Lakehead Social Planning Council (LSPC), operating since 1963, works towards promoting social justice on behalf of marginalized individuals who may be experiencing disadvantage and inequality. For the last 5 decades, much of its work has been to support local, provincial and federal government initiatives, currently demonstrated in its role as the lead agency for the local Poverty Reduction Strategy, administrator and host for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, partner in Prosper Canada’s financial literacy program and intake agency for utility programs for income eligible applicants.
In addition and for the last 15 years, LSPC has been the Community Entity (CE) for Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada and has worked closely with the local Community Advisory Board (CAB) to support the priorities identified in Thunder Bay’s Community Homelessness Plan.
In 2008, LSPC launched the 211 helpline offering 3-digit dialing, web, chat and email access to Information & Referral for Northern Ontario populations, including residents of Francophone and First Nations communities.
Throughout its history, the LSPC operates as a non-profit, non-partisan, charitable organization established by a group of concerned citizens with a commitment to building and strengthening community. In l982 the LSPC was incorporated as a registered charity whose purpose was to promote the well-being of those in our community. “Building a better community for all” remains the focus of the Lakehead Social Planning Council’s work.
