Cabbagetown youth centre faces deficit City funding cut by $100k

Eric Morse –

The Cabbagetown Youth Centre Performing Arts Program had its summer spectacle on Aug. 14 at the Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. Over 170 young performers, many of whom had never sung, danced or acted before, filled the stage with a rousing programme called “Spotlight.”

Sadly, the performance coincided with the news that CYC has suffered a $100,000 core funding cut from the city. As the centre offers free, high-quality programming to many kids from less-advantaged families and is a community treasure of St James Town, Cabbagetown and Regent Park alike, the thought of losing it is no more bearable than that of losing Riverdale Farm was.

The situation has been helped this summer through a partnership with the Toronto District School Board for CYC’s summer programming.

“The TDSB has been a life saver and trustee Sheila Ward really came through for us,” CYC executive director Spiros Papathanasakis told the packed house.

For more on the CYC’s programs and how you can help keep it going, visit www.cabbagetownyouth.ca.