How can a young girl who likes playing with Lego find fulfilling work when she grows up? If you ask Lynessa White, she’ll tell you the best way is to follow your instincts. Lynessa, a racialized woman from Downsview, has strong instincts; she defied everyone who ever gave her career advice. Raised in a traditional family, she says despite her desire to fix things and a childhood dream to be a carpenter, her mother made sure she learned to cook. She still fixed things, she did it all the time.How do women resist such discouragement, whether it’s the guidance department steering you towards a career as a nurse, or your mother telling you to find an office job? Lynessa thought a career in the film industry would be a satisfying compromise so she attended film school in Toronto. The film set didn’t bring her the fulfillment she craved. It wasn’t until she arrived on a construction site that she discovered what was missing.When Lynessa talks about the construction project she is working on, her joy is palpable. When I first met Lynessa, she was part of the team building the Bentway Skate Trail under the Gardiner Expressway. Every project she works on involves a new approach, a new puzzle to put together, a new problem to solve. Lynessa finds that there isn't a set way of doing things on a construction site and that’s what drives her.Through Building Up, a Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) social procurement partner, Lynessa found her path to becoming a licensed carpenter. In addition to Building Up, the process also included Carpenters Union Local 27, and Peter Kiewit Sons ULC, a private contractor. Lynessa is one of TCBN’s greatest success stories. TCBN envisions Toronto as an inclusive, thriving city in which all residents have equitable opportunities to contribute to healthy communities and a prosperous economy. TCBN is a coalition of organizations and individuals working in direct partnership with other grassroots, community, labour and anti-poverty organizations to build a strong community benefits movement in Toronto. We believe that all Torontonians should have access to the opportunities stemming from infrastructure investments, including women like Lynessa.
Lessons Learned from My Jane-Finch Years
El Salvador is a small country in Central America. When a civil war broke out in the 1980s, teachers like my parents became a target for the repressive government. After getting death threats, we decided it was best for our family to leave. We moved to Mexico, thinking the war would soon be over. We had no idea it would last 12 years. After six years in Mexico, we immigrated to Canada, settling in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood. I still remember the landscape of the neighbourhood in the 90s. There was a large number of immigrants from Latin America, visible in the malls, churches, doctors' offices and at school. James Cardinal McGuigan was my high school and the Jane Finch Mall was the cool place to hangout with friends. The youth employment services office at Yorkgate Mall launched me into my first summer job as a recreation assistant for a seniors program at Northwood Community Centre. York University became my alma mater as I obtained a BA and an MA in Political Science. The community was vibrant and full of hope as many new immigrants made it their home. On Sundays, we attended St. Jane Frances for service in Spanish where we thanked God for allowing us to leave the horrors of the war behind and start a new life in Canada. In 1997, our family moved to Woodbridge. We missed our old neighbourhood. My old cat could not get used to his new home and ran away. I drove back to the neighbourhood many times to look for him but he was never found. I still imagine him cruising around the block, refusing to become a suburban feline. For years, I returned to the neighbourhood to shop at Zellers and Marisel's Bakery and get my haircut at Josanthony's, until they closed. When I visit the neighbourhood now, I am very happy to see the changes but also the things that have stayed the same. The malls bustling with people from so many diverse backgrounds, the flea markets, the community centres offering great programs... Sure, growing up in Jane-Finch had its challenges. We lived close to a drug house and police presence was a regular occurrence. At times, whole SWAT teams were deployed on our block. There were gangs and shootings. But we had a strong sense of community and we were always resilient in the face of adversity. Within the corridors of what some referred to as "the concrete jungle" lived the hope of many people of all ages and backgrounds trying to improve their lives and their community; there were recreational programs for youth, neighbourhood associations putting together Caribana floats, seniors groups, free family skating days with hot chocolate and many other great initiatives. I learned much from my Jane-Finch years. Through determination, we can overcome any barrier, whether it be linguistic, economic or cultural. The strength that a community can have when it works together is limitless, regardless of circumstances. Positive change is always possible. These experiences served me well as I became a lawyer. When faced with difficult cases or a fierce opposing counsel, it is my Jane-Finch resilience and strength that help me succeed.
What Black History Month in Downsview means to me
Downsview is my home. This is why a few years ago I worked with other neighbours in the community to create The Downsview Advocate. As one of the places that helped to shape me, Downsview has a special place in my life. I have a history in this place. Black History Month reminds us that we have a shared history and that part of that shared story still shapes us today. We celebrate the history of our black predecessors in February and hope to learn a bit more about who we are in that process. Downsview’s black history is still alive!We often forget some of the progress that were made in recent times. Until the 1950’s and 1960’s, you could not practice certain professions as a black person in Ontario, such as driving a taxi or being a nurse.Much of the overt discrimination that used to occur has changed, even as we continue to struggle as a society with many other forms of discrimination. The road towards equity in our society has taken many turns and continues to this day. For most of the early black immigrants in Downsview, the everyday struggle to find a new life in a new country doubled up with the unique experience of being black in Canada.Most of the residential buildings in Downsview were constructed in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and there are still many neighbours living in the area whose history in Downsview dates back to that time. I can remember my grandmother, Nana Lynn, who came to Canada in the 1960’s, telling me how difficult it was to find the basic food she grew up with (they used to give away oxtail for free sometimes if you could find it!). A simple trip to the supermarket could be an adventure as she and her generation struggled with the cultural shock they experienced, as well as the shock of their new neighbours! She tells me that once on the College streetcar, a little girl asked her why her skin was different, to her mother’s mortification. She explained that some people are different and that she was born that way. The child’s mother was relieved that my Nana was patient enough to explain that to her, but we can only imagine how many times that moment was relived.Many of the black women from the Caribbean that came to Canada in the 1960’s as domestic workers struggled with barriers and lack of opportunities. Some of them settled well and were able to create homes for their families. Others struggled to find footing in their new country. In February, we remember their histories and struggles and hope to make the path towards a more equitable society in Canada easier for the next generation.
Your Neighbour's Secret Past
Just west of the Black Creek, where Grandravine meets Arleta is a community housing complex where a remarkable man and his family once lived.His name was Mahfuzul Bari and he came to Canada as a refugee in 1982. He settled into a tiny apartment in the Parkdale neighbourhood, had few friends and worked long hours in precarious jobs, much of it outdoors during the long unforgiving Canadian winters. For years, his contact with his wife and children in Bangladesh were limited to short telephone conversations lasting no more than sixty to eighty seconds on a monthly basis due to long distance costs.Finally, after four years, Mr. Bari welcomed his family to Canada and shortly thereafter, moved to a townhouse complex in our community. Mr. Bari's three sons, all of them C.W. Jefferys graduates with honours, fondly remember the joy of moving into our neighbourhood. Eban, the youngest, recalls that "moving our large family out of a tiny one-bedroom apartment and into a large townhome was a dream come true for us."Eban and his siblings spent their late childhood and teenage years in our community. One by one, Mr. Bari's children left their home, starting their own careers and families. By 1999, Mr. Bari turned in his keys to Toronto Community Housing, and moved into a home of his own.The tough life and poverty Mr. Bari faced upon his arrival here, the lonely wait to be reunited with his family, and the eventual success his family achieved through years of perseverance and hard-work is worthy of praise. This story though is not uncommon for many who live here.What separates Mr. Bari from others, was the man he was back in Bangladesh.Mr. Bari was born in 1941 in East Bengal, a province within what was then the undivided Indian subcontinent. Following the end of British rule in 1947, the Indian subcontinent was divided into India and Pakistan (comprised of East and West Pakistan). Mr. Bari was a studious and hard-working youth from a large family. By his thirties, he was a military pilot and an engineer who was a leader within a growing movement to separate Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan) from West Pakistan. He was ultimately charged and jailed for sedition and treason in 1968 with 35 others during the highly publicized Agartala Conspiracy Case. This political imprisonment led to a massive public uprising, and the prisoners were released a year later to become the leaders of a war of independence in 1971.After having gained independence, new challenges awaited the young nation. Recognized as a founding father of the new nation, Mr. Bari was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Volunteer Corps, leading a network of trained volunteers tasked with rebuilding the war ravaged nation, and also the Head of the Department of Homeless Services, which provided assistance to the millions of displaced citizens. However, in 1975, when the Prime Minister was assassinated, Mr. Bari ultimately fled Bangladesh and ended up in Canada in 1982 as a refugee.Mr. Bari died while visiting Bangladesh earlier this year. His passing drew condolences from the current Prime Minister (daughter of the aforementioned Prime Minister) and other major public officials and a moment of silence was observed during the sitting of Parliament. He was given the ultimate recognition by the Bangladesh Government when his body Lay In State at a National Monument and given a guard of honour. When Mr. Bari's eldest son returned to Bangladesh to retrieve his body for burial in Canada, he was pleasantly surprised to meet many members of the extended family who praised his father for years of financial contributions he had made towards their basic needs and for the educational needs of their children. Imagine, Mr. Bari here in the early 80's; a celebrated war hero and founding father of a country several times more populated than ours, shoveling snow and cleaning people's cars for a few dollars. The next time you meet a new immigrant, working at minimum wage and struggling with the English language, consider that their past might just be an incredible one.
Black Creek Community Health Centre: Where Everyone Counts and Everyone Matters
What seems like a well-kept secret, Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) has been in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood for the past 28 years. Many people react with surprise when they learn about the wide range of services offered at the Centre, located along the east side of Sheridan Mall at Jane and Wilson, facing Jane Street, between Walmart and Food Basics.“I had no idea you were here!”. “You have cooking classes and exercise classes?”. “Your services are all free?”Black Creek is just one of close to 100 Community Health Centres in our province. CHCs are started by people in the community, who recognize that not everyone has easy access to health care services. In fact, many groups face barriers to receiving high quality health care due to language, immigration status, poverty, and race. The CHCs’ approach to health focuses on the person and all of the factors that impact health, not just what health condition they have. Community Health Centres provide medical care and health promotion services. We offer individual appointments and group programs to help people stay physically and mentally well, active and engaged with their community. We have a variety of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, dietitians, nurses, social workers and kinesiologists that work together in providing the best care to people. And recently we opened a pharmacy.Six years ago, we opened a second location at Yorkgate Mall, at the northwest corner of Jane and Finch, upstairs beside the Dollarama. This gave us the opportunity to continue to expand our services to youth and families in the wider Jane & Finch community. The week of October 16-22 is Community Health and Wellbeing Week, a time to share and celebrate the work of CHCs across Ontario and promote the CHC “Model of Care”. Black Creek will be hosting a number of events at our Sheridan Mall and Yorkgate Mall location and in various community spaces. For more information:Call: 416-249-8000 or 416-246-2388Website: www.bcchc.comTwitter: @BlackCreekCHC
Community Spotlight: Black Creek Community Farm
By: Giovanna Loureiro and Rhiannon Moller-TrotterBlack Creek Community Farms is a local staple in Downsview. The farm is dedicated to helping the area flourish through organic initiatives and outdoor education.The land used to be occupied by Toronto Urban Farms, which was fully funded by the City of Toronto. Black Creek then took over when funding for Toronto Urban Farms halted, and it is now in its fourth operating season. Black Creek Community Farms is an urban agricultural center that teaches members of the community how to utilize their lands to grow vegetables, and wants to encourage those in the area to use the facilities.Leticia Boahen, who runs the farm, has been a Downsview resident since she was 12 years old. She is constantly promoting agricultural education through farm schools and camps for elementary and high school students, outdoor environmental education and experiences, and many other events and activities.The farm offers a youth internship program that helps the young people gain experience in urban agriculture and teaches them how to start their own farms and engage community members to do the same. The farms offers many festivals, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, and camps that run from January all the way through to November.Be sure to check out their website and the farm itself for more information on how to benefit from healthy initiatives taking place right in Downsview. The farm is an ideal spot for trail walks and picnics, and there is no charge for these opportunities.For more information visit or call:www.blackcreekfarm.ca / (416) 393-6381
Services that Support and Empower Women in the Downsview Area: Profiling the North York Women’s Shelter
In Downsview, many women are unaware of the types of services that are available to support and empower them. Women services that are in or near the Downsview area, such as North York Women’s Centre, Working Women Community Centre and SASSL (Sexual Assault Survivors Support Line) are available to all women.The North York Women’s Shelter is one of the most well known women’s services in Downsview and has been servicing this area for over 30 years. This feminist based service is the only women’s shelter in North York that has been working with survivors of violence and abuse (intimate partner violence, family violence, etc.) to empower and support them.Their mission is to provide both women and children a life without violence by having a safe, non-judgmental and inclusive environment in their shelter. The shelter provides many programs, counseling services, and a 24-hour crisis phone line for survivors or victims of violence and abuse. Michelle Johnson, Manager of Development and Communications, explained that, because they are a feminist based service, they believe that “the survivor should a choice in how they want to deal with and get help for their situations.”A new program was implemented in January 2017 called: Express Art. This program allows counselors to work with women individually or in groups, to create art pieces. Jiin Yiong, Director of Programs and Services, explained that this therapeutic program is an effective way to help women and children as a family unit, to not only create beautiful art, but it is also helpful in dealing with trauma. The programs in the shelter help the women and children build new friendships and engage in multiple activities. Jiin explained that “programs such as yoga lessons help the women develop bonding ties between the counselors and the other women in the shelter.”Want to get involve and help the North York Women’s Shelter? You can volunteer with: administration and fundraising, special events and outreach, and shelter services or bring in donations to the office, make monthly donations, host community fundraising events, corporate partnerships, become a member, or even sponsor a family in the shelter.Whether you are a survivor seeking empowerment and support or you want to get involved in your community, women services like North York Women’s Shelter are here to serve you!
Humans of Downsview
“It has been stated that the City of Toronto is the one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Probably most reflective of this is the representation of 100 different nationalities and over 70 different languages and dialects spoken in the Jane-Finch community alone. Although the community has its share of problems, largely due to systemic racialized poverty, my experience is that the community has incredible riches, with wonderful people who have a caring spirit and a deep sense of community. It has been a blessed privilege to work in Jane and Finch for the last 22 years.” –Barry. Community Minister.
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."