AFIWI Community Centre & Support Services
Building Stronger Black and Diverse Communities Across Toronto
AFIWI creates intergenerational programs that help youth, adults, families, and seniors build skills, improve wellbeing, strengthen community connections, and create new opportunities.
AFIWI means “ours” in Jamaican language and culture. Our name reflects a simple belief: strong communities are built when people have a place to belong, contribute, learn, and lead.
We are a Black led community organization serving people across generations. We work with residents, community groups, employers, educators, public institutions, and other partners to address barriers and build practical pathways to social and economic participation.
Stronger People. Connected Communities. Lasting Change.
AFIWI Community Centre and Support Services creates welcoming spaces where people can build skills, strengthen relationships, and access meaningful opportunities.
Serving communities across Toronto, our programs support youth leadership, employment and skills development, healthy aging, food knowledge, and community connection.
We work primarily with Black communities. Our approach is grounded in dignity, cultural understanding, collaboration, and respect for lived experience.
Our Programs
Employment and Skills
Programs supporting career renewal, employment preparation, mentorship, training navigation, and access to skilled work.
Youth and Leadership
Programs helping young people strengthen identity, leadership, civic participation, career awareness, and community contribution.
- Young Leaders Emerging
- Youth mentorship and community projects, when funded
Food and Community Wellbeing
Programs connecting food growing, cultural knowledge, practical skills, and community food security.
Aging and Belonging
Programs supporting social connection, digital confidence, wellbeing, service navigation, and intergenerational exchange for older adults.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Everyone deserves the opportunity to belong, participate and thrive.
At AFIWI, equity, diversity and inclusion are central to how we build community.
We recognize that people experience different barriers based on race, gender, age, disability, income, immigration status and other social and economic circumstances. We are committed to creating spaces where these differences are respected and where barriers to participation are actively identified and addressed.
As a Black-led organization, we centre the experiences, strengths and aspirations of Black communities while welcoming people of all backgrounds. We value the knowledge and lived experiences that individuals bring and believe our communities are stronger when people of different generations, cultures, identities and abilities can learn, contribute and grow together.
Our commitment goes beyond representation. It means working toward equitable access to programs, leadership, resources and opportunities. It means listening to the communities we serve, challenging discrimination and exclusion, and continually examining our own practices.
At AFIWI, everyone should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. Belonging is not simply about being invited into a space. It is about having a voice, being valued and having a meaningful opportunity to participate.
Why AFIWI
Our work is community rooted, culturally responsive, collaborative, and intergenerational. We listen to lived experience, build with community, and connect individual opportunity with wider social change.
There is a place for you in this work.
Join a program, volunteer your skills, refer someone, become a partner, or support AFIWI’s community programs.