The CECHi advocates for the creation of new community spaces and the expansion of community services in Central Etobicoke.
The CECHi is working toward establishing a hub so that health, social, cultural, and recreational services can be provided to residents in an accessible, safe, and positive environment.
Established in 2016, the CECHi was formed in response to the efforts of:
In 2019, the CECHi transitioned from an unincorporated community organization to a not-for-profit corporation, allowing us to expand our advocacy and community engagement through partnerships with other agencies.
Sarah Ali
John Del Rosario
John is currently the Special Projects Manager at Arts Etobicoke – a local not-for-profit arts service organization dedicated to creating greater access to arts and culture for West Toronto communities. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCAD University and a post-graduate certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management from Humber College. His work with Arts Etobicoke has developed into a passion for community building and he strongly believes that the arts play a vital and valuable role in the well-being of communities and their members. John has worked with several community organizations, agencies, and leaders in Etobicoke, and serves as the lead for establishing and maintaining community partnerships for the Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative.
Laura Faiczak
Laura has recently retired from a healthcare management career where she worked collaboratively with many senior leadership teams; managed interdisciplinary and administrative teams and over 1,800 volunteers within two of Toronto’s academic hospitals: SickKids and the University Health Network. Her experience encompassed human resources, occupational health and safety, clinical operations, specialized projects, financial management, and hospital space utilization and planning while navigating through its changing political climate. Community is important to Laura. Throughout her professional life, she has dedicated time to being an active participant on community not-for-profit agency/service boards.
Nick Galletto (Secretary)
Nick Galletto is a Partner with EY Technology Consulting. With over 30 years of technology experience, he is working collaboratively across all areas of the EY business to drive meaningful value for clients, people, and communities. Nick’s primary focus is driving growth, transforming cyber programs, and strengthening digital trust while shaping high performing teams and delivering bold, transformative ideas that spur innovation and help clients draw new paths to growth.
Over his career, Nick has helped many organizations manage technology risk by effectively transforming cyber programs in this age of digital complexity. He has worked with business and technology leaders to help them better understand and implement cyber risk strategies that drive digital trust and build organizational resiliency. Prior to joining EY, Nick had several leadership positions with Deloitte. Over his career he had the opportunity to lead Deloitte’s Global, Americas and Canadian Cyber Practice.
Nick believes in service above self. He is currently a Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative Board Member and Secretary and was a Past President and Board Member of the Rotary Club of Toronto West. He has led several community project and events. He is passionate about helping youth and building stronger communities.
Justin Harrington
Justin Harrington is a long-time resident of Etobicoke and an active member of the community with multiple organizations including the CECHi. He currently works as an IT professional in the health care industry, but was also previously a professional photographer. Through his membership in the Rotary Club of Etobicoke and his past work as a principal photographer for Snapd Etobicoke, Justin has developed a strong network of community contacts which help the CECHi to expand its partnerships and community outreach.
Michael Kelly
Michael Kelly is a passionate and dynamic young educator and life-long learner who lives and works in west end of Toronto. He is very interested in issues of special education, history, politics, experiential learning, community service and civic engagement. Michael is an Ontario Certified teacher who works for the Toronto Catholic District School Board in the secondary panel. He is a proud graduate of the University of Toronto- St. Michael’s College and OISE. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education currently. Michael has worked in several placements in both elementary and secondary school settings, and community service organizations in local communities as well as overseas. He has extensive international teaching experience leading students in diverse cultural contexts. Experiential learning, inclusivity and community service form his core beliefs and philosophy on education. Michael is a dedicated volunteer of several community organizations serving in a variety of roles and capacities. He has experience working in both the private, public, and non-profit sectors and is interested in being an advocate for English Language Learners and students with exceptionalities in schools in our cities. Michael is interested in becoming a Secondary School Department Head of History and Guidance/Career Education one day.
Dr. Colin Mang (Vice Chair)
Dr. Colin Mang is an economist at McMaster University. He was a founding member of the CECHi in 2016 and served as Chair from 2018 – 2022. He is also President and Board Chair at Stonegate Community Health Centre in Etobicoke and was a member of the organizing committee for the South and Central Etobicoke Vaccine Engagement Team, working the City of Toronto, Toronto Public Health, and local community service agencies to promote Covid19 vaccinations and organize local vaccination clinics. He has previously served on the Boards of the Capitol Centre, a large visual and performance arts facility in Northern Ontario; of the Business Centre North Bay-Parry Sound, a small business accelerator; and of Lancaster University, one of the top-ranked research institutions in the United Kingdom. Dr. Mang grew up right here in Central Etobicoke and is proud to call this part of the city “home”.
Rev. Brian McIntosh (Chair)
Brian was ordained as a United Church minister in 1988, and currently serves at Bloordale United Church. He is a life-long social justice activist and advocate, having worked in local and regional ecumenical, inter-faith and community-driven initiatives, and has a particular passion for anti-poverty work and right relations building with Indigenous peoples as well as fostering partnerships with community-based groups to achieve equality, dignity, and human flourishing. Brian has recently helped to organize actions in central Etobicoke on anti-racism and on climate change. He was the first chair of the Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative. Brian was the 1998 recipient of the Fredericton YMCA Peace Medallion, is the proud father of two adult daughters, Lydia, and Sarah, and is the happy husband of Debbie.
Deqa Nur
Noel Semple
Noel Semple is a law professor, community activist, husband and father. He teaches and researches in the fields of access to justice, civil procedure, and legal ethics. Passionate about making our community better, he serves on the board of the South Etobicoke Community Legal Services clinic and the Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative. Noel lives in the Kipling and Burnhamthorpe area with his wife, Angelique and his children Madeleine and Malcolm. Each spring, the Semple/Moss family leads a front porch food drive for the St. James Food Basket.
Angela Thomas (Treasurer)
Angela has experience in business, banking, medical admin, counselling, and community development / social services. She moved to Etobicoke 26 years ago. Her activities include 40 years of community volunteering work in Toronto, Peel and the City of Etobicoke’s Anti-racism, Access, and Equity committee before the GTA was formed. Angela founded a non-profit grassroots organization known as MACE PROGRAMS that assists students and families from a cultural, educational and advocational framework. As an educator from 2009 to present with TDSB, she has worked to bridge the gap for families between Community and School. Angela has been active with CECHI since its formation as well as serving on other important initiatives within the community.
We are very grateful for the support of all our community partners. If you represent a community group or agency and would like to partner with us, please let us know!
The CECHi gratefully acknowledges the following organizations who have provided financial and/or in-kind support to our organization since its inception in 2016:
