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Emma Blewett

Toronto, ON

Emma Blewett is the co-founder and director of a not-for-profit organization called Canadian Transit Equity and Access Project. She became interested in issues of transportation equity through her degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. Through her education and participation in Engineers Without Borders UofT, Emma became passionate about reducing barriers to support by ending transportation poverty for people experiencing homelessness. This interest led her to co-found TAP with four other UofT students to research and advocate for the benefits of free public transportation. The potential impact of this initiative is in breaking cycles of homelessness, and ensuring access to supportive services, social connections, employment, and housing opportunities.

Canadian Transit Equity and Access Project (TAP)

Canadian Transit Equity and Access Project (TAP) is a non-profit organization focused on advancing transit access in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). TAP has undertaken a research effort to support access to transit and resources to the homeless population.

https://tapforyouth.com

About this Project

Communities Served

My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:

  • At risk youth & children
  • Refugees & newcomers
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • LGBTQ2+ Community members
  • Racial or visible minorities
  • Vulnerable individuals (e.g. those experiencing addiction, abuse)
  • Multi-barrier populations

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.

  • SDG 1: No poverty
  • SDG 2: Zero hunger
  • SDG 3: Good health and Well-being
  • SDG 4: Quality education
  • SDG 5: Gender equality
  • SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
  • SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
  • SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

How the project works

Through this project, TAP assessed the capabilities of service providers across Toronto to support individuals experiencing homelessness in accessing essential services. This data informed ongoing research efforts and aided in the development of strategies demonstrating the crucial role of transit accessibility in poverty alleviation.

Project Impact

TAP has built a broad coalition of service providers, community organizers, and policy makers to research how transportation poverty reinforces cycles of homelessness. Through this network of collaboration, TAP is creating community-based solutions to end transportation poverty for Torontonians facing homelessness and other systemic vulnerabilities. The organization collected 100 responses from an initial survey. This data will inform ongoing research and enable TAP to explore additional avenues highlighting the critical role of transit accessibility in poverty alleviation.

Project Mission

TAP advocates for free public transportation for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto.

Project Team

Our team is composed of youth from the GTA and Montreal.

  • Noah Kelly
  • Rachel Wong
  • Mona Murphy
  • Emma Seabrook
  • Prianka Murthy
  • Adam El-Masri
  • Michael Butac
  • Oliver Samuda
  • Troy Campbell