This year, the Jane/Finch Centre celebrates its 50th anniversary, and The Spot—our youth space inside Yorkgate Mall—turns 20.

Founded in 1976 by community residents, JFC was created to respond to local needs and priorities. For five decades, we’ve worked alongside residents, community leaders, groups and partners to strengthen the health and well-being of Jane and Finch. The Spot was created in 2006 as a dedicated space for youth. Today, it reflects the creativity, leadership, and voices of young people who continue to shape the neighbourhood’s identity and influence its future.

Throughout the year, we’ll be hosting celebratory events and sharing archival photos, stories, and highlights that honour the people and partnerships that have made this work possible. Thank you for standing with us year after year.

Fifty years is more than just a milestone—it’s a celebration of the resilience, creativity and leadership of the people of Jane and Finch. For half a century, the Jane/Finch Centre has been guided and led by the community, showing that real change happens when people advocate for their neighbours and their community.

From the very beginning, our work has been supported by local residents, organizations, and partners—people who have helped build programs, respond to community needs, donate their time and resources and amplify the voices of Jane and Finch. Together, they’ve shown the city what’s possible when change is led by the community itself.

50 Years of

Over the years, we’ve grown programs for youth, newcomers, seniors and families, offered settlement services, promoted mental health and wellbeing, and built spaces where neighbours can connect and support each other.

Celebrating 50 years is a chance to reflect on all we’ve achieved, honour the residents who built this agency and continue working toward a future where the health and well-being of Jane and Finch are strengthened through collaboration with residents, community leaders, local organizations and partners from the neighbourhood and beyond.

From The Archive

Early 1970s

In the early 1970s, residents, predominantly women and mothers, began community development work in Jane/Finch, coming together to address local needs and support one another.
1976

In 1976, the JFC became an official organization and received charitable status. Grounded in community development principles, JFC was now able to begin securing sustainable funding.
Late 1970s

JFC’s first Women’s Group takes place at Shoreham Court, marking a milestone in women-led community programming.
1980

In 1980, JFC became a member of United Way Greater Toronto, strengthening long-term sustainability.
1990s

During the 1990s, JFC developed a new mission statement and formally expanded its mandate to include youth, reflecting the growing needs of the community.
2006

In 2006, The Spot: A Place Where Youth Wanna Be, was formed, located inside Yorkgate Mall. The Spot is celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2026.

Ways to stay involved this year

This year, we’ll be hosting events throughout the year. Keep an eye on this page for updates and to see what’s coming next.

Resources and further reading

To learn more about our history and how it has evolved over the decades, explore the resources and readings below.

Click hereto dive deeper into the Centre’s history, values, and ongoing equity work. Learn more about our approach to anti-racism, inclusion, community-driven initiatives, and current equity priorities.
Click here to explore our most recent annual report to see how our programs, partnerships, and community leadership continue today.
Click here to dive into community-centered research, reports, and open-access collections about Jane and Finch through the Jane-Finch Community Research Partnership.
Click here to read By Us! For Us! Authored by Wanda MacNevin, a founding member of the Jane/Finch Centre, this book celebrates community voices, grassroots activism, and the leadership of Jane and Finch residents.
Wanda MacNevin, community activist and one of the founding members of JFC, conducted countless interviews over the years with community residents, organizers, and founding members of the organization. She has generously shared these interviews with us, providing a window into the history of JFC, the community’s organizing efforts over the years, and the structural and systemic inequities the community has advocated against.

COMING SOON!