U of T Medicine > Community Affairs Programs

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Community Affairs Programs

In a diverse city like Toronto, there are so many different needs and opportunities to volunteer in our communities that it’s difficult to know where to begin! Community Affairs is a Medical Society portfolio consisting of different programs that allow medical students to interact with and contribute positively to our community. Broadening the perspective of our medical education, becoming involved in Community Affairs activities puts faces and names to social issues as we interact with youth, seniors, and the homeless. Enthusiastic students are needed to volunteer for each of the programs listed below – any new ideas or suggestions are welcome too. The following programs are administered through the Medical Society VP Community Affairs. Contact your VP Community Affairs for more information about how to get involved.

As part of our mission of social accountability, we strive to introduce programs and improve existing ones. Please visit the ‘Social Accountability Activities’ section at the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada.

New Programs

This initiative will expose students to various programs and faculties at the University of Toronto. Emphasis will be placed on including students who are historically underrepresented at universities. The program will be administered through day-long or week-long events at the University.

In collaboration with Parkdale Community Health Centre (PCHC) and Parkdale Art and Cultural Centre, this mentoring program will expose Grades 9, 10, and 11 students to various post-secondary career opportunities. To this end, we will offer one-on-one mentoring and team-building activities that will motivate each student to hone key employability skills such as organization, leadership, and communication skills.

In partnership with Woodgreen Community Centre, this tutoring program is for children of Homeward Bound single mothers associated with the Woodgreen Centre. Through one-on-one and group activities for the Woodgreen Children, this program has the dual advantage of alleviating the stress of the mothers and of improving the academic performance of their children.

This initiative at the Woodgreen Community Centre is a novel approach to support homeward bound, single mothers. This mentoring program is geared at providing support to single mothers. While they pursue academic and career opportunities, they experience financial, social, and personal stress. The mentors, single parents at the University of Toronto, will be valuable sources of strength and support during these challenging times.

The success of our Isolated Seniors Program motivated us to expand this program to the Woodgreen Community Senior Citizens. In this program, we will match every Woodgreen Senior citizen with two university students, and through frequent interaction, aim to reduce the social isolation that they experience. Students will be matched based on similarity in cultural background and hobbies/interests.

Existing Programs

In conjunction with Canadian Blood Services, we organize two blood drives at University of Toronto. These Drives are part of a Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) challenge, in which medical schools from all over Canada compete for the most blood donations. Over 30 medical students volunteer at each drive to collect blood from approximately 90 donations.

We collaborate with community agencies and contribute to programs including the Daily Bread Food Bank and Christmas Toy Drive for the Children’s Aid Society. Additionally, there are several programs at Soup Kitchens, local Shelter Homes, Street Help vans, and Refugee Reception Centres. Programs such as Out of Cold and Street Help continue to benefit people during challenging weather conditions.

This conference promotes healthy food habits and active lifestyles for Grades 3 to 6 students. This is a day-long event that includes keynote speakers and small group interactive workshops, in which medical students reinforce themes of healthy eating, physical activity, and creative skills. Previous speakers include Dr. Miriam Rossi, Pediatrician, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and Dr. David Jenkins, Canada Research Chair at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto.

Healing Tonics recognizes the profound therapeutic value of music. Through regular musical performances, the program aims to ease the mental, emotional and psychological stress of those facing hardship in the community. Past visits have included United Way and women’s shelters, and this year will include nursing homes. Musicians of all levels are welcome to join us.

Medical students develop a relationship of trust with over 200 Grade 9 students and stimulate interesting debates on topics related to youth sexuality. Medical students lead small group discussion about sex, birth control, and sexually transmitted infections. This program is particularly sensitive to issues relevant to all sexual orientations or self-identifications.

This program is organized in association with Central Neighbourhood House, and Senior Link Program. University students visit isolated seniors in the Danforth, St. James, Moss Park, and Regent Park communities. The objectives of this program are to contribute positively to the social support network for alienated senior citizens, and to allow student to interact with elderly adults and understand the associated challenges of everyday life.

This outreach program was established to introduce children to the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a way that captivates their interest. Volunteers run classroom sessions at downtown elementary schools that are fun, innovative, and interactive. In additional to providing an excellent platform of positive skills, critical-thinking, and problem-solving, this program also provides students with positive role-models of scientists.

This program enhances the medical curriculum with salient discourse on community issues in an effort to increase med student awareness on the important political and social roles that physicians can play. Previous topics have included discussions on the role of environmental toxins in causing cancer, medical marijuana, faith and health, sports psychology, as well as the physician’s role in controlling community violence and combating the AIDS pandemic.

This program provides underprivileged children in the Queen-Spadina area with role models who help them build self-confidence and recognize their self-worth. Student mentors and mentees have lunch together, spend time reading, and participate in games/activities organized around a weekly theme. Field trips are also organized to the Science Centre and other fun Toronto attractions.

This program was started by the Canadian Dermatology Association to promote healthy, safe, sun practices in young children. We educate children about the dangers of the sun and how to reduce the risks of developing sun-related skin damage through overhead and power point presentations, demonstrations and games in grade 4 classrooms across Toronto.

This program was established in partnership with Toronto District School Board. This weekly program offers Grades 9 and 10 students help in academic subjects. University students combine a mix of academic work, fun-activities and workshops to motivate students and serve as role models in encouraging students to pursue a university education. At the end of each year, there is a formal graduation ceremony for the students that participated in the program.

Updated 2008