We’re all about building community and empowering learners. At George Brown College (GBC), this means embedding ourselves in Toronto neighbourhoods — connecting with residents, local employers and community leaders — to achieve shared goals of increasing access to higher education and economic development.
GBC kicked off our 2024 community engagement efforts in Mount Dennis, a vibrant neighbourhood in the Eglinton Avenue West and Weston Road area. While we continue exploring the potential of building a campus there, we’re connecting with residents now to reduce barriers to post-secondary programs.
“We’ve been exploring the possibility of opening a George Brown College campus in Mount Dennis since 2022 in partnership with the City of Toronto. We are diligently working through a feasibility study,” said Kizzy Rodney, Associate Vice-President of External and Community Relations. “GBC continues our commitment to the community with engagement sessions, and we encourage residents to come out and find out how the college can help them achieve their education and career goals.”
Mount Dennis community engagement sessions
We held a meet-and-greet at the York Recreation Centre on January 23 with reps from different program areas at the college, including skilled trades, academic upgrading, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Augmented Education, a free employment-focused program for people with addictions and mental health challenges and histories.
To keep the momentum going, GBC is hosting two more sessions this month—on February 6 and 20. Residents are invited to come out to learn about free programs offered by GBC, and we’ll outline other ways the college can help community members get closer to their educational goals.
George Brown College Mount Dennis meet-and-greet
Tuesday, February 6, noon-2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, February 20, noon – 2:30 p.m.
York Recreation Centre, 115 Black Creek Dr., Multipurpose Room 1
George Brown continues city- and community-building across Toronto
GBC is focused on three neighbourhoods as part of our three-year External Relations and Community Plan: Mount Dennis, Regent Park, and the East Bayfront. We have a physical presence in Regent Park with the Fashion Exchange, our expanding Waterfront Campus is a key anchor in the East Bayfront, and we’re exploring the potential of opening a campus in Mount Dennis.
These efforts all weave into our new Campus Master Plan, which is currently under development. This exciting work maps out the future of George Brown College, ensuring our built environments and spaces enable our students, employees, and partners to meet their goals, promote collaboration and innovation, and strengthen our connections to surrounding communities and the city.
“We have bold plans for the future for strengthening our connections across Toronto and partnering with local communities,” said Joe Cressy, Senior Vice-President of External Relations, Communications and Real Estate Development. “Knowledge sharing with residents and community leaders is key to the success of these plans. We look forward to hearing from the Mount Dennis community. We hope you’ll join us on February 6 and 20.”
