How We Started

Toronto Green Community got its start in 1994 as the North Toronto Green Community after a chance meeting between two North Toronto women at a local copy shop. Standing over a photocopier, Jacky Kennedy and Rita Banach struck up a conversation about an Ontario government program called the Green Communities Initiative - a program that encouraged the formation of community-based conservation groups across Ontario as a way of delivering environmental products and services to homeowners. Jacky and Rita could see the need for such a group in North Toronto, and resolved then and there to co-chair this new organization.

Rallying the support of the community and local government, they began the task of planning the development of a Green Community. But early on, the planning hit a snag. In 1995, a new government in Ontario ended government participation in the Green Communities Initiative, and the North Toronto Green Community looked finished before it ever officially started.

Fortunately, a number of new members were far too excited about the possibilities of the group to let this stop them, and the group persevered. Volunteers were mobilised, the first projects were developed, and by 1997 the North Toronto Green Community officially incorporated as a non-profit association. The projects undertaken grew in size and scope, and in some cases became so large, that they could be spun off into their own organisations!

Today Toronto Green Community boasts an impressive array of achievements. And it's all thanks to a few neighbours who got together for the environment & their community!

Looking Ahead - Recent Developments and New Plans

For long term sustainability and even better programs we've been working to make the transition from a volunteer driven to a volunteer aided but professionally managed organisation. Thus a significant part of our recent work has been and will continue to be devoted to securing a stable economic base for the organisation, to capacity building, board and organisational development.

We have revitalised our board and committees, recruited excellent volunteers, targeted our newsletter circulation, launched three websites, and secured training for staff and volunteers.  On the membership fundraising side, we increased our membership base, and made excellent progress in diversifying our sources of income.

In 2005, we celebrated our tenth anniversary. Then, in order to broaden our horizons we changed our name to Toronto Green Community and adopted a new logo. In August 2008, the Board of directors completed their strategic planning, leading us into the future with a new mission and vision for a greener city.