Happenings

What’s in a name?

Friday, August 12th, 2011 | Posted in Latest Updates | No Comments »

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. It’s a saying we all know, but I’d guess none of us really believe it. So it is with much interest that we watch the unfolding conversation about naming key neighbourhoods in Toronto “Priority Neighbourhoods” (or not naming them such, to be more precise). Much of our work is done in these communities, and those of us who work in them love them, believe in them, and see the ultimate hope and potential in each of them.

Read more at InsideToronto.

Our Thanks to AtlasCare

Friday, August 12th, 2011 | Tags:
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We are now officially recipients of the “Care to Share” program of AtlasCare!

John Wilkinson and Rodway Daniels receive the $1,000 from Roger Grochmal (centre), President & CBO of AtlasCare

YU North York’s “Revolution(s)” program is grateful to Roger Grochmal and everyone at AtlasCare for their generous “Care to Share” program, which has provided $1,000 towards the launching of this new program.

“We are very pleased to play a small part in helping get the wheels in motion for Youth Unlimited’s new program,” says Roger Grochmal, AtlasCare President and CBO.

Check out the press release here.

Ben O: Grace

Friday, August 12th, 2011 | Tags:
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This is a story about a girl named Grace from the Seeds of Hope Summer Day Camp. It’s a simple story about how a few simple words spoken by another girl brought joy into Grace’s life:

For some reason no one gets along with Grace. She has struggled to make friends at the camp and most of the girls gang up on her. When coming home from the trip to Ontario Place, I had difficulty getting other campers to even sit on the same seat with her. Last week, the campers were randomly placed in six groups to act a skit about the ‘fruits of the spirit’. Grace happened to be in my group and we had to act out a short play about Joy. When the other campers in the group saw that they had to work with Grace, they were reluctant to join my group. Katie told me bluntly that she didn’t get along with Grace, so she wanted to join another group . Then one girl, Sarah, said, “I don’t get along with her but I am working with her and I want to make friends with her.” A few simple words that were like music to Grace’s ears. Sarah’s words changed the stance of the other campers and they all joined the team to act the play together.

It is in these small victories that we celebrate. // Benjamin Osei

Great news!

Thursday, July 14th, 2011 | Posted in Latest Updates | 1 Comment »

We just received word today that we received $1,000 for Revolution(s) through the AtlasCare to Share program!!

Thanks for your votes. We can’t wait to put this money to good use for young people in Willowdale.

Scott M: Three-in-One

Thursday, June 9th, 2011 | Tags:
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Three-in-One. In some circumstances it might sound like a sweet deal, but when it comes to our city, Toronto, it speaks of polarization, division and exclusion. A recent articlesummarizes done by the University of Toronto:

As researchers at the University of Toronto’s Cities Centre have documented, over the last 30 years Toronto has become segregated by income into three distinct cities. City No. 1 consists of the richer and whiter downtown core and well-heeled neighbourhoods close to the subway lines. City No. 3 — or the Third City — includes Toronto’s low-income neighbourhoods, with high concentrations of racialized poverty. Generally found in the in the northeastern and northwestern parts of Toronto, incomes in these neighbourhoods have declined 20 per cent or more since 1970. City No. 2 consists of middle-income neighbourhoods that fall in between and are shrinking in size as Toronto becomes a more socio-economically polarized metropolis.

Here at YU North York, we often find ourselves in the ‘Third City’. We stand firm in our belief that young people in any city are filled with potential and have hope for a bright present and future. Every person, no matter where in the ‘three-in-one’ they live contains within them the make-up of the Divine.

But our heart is also to bring reconciliation and unity between ‘the cities’. To show that we are all in this together and we all need each other to create communities of safety, peace and wholeness. Where there is exclusion, we hope to bring unity. Where there is isolation, we hope to bring community. Where there is scarcity, we hope to reveal abundance.

Join us on the journey!

Rodway D & Jesse J: The Great Outdoors

Thursday, May 19th, 2011 | Posted in Our Stories | No Comments »

Last Saturday, the Revolution(s) group headed west to Rattlesnake Point – part of the Bruce Trail that runs along the beautiful and unique Niagara Peninsula.

It was the first time any of the youth had been to the trail and a rare occasion for many of them to get out of the city.

With much laughter and fun, it was a wonderful step in helping these young people discover new things, in the hopes of developing within them profound passion and purpose in life. // Rodway Daniels & Jesse James

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Stewart V: Seeds of Encouragement

Thursday, May 12th, 2011 | Posted in Our Stories | No Comments »

Our new program space in Jane & Finch is truly an encouragement!  The visibility we are experiencing is a plus for touching lives.  Just yesterday, I was standing out front in the courtyard outside of our office enjoying the beautiful day.  A young man walked by and did a double take of our name in front of the space…. then he looked at me and said, “You guys changed my life”!  What an encouragement to hear such a brief statement from a young man with a smile on his face.  It truly is an encouragement to encounter those lives we know in our minds are impacted by our lives of service.  I’m reminded by the words of Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians, “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”    //  Stewart Vander Velden

Support Revolution(s)! Vote Now!

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 | Posted in Latest Updates | 3 Comments »

Get the vote out! We need your help…Join the Revolution(s) team in providing access to bikes and outdoor adventure for young people in Willowdale.

The Revolution(s) team is applying to receive $1,000 through the AtlasCare “Care to Share” fund. But it’s a draw! The more votes, the better the chance of the Revolution(s) program receiving these funds!

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Using the information provided below, vote for YU’s Revolution(s) program. Every day! You can vote once a day.
  • Vote here.

What’s the organization you are nominating?

Youth Unlimited (Toronto YFC)

Briefly tell us why you are nominating them:

Just as AtlasCare is pursuing perfect health for your home, Youth Unlimited’s Revolution(s) program is pursuing the wholistic health of young people in Willowdale. Revolution(s) is a start-up initiative using biking, outdoor adventure and mentoring to help young people discover purpose, serve their community and lead a healthy way of life. The $1,000 donation will allow Youth Unlimited to provide access for young people to participate in Revolution(s) who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to do so.

The organization’s charitable registration number:

14081-3502-RR0001

 

Paul B: A Blueprints Documentary

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 | Posted in Our Stories | No Comments »

Watch the story of Mwanajuma, one of our recent Blueprints young entrepreneurs, in this documentary produced by Matthew, another Blueprints young entrepreneur!

It’s Official! Revolution(s) has a logo…

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 | Posted in Latest Updates | No Comments »

Revolution(s), a program in the Willowdale area of North York, led by Rodway and Jesse, has a logo! It’s all official business now. Many thanks to Sally C for her creative work in designing the logo. Revolution(s) has a wonderful vision for its work in the Willowdale area:

“We will foster a community of leaders to discover purpose and passion, the value of service and a healthy way of life”.

How? By Discovering through the sport of cycling and outdoor adventure. By Serving their community. By Living through life’s journey in an intentional mentoring relationship. Here, most importantly for the sake of this post, is the logo:

Revolution(s) Logo

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