Humans of Downsview: Coach Tony Wray empowers community youth through hockey and speech pathology

March 3, 2022 Ayesha Khan

Coach Tony mentors youth from the Downsview Community through physical activity and team-building.

In the heart of Downsview, one education worker is empowering and motivating youth through physical activity and team-building. Meet Tony Wray, a speech pathologist at Westview High School, known lovingly by his team as Coach Tony when he leads the local chapter of HEROS Hockey in the Jane/Finch area.

Humans of Downsview: Pastor Bill Sunberg, community hero

January 17, 2022 Komal Biala

Downsview community member youth volunteers and workers partaking in the weekly food bank. Photo credit: Pastor Bill Sunberg

A man, a father and an inspiration to many, Pastor Bill Sunberg. Pastor Bill Sunberg has been a Pastor of the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene located on 1875 Sheppard Ave W, North York, ON M3L 1Y6 since January 1, 2005. He has worked as a Pastor in Nova Scotia for ten years and has worked in Vancouver for four years. Pastor Bill grew up in the United States of America but has lived most of his life in Canada and says that this is where he belongs. It is where his heart is.

Volunteers uplift Jane and Finch: celebrating International Volunteer Day

December 23, 2021 Zaara Mazzuca

Youth Council Members discussing advocacy and volunteer opportunities. Photo credit: Amanpreet Chonkrian

Volunteering is an activity that is seen not just in Canada, but all over the world. Teenagers, young adults, and people of other age groups volunteer all the time. Whether it’s for high school volunteer hours or just an activity, there are always people contributing to their community through volunteer work.

Eliminating violence against women: building safer communities

November 25, 2021 Zaara Mazzuca

Author, Speaker, Paralegal Sandra Anin. Photo credit: Envoyphotography

From November 25th to December 10th every year, Canadians recognize 16 days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. The first day, November 25th is International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women. According to the United Nations (UN), 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in their life (usually by their partner), 52% of women in marriages make their own decisions about sexual activities, and 71% of all human trafficking victims are women and girls, and 3 out of 4 are sexually exploited.

Local community clean-up at G Ross Park

November 18, 2021 Jasleen Dhillon

A local community cleanup took place at G Ross Park on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Over 35 people took part in this amazing community contribution and approximately 30 bags of garbage were collected from the creek and the surrounding parkland.

One of a kind: The Toronto Black Food Sovereignty Plan passes in City Council

November 9, 2021 Ayesha Khan

Immanuel Cozy-Sosoo of the Society for the Living Food Bank poses with their two youngest volunteers. The Society for the Living has been partnering with the Afri-Can Food Basket to provide healthful produce for the Jane-Finch community, grown at the Black Creek Community Farm. Photo credit: Anan Lololi

To the joy of many Black Food Justice activists and service providers in Ontario, the Toronto Black Food Sovereignty Plan has just been approved by Toronto City Council. The first of its kind in North America, the plan has been in development for 2 years by grassroots activists and city staff.

Humans of Downsview: Esther Carenza Makes a Difference!

October 21, 2021 Cheikh Balde

One of the children that received gifts from the Children’s Holiday Get Together. Photo credit: Jeswin Joseph

During a crisis, there are people who are indispensable and always seem to be there to help, Esther Carenza is one of them. Recently a woman was seriously hit by a car close to York University. Esther Carenza came on the scene and did whatever she could to assist the distraught and badly injured woman until secured by paramedics.

Local Food bank puts Food on the Table in Jane and Finch, Feeds Most Vulnerable During COVID-19

October 19, 2021 Ayesha Khan

Sister V, food bank director, poses with Ayesha Khan of Councillor Perruzza’s office and Terryl Knox, volunteer, outside the food bank’s operation at the Jane-Sheppard library. Photo credit: Matias de Dovitiis

As food insecurity reaches a critical point due to COVID-19, one local food bank in the Jane-Finch area has been working non-stop to provide healthful and consistent food for most vulnerable residents. The Society for the Living Food Bank began in 1988, serving hot lunches to people on Queen St. in Toronto’s downtown area. Since then, they have made connections with North York Harvest Food Bank and Second Harvest, leading to the bustling and thriving food bank operation on the mostly industrial Eddystone Avenue off Jane St. They are one of the few food banks in Toronto’s often food insecure Jane-Finch community.

Tree Planting, Any Day and Every Day

October 16, 2021 Jasleen Dhillon

Our community working together for our environment. Photo credit: Matias de Dovitiis

Every day is a good day for tree planting, especially when you're doing it with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority at Rowntree Mills. Even though Sunday was a gloomy and rainy day, lucky for us, the morning was filled with a cool breeze that made the weather perfect. As we drove down to North York, the scent of the fall fresh air filled our car and the morning was off to a great start.

Breast Cancer Awareness

October 13, 2021 Zaara Mazzuca

CIBC Run for the Cure. Photo credit: Canadian Cancer Society

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many women in Canada joined the annual nationwide breast cancer run, Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run. This year, the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run raised over $9 million for Canadians that have been impacted by breast cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) was founded in 1938, and has helped more than 55 million people since 2017.