Autonomous Spaces/Cooperatives

The Big Carrot

• Acting on the belief that beneficial change can come through collective action, The Big Carrot is intentionally organized as a worker co-operative. The members are committed to maintaining and refining the co-op structures in order to utilize the strengths of a growing membership. In our co-op each worker is eligible to become a member and each member has one vote in our meetings. By making a financial investment, every member accepts a personal responsibility for the success or failure of the business. Our success is measured in customer and worker satisfaction, and by our effort in the development of a healthy and sustainable food system. Financial success means paying our workers wages and benefits comparable with industry standards, while maintaining competitive prices. Each member receives a share of the profits commensurate with the time she/he has worked. We direct a share of our profits as well as contributing volunteer time throughout the year, to other co-op, agricultural and humanitarian groups.

Blocks Recording Club

• The □□□□□□ Recording Club is a Artist-Owned Worker’s Co-operative based in Toronto. Our goal is to work together as a musical community to help each other to record and release music that we as a community generate. We believe that working together we can accomplish far more than we ever could working apart and further, that by moving closer to a co-operative economy we’re helping in whatever small way we can, to minimize the harmful effects of capital in the world.

come as you are

• We are Canada's co-operatively run sex toy, book and video store. Our approach to sexuality is one of respect, openness, humour, communication and responsibility. We are service and community oriented; accessible and disability-positive.

Regent Park Focus: Youth Media Arts Centre

• Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre is a youth driven, non-for-profit organization located in the heart of Regent Park, Toronto. Regent Park Focus is motivated by the belief that community-based media can play a vital role in building and sustaining healthy communities and seeks to increase civic engagement and effect positive change through youth-led media productions.

Supporting Our Youth

• Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is an exciting, dynamic community development project designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered youth in Toronto through the active involvement of youth and adult communities. We work to create healthy arts, culture and recreational spaces for young people; to provide supportive housing and employment opportunities; and to increase youth access to adult mentoring and support.