Skip to content
PROJECTS & INITIATIVES

Community Knowledge Learning Hub

About CKLH

The Community Knowledge Learning Hub (CKLH) was developed as a collaboration between the Centre for Critical Development Studies (CCDS) and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health & Society (ICHS). The Community Knowledge Learning Hub (CKLH) allows us to establish linked, experiential learning activities in three existing senior-level undergraduate courses. The three courses and their instructors share a common commitment to critical pedagogy that is aligned with participatory community-based research and critical structural analysis. Uniting these courses will allow us to make community engaged partnerships the core of all three courses and give our students a unique opportunity to explore social issues from multi-disciplinary perspectives. The specific issues explored in each course will be based on the research priorities identified by our community partners, namely TAIBU Community Health Centre, Volunteer Toronto, and the Centre for Learning & Development Regents Park.

The courses will include modular short-course training that unite the three classes. These trainings will be led by experts in the field and will include instruction on: 

  • Ethical community engagement and cultural humility 
  • Research and social justice  
  • Critical, community based research methodologies 
  • Knowledge translation and action 

CKLH Pillars

  1. Systems and structural analysis for social transformation
  2. Anti-oppressive lens
  3. Community of practice & epistemic practice – students as equal participants
  4. Open scholarship
  5. Creativity and disruption in design

These 5 principles of CKLH are what roots our collective efforts in curriculum development, pedagogy, and activism.

PEOPLE

Community Partners

These three Greater Toronto Area (GTA) based organizations are collaborators and co-educators throughout all elements of CKLH.

TAIBU Community Health Centre

TAIBU Community Health Centre provides primary health care and related services for Black populations across the Greater Toronto Area as its priority population and residents of the local community of Malvern. Recognizing that systemic oppression has fostered conditions of ill-health with Black communities, TAIBU strives to deliver these services through intersectional, equity based and culturally affirming practices which promote holistic wellness, health education, and prevention. Since its official establishment in 2008, Liben Gebremikael has led a team of dedicated, passionate and professional staff to advance the mandate and mission of the organization. Today, TAIBU CHC has over 8,000 registered clients who are receiving a wide range of culturally appropriate health and social programs and services in the community and is known for its non-traditional and innovative programs.

Volunteer Toronto - YouTube

Volunteer Toronto

Volunteer Toronto is Canada’s largest volunteer centre with over 40 years of experience connecting volunteers to the organizations that need them. Their services empower local volunteers to find opportunities that make a positive difference in their community. Through in-person and online training, they also educate and help non-profit organizations and community groups run successful volunteer programs. Volunteer Toronto increases the positive impact that volunteering has on the City of Toronto through innovative initiatives that inspire, inform, and connect volunteers and the organizations that need them.

Toronto Centre of Learning & Development Employees, Location, Careers | LinkedIn

Centre for Learning and Development

The Centre of Learning & Development (CL&D), formerly known as East End Literacy, was founded in 1979 as a community-based literacy organization serving downtown east Toronto. In 2006, the organization changed its name to reflect its growing initiatives and on-going commitment to community development and social inclusion.

Today, CL&D delivers programs in:

  • Adult Literacy
  • Leadership Development
  • Immigrant Integration
  • Civic Engagement
  • Skills Development
RESOURCES

Selected Resources

More Then Good Intentions – A Dialogue on the Ethics of Community Engagement

UTSC Teaching Award recipient Suzanne Sicchia on the power of community

“What we study from a critical lens is the way society is structured to undermine some and benefit others. If that’s what you study, write about and read about, how can you come to the classroom and not live that? We need to walk our talk.”

Dr. Suzanne Sicchia

RESOURCES

Learnings and Reflections

A selection of blog posts and reflections from members and partners of CKLH.

View More