Chiara Padovani

February's #YSW Community newsletter is coming out next week. Any events/initiatives you'd like to include?February's #YSW Community newsletter is coming out next week. Any events/initiatives you'd like to include?

A huge thank you and shout out to all the volunteers who worked so hard for this! Looking forward to going for a skate this weekend!

COVID-19 has left a lot of us behind on rent. This Wednesday learn what you need to know about evictions, arrears and payment plans with the York South-Weston Tenant Union and Downtown Legal Services. Remember, you're not alone and we're stronger together!

This month's community newsletter: basement flooding meeting for #YSW behind on rent? Workshop from York South-Weston Tenant Union 3 new local COVID testing sites + more Sign up for community updates here

The food bank in Weston has seen their visits more than double over this pandemic and operating costs have increased in order to keep their volunteer team and community safe. You can support them by dropping off a non-perishable donation today at Weston Park Baptist Church from 1-5pm or you can make a financial contribution here: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/waes-to-care

For every day the premier ignores his own promise, 100s of tenants lose their homes: 170 evictions hearings in York South-Weston last month alone doesn’t even come close to the number of families who were forced to move out BEFORE their hearing at the LTB. #NoCovidEvictions

Today I joined York South-Weston Tenant Union and Tenants across the city to demand no COVID Evictions. Our premier said no one should loose their homes in this pandemic, but he‘s clearly turned his back on tenants in YSW. Our community is facing above average COVID-19 cases and one of the HIGHEST eviction rates in the province. When we can’t rely on our government to do the right thing, it's our neighbours who are stepping up and doing the right thing - that's what this rally is about."

I just called Starlight Investments in solidarity with my friend and neighbour Hicham and York South-Weston Tenants. Hicham is facing eviction in Weston and will become homeless if the order is enforced. Hicham is one of hundreds of tenants in YSW facing homelessness due to evictions during COVID-19 which is why I called Starlight to commit to #NoCOVIDEvictions. Please call and leave a message of solidarity. You can learn more about Hicham's story here: https://www.cbc.ca//renters-brace-for-winter-covid-19-evic

Today on National Housing Day, as we prepare for a lockdown and a major snowstorm, thousands of tenants are losing their homes across Ontario. Add your voice to York South-Weston Tenants and Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations in calling on Doug Ford to immediately reinstate the eviction ban.