BY: Miwako Chang
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is observed on November 19 to celebrate women in business around the world and their contributions to the local and global economy, as well as raise awareness around gender-based inequalities in the social, economic, and political landscapes.
Out of Of Bounds is an organized based in Jane and Finch that seeks to eliminate gun violence through community engagement and empowerment, support networks, and empowerment, delivered through programming and service efforts. Founded in 2006 by Rev. Sky Starr, Out Of Bounds (OOB) is a Registered Charity consisting of community residents of all ages, staff, and stakeholders.
As an Educator, therapist, consultant, advocate, former nurse, teacher, and business owner Rev. Sky is a key force in the community that she has called home for over 40 years. As former co-chair for the Jane/Finch Crisis Support Network for 3 years, a marriage, family, and grief therapist, and first responder to crisis, she works with various community partners to support those impacted by violence. Rev. Sky holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Community and Religious Studies.
Out Of Bounds embodies a prevention and intervention approach. These include the strengthening of communities, empowering community members, and providing supports to increase capacity for change through education and the fostering of understanding, collaboration, and respect. The organization aims to provide adaptive, trans-culturally responsive, compassionate programs and services to support youth, individuals, families, and communities addressing grief, loss, and trauma.
Their services focus on various objectives including education and training through a mutual peer support model to manage grief and loss related to gun violence, identifying individual needs and executing plans, training service providers, supporting prevention efforts, and establishing referral services and support networks.
OOB provides gun violence support programs, social groups, prevention and awareness-based education, mentorship, employment and life skills training, recreational activities, and community and counselling services. Their Annual Interfaith Remembrance which is offered on the 1st Saturday in December, will be held on Saturday, December 3rd, at 45 Norfinch Drive. This event accommodates any type of grief, and is offered free to the community and the GTA.
Volunteering and participating in workshops, seminars, and programs to deepen understanding around gun-based violence and trauma increases awareness of these issues, their organization, and its initiatives. Donations are extremely helpful and directly support Grief Support Services and Training in our community.
For more information, visit outofboundsjf.org.