City of Toronto issued the following announcement on June 13.
The #TorontoStrong Fund has named former Toronto mayor Barbara Hall as the pro bono fund administrator to allocate and distribute philanthropic donations that were made in the wake of the April 23 attack on Yonge Street.
The #TorontoStrong Fund was established by the City of Toronto in partnership with the Toronto Foundation to ensure that the generous outpouring of philanthropic donations from across Toronto and around the world was collected and distributed to those affected in an accountable, impactful and transparent manner. To date, approximately $3.4 million has been raised. The Fund will continue to accept donations until it closes on August 31.
Hall, chosen by the Fund’s volunteer steering committee, has been asked to allocate the entirety of donated funds to the 26 victims and survivors of the attack, based on models and best practices from around the world. She has been asked to determine the allocations and distribute the funds by September 28.
“Nothing can compensate for the loss these families have suffered,” said Hall. “My job is to ensure that the #TorontoStrong Fund carries out the generous intentions of all its donors and offers the most support possible to those whose lives have been forever changed.”
Within 10 days of the Yonge Street attack, the Fund made its initial $500,000 transfer of funds to Victim Services Toronto to help cover the expenses of affected families, including funeral expenses, travel and accommodation. This donation was made available through an allocation of $20,000 per family which was provided through reimbursement and direct transfer of funds.
“The #TorontoStrong Fund was created so that the people of Toronto and beyond could express their support for these affected families,” said Mayor John Tory. “Ms. Hall has a distinguished career and I know that she will approach the task of distributing these donations with the compassion, empathy and rigour that is required.”
Following the distribution of funds to the victims, the volunteer steering committee will offer recommendations for long-term strategies related to the city-wide impact of this tragedy, as well as violence prevention and mental health supports.
To learn more about the #TorontoStrong Fund and to contribute, visit torontofoundation.ca/torontostrong.
About Barbara Hall
Barbara Hall, former Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and former Mayor of Toronto, has served for more than 50 years as a community worker, lawyer, municipal politician and champion of a grassroots approach to community-building. In 1998, she received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Ryerson University. She is an honorary witness of the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. In 2016, Hall was made a Member of the Order of Canada for leadership in Human Rights.
About Toronto Foundation
Established in 1981, the Toronto Foundation is one of the top 191 Community Foundations in Canada. We pool philanthropic dollars and facilitate charitable donations for maximum community impact. Our individual, family and organizational Funds number more than 500 and we administer more than $400 million in assets. Through the Vital Toronto Fund we engage in city building, mobilizing people and resources to increase the quality of life in Toronto. To learn more, visit torontofoundation.ca.
Original source: https://www.toronto.ca/home/media-room/news-releases-media-advisories/?nrkey=95E76DD2CACC92F4852582AB004D4D36