Category: Community

Ontario Caregiver Association

November is Caregiver month. Chances are you know someone personally who is one.

“Caregivers are family members, partners, friends or neighbours who provide personal, social and psychological support to someone in need. In Ontario, there are 3.3 million caregivers. It’s with the support of caregivers that people who need help can remain in their home which is where they want to be. Caregivers play an invaluable role in our healthcare system.” – Ontario Caregiver Association

Many caregivers work full time and may be juggling many responsibilities at once. Being a caregiver can lead to burnout, struggles to balance work and home, mental health and financial challenges as well as negatively impact their own physical health. The Ontario Caregiver Association is working to provide resources to support caregivers in our communities. Please share their support resources with any caregiver you think may need it.

Seven Fallen Feathers

“If we want to talk about reconciliation, we need to first talk about basic human rights for every child in this country” Tanya Talaga – author of Seven Fallen Feathers.

Thank you Tanya for sharing the story of the seven fallen feathers who went missing in Thunder Bay between 2000 to 2011 at the Health Quality Transformation Conference today. Thank you for sharing the words of Pearl on her last conversation with her brother Chanie Wenjack before he boarded the plane to Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in 1966 and went missing after running away a month later. Thank you for sharing the stories of inequality and inequity to the indigenous communities in Northern Ontario. I am thankful I was able to experience this incredibly powerful and moving speech. It moved me to tears. Every Canadian should add Seven Fallen Feathers to their reading list.

“Keep learning and keep reaching out your hands because that is the only way we are going to make this country work.” @tanyatalaga

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Wig Salon and Accessories Boutique

Today I paid a visit to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Wig Salon and Accessories Boutique. It is the only place in Toronto that I found that accepts gently used wigs to be reconditioned for patients that may need one. I also discovered they will take head coverings and scarves too. They have a Look Good Feel Better program out of the space as well as sell hats and accessories with proceeds going back to the hospital. I was lucky to meet the lovely team including Wig Specialist Laurie as well as a fourteen year volunteer giving back. Such a special place to help patients. Unfortunately not everyone is lucky to have work and/or private insurance or can afford to cover the cost of a wig. For those patients PMH runs a service outside of the PMH Lodge on Jarvis on Wednesday mornings to help those who cannot afford a wig and do not have insurance. All wigs have been donated like the one I dropped off today. Appointments must be made in advance by phoning Laurie at 416-413-7412. Losing your hair can be traumatizing so if you have gently used wigs, head coverings or scarves, definitely consider donating them to PMH and help patients in need.

Together: Our Community Cookbook

“The power of food is more than just the meal itself; there’s the story behind it. When you get to know the story and the recipe, you get to know the person behind it. That’s what we’re talking about in terms of coming together, to really engage and talk and be able to celebrate what connects us, rather than what divides us. That, I believe, is the ethos of Together.” – Duchess of Sussex

I love cookbooks, coffee table books and hearing people’s stories. I love how food connects us and is part of our family history. I absolutely adore this project and how it brings hope and community after the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower in London. Together: Our Community Cookbook brings together things I love – food, people, photography, a sense of community and giving back. The book is absolutely beautiful and will help the Hubb Community Kitchen to grow and thrive. A beautiful project to support. I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Together and helping the women at the Hubb Kitchen.

❤️

Meet Millie

A JLT friend of mine Chelsea Brown Pelech recently launched her company Millie and will be hosting her inaugural Millie Speaks event on Saturday September 29th with the theme “Your Authentic Life”. In October, she will host her first Journey with Millie to beautiful Jordan. To learn more about Millie’s authentic experiences and/or to sign up for their newsletter, please visit the Millie website and prepare to be inspired.

Hello My Name is Michelle and I Identify As She

Hello my name is Michelle and I identify as she.

What do you identify as?

I was incredibly lucky to spend the afternoon learning about principles for inclusion with Kim Katrin Milan. I learned much about cultural, race, gender, sexual, LGBTQ and transgender inclusion. I am positive we only scratched the surface in this session. It was enlightening, insightful and definitely one of the best trainings I have had the opportunity to attend in the last few years.

If your organization is not offering you diversity and inclusion training beyond what is written in a policies and procedures manual, please question why and ask for this kind of workshop. Toronto is the most diverse city in the world and we are going to run into many different cultural norms. Ask questions and create an opening for conversation. Part of the way we treat people how they want to be treated is to simply ask.

Brighton Layson and Passmore Mupinduko – ZimSculpt Toronto

Brighton Layson and Passmore Mupindiko are the two resident sculptors visiting Toronto for the ZimSculpt Exhibit at the Toronto Botanical Garden. I have been a few times since the exhibit opened and have enjoyed chatting, getting to know them and seeing them create amazing sculptures. If you have not yet been, do plan a visit on your own or with family and friends before Sunday, September 30th. Make sure to drop by to see these two lovely gentlemen in the ZimSculpt Marketplace to say hello and see what they are getting up to.

Dominic Benhura at ZimSculpt Toronto

Famous Zimbabwean Sculptor Dominic Benhura and his beautiful work at ZimSculpt at the Toronto Botanical Garden. Lovely to be included in this evening’s special event. Dominic will be live sculpting until Sunday September 16th along with resident sculptors Brighton Layson and Passmore Mupindiko. A great week to visit.

ZimSculpt at the Toronto Botanical Garden

ZimSculpt is a stunning new exhibit to the Toronto Botanical Garden this summer. Curator Vivienne Croisette has brought 100+ sculptures across the world from Zimbabwe to Toronto for a free exhibit that will run daily until Sunday September 30th.

All ZimSculpt sculptures are for sale and there is also a marketplace where you may purchase smaller sculptures too. Vivienne will host coffee chats on Saturday and Sundays mornings and there are also tours available to get a behind the scenes perspective into the sculptures.

Two sculptors – Brighton Layson and Passmore Mupindiko – are part of the ZimSculpt team that has travelled to Toronto and will live-sculpt brand new sculptures next to the Marketplace Tent. Don’t miss the opportunity to see them create during their stay.

I was lucky to learn about this exhibit as Vivienne is a friend of a friend of mine. It did not disappoint. The ZimSculpt modern stone sculptures are simply amazing and I love how many portray strong women and family life. You truly need a few hours to roam and appreciate all the pieces that are placed throughout the gardens. If you live and/or visiting Toronto in August and September, I highly recommend planning a visit to explore and discover ZimSculpt for yourself.

Enjoy!