The program was launched last December, when TPSI staff saw an opportunity to use their networks to play "matchmaker" for students and community groups.
"We saw that a lot of the residents' associations and community-based organizations, like us, didn't have a lot of resources or money. But at the same time they're involved in a lot of interesting city planning projects" says Jayme Turney, chief executive officer with the Toronto Public Space Initiative. "On the other hand, we've got all kinds of students who are getting trained in urban planning, but what they're doing is really academic and in the classroom. They're not doing practical activist stuff in their community, they're not getting that opportunity. So it seemed like a good idea just to connect the two groups."
Seeing the opportunity for a mutually beneficial relationship, TSPI set about connecting with urban planning and urban studies student groups they thought might be interested. After getting an enthusiastic response from senior undergraduates from Ryerson, York and the University of Toronto, TSPI used their listserve to solicit applications from community organizations with planning initiatives or community projects on-the-go.
The program officially launched in December 2012, placing 20 candidates across nine community organizations. The students worked on a range of projects, from a Dundas Street usage survey (for Cabbagetown South Residents Association) to a proposal for the beautification of the DVP Underpass (for Corktown Residents and Business Association) to assisting with the neighbourhood Janes Walk for the Midland Park Community Association.
While the TSPI is still in the process of soliciting formal responses from participants, Turney says the feedback so far has been very positive.
"I attended the student presentation at the Cork Town Residential Businesses Association. They were looking at how the highway divided the community and they created a plan to reconnect the community with a series of parks and pathways and elevation around the underpass. It was really interesting and innovative. It was high quality and everyone seemed really happy with it."
Based on the programs success so far, Turney anticipates that the TPSI will run another round of internship matching in the near future. And while TSPI would love to get funding for the program--currently all the administration work for the intership matching is done on a volunteer basis-- the interest from community groups and students, says Turney, is enough of an impetus keep the program going.
"It really helps everyone. The students get practical experience and they get to enjoy access to some of these people in the community that are well-connected, they're professionals. And the community groups can always use professional volunteers."
"I expect if we do this again we can get a lot more applications from residents groups after they see the positive feedback and the kind of work that's been done," says Turney.
Writer: Katia Snukal
Source: Jayme Turney, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Public Space Initiative