Donate Today

When Tania Khan immigrated to Canada with her husband and two boys in 2020, she heard about Harbourfront Centre Camps from a fellow mom. One of Tania’s sons, Tajwar, has an autistic spectrum disorder, so his camp experience needed to be inclusive of his needs. Discovering Harbourfront Centre Camps offered one-on-one support for neurodivergent kids, she felt relief. “The staff’s experience and education provided me with the support I needed,” she says, “and I felt confident he would be in good hands.”

Tania worried the financial costs of sending her son to camp would be difficult. She applied for the Harbourfront Centre Camps Subsidy Program, a legacy program that offers a discount on camp fees for families in need, and, according to her income level, she was able to receive a reduced rate. Not only did Tajwar enjoy his time at camp, but he also flourished, showing significant progress in his social skills and confidence. “He made some friends, which was hard for him to do before.” It proved to be a transformative experience for Tania as well. For the first time, she had a moment for herself. “I could walk around the beautiful campus and enjoy nature. It was so helpful for me.”

Harbourfront Centre Camps is more than just a summer camp: it’s a place where kids like Tajwar feel welcome. Our inclusive camp programs promise that every child can have a summer filled with new experiences and create memories that last a lifetime. Today, on Giving Tuesday you have a chance to make an impact on the lives of children like Tajwar.

At the start of his camp journey, Tajwar had some challenges socializing properly. By the third year, he had improved and was happily communicating with staff, fellow campers and (enthusiastically!) his mom. “When he came home from camp, he was so excited and always asked if he could go back.”

An engineer turned multidisciplinary artist, Mohammad Tabesh is deeply influenced by his experiences. “Having been raised in Iran, I’ve lived through significant historical events, including a violent revolution and eight years of war,” he says.

In 2022, Mohammad took a big step by applying to become an Artist-in-Residence at Harbourfront Centre’s Craft & Design Studio. Being a part of the ceramic studio has allowed him to explore his works in greater depth, thanks to the in-studio space and the creative exchange with other artists.

“Harbourfront Centre has created an incubator for artists exploring their different mediums, and being immersed in this environment with the exhibitions and conversations has been instrumental in pursuing my art.” His practice primarily focuses on human rights and social change, helping people understand the emotional impact of such violations.

These stories matter.

By supporting artists like Mohammad, we bridge meaningful connections to Toronto’s diverse community and the arts.

When Camille started dating Amreet, she knew exactly what they should do: Enjoy a concert at Summer Music in the Garden. “I love that people of all ages and cultures can unite as a community and enjoy something as beautifully universal as music.”

A year later, under Toronto Music Garden’s iconic willow tree, Amreet proposed. (She said yes!) For the couple, this was a sweet full-circle moment. “It’s now ‘our place,’” she says.

Hoping to build many more memories together, Camille contributed to Harbourfront Centre so it could continue bringing the beloved Summer Music in the Garden to the community. “There is so much effort that goes into bringing programs like these to Toronto, and they can’t go on without financial support. I donated because this place has done so much for me. And now, I’m part of a collective effort to keep it alive.”

Help us reach our goal of $10,000 to continue bringing great artists and people like Camille and Amreet together.

Stories like these create the fabric of our community and your contribution is crucial in continuing Harbourfront Centre’s legacy programming.