Groccia heard about the parish’s $2-million goal from Inspector Nick Memme of the Toronto Police Service who works on initiatives to reduce violence and promote community engagement with the community through Toronto’s Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy.

“All community stakeholders, from businesses to faith institutions, we’re basically on the same team when it comes to identifying community issues and making it a safe place to live and work,” Memme said. “The community coming together makes it a much stronger initiative and faith institutions are a focal point in any community so we assist them and empower them and that makes for a healthy more livable environment.”

Fr. Daniel Mentesana, pastor of St. Augustine of Canterbury, said the donation will help, but there is still a need for another $1.5 million. And the Family Centre is much needed, as violence in the community continues and he wants to offer youth a safe haven where they can develop their talents.

In the past 11 months the community has buried three youth because of violence in the community, two of whom Mentesana had confirmed at the parish.