building and sustaining the program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n