That is my pride By Dorothy Schram Life isn't life, until you live in your truth Living the Gay Life, I don't want to hide Holding on to the Gay Flag, that is my proof With my rainbow colors, That is my Pride Come out of the closet, No Face to Fear I [...]
By Nina Badwal A recreational activity that was once seen fitting for retired white men is now attracting a diverse group of people. Bird watching – or birding which includes the visually impaired – has reached an all-time high as we deal with the stresses and frustrations of the seemingly never-ending pandemic. “It’s the [...]
By Shirley Roberts June 3rd, 2021 marks World Bicycle Day. It all started when American professor, Leszek Sibilski began a grassroots campaign with his sociology class to promote a United Nations resolution that would advocate for a day to celebrate the humble bicycle all over the world. His project became a massive movement [...]
By Nea Maaty Since the onset of the pandemic, affording food has become more difficult, particularly for people living in low income communities. Food insecurity is still one of the major issues in St. James Town especially after the economic drop that has affected many people due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Although food banks [...]
By Aarti Sharma Can you bend, fold, and stretch like a 5-year-old? Well, if that idea appeals to you then roll out a yoga mat to roll in flexibility, fitness, relaxation and much more. With the 7th anniversary of International Yoga Day on June 21st, let us take a peep into what this [...]
By Nea Maaty The following is a summary of a conversation with George Smitherman about his personal struggles. George Smitherman was born in 1964, one of four children, and spent his early years growing up in central Etobicoke. His parents were from a middle-class working background and were not very educated. His mother [...]
By Nina Badwal Food insecurity, the opioid crisis and the well-being of 2SLGBTQ adults. These were the key topics discussed during the second instalment of the annual Spring Gathering event which was held virtually via Zoom this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spring Gathering is a community conversation that takes place [...]
By Lisa Kowalchuk As Toronto leaves behind the long pandemic winter of 2020, birdsong and greenery announce the coming season and its greater opportunities for enjoyment of the outdoors. Being in contact with green spaces and nature is shown in study after study to boost the mental and physical health of city-dwellers. In [...]
By Dimitrije Martinovic “Revitalization” is coming to St. James Town North in the way of safer, greener and more accessible spaces for residents. St. James Town, which is bounded by Bloor Street East to the north, Wellesley Street to the south, Jarvis Street to the west, and Parliament Street to the east -- [...]
By Nea Maaty In the Moss Park community, at 257 Dundas Street, you will find a colourful rainbow accented building that the Friends of Ruby call “Home.” The Friends of Ruby Home was designed for LGBTQI2S youth between the ages of 16 to 29 years who are in need of transitional housing and support. [...]
Nalini Pandalangat, Director of Newcomer Health & Specialty Services, Sherbourne Health, is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She completed her PhD at the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, and has extensive experience leading projects and programs in the community health, hospital and international development sectors. Her PhD was on cultural influences on help-seeking, treatment and support for mental health problems in the Sri Lankan Tamil community. Her research and program interests are focused on immigrant mental health, gender and health, cultural competence, health care access and health equity. Currently she is part of a core team working on the development and dissemination of a refugee mental health framework.
