Children from the San Romanoway Revitalization Association After School Program play jacks following their after school meal. The program has 40 children enrolled, aged between 5 to 12 years.

TARA WALTON/TORONTO STAR

William Ashley recalls the shootings, gang activity and violent crime that plagued residents of three privately owned highrises on San Romanoway, overlooking one of the city’s most notorious intersections.

He remembers the broken glass, the graffiti and the garbage that littered the walkways, hallways and stairwells of these buildings, at the corner of Jane St. and Finch Ave. W.

But those memories are fading because of the strides made by the San Romanoway Revitalization Association (SRRA), which formed in 1999, after owners met with community leaders to discuss ways to combat the escalation of crime and vandalism.

Owners pitched in $2 million to kick-start the revitalization by improving buildings and their surroundings and to help form the SRRA. Broken windows and doors were fixed; more lights and security cameras were installed; trees and shrubs were trimmed back to improve visibility and commitments were made to remove graffiti within 24 hours.

The owners, who include Greenwin, also reached out to community advocate Stephnie Payne, who spearheaded a number of enrichment programs aimed at children, youth and seniors.

“We’re primarily focusing on children and youth because they’re the ones who are highly at risk of getting involved in gangs and crime at an early age,” said Payne, the executive director of the SRRA, which was incorporated in 2002.

The SRRA is funded by government grants and contributions from the corporate sector and program space is run out of converted units.

Since its formation, crime and vandalism rates have dropped. From 1987 to 2000, the crime and violence within these buildings was 122 per cent above the national average. Now, says Payne, that figure has dropped to 21 per cent.

Vacancy rates have also dropped. At one building, there’s a waiting list, while at another vacancy is just 1 per cent. By comparison, the rate in the Jane-Finch area is 6 per cent, while in the Toronto market the rate is about 3 per cent.

The vacancy rate is noteworthy in a community that was once dubbed by former prime minister Jean Chrétien as “Canada’s worst neighbourhood.”

It’s little surprise children and youth are a focal part of the programming, since they make up the majority of residents. The complex, which includes 5, 10 and 25 San Romanoway, includes one condominium and two rental towers. Most condo units are rented and the apartments in the other buildings are a mix of subsidized and market rent units. In total, there are 892 units, home to about 4,400 residents — 3,000 of whom are children and youth.

Over the years, a number of new amenities — some paid for by the owners, government and private-sector partnerships — have helped lure at-risk youth away from the streets.

The more popular additions include a playground, a basketball court, a tennis court, a community garden and a cinema.

Also bustling with activity, is a youth lounge that includes a recording studio, where at-risk youth receive counselling, entrepreneurship training and job skills workshops. There’s also a program to help youth start up a music publishing business.

Across the hall from the lounge is The Jordan Manners Art Gallery, featuring art by local youth. (It is in remembrance of the Grade 9 student who was fatally shot in 2007.) Manners wasn’t a resident, but had attended some of the programs.

Among the most popular program for children is a breakfast and after-school program. Children are given a hot nutritious meal and receive tutoring, homework assistance and computer training.

While there are still tremendous challenges in combatting poverty and violence, Payne notes there have been great improvements in the past decade.

“I see a quieter, cleaner, calmer neighbourhood,” she notes. “People seem to acknowledge everyone and if something happens in the neighbourhood now, it’s not quiet, people are prepared to speak. . . They’re not just turning a blind eye anymore.”

“Now, this is more of a community,” says Ashley, the father of four. “When you see your surroundings improve, you begin to own it. And that’s what management has done: They’ve brought a sense of ownership to residents.”

Number of units: 892

Amenities: Playground, basketball court, tennis court, cinema, multipurpose community room, art gallery, youth lounge and recording studio.

Ownership: Each of the three buildings is privately owned.

When built: Mid 1970s

What makes it good: The SRRA’s commitment to running social programs for residents, and management’s commitment to keeping property well-maintained and cleaning up graffiti within 24 hours.