Downsview Advocate

#WayBackWednesday -- Over the holidays, local business @Kitchen24 donated 10,000 meals to people in need across the GTA. Check out Ayesha Khan's article on good work happening across our community!

The Downsview Advocate would like to wish everyone a happy Black History Month. This February, we celebrate the achievements of Black Canadians both current and historic, as well as recognize that the work of fighting anti-Black racism is far from over.

'Placing Parks - Exploring park connections in Jane and Finch' See below for how to join the online community discussion on February 10th, 2021 from 6:30pm-8:00pm. #parks #janefinchcentre #janefinch #communitydiscussion

We all have questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine. Join our Community Information session on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 5 pm to hear from our speakers and share your q...uestions. Zoom and Call in details upon registration. Call 416-240-2027 or email [email protected] to register! Hear from our speakers: Dr. Jerome Liu, MD, CCFP Physician at Black Creek Community Health Centre for the past 5 years, and Adjunct Clinical Lecturer at the University of Toronto. Dr. Liu will share valuable information about the vaccine, how it works, questions to ask your clinical provider, and what he is hearing from patients. Dr. Matthieu Kamwa, MD. DPH - Senior Advisor in Global health with the World Health Organization; Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health, York University Dr. Kamwa will share his experience consulting in other parts of the world on the pandemic. What can we learn from other outbreaks? How will having people vaccinated help to stop spread of COVID-19 in your community? Francis Pinelle Harm Reduction Outreach worker at Black Creek CHC for the past 3 years and former Healthy Kids Community Challenge Champion. Dana McIntosh Resident of Jane & Finch, a Community Ambassador who has been supporting our COVID Testing Clinics; active community resident, part of Shoreham Animators plan and support activities in Shoreham community, including after-school programs and community engagement events. Additional Speakers to be announced.

TODAY at Driftwood Community centre from 3-7PM-If you have any symptoms, or think you may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, get tested with us. Bring your OHIP card if you have one, but it is not required. Bring a piece of ID/ something with your name on it.

What do you want to see at our farm? Let us know! We are currently going through a Strategic Review of our farm and what our next 5 years will look like. Thanks... to everyone who has contributed their comments so far! This upcoming Youth Feedback Circle especially invites youth from the Jane and Finch / Black Creek community who identify as black, indigenous, racialized, queer, trans, non-binary, two-spirited, BIPOC. We want to ensure our Strategic Planning process incorporates feedback that reflects the diversity of our community. We are inviting 12 youth (15-29 years old) from the Jane and Finch community to participate in this 2-hour feedback session. We will offer a $50 Frescho gift card to thank you for your participation. Please complete the form and we will get back to you with a confirmation : http://bit.ly/BCCFyouthcircle Event Timing: Wednesday, September 30, 6:30 - 8:30 pm (2 hours) Event will take place online on Zoom which can be accessed by your phone or laptop. If any accessibility supports are required, let us know.

The Downsview Advocate would like to wish a meaningful fast to all those who are observing Yom Kippur. G’mar chatima tovah.

It’s happening today! Don’t miss this chance to have your COVID19 questions answered by the head of infectious diseases at SickKids this evening! All are welcome to the virtual event. Email [email protected] to register.

Read Matias De Dovitiis's timely article on the gaps in Ontario's back-to-school plan and the difficult choices parents are facing, especially in marginalized communities.

COVID-19 cases are rising again, kids are back at school and we’ve only just begun to understand the disproportionate toll of the virus among racialized groups. Dr. Upton Allen joins BCCHC's first ever virtual AGM to answer your questions. Register [email protected]. #BCCHC

Don’t miss this panel by the Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies happening Wednesday evening, featuring Anna Kay Brown of the Jane Finch Centre. Details and registration below!

The Downsview Advocate would like to wish a Happy Rosh Hashanah to Downsview's thriving Jewish community and to all those who are celebrating. Shana Tovah!

This Saturday at the Black Creek Community Health Centre, SickKids is hosting immunity testing to determine if members of the community have been previously infected with COVID-19. Tokens will be available, and you can choose to remain anonymous if you’d like. You will be notified of your results. They are especially seeking male participants at this time.

The celebration of #LabourDay commemorates both historic and ongoing struggles of workers for better conditions and pay. The Downsview Advocate wishes everyone a happy Labour Day, and acknowledges that the fight is far from over, especially for frontline, migrant & BIPOC workers.

Pop-up #COVID19 testing will be available in the Jane and Finch community at Shoreham Park - 2 Shoreham Court this afternoon from 1pm to 6pm.

"...a fundamental crisis for Canada's most marginalized is fundamentally a crisis of space." Read Michelle Dagnino of the Jane Finch Centre’s article on the disparities of space access between charities and how this affects local Canadians.

More COVID-19 pop-up testing dates have been added to the Black Creek community, both at Jane Finch as well as Sheridan Mall. Please see graphic for details.

The Downsview Advocate would like to wish a happy Ganesh Chaturthi to the Hindu community and all who are celebrating!

Do you need access to an emergency food box ? We are prioritizing Black students in the following communities : Jane-Finch, Lawrence Heights, Rexdale and York U...niversity campus residents. Complete the form below and we will arrange for FoodShare Toronto to deliver fresh produce to your home. Apply here : https://bit.ly/EFBBlackstudents Share with any Black students who would benefit from this program. For more information, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] A collaboration with YUBSA, FoodShare Toronto, & Meal Exchange, #foodjustice #urbanharvest #toronto

How are you celebrating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples?

The Downsview Advocate would like to wish everyone a Happy Jamaican Independence Day!

ICYMI: Read Ayesha Khan's recap of City Councillor Anthony Perruzza and MPP Tom Rakocevic's Telephone Town Hall with special guest Toronto's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eileen de Villa below.

If you're having trouble or need assistance feeding your pet, Humane Society International - Canada is hosting a Mobile Pet Food Bank tomorrow at the Jane Finch Mall. Check out the details below!

Timely and relevant, read this sharp op-ed about WE Charity and the realities of the non-profit sector by Michelle Dagnino of the Jane Finch Centre below.

Emancipation Day, celebrated on August 1st, commemorates the abolition of slavery across the British Empire. The Downsview Advocate recognizes that while slavery may have officially ended for the British colonies in 1834, the work to end anti-Black racism is far from over.

The Downsview Advocate would like to wish a happy Eid Al Adha to all those who are celebrating!

SEA MISSION INC donated 50,000 masks to the Jane and Finch community via the Black Creek Community Health Centre to combat the spread of COVID-19. Read about this heartwarming act of community care in Ayesha Khan's article below: