Black Habits - YOUTH CHALLENGE FUND

Toronto, ON, December 13, 2006 - Tomorrow, Thursday, December 14, Michael Clemons, Coach of the Toronto Argonauts and Chair of the Youth Challenge Fund (YCF), will announce the fund's first round of investments and donations aimed at providing positive opportunities for young people growing up in Toronto's most under-served neighbourhoods.

The announcement will take place at the Dennis R. Timbrell Resource Centre (formerly the Flemingdon Resource Centre) in Flemingdon Park-Victoria Village, one of the 13 neighbourhoods targeted for funding under the Fund.

YCF was established by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty in February 2006 as a direct response to growing concerns about youth violence and gang involvement in Toronto. The fund builds on the Toronto Strong Neighbourhood Strategy, the United Way-City of Toronto plan to address the lack of programs, services, and social infrastructure in Toronto's most under-served neighbourhoods.

WHO:
- Michael Clemons, Chair, Youth Challenge Fund
- The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
- The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Minister of Education
- Frances Lankin, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Toronto
- Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair, TD Bank Financial Group (YCF donor)
- Youth Challenge Fund donors, board members and guests
- Community youth and neighbourhood organizations

WHEN:
- Thursday, December 14th, 2006, 9:30 a.m.

LOCATION:
- Dennis R. Timbrell Resource Centre (formerly the Flemingdon Resource Centre)
- 29 St. Dennis Drive (Don Mills & Eglinton)

About the Youth Challenge Fund

The Youth Challenge Fund (YCF) is an innovative public and private sector initiative aimed at making investments in community projects that offer positive opportunities for young people growing up in Toronto's most under-served neighbourhoods. YCF makes direct, grassroots investments in youth-based initiatives that are aimed at building great ideas, creating youth spaces and providing opportunities for education, employment and leadership. Initiated by the Province of Ontario, the Youth Challenge Fund is actively governed by a 23 member community board made up of a broad cross-section of community leaders. United Way of Greater Toronto is the Fund's trustee, providing allocations and fund development support.