Block Boy: The Story of Jeremiah Ranger; Part One: Somebodiness

May 12, 2021 Pastor Bill Sunberg

Jeremiah Ranger, who tragically lost his life to gun violence.

The difficult cases are the ones that need us the most. Jeremiah Ranger was a difficult case. I remember reading these words at his funeral, written by his Child Youth Worker from Oakdale Park Middle School: “Jeremiah was adorable and shy. He had eyes that showed pain and hope at the same time…He was kind, loving, fragile, protective, and family oriented…Through his anxiety was a loving boy.” Most of those who knew him the best would say the same thing. He had a big heart and a big smile. But he also had a darker side. Jeremiah Ranger was a difficult case.

This COVID Wave was a Preventable Tragedy

April 25, 2021 Matias de Doviitis

People line up at 15 Tobermory for a vaccination pop-up clinic organized by local groups like Black Creek Community Health Centre. (Photo credit: Matias de Dovitiis)

Earthquakes are beyond human control and so are hurricanes - but the third COVID-19 wave was not that. A series of self-inflicted choices caused the third wave of COVID-19 cases in Ontario. Ontario’s government opened in-person classes too soon and did not consider paid sick leave until it was too late for many. Doctors lined up to warn us in February that a wall of sick patients would hit us in ICUs if we did that, and the government chose not to listen.

School Starts on Monday, can Parents Buy School Supplies for their Kids? Ontario Government Flip Flops on Commercial Protocols

April 19, 2021 Matias de Doviitis

Alieka Charley has five kids and is trying to work out how to get ready for e-learning starting Monday. (Photo credit: Janelle Brady)

Only a few days before the March break, which is actually happening in April this year, the Minister of Education was saying schools were safe, only to find out a few hours later that Public Health officials at the City level were pulling the plug on schools because they were indeed not safe. Now, all schools are closed for in person learning indefinitely and we do not know if there will be in person classes again this school year.

Downsview Residents Demand End to Overcrowded Buses

March 28, 2021 Rae Rondeau

The 35 Jane Bus is very overcrowded according to riders. (Photo credit Maria Garcia)

Despite physical distancing orders that remain in place for the City of Toronto, continued overcrowding of particular transit routes make the option for keeping a safe distance apart nearly impossible. Routes 35 Jane and 36 Finch in particular remain over crowded during rush hour which is of serious concern for both drivers and commuters.

Togetherness in a time of distance: Local farm puts food on the table during COVID-19 pandemic

April 13, 2020 Ayesha Khan

Workers arrange boxes of produce in the warehouse. (Credit: FoodShare)

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and economic panic, one local farm director is doing her level best to keep food on the table in the Jane-Finch community. Leticia Deawuo of the Black Creek Community Farm leapt into action when she saw the empty shelves in local supermarkets.

Time to Talk: Is awareness enough to fight the growing mental health problem?

February 11, 2020 Ayesha Khan

Mental Health awareness.png — Time to talk

Is awareness enough to fight the growing mental health problem?

Mental health is an often invisible, always difficult, and uniquely unaddressed challenge affecting Canadians young and old alike. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, in any given year 1 in 5 Canadians will be affected by a mental health problem or illness.

Electing health - why voting is important for your wellbeing

October 15, 2019 Dr. Nicole Constant, N.D.

It’s election time again! I won’t tell you whom you should vote for. But I will say whom you should NOT vote for. Don’t vote for any party that wants to cut support for health care or to get rid of “inefficiencies”.

I am a passionate supporter of OHIP. Don’t remind me that we are in a federal election and OHIP is provincial. I know. Provincial health programs depend on financing from the federal government. You also might be surprised that I, as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND), have such a positive view of OHIP.

Tour de DUKE Heights

October 15, 2019 Jessica Pointon

On Saturday, October 5, DUKE Heights Business Improvement Area (BIA) and local City Councillor Anthony Perruzza co-hosted a community bike race known as Tour de DUKE Heights. The purpose of the event was to provide bikes to children in need and to help them learn proper bike maintenance and safety techniques.

Plastic is in our food and water: At five grams a week we are eating a credit card every week

July 11, 2019 Matias de Doviitis

The Downsview community has many proud homeowners, with countless manicured green lawns. The neighbourhood’s emerald gardens are a testament to another time’s concept of an oasis. Green, clean and neat, with rows of driveways in between. But even here you find plastic everywhere. Whether its plastic ties, bags, wrappers, bottles or straws. Plastic debris blow in with the wind but dig into any yard and you will find more of it in the soil.

Youth Mental Health Conference: The pain is real but so is healing

June 13, 2019 Leeann Tanaah

The month of May is not only for showers and flowers - it’s also for healing and revealing. For the first time, PEACH organized a Mental Health Conference and the event brought community members, leaders and youth together in one room to create dialogue about a topic that is not the easiest to discuss.

Panelists included Louis March, Gregory Leslie, Destiny Mae Abraham, Adam Ellis, Derek Williams and Keynote Speaker Scot Wortley. Not to mention, MPP Tom Rakocevic made a special guest appearance. Amongst many topics raised at the conference, some included speakers’ experience with mental health, the role of the father in the household, gun violence, the role of Toronto Police and, of course, youth mental health.