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

Tribute to Dudley Laws

Dudley Laws contributed to making Toronto a better city for us all. He challenged our institutions, community leaders and ourselves to engage with one another on a meaningful level and to work together constructively. He inspired a generation of young people to get involved in community and capacity building while tirelessly striving to find common ground and understanding between conflicting groups. Dudley Laws was the ultimate engaged citizen and he, ultimately, helped to transform our institutions and our communities into better versions of what they once were. Dudley will be sorely missed. At this time, all of us here at Tropicana Community Services take comfort in the knowledge and belief that his legacy will live on.

For more on Dudley Laws in his own words click here: http://tinyurl.com/6g5os49

Registration Open for Camp Tropicana

CAMP TROPICANA - SUMMER 2011

Ages: 6-14
Camp Session: July 4th - August 12th
Program Hours: 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Extended Hours: 7:30a.m. - 9:00a.m. and 5:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.
Full-time Fee: $450.
Weekly Fee: $75
Location: Scarborough (TBA)

Call Andre at (416) 439-9009 ext 255 to register

Happy Spring!

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

Movie Night at Tropicana

Lana Lovell has been a fixture on the Toronto media scene for over a decade and has critically acclaimed documentaries such as The Incomparable Jackie Richardson and Underground under her belt. In her latest documentary, Resilience: Stories of Single Black Mothers, Lovell offers a candid look into the lives of three single black mothers.

Join Tropicana and Lana Lovell on March 25th for a public screening and discussion of Resilience.

For more info on the film, check out this interview Lovell did with Sway Magazine : http://swaymag.ca/2010/09/director-lana-lovell-confronts-stereotypes-of-single-black-mothers/

March Break at the SYRC

The SYRC is buzzing with activity this week. Looking for something to do? Check them out!

Monday March 14

SYRC Silent Auction begins at 11am.

SYRC Karaoke Lounge, from 12pm-5pm with special appearances by the SYRC Angels.

Tuesday March 15

Bingo Mania from 1pm – 3pm, STC mall gift certificates to be won.

Gamers Corner from 4pm -8pm, STC mall gift certificates to be won.

Wednesday March 16

Art Expo 12pm -5pm, featuring Mark Stoddart who will be displaying a few of his art pieces and sharing his message on ‘striving for and achieving your goals’. Feel free to visit his website as well: http://www.mstoddart.com/

Drumming Circles from 3pm - 4pm and 5pm - 6pm.

Teen Hunt from 6pm – 8pm, featuring an amazing race throughout the STC Mall. Sincere thanks to the participating STC Mall Retailers. Great prizes to be won.

Thursday March 17

Bake Sale – 11am – 6pm, featuring the best brownies in the world, made by our very own, Donna Marshall.

Dance Workshop – 6pm – 8pm, featuring the Latin dance style, Salsa.

Friday March 18

SYRC Silent Auction ends at 4pm.

Movie Marathon – 10am – 4pm, featuring movies such as Transformer 1 & 2, Madea Goes to Jail, Love and Basketball and Due Date.

Tropicana Celebrates International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day!

Today, a few of our staff members will be attending the Annual International Women's Day Ceremony at Toronto Police Headquarters. And, of course, this Thursday is Tropicana's IWD event (have you registered yet?).

Find a celebration in your area: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/search.asp?country=37

How do you plan to celebrate?

Tropicana's International Women's Day Celebration

Join us for "Limitless Possibilites" on Thursday March 10. Pre-registration required.

Happy Dr. Seuss Day!

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
— Dr. Seuss

Gala Sneak Peek

Stay tuned for the reveal of Caribbean Gala 2011 details!


Coming soon!

New Friends!

Throughout the month of February, the folks at the City of Toronto's Employment & Social Services (100 Consilium office) put on a series of Black History Month fundraisers. Tropicana was delighted to be chosen as their charity of choice and the recipient of raised funds. We happily bundled up and headed across the street to meet the gang, have some laughs and raise awareness about Tropicana. Hopefully this is not only the beginning of a new partnership but a new friendship as well.

Photos (l-r): Ann Clarke of Employment & Social Services, Tropicana's ED Sharon Shelton being presented with a cheque on behalf of the workers at Employment and Social Services, (bottom) Tropicana's Cindy Harlow and Shoula Boyce

Celebrate with Us!

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

On Thursday March 10 from 10:30 - 3:30 pm Tropicana will be holding its 8th annual Women's Day Celebration. This year's theme is Limitless Possibilities and we look forward to seeing you! The pre-registration deadline is February 28th - contact Jo-Anne at (416) 439-9009 ext 258 to reserve your spot.

Happy Monday!

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King, Jr.