Know Your Neighbour: University Settlement’s Raymond White

THE GREEN LINE
VIDEO STORY

Know Your Neighbour: Raymond White

Raymond White, CEO of University Settlement, explains how the services offered in the century-old community centre in Chinatown help local seniors overcome isolation.

Raymond White sitting at his desk

Raymond White is the CEO of University Settlement, a community centre in Chinatown.
📸: Jayden Eng/The Green Line.

Jayden Eng

Jayden Eng

Passionate badminton player, performing artist and aspiring investor looking to reconnect with the community. Born in Toronto and spent several years in Bangkok before returning home.

Nov. 19, 2024

This video was produced by a youth journalist who participated in The Green Line's Alexandra Park Youth Journalism program in partnership with Scadding Court Community Centre. It's part of the series "Know Your Neighbour," which profiles the people and places important to community members in Alexandra Park, Kensington Market and Chinatown.

From the breathtaking greenery of Grange Park to the countless activities and events that cater to local residents' needs and interests, there’s something for everyone at University Settlement.

Founded in 1910 by the fifth University of Toronto president, University Settlement House was initially created as a safe space for newcomers to Canada. As time passed, staff and students at U of T began delivering music and art programs to engage with local community members. University Settlement House expanded its services over the decades, and eventually set up a recreation centre as its main location — what we now know as University Settlement near Grange Park.

Today, the community centre provides settlement and social services for newcomers, affordable music classes for children, as well as swimming and fitness classes. A major component of University Settlement’s operations are programs that cater to seniors, according to CEO Raymond White.

White explains that moving to Toronto with family can be especially isolating for older people who have no language skills or friends here, and who are often tasked with childcare.

“We offer them an opportunity to socialize, and get a new skill here,” he says.

Morning Tai Chi classes are especially popular, with more than 30 seniors attending every day.

White says that the centre faces challenges in addressing  systemic issues such as the rise in homelessness, which results in higher numbers of unhoused people in nearby Grange Park.

“Sometimes, it creates anxiety with the children and the seniors as they interact [with unhoused people] in the park,” White says. “But we all try to work together to make sure that everybody has a safe environment, and everybody's respected.”

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