Not-for-profit organizations are often undervalued and as a result underfunded, but they are so important! Why, you ask? Because their work is very significant to the community or group of people they serve. Instead of maximizing profits, which means maximizing revenues while minimizing costs, they are more concerned with ensuring the revenue is greater than costs. The focus is instead on the people and not the profits. People who dedicate their lives to helping others need to be recognized and celebrated.One example of a non-profit in the Dowsview area is: The Jewish Family and Child Services run thrift shop called Just-A-Second Shop. They are opened six days a week and offers new and gently used clothing and small household items at very reasonable prices. All proceeds are used to focus on sending children in the community to Jewish day and overnight camps -among other things. The shop is staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers and employees who are happy to help.If you are planning some spring cleaning and have gently-used clothing and/or small household items in good condition, Just-A-Second Shop would be happy to take them off your hands. By donating you are helping people in need in the community. If you have questions about donating you can call 416.638.7800 x 6999. You can also drop off the items you’d like to donate at any of the bright yellow drop-off boxes located at the store and the following locations: Sherman Campus, 4600 Bathurst Street; Beth Tzedec Synagogue, 1700 Bathurst Street (NE side of the parking lot), Beth Tikvah Synagogue, 3080 Bayview Avenue; and, Associated Hebrew School, 300 Atkinson Avenue, Thornhill.For more information: Call, 416 633 9898 or visit 4117 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M3H 3P4Hours: Monday to Wednesday - 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday - 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Friday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Jewish Holidays.
Keep Our Power Rally and March
On April 8th Keep Hydro Public is joining Libby Keenan and many other residents from across the Province to demand for: Affordable, Accountable, and Publicly owned electricity!Our ask is simple: No more rebates. STOP THE SALE OF HYDRO ONE!The Ontario Liberal Government sold about 30% of Hydro One without a mandate. Just last week the Liberal MPPs also voted to continue the sale of Hydro One shares. Privatization of public utility has been disastrous for the Province. Private Power costs more than Public Power. Let’s unite and tell the Liberal Government: we want to Keep Our Power, We want to Keep Hydro Public.WHEN: Saturday April 8 @ 1:00 p.m. WHERE: Assemble at Hydro One Headquarters (483 Bay St) between 11am to 1pm, then march to Queen’s Park at 1:00pm.
If you need further information please contact Doly Begum at doly@keephydropublic.ca or 647-998-3659 (cell).
Humans of Downsview
“People focus on the past, the past haunts the area. When people are from somewhere else, like Quebec, and they hear about Jane and Finch, they have a bad idea about it because they only see what it used to be. Sometimes I come home from work at one o’clock or two o’clock at night, and I go home so easy, so freely, I don’t really see hoodlums much. Big media needs to focus on what is present right now. Bigger establishments are too scared to come to the area, but it’s a family community, and very diverse. There are people here that want to spend money but they have to go far out of town to buy what they want, because big stores only see the past and don’t want to come help us build a future.” – Vincent, Security Guard.
Striking York University Food Service Workers Win $15 and Fairness
Alia Karim and David Bush
On Monday March 6th, striking York University food service workers, represented by Unite Here Local 75, voted to accept their new contract. The workers went on strike for and won a $15/hour starting wage and fair working conditions. Their victory paves the way for workers right across the province to achieve $15 and fairness.The workers won major improvements to their contract in the nearly three week strike. They will see an immediate bump in their starting wage from $12.21 per hour to $13.21, which will apply retroactively back to last September. There will be a further wage increase this coming September and by the end of the first year of the contract, the starting wage for all workers will be $15.The workers won improvements in contract language which will protect union work and breaks. They also achieved a significant victory by getting Aramark to fully cover the dental plan, which the company has never done for any of its workers in North America. By the end of the contract, all workers, both full-time and part-time, will be on the health and dental plan.The 160 Aramark food service workers at York University had been preparing for this round of contract negotiations since last year. The low pay, bullying, racial discrimination by management, and the poor working conditions bred widespread discontent amongst the workers. They built up the confidence to take on a powerful multinational corporation and the York University administration by marching on their boss, holding demonstrations, and organizing mass meetings with other food service workers across the GTA. Through months of organizing, the workers in the union were able to produce a 100 per cent strike ratification vote.On February 2, the food service workers walked off the job on a one-day strike, shutting down all Aramark locations at York University. The workers marched on campus, held multiple rallies, and demonstrated their strength to the employer and the administration.Workers then went on indefinite strike on February 16. They held a picket line at the main gate and organized two marches on campus a day. During York's reading week, which was on the second week of the strike, the union organized a week of actions downtown targeting the company. They were joined by the striking food service workers from UofT Scarborough (who are still on strike).
Something to Prove: Samuel Boakye's Story - Part 2
Continued from last month's edition of the Downsview Advocate, we conclude the story of Samuel Boakye's transition from a disinterested, tough-guy student into a caring and ambitious adult.--When half a year of boarding school in Ghana saw no strong improvement in Samuel's attitude or grades, he was sent to live at the large house shared by his two uncles and their families. His father did not enroll him in school, so Samuel spent his time helping out with household chores, socializing with his family, and exploring Ghana.During his long walks through the city and countryside, Samuel began to really think about his future, and what sort of man he would become. It was at this time, that Samuel overheard a conversation between his father and his uncles. His father had brought Samuel's report card from boarding school and the three were discussing the next steps of Samuel's education. Samuel's father was exasperated with his son, but what was most painful to hear was that his father had simply accepted that his son would not amount to anything. Even worse, he seemed to find humour in it.Throughout his youth, Samuel always found it important to be popular and respected by his peers. Why didn't the opinion of his family matter? But that day it finally did, and it hit him like a sledge hammer.He did not confront them, but rather he made a silent promise to himself that when he was sent once again to school, that he would prove them all wrong and succeed. In his own words, he was finally going to "try".While that conversation between his father and uncles helped awaken a desire to show the world that he could succeed in school, it was another event altogether that made him appreciate the opportunities of his own life.One evening, Samuel decided to take a bottle of Irish Cream from his uncle's liquor cabinet without asking for permission, and shared it with a friend. The next day, Samuel overheard his uncle looking for the bottle to serve to guests that had visited the home, but Samuel remained silent on the matter.The very next morning, Samuel was awoken by his uncle who in turn accused him of stealing the bottle and threatened to tell the whole family. Not wanting that embarrassment, Samuel confessed.As punishment, Samuel was taken to the lumber yards of his uncle's business and put to work for the next two weeks without pay or special treatment. So there he worked, day after day in the sweltering summer heat, while sleeping away the nights in a small hotel room full of insects."Working there, I realized the blessings of my own life. Of course, I knew what I had before but it never really dawned on me." Samuel reflected. "The guys there worked hard labour for $50 a month and actually appreciated the opportunity to work to feed their families."Samuel eventually returned to Canada as a new person. He fulfilled his promise and is now completing his studies at the University of Toronto. He continues to work in the field of youth mentorship, turning the lessons he learned in his youth into a great strength to push young people to succeed.Samuel's story proves that it is easy for us, as adults, to forget the pressures youth face. It can even be easier to look at a younger person in the midst of their struggles and confusion, and to simply write them off as future fallen adults."I know what it means to be in the dark and to be naive and to not know what are you doing until the point of near self-destruction." says Samuel, "It is so sad to see a young person die because they had no chance to change."
Vigilance and enhanced police presence vital to protect Jewish and all targeted institutions, says Councillor James Pasternak
*Media Release provided by Councillor James Pasternak's office.*In light of recent threats to Jewish institutions in Toronto and beyond, Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 10, York Centre, is calling for greater vigilance and resources from Toronto Police Service and enhanced investigative and preventative work by the RCMP and other security agencies.“Threats against our valued institutions such as community centres and schools are a gross violation of our ability to go about our daily lives in safety, freedom and live as Jews in Toronto. It is vital that all sectors of society condemn these cowardly harassments and threats. We are calling on Toronto Police Service and our federal and provincial law enforcement agencies to investigate the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” says Councillor James Pasternak.“Moreover, as a preventative measure, it is necessary to increase patrols, security and surveillance around targeted institutions to send a strong signal that we will take all measures necessary to protect freedom of religion, our personal safety and the social cohesion that Toronto is known for worldwide.”
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Councillor James Pasternak416-392-1371 | councillor_pasternak@toronto.cawww.jamespasternak.ca
Mental Health Support for Children and Youth in Downsview
From an early age we are taught how to recognize our emotions. To label them and give them a name — sadness, anger. We are taught how to regulate and control these emotions — stay calm, use your words. We are advised on coping strategies and given problem solving tools — take a deep breath, tell someone what is bothering you. Although we are taught all of these things, feelings are often dismissed. The stigma around mental illness is so hard to combat, especially when it is surrounding youth.Mental health is a murky subject, often tip-toed around and whispered about in hushed tones. We shy away from the topic of mental health because we don’t want to emphasize the situation or blow things out of proportion, however mental health needs to be talked about. It is important to not only recognize the signs of mental illness, but understand what good mental health means and what that looks like in relation to children and youth.Mental health is a state of well-being, it is not about being blissfully happy all of the time, nor is it characterized as being sad. Good mental health allows children to think clearly and cope with the normal stresses of life, developing both socially and mentally. Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that may affect one’s mood, thinking or behaviour. This includes depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder, and many more.The Hincks-Dellcrest Early Years Centre is located on 1645 Sheppard Ave West and is one of three centres for youth located in Toronto. The Centre’s focus on providing prevention, early intervention, and treatment services to infants, children, and youth who live in local communities through programs such as, “the ABCs of Mental Health”. As Sandra, an employee at Hincks-Dellcrest Centre(HDC) explains, the Centre “gives families and youth tools on how to handle behaviour…we provide different kinds of services —starting with prevention.”Because there are some illnesses we cannot see, it is important to be aware and know where to access valuable resources, skills and training to enhance mental health competencies. The demand for children’s mental health services is increasing 10% each year[1]. The centre has recently announced their intention to integrate with Sick Kids Hospital, providing specialized hospital and community-based mental health services for children and youth.97% of the HDC is run on donations and fundraisers within the community, because of this they focus heavily on providing drop-in and education programs, support, training and free parenting and group workshops. On Thursday March 30th, 6:30-8:00 pm the Centre will be holding a free workshop, “Raising Resilient Children”, further details and workshop listings are available online.Label the emotion, give it a name. Regulate and control these feelings. Use the coping strategies and problem solving tools. It is not a matter of achieving good mental health, rather it is a process of maintaining it.[1] Children’s Mental Health Ontario
Community Spotlight: Against All Odds (part 1)
Samuel Boakye was on a downward trajectory in his middle and early high school years. Today, he attends the University of Toronto and runs a non-profit program that exposes marginalized youth to experiences in the field of construction.Samuel moved into local community housing at age 10, his mother struggling to raise three children after her husband had left her some years ago."At my old school, I was a popular, energetic and playful kid." says Samuel, "When I moved, it was like I dropped rank and had to ascend again. There were many terms like 'teacher's pet' that would deter you from taking a positive role and become a target of bullying."Samuel reflected on his feelings of isolation and being bullied when he first arrived. His priority in school was his social status and he reached the top of that food chain as a tough kid with little interest in his studies.The transition to high school meant starting from the bottom once more. Samuel had few thoughts of the future and his focus was on fun and the respect of his peers. It was a time of frequent fights, trips to the principal's office and school suspensions.Samuel speaks of his mother's feelings about him during those years, "I think she had accepted I would never be the smart kid at school. At best, she hoped I would make it through school and find any job I could." By grade 10, Samuel's mother came to believe that her son's only chance of redemption might lie elsewhere; she made the hard decision to send her son to live with his father in Ghana.At the time, Samuel was extremely resentful of her plan to send him to his father. He plotted mischief he would unleash upon his arrival but when he faced his father once more in the flesh, all his plans melted away. "The moment I saw him again it was back to the drill sergeant and cadet." says Samuel with a grin.Samuel's father was a successful businessman back in Ghana, managing and owning over a dozen pharmacies. His father demanded discipline of his son but had no time to administer it so he sent Samuel to a boarding school where he would live on campus and under strict rules and supervision. At this new school, Samuel observed something that was incredibly surprising: some of the coolest and toughest kids also were the most academically involved. This was in stark contrast to the youth culture he was used to, which he described as idolizing mediocrity and apathy towards studies.Despite this realization, Samuel continued feeling resentment and disinterest in his studies. Half a year passed and Samuel's grades continued to be poor, so his exasperated father took him out of school and sent him to live with his two uncles. It was during this time with his uncles that two defining moments happened in Samuel's life, setting him on a path of reflection and ultimately redemption...to be continued next month
Access to Healthcare Services Is Everyone’s Problem
“Cancer patients have been complaining about the lack of parking all day”, the compassionate and understanding admin said to me as I arrived 30 minutes late for my appointment in the Cancer Clinic at the Humber River Regional Hospital. I had arrived at the campus in time for my appointment but then found myself driving around from parking lot to parking lot, along with dozens of other cars carrying sick people to the hospital, only to discover that every single lot was completely full. There was literally no patient parking anywhere on the multi-billion-dollar complex. Again. The same thing had happened on the day of my previous appointment. I had paid $120 for a parking pass that was completely useless. What was I going to do?As I exited the rear of the complex, I drove past three giant, passive-aggressive signs at the entrances of the three, large, half-full City of Toronto building parking lots that said, “PRIVATE PROPERTY!” and “NO HOSPITAL PARKING!” in bold red letters. Clearly the city was aware of the problem. Clearly the city felt it wasn’t its problem. Driving back around to the front of the complex, I noticed a tow truck on stand-by, waiting like a vulture for a patient to become sick enough or desperate enough to leave an unattended vehicle.I drove North of the hospital until the city’s unnecessary “no parking signs” in the adjacent residential area ceased to bloom. I passed dozens of cars, many of which had parking tickets for daring to park on a city street near a hospital for too long. The city was not only aware of the problem; it was also actively profiting from it through parking fines. When I eventually found a legal place to park my vehicle, the walk back to the hospital took 20 minutes. I’m able-bodied and in good health. Most hospital patients cannot walk for 20 minutes to go to and from their chemotherapy sessions. It’s unthinkable.The CEO of the Humber River Regional Hospital, Barb Collins, is very proud of the many awards it has received. It’s unfortunate that none of these awards are related to the very real, lived, patient experiences that have repeatedly been brought to her attention, like this one. Imagine the negative impact on the health of a cancer patient who has to deal with the frustration and expense of recovering a towed vehicle at the same time as chemotherapy, all because of “not my problem” finger pointing and poor planning for patient parking! Perhaps if a “fewest patients’ cars towed” award were created the Hospital would actually address the problem and add it to its list of “achievements”, since awards, not patient care, seem to be the executive priority.
As hydro bills continue to climb, families in North York are suffering
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath met with numerous residents of 2901 Jane St. in North York to discuss the impact of skyrocketing hydro rates on their families. “Hydro rates are out of control in this province because of bad decisions made by the Liberal government to privatize more and more of our electricity system,” said Horwath. “Instead of looking after her friends on Bay Street, the Premier should take real steps to help families throughout the GTA by making hydro affordable.” Residents of 2901 Jane St. told the NDP Leader about the challenges they are facing as retired people living on a fixed income. Even after switching to equal billing and receiving small rebates through the Ontario Electricity Support Program residents are still struggling, some going so far as to not cook or use electricity at all between 7am to 7pm. The residents of 2901 Jane St. are not unique in their struggles. Hydro bills have been skyrocketing out of control for many Ontarians all across the province. “I hear stories like these regularly from people I visit,” said Horwath. “Hydro rates are too high, they have been for a long time and Kathleen Wynne isn’t doing much about it. In fact, she is making it worse by continuing to sell-off Hydro One which will drive rates even further up.” The NDP Leader urged the Liberal government to do the right thing and cancel her plan to sell-off Hydro One because it will only make electricity more expensive for families, businesses and community organizations in Ontario.