The Jeremiah Project Survey by Pastor Bill Sunberg spotlights community unity

BY:Pastor Bill Sunberg

In Maya Angelou’s famous poem, “Human Family,” she talks about the diverse world we live in. It is an inspiring work that ends with these words:

I note the obvious differences

between each sort and type,

but we are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike.

The Jeremiah Project is an anonymous survey based initiative that seeks to identify some of these ways we are more alike than unalike. Instead of spotlighting the things that divide us (race, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, religious orientation), The Jeremiah Project puts the spotlight on the things that unite us (from major things like hopes and dreams or family to minor things like what keeps us awake at night, how we process important conversations, like our favourite ice cream).

You can help. You can join this important new conversation. You are invited to scan this QR code and take 20 minutes to fill out The Jeremiah Project Survey. Your voice is important. Your input is valuable. Your voice will make a difference.

We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike

Let’s find out how.

Donated books will help support local literacy programs!

BY: Yorkgate mall

Toronto, March 20th, 2023 – Yorkgate Mall held its 1st Annual Community Book Drive in support of literacy programs in the community.

Visitors to Yorkgate Mall were asked to help donate a new or gently-used children’s & youth books at the Community Book Drive during March Break (March 13 – 17).  Donations were dropped off at the events table, located by Tim Hortons.

“We are overwhelmed with the support from the community, our retailers and corporate sponsors,” says Chris Couch, Marketing Associate at Yorkgate Mall.  “Our shoppers have a history of generously getting behind our community programs.  With an overwhelming number of books donated, we will help many needy individuals and families in our community as possible”.

For the Book Collection, people were being asked to clean out their basements, garages, and children’s rooms to pass on & share the gift of literacy.

Yorkgate Mall, located at Jane and Finch in Toronto, Ontario, offers over 60 stores and services under one roof including No Frills, LCBO, IDA Drug Mart and Toronto Public Library.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Couch, Marketing Associate

Yorkgate Mall

647-466-4933

ccouch@smartcentres.com

It's time to implement a HealthSafe program

by Tom RakocevicImagine going for a medical examination and contracting an illness from your visit. It has happened here in the GTA.A Toronto Star analysis of inspection data posted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) showed a staggering 1 in 7 clinics in Ontario did not meet inspection standards since 2011 (reported November 2, 2014 – Toronto Star).The newspaper also revealed that serious illnesses such as Hepatitis C and meningitis have been contracted in Toronto health clinics, although this level of information was not readily available online to the public.To find out when your medical clinic was last inspected and the result of the inspection, go to http://www.cpso.on.ca/Public-Register/Out-of-Hospital-Premises-Listing and search for it by name in the list.This inspection information was made public by the CPSO due to a new bylaw it passed on January 31, 2013. Although this was a good move by the CPSO, many seniors and individuals who are not comfortable with computers and the internet have a barrier to accessing this important information.Toronto Public Health regularly inspects and reports on food establishments as part of its food safety program called DineSafe. The results of their inspection are posted via the green/yellow/red signs you have seen at restaurants and other food establishments.In February 2013, I worked with Councillor Anthony Perruzza in drafting a motion to Toronto City Council requesting the CPSO to “make their inspection data public and implement a system that would make the results viewable both as a hard copy at the location and online (similar to DineSafe Program for restaurants).” This motion passed in the Council meeting on February 20-21, 2014, but the CPSO has not implemented this worthy initiative.To view DineSafe inspection results online, go to http://www.toronto.ca/health/dinesafe/#inspectionResult. Believe me, it will not be the last time you visit that page. For some of you, it may feel a little like watching a video on how hot dogs are made. Sorry.The CPSO could learn a lot from Toronto’s DineSafe program. In addition to providing inspection results in an easy to understand format at the establishment, DineSafe appears to provide more overall inspection details, and places are visited multiple times a year rather than once every few years.I continue to advocate for better health, which means visiting health care professionals on a regular basis. In turn, health care professionals must ensure that their premises are clean and safe. With 1 in 7 health clinics not making the grade on initial inspections, there may be some cause for concern. As well, clinics need to be regularly visited to ensure proper procedures have been followed. It is time to implement a “HealthSafe” program so health inspection results are easy to see just like they are when we visit our favourite restaurant.