Toronto Pearson and MABELLEarts Partner to Enable Pathways to Meaningful Employment with Transformative $300,000 Investment

TORONTO, April 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Toronto Pearson International Airport and MABELLEarts, a non-profit community arts organization that animates underutilized public spaces, today announced a three-year, $300,000 partnership that will scale-up community leadership programming, skills development and placemaking activities for residents in Etobicoke. This investment will provide more than 1,500 local newcomers and young adults with opportunities for mentorship, leadership and skills training that can guide them to meaningful employment and economic opportunities.

"We are proud to partner with an established grassroots organization that is deeply connected to the communities where we operate," said Hillary Marshall, Vice President, Stakeholder Relations and Communications, Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "Every one of us wants to work in a job that lets us reach our full potential. Through our community investment program, the Propeller Project, we support local organizations, like MABELLEarts, that foster talent and connect our neighbours to leadership and skills-training opportunities."

The three-year partnership, representing the single largest corporate investment in MABELLEarts, was announced at a community celebration this afternoon that recognized citizen community leaders and other supporters, including Toronto Mayor John Tory, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore James Maloney, and Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre and Deputy Mayor for the west area of the City, Stephen Holyday, were recognized for their support in helping to make the work of MABELLEarts meaningful.

"Toronto Pearson understands how an arts organization can be an economic engine in a low-income neighbourhood," said Leah Houston, Artistic Director, MABELLEarts. "We're not a traditional employment agency. We use art as a tool to foster citizenship, city-building and economic development. and provide essential services to many newcomers, many of whom don't have established networks and social capital to help them integrate, make the connections and access the resources that are critical to establishing their pathway to employment. This partnership will go a long way to provide more opportunities for skills and leadership training while animating underutilized park spaces for the enjoyment of the wider community."

Through its community investment program, Propeller Project, Toronto Pearson annually invests over one million dollars in proactively addressing the issue of underemployment – employment in a job well below an individual's level of skill, training and/or education – by championing on-the-ground solutions to underemployment through investing in local organizations that foster talent and lead the research that connect people to the right opportunities.

About MABELLEarts
Established in 2007, MABELLEarts connects with local residents, particularly newcomer women and young adults, and provides them with skills-building and leadership training through visual and performing arts community-building projects that enliven underutilized public spaces and create a sense of belonging. Through paid and volunteer opportunities community residents can build their hard and soft employment skills and gain hands-on, transferable employment experience to help them reach their full potential.

About Toronto Pearson
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport. The GTAA's vision is to make Toronto Pearson the best airport in the world. Towards this objective, the GTAA focuses on ensuring the safety and security of passengers and airport employees, enhancing the passenger experience and supporting the success of its airline partners. Toronto Pearson served more than 49.5 million passengers in 2018, making it Canada's largest airport and the second-busiest North American international airport.

For the second straight year Toronto Pearson has been voted by passengers as the Best Large Airport in North America serving more than 40 million annual passengers, as recognized by Airports Council International's (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program, the only global benchmarking survey that assesses passenger satisfaction at the airport on their day of travel.

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SOURCE Greater Toronto Airports Authority