Grassroots artists, activists and scholars are bringing the Black Creek to life with dance, artistry, and education

April 15, 2022 Amanpreet Chonkrian

A troupe of Kathakas rehearse their choreography and figure out placement nestled among the trees, in the heart of the Black Creek.

When Ayesha Khan visited a Lost Rivers walk along the Mimico Creek watershed in Etobicoke, she immediately thought of her home in the Black Creek.

"This is such a lovely concept; the hidden stories of bodies of water." she mused. "I just thought; why can't we do this in Jane and Finch?"

She pitched her idea to Brian McLean of Lost Rivers TO and together, they began forming the Black Creek Walks, Talks and Dances project; a set of educational teachings and art walks along the Black Creek in Downsview.

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.

No deal yet for parent's waiting for better childcare in Ontario

January 10, 2022 Matias de Doviitis

Doug Ford's Conservatives have commercials out saying that "We are the party saying yes"

While that may be true for big capital projects that help the development industry, it has not been the case with the education file. Ontario is last in working out a deal to develop a more affordable child care system with the Federal government.

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.

Holiday season is upon us – let’s spread joy & shop local

December 20, 2021 Krystal Grover

Montevideo Bakery & Café. Photo credit: Montevideo staff

The impact of the pandemic has been detrimental for nearly everyone and anything but has truly honed down on small businesses. That’s why this year, it is especially important for us to get out there and shop from small businesses, just in time for the holiday season!

Share your vision for the future of the Jane Finch Mall site on December 14

December 7, 2021 jfm+

Can’t join? Visit the jfm+ Community Engagement Space at Jane Finch Mall, located across from Shoppers Drug Mart, to learn more. Photo credit: jfm+

With the arrival of the Finch West LRT, our community is already growing and changing in new ways, including new development. The owners of Jane Finch Mall recognize the mall’s significance in the community and have created jfm+ to start the process of planning for the future of the Jane Finch Mall site.

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.

Sandra Anin: Child of an immigrant

November 23, 2021 Sandra Anin

Sandra Anin was born and raised in the Jane and Finch area. She attended high school at James Cardinal McGuigan, and was actively involved with community arts in the Ghanaian community. As a young black woman, growing up in an area; that had a negative net cast around it, Sandra was exposed to a lot of adversaries and obstacles.

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.