By Winnie Czulinski –
On a late afternoon on the third floor of the Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas Street East, kids from kindergarten-age to grade 8 are busy, absorbed in homework and studying with volunteer tutors.
The tutoring program for Regent Park students, “Good Education for a Bright Future,” is part of the Happy Mom, Happy Children initiative, begun 10 years ago by passionate educator, parent and war survivor Rabia Alsabaie.
This non-profit organization, with community partners, is a welcome hub for newcomer families. HMHC, given a Mayor’s Community Safety Award 2025 in the Community-Led Project category, also helps with socialization, parenting, mentorship, mental wellness, exercise/nutrition, youth engagement, and a reading program.
By providing homework help and tutoring to local children in subjects such as math, English, and science, Happy Mom Happy Children aims to help prepare children to thrive in school.
“We came to Canada for a good future for our kids,” says Alsabaie, originally from Libya. “And there is no future without education. Education is the weapon everywhere. It’s the solid start, so ‘I can do anything.’”
Children and tweens at the tutoring program are enthused. “I’ve been here for three years,” says Benny, in grade 6. “And one thing I like about it is that my tutor (university student Jack Duncan) teaches me skills I need at school.”
Cassandra, 10, says, “What I really like about the program is that whenever I’m stressed or can’t focus, the tutoring helps me catch up on my work if I’m behind. Our tutor (Tibyan, an engineer helping with math, science and reading) helps me understand really well. “
HMHC students also benefit from retired teachers, educator-moms, and university graduates. “Growing up, we really didn’t have resources like this,” says Munira Hassan, who helps with all subjects. “Seeing this for future generations, in the community and how it helps children with their education, makes me want to come here.”
One young student hopes to eventually become a tutor herself.
On a Regent Park TV show about HMHC, Toronto Centre MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam says, “We know that pathways to education and opportunities to higher learning can actually support students and their families. It’s another way of getting out of poverty.
“As a student myself, formerly of Regent Park, I know that when kids are given the opportunity to be successful, then anything is possible, and the sky’s the limit…I suspect that this program is literally transforming lives.”
As with many worthy initiatives, funding remains an ongoing challenge.
The Daniels Spectrum (as well as 561 Sherbourne Street and two other sites) also houses the Children’s Book Bank. Since 2008, it has distributed 1.7 million books across the city, and in 2024 gave away 146,632 to children. Its largest donation, in 2024, was 35,411 books from Canadian children’s publisher Annick Press in north Riverside. At its first annual soiree last month, the Book Bank raised $50,000 for its literacy programs.
Also located in the Daniels hub is the ArtHeart initiative. Besides its adult programs, it offers visual arts to children – 10,000 since 1991, and 500+ in 2024–2025. ArtHeart also has three mobile sites.
A session begins with workstations for fine-art activity, craft activity and colouring, for 15 to 20 children. Co-ordinators, placement students, a volunteer and parents combine to help the children develop self-esteem and self-reliance.
In a close and diverse community setting, “it provides an outlet for them to express themselves,” says administrator/program support Cynthia Dolor-Butcher. “Our aim is to help them to discover new talents, qualities and skills which will help them become role models for their siblings and peers.
“Whatever is instilled in them determines their future.”
A few doors away, at 525 Dundas Street East, the Toronto Birth Centre and Seventh Generation Midwives (Indigenous services) help many young lives begin. Here too, words and arts are powerful, from traditional coaching and teachings to inspirational visuals.
A painting by Christi Belcourt depicts roots as not only “a metaphor for our ancestry and spiritual lives,” but “essential to the strength and life of the plant or tree.”
And Indigenous midwife Laurie Jacobs confirms that: “…The babies are everything to us. It’s our hope for the future.”
