A Centre of Excellence for Scarborough!

Communities will soon have access to a new multi-purpose resource centre due to a $2.0 million grant from the Ontario government. The investment is part of Building Tomorrow, Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan, and was formally announced by Scarbrough-Guildwood MPP, Margarett Best.

"The realization of the funding for Tropicana's Centre of Excellence represents a triumph for all of those who contributed towards the effort as well as the commitment and support of the community." said Sharon Shelton, Tropicana's executive director.

Tropicana's capital campaign for a Centre of Excellence was launched in 2005. Through the generous donations of community members and odrganizations as well as the fundraising efforts of staff, board and volunteers, over $500,000 was raised.

Operating out of six sites, last year Tropicana served 22,000 clients. Once renovated , the new site will hosue community and social facilities such as counselling rooms, resource and employment training facilities, computer labs, a teaching kitchen, classrooms, office space and a recreational facility.

Working Together to Help Each Other

On June 10th, Tropicana participated in the Heart and Stroke Foundation's annual Big Bike Ride. The Big Bike is a team event geared towards community organizations, companies and groups.


Teams made up of 29 riders pedal through their community in support of heart disease and stroke research.



At our location (Boston Pizza @ Scarborough Town Centre), Tropicana was third top fundraising team! Altogether the Boston Pizza site raised an amazing $21,378.01!

Sway Magazine

The summer 2011 issue of Sway magazine is now on stands! The annual carnival issue is a vibrant collection of interesting articles, noteworthy features and stunning photos. Around the Tropicana offices, Sway is always a hot commodity and we highly recommend that you pick up a copy at your local outlet.

Check out Tropicana's spread on pages 50-51 (or below, click image to enlarge) and let us know what you think!

Well Done....High Five!

The YMCA Youth Exchange Canada Program offers youth between the ages of 12 and 17 with the opportunity to live in another community, meet new people and explore Canada's cultural diversity. Participants are twinned with same-age groups from another province or territory, and they take turns staying in each other's communities for at least five days.

This spring, a group of 12 youth from Tropicana's Youth and Education department hosted a group from Prince Edward Island. During the week of May 21-27, the group visited Canada's Wonderland, took in a performance of the Lion King and went on an amazing tour of a local food bank.

From June 6-12th, the Tropicana group visited PEI and enjoyed horseback riding and ziplining excursions as well as tours of Charlottetown, PEI and Moncton, NB.

One participant remarked that she "learned that it's always good to try new things" and Brianne, Youth Leader of the PEI group, summed up the experience with the following words "Two great groups who came together for one great exchange. Well Done....High Five!"

Were You There?

If not, you surely were the only one! Tropicana's 18th annual Caribbean Ball took place on June 4th at On the Park in Toronto. This year's theme was Carnival which the organizing committee and Tropicana staff worked tirelessly to bring to life!


Guests mingled with moko jumbies and masqueraders in the cocktail receptions while listening to the sweet sounds of the Pepsi Tropicana Steelpan Orchestra.




While feasting on a sumptuous 3-course meal, guests were delighted by a variety of entertainers. The Community Builder Award was presented to esteemed lawyer Julian Falconer by Jennifer Kirner, Senior Community Investment Manager at Telus and Tropicana's president, Dr. Gervan Fearon.

l-r Dr. Gervan Fearon- President, Tropicana, Sharon Shelton- Executive Director, Tropicana, Jason Kenney- Minister, Citizenship and Immigration

After a rousing keynote address by Hamlin Grange, guests danced the night away to the sounds of Blackberry Sound Crew.

l-r: Dr. Gervan Fearon - President, Tropicana, Hamlin Grange - President, DiversiPro Inc.

And....We're Back!

Whew! What a whirlwind couple of months it has been! There have been tons of Tropicana events over the past little while and after a quick break to catch our breath ...



We're back!

Stay tuned for tons of upcoming blog posts hi-lighting what we've been up to.



Hope your summer is off to an amazing start!

Tickets on Sale Now!

For more information, visit www.tropicanacommunity.org