Strengthening the capacity of individuals and communities to know and claim their rights and engage in decision-making processes has been an essential component of Maytree’s work of building a culture of human rights.

As part of this work, Maytree supports resident-led groups and initiatives in advocating for social and economic rights while also supporting community organizations in better engaging residents on issues that impact their lived experience. We also aim to create and foster connections between community leaders, people with lived experience of housing need and homelessness, community-based organizations, grassroots groups, and institutions.

Below you’ll find a list of some of the resident-led groups and community organizations we support:

ACORN Canada
ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) Canada is an independent national organization of low- and moderate-income families. ACORN has a deep history of working in low- and moderate-income communities. Its presence in these communities has enabled it to connect community members who are most in need, but often hardest to reach, with information about their rights, financial literacy education, tax and benefit services, and leadership development training.

• Blog post: Building leadership for change at the ACORN Canada 2017 national convention

A Way Home Canada
A Way Home is a national coalition to prevent and end youth homelessness in Canada. Maytree has been part of a group of funders supporting the public policy position of this national youth homelessness initiative since 2017. Other funders include the Catherine Donnelly Foundation, Laidlaw, Children’s Aid Foundation, Home Depot Canada, and PetSmart Canada.

Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness
The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH), located in Calgary, leads a national movement of individuals, organizations, and communities working together to end homelessness in Canada.

Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA)
CERA provides legal information and assistance to Ontario renters on who face eviction and/or human rights issues in rental housing.

• Blog post: Why now is the time for a right to housing campaign in Toronto

Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA)
The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA) advocates for better rights for Tenants.

• Blog post: How informed participation helps tenants fight for their rights: A look at FMTA’s Tenant School

Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust (PNLT)
PNLT is a community land trust in Parkdale led by a group of residents and organizations trying to protect the social, cultural and economic diversity of Parkdale by redefining how land is used and developed.