Victor Willis
Executive Director, Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC)
Victor Willis is the Executive Director of the Parkdale Activity – Recreation Centre (PARC), where he has led transformative community development efforts for over two decades. With more than 30 years of experience in the sector—including roles at the 519 Church Street Community Centre, Trinity Square Café Enterprises, and a decade at the Gerstein Crisis Centre—Victor brings deep expertise in mental health, housing, and social inclusion.
In 2006, Victor spearheaded a groundbreaking community response to the proposed redevelopment of a derelict rooming house next to PARC. His leadership resulted in the City’s unprecedented decision to expropriate the property for affordable housing. PARC’s successful bid led to the creation of Edmond Place, a supportive housing project co-designed with people with lived experience, which opened in 2011.
Victor is a founding member of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, a trustee at CAMH (where he chairs the Clinical Quality Committee and serves on the Property Committee), and a board member at Daily Bread Food Bank, chairing its Program Support Committee. His work is grounded in a personal and professional commitment to mental health, housing justice, and equitable development.
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