Spectacular Saturday Mish Mash / Issue #46

Post date:

• FPYN Presents: Rahul Bhardwaj Speaking about the Toronto's Vital Signs report (Downtown)

  Submitted by John on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 4:06pm

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  Date(s): 

  Feb 25 2010 - 3:00pm

  The Toronto Community Foundation President & CEO Rahul Bhardwaj is speaking about the Toronto's Vital Signs(r) report, speaking on the findings and their implications .

  "This report provides a snapshot of Toronto and gives us all a clear picture of the health of the city. We hope to raise awareness of the trends and encourage citizens to think actively about the kind of city we want to have," said Mr. Bhardwaj.

  Please RSVP at fpynadmin@gmail.com 

  This event will focus on community health issues that are relevant to youth and the people who work with youth.  

   

  2:30 - doors

  3:00 - The event begins and Rahul Bhardwaj Speaks

  3:30 - Question and Answer Period

  4:00 - Break into small groups and brainstorm what to do with this info

   

   

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag1w8HH5BTs

   

• FPYN Presents: Rahul Bhardwaj Speaking about the Toronto's Vital Signs report (Jane / Finch)

  Submitted by John on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 4:13pm

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  Date(s): 

  Feb 23 2010 - 3:00pm

  The Toronto Youth Justice Network is hosting this event.

  The Toronto Community Foundation President & CEO Rahul Bhardwaj is speaking about the Toronto's Vital Signs(r) report, speaking on the findings and their implications .

  "This report provides a snapshot of Toronto and gives us all a clear picture of the health of the city. We hope to raise awareness of the trends and encourage citizens to think actively about the kind of city we want to have," said Mr. Bhardwaj.

  Please RSVP at fpynadmin@gmail.com

  This event will focus on community health issues that are relevant to youth and the people who work with youth.  

  2:30 - doors

  3:00 - The event begins and Rahul Bhardwaj Speaks

  3:30 - Question and Answer Period

  4:00 - Break into small groups and brainstorm what to do with this info

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag1w8HH5BTs

   

   

• Canadian Secondary School Students wanted for OUTBOUND program

  Submitted by John on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 9:04pm

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  • Youth Engagement/leadership

  We are currently working with a Canadian Secondary School Exchange program on OUTBOUND programs for Canadian students.

  If you have a teenage son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter 14 - 18 year

  that might be interested in visiting JAPAN, AUSTRIA, GERMANY, MEXICO,

  SWITZERLAND, FRANCE, SPAIN, ITALY, AUSTRALIA, NORWAY, DENMARK, SWEDEN,

  HOLLAND or POLAND.

   

  This is an experience of a lifetime. Next program starts September 2010 for

  3 or 5 months. These are HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSES.

   

  These students will have:

   

  24 hour support by a local coordinator

  monthly monitoring and academic reporting to parents.

  assistance with any documents or study permits placement with a screened and

  carefully selected family travel health insurance and support in any

  situation that may arise first language support full transcripts, course

  descriptions, report cards and midterms.

   

  Scholarships are still available.

   

  If you are interested, please e-mail us back and we would be happy to answer

  any questions.

   

  Thank you,

   

  Rosalie Bowers

   

  Bowers Homestay & Educational Services of Canada

  12 Westmount Road, Guelph, On N1 H 5H2

   tel. 519-763-0018 www.canadahomestay.com Monday - Friday 10-4 

   

• The New Mentality Governing Council Application 2010

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 8:15am

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  • Mental Health / Emotions / Suicide / Mental Illness

  The youth & staff of The New Mentality, envision mental health services that put young people at the centre of their operations, as clients, advocates, volunteers & staff.  We help guide the mental health agencies practice meaningful youth engagement.  We advocate for youth to utilize their power to foster change in their communities and in their own lives.  The New Mentality intends to realise the vision of youth-serving organizations working alongside youth and including them in decisions that affect them and their communities. The New Mentality works to erase the stigma of mental health – recognizing that young people who have a mental illness, an addiction or who received counselling for a short time, need to be treated equitably and with respect by society.

  We are recruiting 10 motivated & passionate advocates for mental health (can be a youth or adult) to be on our Board of Directors. Meetings are monthly an in Toronto and the commitment is two years.

   

  Join now and help us make our vision a reality.

   

  Applications must be postmarked by January 31, 2010

   

  1.      Applicants Contact Information:

   

  Name:

  Address:

  City:  

  Province:  

  Postal Code:

  Telephone: 

  Cell: 

  Fax:

        Email Address:

   

  q  Family           q  Youth (13-24)             q    Professional         (Check all that apply)

   

  2.      Do you agree to the Board expectations outlined in this application? 

      q     Yes      q No      q Unsure

   

  3.      Please answer the following questions:

  a)      Please indicate any of your special attributes which would enhance the diversity of The New Mentality. 

  b)        Please tell us how your involvement on the Board would help strengthen the organization. (IE. Grant writing, strategic planning, policy development, etc.)  

  c)      Please describe your skills and strengths include any previous committee/board experience.

   

  4.      Service Involvement (as a client, parent, volunteer or professional): (check all that apply)

   

  q  Counselling

  q  Criminal Justice

  q Child Welfare

  q Substance Abuse

  q  Residential Mental Health Treatment

  q Hospital-based Psychiatric Care

  q  Runaway/Homeless

  q  Other (please specify)

   

                                         

  5.      Please provide the contact information for two references:

   

  Reference One Name:

  Address:

  Phone Number:

  Email:

   

  Reference Two Name:

  Address:

  Phone Number:

  Email:

   

  6.      Please attach any resumes, letters of recommendation or previous work experience to this application.

   

   

  THANK YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING YOUR APPLICATION!

   

   

   

   

  Catherine Dyer

  Project Coordinator

  The New Mentality

  a joint project of Children's Mental Health Ontario and the

  Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO

   

  c/o CMHO

  40 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 309

  Toronto, Ontario M4T 1M9

  Tel: 416-921-2109 x. 33

  Toll Free: 1-888-234-7054

  Fax: 416-921-7600

  http://www.thenewmentality.ca

  cathy@cmho.org

   

   

• question re: college application fee

  Submitted by susannatang on Tue, 01/19/2010 - 1:53pm

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  • Education

  Hi All,

  A colleague of mine is looking on behalf of 3 youth clients for a way to help them pay the $95.00 application fee for college.   Do you know of any organizations/groups/individuals who could assist with this? 

  Please send me an e-mail response to tang@costi.org

  Thank you!

  Susanna

  Youth Group Worker, COSTI

• Youth Engagement Coordinator

  Submitted by Educationwest on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 12:18pm

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  • Community Mobilization/organizing
  • Education
  • Youth Engagement/leadership

  Employer: 

  Educational Attainment West

  Start date: 

  15 February 2010 (All day)

  Application deadline: 

  Jan 27 2010 (All day)

  Attachment	Size
  EAW_Youth Engagement Coordinator.pdf	62.37 KB

  Apply To

  Contact name: 

  Educational Attainment West Hiring Committee

  Email: 

  educationalattainmentwest@frontiercollege.ca

  Fax: 

  (416) 323-3522

  Educational Attainment West (EAW) is a new initiative in Toronto that is looking to hire a full-time Youth Engagement Coordinator. This person will help EAW engage with youth, organizations, and schools across Toronto’s West-end neighbourhoods to create supports for youth who are having problems with the education system.
  The Youth Engagement position is an excellent opportunity for your voice to be heard and for you to make real change in improving the experiences of youth in the City. This is a learning and development opportunity where you will be trained and will gain experience and knowledge about a variety of issues.
                                     
  EAW is looking for a young person, between 18-25 years, who lives in one of the following neighbourhoods: Jane-Finch, Jamestown, Westminster-Branson, Weston-Mt. Dennis, or Lawrence Heights.
   
  To qualify for this position with EAW you must have these characteristics:

  • Have personally experienced problems in the education system and/or have an understanding of the challenges youth face with the system
  • A desire to develop solutions that will help youth who have, or are having, problems in the education system
  • An interest in better understanding the experiences and issues facing racialized, criminalized, and newcomer youth in the City
  • Be a creative thinker who is willing to develop innovative ways to engage youth

• Project Coordinator - Project: Let’s Get Fit

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 9:58am

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  • Employment/ Unemployment
  • Sports/Recreation

  Employer: 

  Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant

  Wage: 

  $17.00

  Pay Type: 

  per hour

  Position type: 

  Contract - full-time

  Application deadline: 

  Jan 29 2010 (All day)

  Apply To

  Contact name: 

  Lisa Tobio, Executive Director, York-Fairbank Centre

  Location:

  Email: 

  yorkfairbank@on.aibn.com

  Fax: 

  (416) 394-2829

  Minimum 35 hour week with flexibility in days.

  Possibility of overtime(lieu time), and employment extension, with additional funding. 

   

  Transportation costs are reimbursed.

  No additional paid benefits.

  Project will include travel within the former cities of York and North York.

   

  Qualifications:

  ·         Post secondary education in community health, social services, or a related field. Ethno-specific, linguistic and cultural training an asset.

  ·         And/or a minimum of two years work experience in a social service setting.

  ·         Experience with older adult/volunteer/community organizations, including experience in project development and implementation.

  ·         Knowledge of the dynamics and benefits of physical fitness amongst older adults, children and youth and working within an ethno-cultural older adult community an asset.

  ·         Experience in preparation and formatting of reports including statistics, attendance records, charts, statements, correspondence and presentations.

  ·         Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritize work schedule, complete assigned duties within timelines.

  ·         Ability to handle multiple facets and priorities of the Project Steering Committee

  ·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills to deal effectively with committee representatives, community organizations/members, government officials and volunteers

  ·         Highly developed interpersonal skills and proven ability to deal with people in difficult situations

  ·         Ability to exercise independent judgement and discretion in dealing with confidential project matters and volunteers

  ·         Working knowledge of Word, Publisher and Excel computer programs

  ·         Second language/culture a definite asset

  ·         Essential that applicant have a car to their disposal

   

  Project Description:

  This community project will increase fitness levels of children, youth and Seniors and engage Seniors in leadership roles. It will build on special skills development and partnerships through intergenerational connections and provide physical fitness programs to a very diverse and indigent community. The project will build on the strengths of an ethno-specific community and its older adult members, to support more vulnerable and isolated Children, at-risk Youth and secluded Seniors.

   

  Project Objectives:

  To encourage an intergenerational connection between Seniors, Youth and Children.

  To encourage healthier lifestyles and increased physical activity for all project participants.

  To develop physical education techniques and better health practices amongst the generations.

  To increase learning opportunities and skill building amongst Seniors, Youth and Children.

  To increase cultural awareness amongst a diverse community.

  To cultivate leadership amongst multicultural older adults.

  To strengthen volunteerism amongst school-aged children, Youth and Older Adults.

  To increase networking/coordination amongst neighbouring schools, agencies and organizations.

  Responsibilities:

  ·         Under the direction of the Project Steering Committee and York-Fairbank Centre for Seniors Executive Director, the Project Coordinator will outreach, network, and promote this community project to ethno-cultural communities, older adult communities, disabled communities and local schools, educational institutions, agencies/organizations providing services and programs to low income, ethno-specific Children, Youth and Older Adults.

  ·         In co-operation with the Steering Committee, the Coordinator will network, organize and implement, volunteer training sessions, forums/presentations, older adult focus groups and evaluation sessions.

  ·         Coordinate registrations, compile and document statistics, keep clear and concise records on participants and volunteer training records.

  ·         Maintain a good working relationship with all community partners and volunteers.

  ·         Provide administrative support to the Project Steering Committee.

  ·         Participate in Project Steering Committee meetings and YFCS Board Meetings by reporting and/or producing ongoing communications.

  ·         Handle inquiries/requests from project partners, volunteers, Steering Committee members and York-Fairbank Board Members and Staff.

  ·         Coordinate program and meeting schedules, reserve program and meeting space, arrange for proper set-up and provision of audio/visual aids, fitness equipment and program materials where needed.

  ·         Collect and maintain resources for database for use by Steering Committee, Volunteers, other related committees and community members.

  ·         Performs other related duties as assigned.

   

  Reports to:

  Project Steering Cte., York-Fairbank Board of Directors and/or York-Fairbank Executive Director

   

   

   

• Program Coordinator-Youthworker-Paternity Leave Contract

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 9:41am

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  • Arts, Music, Dance
  • Employment/ Unemployment
  • Homelessness / Housing

  Employer: 

  SKETCH

  Start date: 

  1 March 2010 (All day)

  Application deadline: 

  Feb 8 2010 (All day)

  Apply To

  Contact name: 

  Rebecca Houston, Program Manager

  Email: 

  rebecca@sketch.ca

    Contract duration: March 1st 2010-March 4, 2011

  32 hours/week  

  SKETCH Working Arts is a community arts development initiative in downtown Toronto offering arts opportunities to young people ages 15-30 who live street involved, homeless or are otherwise marginalized. SKETCH believes that young people engaging in the arts can enhance their self-esteem, job readiness and life skills, increase their participation in the community and broaden options for their future.  

  Sketch programming and activities are coordinated by a creative team of artists, youth workers, educators and activists. This group is involved in designing, coordinating, supervising and evaluating programs and activities. Coordinators directly facilitate art making with youth in our multi-disciplinary, drop-in-style arts studio and participate in documentation, report writing and general administration. 

  The Program Coordinator-Youthworker is the member of the team primarily responsible to coordinate participant referrals to the broader social service and community network; to ensure programming is in line with current best youth work and social work practices; to supervise social work placements, and to support participants one-to-one, in projects and in Open Studio. 

  Main responsibilities:

  To inspire the creative discovery process and facilitate the skill development process  

  • Collaborative Program Coordination and Evaluation

  • Art making with youth

  • Referring participants to appropriate social service and community resources

  • Volunteer and Social Work Placement supervision

  • Mentoring facilitation for Community Artists (Youth Peer Leaders)

   

  Preference given to applicants who have:

  • Lived experience and knowledge of the African/Caribbean Canadian community

  • A personal art practice and skills - preferred media: Print-making/Silkscreening; Painting/drawing; Textiles; Video, Photography; Digital media; Carpentry/sculpture/ woodworking; Dance or the Movement Arts; Music

  • Experience in coordination and youth facilitation, including non-violent crisis intervention and some knowledge of alternative dispute resolution (restorative justice, peace circles etc.)

  • A strong Anti-Oppression Practice and knowledge of Harm Reduction Theory 

  • Experience in the community arts field and strong awareness of arts-based learning

  • Excellent time-management, oral and written communication skills

  • Knowledge of current issues of homelessness and resources in the GTA

   

  SKETCH is committed to diversity and to addressing and removing discriminatory barriers, systemic or otherwise. We therefore encourage applications from all equity seeking groups. 

  SKETCH, P.O. Box 63, Station B  Toronto, Ontario  M5T 2T2

  fax 416-516-6286

  www.sketch.ca

   

• A workshop for frontline service providers on using a strengths-based approach to promote resiliency in youth

  Submitted by John on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 12:24am

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  Date(s): 

  Jan 25 2010 - 9:00am

  BUILD ON YOUR STRENGTHS

  Moderator:

  Liz Janzen, Toronto Public Health

  Speakers:

  Dustin Hill, The Students Commission Nrinder Nann, Social Development, Finance & Administration Division, City of Toronto Christine Sloss, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health Louise Smith, Parent Action on Drugs

  This free workshop also includes facilitated small group discussions where participants can share and learn concrete skills and strategies for using a strengths-based approach with youth, their peers, families, and communities. Spaces are limited. To register, please call 416-338-3585 or email drugstrategy@toronto.ca, by January 22, 2010.

   

• Navigating the Justice System: Free Training for Youth Workers & Student Success Teachers

  Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/24/2009 - 6:23pm

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  • Education
  • Rights - Legal
  • Youth Justice

  Date(s): 

  Jan 29 2010 - 9:00am

  Location:

  Attachment	Size
  Navigating Registration Form.doc	175 KB
  Free Workshop OJEN_flyer.pdf	111.19 KB

  For more information, please contact

  Contact name: 

  Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN)

  Email: 

  info@ojen.ca

  Phone: 

  (416) 947-5273

  Fax: 

  (416) 947-5248

  Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) presents: Navigating the Justice System: Free training for Youth Workers, Front-line practitioners & Student Success Teachers. NAVIGATING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM is a professional development opportunity specifically geared to enhance the capacity of Youth Workers, front line practitioners and Student Success Teachers on the justice system. Session at a glance: Who's who in the court system? Roles of duty counsel, prosecution and the police. Keeping bail and consequences for breaching. Working with Lawyers. Legal Aid and more! Very Limited Space Available HOW TO REGISTER: Please fill out and send the attached registration form by FAX to: Ontario Justice Education Network: 416-947-5248 Email confirmation will be sent to registrants. *Check the attached flyer for additional details!* For further information email: info@ojen.ca Subject Box "Navigating" or by phone: 416-947-5273.

• An Inside Look at Canadian Tamil Community - A workshop for front line workers

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 8:01am

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  Date(s): 

  Jan 28 2010 - 9:00am

  Free

  juanita.nathan@youthlink.ca

  416-967-1773 ext 241

• Free Event for all interested in or practicing group work: "The World of Innovative Group Work - Reflected in a Hospital Setting"

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 7:32am

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  Date(s): 

  Feb 5 2010 - 9:00am

  The Toronto Region Group Workers Network (TRGN) presents a free event for all interested in or practicing group work: "The World of Innovative Group Work - Reflected in a Hospital Setting".    A panel of group workers will be sharing about their work and experiences within a hospital setting.  Please see the attachment for a list of topics. 

  Why attend this event?

  - it serves as important continuing education about the innovative and creative ways that are used to help address the needs of children, adolescents, adults, parents and families

  - it is a free networking event that will draw community, hospital and agency workers from different parts of the GTA

  - this program event is right for any person who is interested in group work be they students or experienced practitioners  

   

   Please pre-register or inquire by e-mail at Toronto.groups@gmail.com or register at the door between 8:30a.m. and 8:55a.m.  

   

• Using AFFECT for EFFECT: Integrating Experiential Therapy & BRIEF THERAPY

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 8:12am

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  • Counselling
  • Education

  Date(s): 

  Feb 11 2010 (All day)

  Hincks-Dellcrest Centre / Gail Appel Institute

  Register Now!

   

  Bala Jaison Ph.D. 

  Brief or Deep? In these difficult economic times funds for long-term therapy are limted.-and- clients still need to get the most out of the therapy hour. While there has been a growing movement toward more short-term, constructive, solution-based approaches to creating change and movement in psychotherapy, especially in the field of brief therapy, we still need to ask: What about the depth of experience offered by the experientially oriented models of psychotherapy? 

  This two-day in-depth workshop is designed  to explore ways of naturally integrating the best and most useful pieces of experiential work into short term models to make the therapy hour both brief and deep. 

  Through a variety of techniques and interventions, discussion, experiential exercises, case examples, and live demonstrations, participants will learn how to harmonize and facilitate change - deeply and briefly. Participantsare encouraged to come prepared with challenging cases to explore together in live demonstrations. 

  Participants will learn:

  • The unique use of language, linguistic fine-points, and fluency of each model's style.

  • When the use of affect actually saves time.

  • Knowing when to ask questions and when to simply listen-and which works best when.

   

  To register online:

  www.peopleware.net/2323

   

  For more information:

  e-mail:  training@hincksdellcrest.org

  Tel:    (416) 972-1935 ext:3345

  Websites:  www.brieftherapynetwork.com

  www.hincksdellcrest.org/brief-therapy-training 

   

• Ladiez First

  Submitted by John on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 4:49pm

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  • Youth Engagement/leadership

  Date(s): 

  Jan 26 2010 - 11:15am

  Location:

  For more information, please contact

  Contact name: 

  EvE A. Labi, Female Specific Program Coordinator

  Email: 

  eve@foryouth.ca

  Fax: 

  (416) 653-3423

  For Youth Initiative's Female-Specific Programs will resume on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Ladiez First will be held EVERY TUESDAY at For Youth Initiative (1652 Keele St., Lower Level, Youth Lounge) at 11:15 a.m. 

  Snacks and refreshments provided.

  Workshops, Open Discussions, Creativity, Social Networking, Girl Power.

  For Youth Initiative (F.Y.I.)

  Web: www.foryouth.ca

   

• Sister Scripture Book & Film Club

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 7:48am

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  • Arts, Music, Dance
  • Education

  Date(s): 

  Jan 27 2010 - 4:00pm

  Location:

  For more information, please contact

  Contact name: 

  EvE A. Labi, Female Specific Program Coordinator

  Email: 

  eve@foryouth.ca

  Phone: 

  (416) 653-3311

  Fax: 

  (416) 653-3423

  We welcome all female (and female-identified) participants to join us, especially new faces! Please note that refreshments will be provided at both programs, and that return TTC fare will be provided at Sister Scripture Book & Film Club. Please forward this e-mail to your respective contacts. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the number below or via e-mail. I look forward to your participation!

  For Youth Initiative (F.Y.I.)  www.foryouth.ca 

  For Youth Initiative (F.Y.I.) is an organization that is committed to creating healthy communities by increasing life-chances of youth at-risk...through the provision of empowering programs and services that are youth-driven, inclusive and accessible.

   

   

   

• Free cooking/ Literacy course

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 9:14am

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  • Education

  George Brown College presents a free course teaching basic culinary and literacy skills

  Program start date: Feb 1 2010

  Program end date: June 25 2010

  Classes will run from 9:30am-4:30pm

  90 Croatia St (near Bloor Station)

  must be 19 years and older

  contact Lee Delaino

  416-415-5000

  ldelaino@georgebrown.ca

• Jane-Finch youth Reach 4 the Sky: The Real Sun Music Video Launch

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 9:47am

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  Date(s): 

  Jan 30 2010 - 3:30pm

    Jane-Finch youth Reach 4 the Sky:

  The Real Sun Music Video Launch, hosted by Saidah Baba Talibah & Rich Kidd

   

  Toronto, January 12, 2010 – Jane-Finch resident artist, sun a.k.a. The Real Sun and Lost Lyrics: an Alternative Education Through Hip-Hop Program based in Toronto, present the video launch of “Reach 4 the Sky”.  The music video for the first track off sun’s debut album “sun:RISE”, features youth from Jane-Finch and Malvern, and will be launched on January 23, 2010. The elaborate release party will re-create the music video’s block party scene, featuring all four elements of Hip-Hop (DJ, Emceeing, Graffiti, B-Boying), educational style.

   

  Lost Lyrics, which engages youth from Toronto’s Priority Neighborhoods, including Jane-Finch and Malvern, is an alternative educational program, which uses Hip Hop culture as a base to understanding self-identity and the complexities surrounding young individuals in stigmatized communities. sun a.k.a. The Real Sun, the Korean-Canadian poet, rapper, singer, visual artist, wrote and recorded “Reach 4 the Sky”, the first single off of her debut album “sun:RISE”, in collaboration with youth from the Lost Lyrics Program in Jane-Finch.  “I came in as a community guest facilitator for the Lost Lyrics program to teach the kids how to rap, but then I fell in love with them and never left!  ‘Reach 4 the Sky’ is a product of the beautiful and empowering relationship that formed between myself, the youth, and Lost Lyrics.” – sun a.k.a. The Real Sun

  Producer/Rapper Rich Kidd and singer-song writer Saidah Baba Talibah, are hosting the event, officially kicking off their duties as part of the new recruits of Lost Lyrics Program Staff.  They will be taking post as Artistic Development facilitators for the program, working with sun a.k.a The Real Sun, who will be the Director of Artistic Development this year. “Lost Lyrics is a place where young people can get a sense of self and how important their voices and opinions on world and community issues are to the growth and healing of the world on a whole.  And the beautiful thing about this program is it teaches that you can use music to your truest emotions about what’s going on around you in a safe and supportive environment.”  – Saidah Baba Talibah

   

  The event will be a fusion of youth-performances, an open house for community members to get informed about Lost Lyrics, an opportunity to learn elements of Hip-Hop hands-on from the masters, the very first day of Lost Lyrics’ Artistic Development Classes for the youth, and of course, the world premiere of the “Reach 4 the Sky” Music Video!  Refreshments will be served.  

   

  Hip-Hop Education Stations will be open for youth, community members, and media, to come and learn hands-on the four elements of Hip-Hop, taught by skilled international professionals in each respective craft. This will be a sample of the kinds of activities the youth will be engaging in during Lost Lyrics’ Artistic Development Classes in the months to come.

   

  DJing – DJ L’Oquenz (Canada)

  B-Boying – J-Rebel (Supernaturalz Crew - Canada), B-Girl Red (Korea), Rodri Breaker (Argentina)

  Graffiti – Funktion Gallery (Canada) 

  Rap – Presented through live performances by Lost Lyrics youth, and sun a.k.a The Real Sun (Canada/Korea)

   

  Check out behind the scenes “Reach 4 the Sky” Music Video Shoot:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxvk-3aLfu4

   

  EVENT:  The Real Sun & Lost Lyrics Presents: “Reach 4 the Sky” Music Video Launch

  Hosted by Saidah Baba Talibah & Rich Kidd, featuring youth from Jane-Finch and Malvern

   

  ADMISSION: pay-what-you-can ($10+ gets suns’ album RISE or Lost Lyrics DVD, $15+ gets both)

  sun a.k.a. The Real Sun is a poet, singer/songwriter, and visual artist that expresses her soul through the arts.  Originally born in Korea, sun is a strong advocate for balance, healing and humanitarianism.  As a multi-talented and all-round artist, sun crafts and expresses her thoughts, dreams and emotions through words, voice, piano, guitar, and canvas.

  For more information: www.therealsun.com

  For media inquires, please contact

  press@therealsun.com

   

• Help on way for natives coping with teen suicide

  Submitted by John on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 8:52am

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  • Aboriginal / First Nations
  • Mental Health / Emotions / Suicide / Mental Illness

  Published by The Toronto Star

  www.parentcentral.ca/parent/newsfeatures/article/753721--help-on-way-for-natives-coping-with-teen-suicide

  The Ontario government is freeing up $470,000 in emergency funds to bring four trained suicide prevention workers to the remote James Bay area as aboriginal communities there struggle to cope under a wave of teen suicides.

   

  Last month, a Star investigation revealed that, in 2009, 13 teens took their own lives in the isolated towns dotting the James Bay basin. All 13 hanged themselves. Another 80 have tried to take their own lives.

  The announcement comes days before the Jan. 24 first anniversary of Thomas Trapper's death.

  Trapper, a 17-year-old boy who loved hockey and his friends, hanged himself in his bedroom. His mother, Nellie, found him when she returned home from work. His death was the first last year in what child protection workers say is an "epidemic" of teen suicides in northeastern Ontario.

  The one lifeline for these lost youth, the Payukotayno children's aid society, has struggled to provide services while battling the province over its crippling financial woes.

  The agency almost shut down in December when it ran out of money because of what officials said was the high cost of providing child protection services in the north. In emergencies, the agency has to spend $400 a minute to charter a plane to reach a child in a fly-in community such as Attawapiskat.

  Ernest Beck, executive director of Payukotayno James and Hudson Bay Family Services, praised Children and Youth Services Minister Laurel Broten and the media for helping to bring some hope to the impoverished area.

  "This will help us begin to address the problem of suicide," Beck said in an interview. "We had such difficulty initially, trying to get movement on this thing, to the point of frustration."

  The $470,000 will come out of the ministry's extraordinary circumstances fund, said Paris Meilleur, Broten's press secretary. "This is an important step we can take to support these families and communities," Meilleur said Wednesday.

  Beck first asked the ministry for money to train four suicide intervention workers last year. Based in Moosonee, Ont., Payukotayno is a First Nations agency that serves seven communities with a combined population of 13,500. The furthest reserve from Moosonee is 500 kilometres away and only accessible by air.

  "We made a submission for $470,000 and that got approved. It sounds like a lot, but, in reality, it's not a hell of a lot," said Beck, a former Mushkegowuk grand chief.

  Beck's submission called for four 12-month positions to address the communities' immediate crises.

  However, there are historic funding inequities in the north that have never been addressed, Beck said. He was referring to an independent review done on behalf of the government in 2006. The review showed Payukotayno and Tikinagan children and family services, two agencies located above 50 degrees latitude, require a $24.6 million baseline funding increase to give northern children the same level of care Crown wards in the south receive. "They have not addressed this," he said.

  In late December, Payukotayno almost shut its doors. It was $2.3 million in debt and could not meet payroll. Broten, who has steadfastly told all provincial children's aid societies there is no more money to top up their budgets as Ontario struggles with a $24.7 billion deficit, was forced to come to the agency's help. A specially appointed provincial committee is trying to address why 49 of Ontario's 53 agency's face a $67 million shortfall.

  Moosonee is a tight-knit town found on the shore of the Moose River. Most who live there are Cree, and have deep roots in the community. When a child dies, everyone feels it, including staff at Payukotayno. Nellie Trapper is a child protection worker at the agency who counsels children at a group home.

  While those familiar with the despair felt in First Nations communities praised the government for this move, they also pointed out that this is a Band-Aid solution for a far greater problem.

  "Is it going to help?" asked NDP MPP Gilles Bisson (Timmins James Bay) "The short answer is yes. Will it solve the problem? No."

  Suicide intervention counsellors could save lives by identifying those most at risk, Bisson said, but the question remains: Why do so many First Nations youths want to commit suicide? Bisson points to near Third World conditions on some reserves, including inadequate housing, high unemployment and prohibitive grocery prices.