Meeting House

…more than roads, sewers, stores and schools.

In March, 2011, United Way York Region launched Meeting House, the first in a series of community dialogues on our region’s most pressing social issues.

The discussions represent a continuation of the ongoing research United Way has led and continues to lead. In the fall of 2008, we released …if addressed, a landmark report on the intersection of pace of growth, the changing face of growth, and the specific places where said growth is happening across the region.

In September, 2011, Meeting House introduced …more than roads, sewers, stores and schools – a five-part series on social infrastructure chaired by Ian Proudfoot, a volunteer member of the Board of Directors, United Way York Region, and Vice President & Regional Publisher at Metroland Media Group Ltd., which would begin in East Gwillimbury.

…more than roads, sewers, stores and schools is about people and a social infrastructure that can support the children, youth, families and seniors who call York Region home today and for decades to come. In collaboration with residents, community groups, local business and labour, United Way will listen and explore approaches to this complex issue. The series will allow United Way to hear first-hand from people and groups in the region’s five growth areas and how United Way can best support strong neighbourhood planning and better coordinate services in the face of increasing demand and growth.

The Meeting House series will culminate in a Regional Summit in fall 2012, bringing together themes, lessons and recommendations for United Way and its partners.

Growth Areas: Nearly 60% of all new development in York Region over the next few decades will be in five specific corridors: Richmond Hill Centre/Langstaff Gateway; East Gwillimbury; Vaughan Metropolitan Centre; Markham Centre; and Newmarket Centre. United Way is bringing citizens, community groups and business together in these five corridors to discuss social infrastructure, one that strengthens the region’s already envied quality of life.

The series is inspired by the The Regional Municipality of York’s Vision 2051, a new blueprint for the Region’s future. Vision 2051 takes a 40-year outlook on York Region, celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Regional Municipality of York, and getting residents involved to envision a strong, successful York Region over the next four decades.

The event held on September 20, 2011 at New Hope United Church in Vaughan brought over 30 residents together to discuss their neighbourhoods today and aspirations for years to come – a great start for our future discussions.

To view upcoming dates & locations for Meeting House series, click here.

For more information about Meeting House and the …more than roads, sewers, stores and schools series, contact Jane Wedlock, Knowledge Mobilization Officer at jwedlock@uwyr.on.ca.