City staff are inviting residents and communities to participate in the creation of the Lived Experience Advisory Group in support of the City’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.
TO Prosperity: Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) was unanimously approved by City Council on November 4, 2015. A copy of the Council decision and report is available at http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2015.EX9.5.
This decision included approval of a Lived Experience Advisory Group comprised of Toronto residents with lived experience of poverty to contribute their expertise to the effective development, measurement and monitoring of poverty reduction initiatives.
Before the Lived Experience Advisory Group is created, input from residents who understand poverty is needed. City staff will host a community meeting to hear from residents who have lived experience with the conditions and impact of poverty, particularly those with ideas on how to include underrepresented voices. Deputy Mayor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale) will be in attendance.
The community meeting will take place on Saturday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Lawrence Heights Community Centre, 5 Replin Rd. (Lawrence West Subway Station). Tokens, food and child care will be provided for the day. Registration for the meeting is available online here.
The day will focus on gathering input on how the Lived Experience Advisory Group should work: composition and terms of membership; frequency and location of meetings; communication frequency, audiences and tactics; supports required; and more. For more information visit: http://toronto.ca/toprosperity.