010 - Global Heroes News - May 2022

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May • 2022 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

STEVE NASH’S

OFF-THE-COURT

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May • 2022

globalheroes.com The power of positive, solution-based journalism.

STEVE NASH’S

Off-the-Court Legacy RAYE MOCIOIU

Sport has the power to change the world. Whether on the pitch or the court, sports bring together people from all across the globe around a common goal: the love of the game. That pursuit exists beyond cultural, religious, and language barriers, focusing on developing friendships, commonalities, and participation.

For South African-born Canadian Steve Nash, sports have proven an effective platform from which to empower change and create opportunities for growth and development—not just for players, either.

“Growing up, my parents really modelled a community ethic for my siblings and me—it was just a given that part of existing in society meant contributing in some way,” Nash recalled. “When I entered the NBA and had an opportunity to give back, we began right away.”

Founded in 2004 by Nash and his family, the Steve Nash Foundation (SNF) works to assist underserved children in their health, personal development, education, and enjoyment of life.

Through a range of programs, SNF focuses on investing in resources that children need to grow, learn, and thrive, translating Nash’s legacy of assists to benefit underserved and vulnerable children worldwide.

the foundation’s first Showdown, kicking goals across the pitch instead of shooting hoops on the court. The match brought together soccer professionals and NBA favourites to raise money and awareness for SNF. The Showdown stopped by Nash’s home province of British Columbia, Canada, the following year, with NBA and professional soccer players entertaining a crowd at Vancouver’s David Lam Park.

Since then, the annual charity THE LOVE OF THE GAME soccer match has become a Nash has made an incredible tradition excitedly awaited by New impact both on and off the court.

York’s sports fans, featuring players The two-time NBA MVP was from all 30 NBA teams (including one of only ten players to win the 14 NBA Champs) and 12 World award in back-to-back years and Cup soccer teams (including five the first Canadian to do so. While World Cup champions). the Foundation doesn’t work in Events like the SNF sports programming, true to his Showdown and the SNF Charity passion, Nash ensures that sports Shield allow sports fans and play a role in SNF, especially when child health advocates alike to it comes to fundraising efforts. join together and create change, “For me, the draw of sports isn’t raising funds and awareness for just the connection to health and SNF’s work. Nash says that this fitness, but the relationships—it’s connection is a powerful tool for always been that way,” the former fuelling social change.

“If there is a way in which athlete said. “Growing up, I played four to five, six sports athletes are similar or a depending on the season. Some of characteristic we share, it may my best friends are people I met be the continual drive towards playing sports as a kid, my wife’s a improvement,” he said. “Social great athlete, and my whole family action takes the hope-filled idea just loves being active together. of the long arc of the moral I played professionally for 18 universe bending toward justice seasons. Early on, it was about and bolsters it with the strength of proving that I belonged. Later, I people actively working together was at a place where I was playing towards change, ameliorating for the joy of the process, training, conditions of oppression, inequity, competing, being a teammate, and injustice. There are synergies, loving that cycle. When I retired, I think, that naturally align I didn’t miss basketball as much as some athletes with social service I missed being part of a team, that and community work, in that daily work together, all that comes sense of compelling us forward, with it. Creating community individually and as a collective. sport opportunities through my Add to that the visibility of sports, foundation’s events became a the team component, and there’s bigger part of my life as I adapted powerful potential to engage more to life outside basketball.” support and amplify an effort.”

In 2008, NBA stars took to Both the Charity Shield and New York’s Lower East Side for the Showdown have been on

hold due to changing health and safety regulations amid the pandemic, but the anticipation has been building. Their return to the field will be worth the wait.

and address the underlying conditions of poverty, medical need, and restricted access to those resources that contribute to the health and well-being of children.

With a powerful focus on investing in solutions to community needs, SNF’s BC Grants program has delivered over $1 million back into the community.

The foundation has since expanded, taking its impact further and creating programs that support early childhood and childhood development and education for both children and parents.

funding back-to-school kits for local students. To kick off the start of the NBA season, the foundation teamed with Brooklyn-based Bookshop.org to celebrate World Teachers’ Day, filling public school classroom bookshelves around the OFF-THE-COURT country through a giveaway to ASSISTS increase the availability of READyAround the world, child health is recommended titles. an indicator of community health.

A father of five, Nash knows Children are impacted by their that fathers play an essential role environments and experiences in their children’s development before they are even born. Deright from the start. Let’s Talk Dads velopments in neuroscience have is SNF’s collaboration with the shared that there are many ways that a child’s earliest experiences TMW Center for Early Learning + can positively impact their growth Public Health, focusing on fathers’ “There’s nothing more and development as they age, from crucial role in supporting their powerful than watching a children. Through Let’s Talk Dads, maternal and parental health to child have access to highfathers can become what Nash calls childhood development programs quality early learning and services. “our children’s personal neuroopportunities. There’s not a “It’s such a fascinating time in developer” by learning researchmore worthwhile pursuit, not child health and well-being— based strategies to promote their only for that individual, but there’s such great need, but also child’s cognitive development for the community.” unprecedented access to the simply by talking and interacting science, to understanding the —Steve Nash with them. biology and neurology of the Studies show that at as early need and what we can do to This is the sentiment behind as two months old, babies whose help,” said Nash.

SNF’s READy program, which dads were more present in daySNF brings research and increases diversity, equity, and to-day activities like bathing, actionable steps to vulnerable inclusion through transformative changing, and feeding were more communities across the globe, socially responsive than babies social-emotional learning in focusing its efforts on attending public elementary schools. whose dads participated less. The to the critical needs of children. benefits of fathers being present Designed in the Gulf Islands In doing so, they are changing and launched in Brooklyn in continue as the babies age, with the trajectories of underserved 2021, the READy program uses higher developmental scores communities and, thus, teacher training, curriculum, and recorded by six months old and changing the world. supplies to help students build more resiliency under stress by the age of two. Bringing that science In 2006, SNF established its first their vocabulary around feelings, to dads in the community, Let’s project, a post-operative pediatric fostering empathy and growth in cardiology ward in Paraguay, pre-K - Grade 3 students. READy Talk Dads provides weekly, small group classes in infant and toddler which treated over 2,000 patients also offers grants to assist school within the first two years. In 2009, libraries in increasing the diversity neurodevelopment for fathers. the hospital expanded to include of authors, illustrators, characters, “How empowering the a program designed to address and stories available, with SNFrealization that each of us can be mortality rates from cervical recommended booklists for our children’s personal neurocancers in young girls. readers of all ages. developer, that the sheer quality Through READy, SNF has also of our interactions can impact the On Nash’s home turf in British Columbia, the foundation awards worked with the Brooklyn Public attitude of inquiry and health of our kids,” Nash said. “The practical grants and funding to childLibrary, establishing a new Let’s focused non-profits that provide Read! Book List and collection application is limitless; as a dad, direct health and education of children’s books, working with and as someone invested in early local teens to create a companion services to underserved children. child development, I’m excited to list for high school readers and These projects work to identify see how far it takes us.”

TOP L TO R: © COURTESY OF THE STEVE NASH FOUNDATION, © AMANDA WESTCOTT, © TAYLOR ROSS | STEVE NASH WORKING WITH KIDS AT THE HENRY STREET SETTLEMENT © COURTESY OF THE STEVE NASH FOUNDATION

GROWING HEALTH IN KIDS

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE NEED. THERE CAN ALWAYS BE MORE HOPE. The Steve Nash Foundation works to increase access to critical needs resources for children in under-served communities and populations.

Join Steve and make your assist for kids at

WWW.STEVENASH.ORG/ASSIST

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May • 2022

When it comes to conquering cancer, we walk the walk.

Saturday, September 10, 2022 Starting at Yonge-Dundas Square Join us as we make history at the 20th anniversary Princess Margaret Walk to Conquer Cancer. Since 2002, we’ve raised close to $200 million for critical cancer funds. But we still have a way to go.

Together, we can get one big step closer to our goal — to Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime.

Register to walk or donate today at Walk2Conquer.ca

Centuries of innovation can be found at Country Heritage Park. We turn our history into a future for all to learn about food and farming. countryheritagepark.com

May • 2022

globalheroes.com The power of positive, solution-based journalism.

ADVERTORIAL

Planting the Seeds of Change At least once in your life, you need a doctor, a lawyer, a police officer, and a preacher, but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.

Farmers are the backbone of the agricultural system—they are the source of our food supply, countless jobs, and their practices can improve the health of our soil and water supply.

Their jobs are far from easy; at the best of times, farming is difficult and even brutal. Between rising energy and food costs, declining water quality, and a growing population, farmers face many challenges within their everyday work.

More than 80 percent of Ontarians live in urban areas, all but cut off from the natural environment, leading to a lack of understanding of where the food they eat comes from—and what goes into growing it. As the next generation enters schooling, it is critical to ensure that children know the importance of farmers’ work, including how farming practices contribute to climate responsibility and sustainable living.

Country Heritage Park (CHP)

is a centre of excellence for food and farming education, inspiring change within the most diverse global sector. Nestled in the shadow of the Niagara Escarpment in Milton—a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve—CHP’s 80-acre site offers unique facilities and programming about the past, present, and future of the food and farming sector. Passionate about educating students and adults regarding food literacy, arts, history, outdoor education, environmental awareness, and sustainability, CHP is on a mission to bring together community, private, and public partners to innovate, interact, and collaborate on the deliverance of events, education, and hands-on experiences.

Going beyond telling the stories of farmers, CHP shows and discusses the challenges facing farmers in ways that everyone can understand.

Through strong curriculumbased educational programs with hands-on learning opportunities, students from Kindergarten to Grade 10 can examine, brainstorm, and understand how sustainability

is essential to our personal growth and local responsibility.

Sustainability, environmental protection, and awareness are fundamental to maintaining a balanced ecology. Food literacy is at the core of CHP’s activities, addressing issues like energy conservation, water preservation, food waste reduction, and much more.

Just like farmers provide more than food, CHP provides more than stories. Through their programs, summer camps, service clubs, and connections with local and regional organizations, CHP delivers a deeper understanding of the history behind farming innovation and links it to the present, showcasing the progress of farmers and food, including what a future without food would look like. Young people can discuss critical issues regarding habitats, recycling, food production and waste, and learn lessons they can take back to their classrooms.

On top of that, CHP is building a community within a community, giving back and contributing where and whenever possible. In 2017, CHP contributed more

© COUNTRY HERITAGE PARK

than $380,000 in give-back to communities by providing rental space to ensure their events were successful and increased that in 2018, almost doubling it to more than $660,000.

Through collaborations with organizations like Indigenousled Grandmother’s Voice, which works to create awareness of healing through the land and proper diet regimes, and Halton’s No One Goes Hungry, which is dedicated to using food waste that would otherwise be

cast-off to create meals, prepared in CHP’s Community Kitchen, CHP is making nearly 12,000 meals per month for people in the Halton region and beyond. Their impact is only building as they continue to engage with community-led organizations that seek to provide food education and security to families in need.

Cultivating the seeds of change takes time and requires getting your hands dirty—but it is making an impact.

Turning Point: How Students in Saskatchewan Are Encouraging Conversations About Mental Health ALLIE MURRAY

What started as a school project turned into an entrepreneurial journey for Logan Curle and Tayson Smith: two students in Saskatchewan who founded Turning Point, a clothing brand dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and money for mental health initiatives.

In their Grade 12 entrepreneurship class, the students were tasked with creating a business to help them learn the skills to start a business. Curle and Smith worked alongside two other students—Rianne Renner and Skyler Briere—and when they began working, they knew they wanted to make an impact.

“We knew we wanted our business to bring awareness and support to mental health and suicide prevention in one way or another,” co-founder Curle explained. “The reason we wanted to bring awareness

to this topic is because every one of the founders of Turning Point have had their own personal experiences with suicide and the devastation that comes along with it.”

Turning Point sells sweatshirts with the branded phrase, chosen to represent

the brand because most suicide survivors describe their experience as a “turning point” in their life.

When Turning Point became more than a class assignment and turned into a business, they found a local charity that aligned with their mission to

© PHOTOS COURTESY OF TURNING POINT

give back to. They partnered with The Johnny Z Healthy Minds Foundation, a charity founded in memory of Johnny Ziegler, who passed away from suicide in 2020. Johnny was an alumnus of the Turning Point team’s high school—Miller Comprehensive High School in Regina, SK—and a well-known person in their community.

“The Johnny Z Healthy Minds Foundation supports foundations and organizations that bring awareness to mental health, they also fund therapeutic treatments for people who are unable to afford it,” Curle said, noting the organization has recently focused its treatments around grief, trauma, and PTSD counselling.

“They help bring education to the topic of mental health, hoping to end the stigma around it and start the conversation.”

With their hoodies, they donate 20 percent of all profits, and earlier this year, they were able to donate more

than $2000 to the cause.

Similarly, Turning Point partnered with the Jaxon MacDonald Foundation, releasing a limited edition hoodie that Jaxon designed before he died, “He wanted to create a brand that promoted mental health before he died, which is like what Turning Point has created. That is why we are honoured to be continuing his legacy, even if it’s just in a small way,” Curle said.

Going forward, Turning Point hopes to further their conversation around mental health. They are expanding to offer shipping worldwide, and some stores have shared interest in stocking Turning Point merchandise in-store.

“First and foremost for our future we hope to make a difference in the mental health of people all around the world, whether it’s through our donations or our social media,” Curle explained. “We are just trying to make a difference.”

ADVERTORIAL

An Innovative Approach to Providing Healthy Food for Those in Need Kerr Street Mission (KSM), Oakville’s Mission of Hope, is a non-profit that provides a variety of essential services to low-income families in Oakville.

The KSM team has worked hard to focus on what their clients need. Rather than just distributing canned food and whatever other food was donated or reclaimed, the team developed the Choose Fresh program, which ensures healthy food options, fresh produce, and proteins are consistently available.

Choose Fresh is an innovative approach. One week, clients receive a curated pack of fresh produce, and the following week they receive a dozen eggs and their choice of milk and meat products. Protein is locally sourced and catered to meet the clients’ diverse dietary and cultural needs.

Clients register and contribute a small portion of the cost monthly (25 percent), and KSM covers the remaining cost. The KSM team has established relationships with

local suppliers to maximize buying value. Products vary week to week, and so the team consults with a local chef and nutritionist who provides clients with healthy recipes so they can learn how to utilize the fresh food they receive to cook meals for their families.

Over 250 families access KSM’s Food Market every week, representing approximately 700 individuals. As food prices have increased, the desire for affordable, quality, fresh food has

© IMAGES COURTESY OF KERR STREET MISSION

grown among clients who want to eat healthily but can’t always afford to do so. As of March 2022, KSM had over 200 families registered for their Choose Fresh program, and the number of registrations has continued to increase every month. One client said, “[Choose Fresh] is such a huge help in accessing quality, healthy food for my family. I was getting to the point of cutting things off my grocery list because we couldn’t afford them. Because

of this program, I’m still able to give my kids healthy fruits and vegetables as their snacks.”

Clients registered for Choose Fresh can also access the KSM Food Market weekly. They can receive reclaimed produce and protein, fresh bread, non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and delicious and nutritious takehome meals cooked by volunteers.

Through a variety of fundraisers and sponsors, KSM has been able to cover the costs for the Choose

Fresh program. However, with the increase in registrations, KSM needs more sponsors to help provide quality, fresh food for the clients. This innovative program has had a significant impact on their clients’ health and wellbeing. One client said, “[Choose Fresh] has saved my life! Since starting at Kerr Street Market, I have completely changed the way I eat, and this program has improved my health, which has such a huge impact on my mental wellness as well.”

Please consider sponsoring a family by making a monthly donation to KSM’s Choose Fresh program. A $60 monthly (recurring) donation will make it possible for KSM to provide for an additional family. One hundred percent of your donation to the Choose Fresh program benefits clients, as the funds are used to purchase the fresh food for the program.

May • 2022

globalheroes.com

ADVERTORIAL

Give Real, Life-Saving Gifts

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THIS MOTHER’S DAY

hen your child needs help, nothing else matters. Right now, mothers around the world are worried about their children’s futures. War in Ukraine and Syria has driven millions of children from their homes. In Yemen and East Africa, children are going hungry because of conflict and crop-destroying droughts. And children everywhere are still being impacted by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Take Malika from Afghanistan, for example. Her four-year-old daughter Parwana was severely malnourished; she should be twice her weight at her age and height. With Parwana’s diagnosis, her mother was able to go to the pharmacy to

collect 28 sachets of ready-touse therapeutic food provided solely by UNICEF in Afghanistan.

UNICEF is the world’s farthestreaching humanitarian aid organization for children, working in more than 190 countries to help children survive. This Mother’s Day, you can help us reach children like Parwana by giving a Survival Gift while honouring a mother or mother figure in your life.

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Munta, a mother of two in Ethiopia, is getting her first COVID-19 vaccine as her son looks on. © UNICEF ETHIOPIA/2021/ TEWODROS TADESSE

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4-year-old Parwana holds a packet of Plumpy’Nut at a health center in Afghanistan. © UNICEF/UN0597004/BIDEL

preventable diseases linked to poor water and sanitation. This gift makes a life-saving impact for children exposed to waterborne illnesses. This gift will help protect 123 children from deadly waterborne illnesses by providing 15 bars of soap, 90 oral rehydration salt sachets and 2,400 water purification tablets.

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Sisters Dasha and Katia collect their week’s supply of water at a pumping station.© UNICEF/UNI356712/FILIPPOV

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HELPING THOSE THAT HAVE NO VOICE Together, we CAN make a difference, ONE horse at a time

May • 2022

globalheroes.com The power of positive, solution-based journalism.

ADVERTORIAL

Where the Whispers of Horses in Need Are Heard In the sprawling fields of Ontario’s Hagersville lies a sanctuary for horses.

Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue was started by Brenda Thompson and her husband Dave in 2008, but Brenda’s

passion for healing horses started long ago.

“I have always had a passion for horses, even as a child,” Brenda shared. “When I was 10 years old, I used to help out at a local riding stable all day to have

MILAGRO AND BRENDA © COURTESY OF WHISPERING HEARTS HORSE RESCUE

the opportunity to ride for one hour at the end of the day.”

In her teens, Brenda continued to spend her free time working and volunteering at local riding facilities, leading trail rides, taking care of chores, and most importantly, spending time with the horses.

In 2001, Brenda became an animal cruelty agent with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, where she would receive calls to remove horses from unsafe situations.

However, she recalled, there was nowhere to take them. She realized that with her wealth of experience in caring for horses, she could create a rescue that would provide critical care for horses and give agencies a safe place to bring the animals.

In 2007, Brenda and Dave bought a 48-acre farm in Hagersville and opened the doors to Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue.

“At Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue, we don’t just heal the horses physically; we also heal them emotionally,” the team shares on their website. “People

often ask, ‘How do you work with all of these abused and untrained horses?’ The Chris Irwin Method of Horsemanship has provided us with the tools to reach deep into the souls of these horses, and the knowledge to work through the fear and trust issues many of them have developed due to human injustice and ignorance.”

Whispering Hearts has become what Brenda always hoped it would be; a place that advocates and protects horses. Over the years, Brenda and Dave have saved and nurtured hundreds of neglected and abused horses by providing proper care, ultimately restoring the animals’ trust in humans.

“During our first year, we brought in 42 horses, adopted 22 horses to good homes and euthanized four horses who could not be saved,” said Brenda.

“However, at least they don’t hurt and are not hungry anymore. They have gone to a better place. To date we have helped over 400 horses and found homes for over 250.”

Over a six to eight week period, Whispering Hearts completely rehabilitate the horses they take

in, from feeding to training to riding. This program allows the rescue team to ensure that the horse can be well-matched to a new owner—and the adoption process is equally careful.

Brenda and her team take care to interview potential adopters, inspect their farms, and perform follow-up visits to ensure that the horse is being cared for in its new home.

“You can’t change the world,” Brenda said in a 2019 interview with CBC, “but you can change the world for one horse, one at a time, and that’s what we do here; we take it one horse at a time and do the best we can.”

A registered charitable organization, Whispering Hearts depends on the generosity of sponsors, donors, and volunteers to keep their services running and continue providing critical care for horses. Every donation makes a difference in the lives of horses in need. Become a rescuer at www.whhrescue.com

CORE is on the Ground

Supporting the Needs of the Ukrainian People ALLIE MURRAY

When Russia invaded Ukraine and forced the country into the biggest humanitarian crisis since World War II, Sean Penn and his crisis response nonprofit CORE quickly began working on the ground in Ukraine, Poland, and Romania to support those fleeing.

According to estimates from the UN, 12 million people in Ukraine will need relief and protection due to the war.

When the war first broke out in February, Penn flew to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Penn noted his admiration for the president.

“I don’t know if he knew that he was born for this, but it was clear I was in the presence of something,” he told Anderson Cooper during an interview on CNN. “And again, I think reflected of so many Ukrainians, that was new to the modern world in terms of courage and

Krakow, Poland, to provide aid to refugees entering the country.

In a statement, Penn said, “Already a brutal mistake of lives taken and hearts broken, and if he doesn’t relent, I believe Mr. Putin will have made a most horrible mistake for all of human kind. President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have risen as historic symbols of courage and principle. Ukraine is the tip of the spear for the democratic © COURTESY OF CORE (COMMUNITY ORGANIZED RELIEF EFFORT) embrace of dreams. If we allow an earthquake rocked Haiti, dignity, and love that comes out Penn amplified Lee’s statement it to fight alone, our soul as and has since worked on the regarding their work in Ukraine, America is lost.” of the man and the way he has ground worldwide, providing On both Penn’s Instagram and unified that country.” vowing to do ‘everything he can’ the CORE Instagram, the team to help refugees.

On the ground in Poland and humanitarian aid in places like has been sharing videos, stories, Romania, CORE is working with Brazil, Texas, Louisiana, and more.

“We intend to stay the and pictures to show the world international and local partners “We are not saviours,” cocourse,” he said. “This is one what is happening in Ukraine, of the most heartbreaking to support the immediate needs founder and CEO Lee said. what they are doing to support, of Ukrainian people fleeing.

“We are not coming to help for moments in most of our and how you can help. lifetimes for the world at large Initially, their response focused the glory and recognition, and CORE has been providing aid on providing cash assistance to then leaving once the initial job and it is a crisis at large.” families and distributing hygiene is completed. We are trusted Penn and Lee have gone for more than ten years, leading kits. As the needs evolve, CORE’s partners to the community, and between Poland and Ukraine, sustainable programs focused efforts will adapt to support that requires close collaboration meeting with government on four pillars: emergency refugees relocating. officials, hearing first-hand stories relief, disaster preparedness, with community leaders and Penn founded the charity in members to ensure we are from refugees, and even signing environmental resilience, and 2010 with activist Ann Lee after addressing their needs.” a partnership with the City of community building.

ADVERTORIAL

Life-Saving Support for Ukraine’s Animals As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine grows, so too does the crisis for animals. Veterinarians without Borders - Canada is urgently raising funds to support shelter animals in Ukraine by providing direct support to animal shelters, organizations on the ground that are transporting food, and by providing animal health support and medical supplies to locations where people and their animals have fled, including to bordering countries where the need is and will be great.

Thousands of animals in shelters across Ukraine are in desperate need of food, water, and basic resources in order to survive. In addition to supporting multiple shelters directly, Veterinarians without Borders has a crucial partnership with a food delivery coalition that is supplying food to over 700 partners caring for Ukraine’s war-stricken animals.

Veterinarians without Borders is on the ground doing a real-time assessment of the needs and gaps in programming to ensure that animals are not forgotten and working with governments and communities on mitigating zoonotic disease,

in particular rabies outbreaks.

The images of people fleeing with their pets—often carrying their pets for miles on foot to reach safer ground—are a testament to the love we all share for our animals.

The circumstances for pet owners are heartbreaking. Under threat of death, people in Ukraine are faced with excruciating decisions regarding their pets: do they

stay and risk death because they cannot bear to leave their animals?

Do they flee and leave them behind to fend for themselves? Do they decide to leave, take their animals to a shelter, and hope they survive the war?

Executive Director Charmaine Brett is in daily direct contact with many partner shelters.

“One shelter has over 1,000

dogs and 300 cats in their care, and there is no electricity or water. The conditions under which they are operating are staggering. They have become part of the backbone within the communities still standing.

“I was sent harrowing images and video of blasted out windows of the shelter buildings, and entire dog enclosures completely destroyed. You can see craters

© COURTESY OF VETS WITHOUT BORDERS

from shelling freshly borne on the grounds of the property, just feet from the dogs, with the dogs in obvious distress. A loud barrage of firing can be heard around the shelter.

“We know people want to help these animals and their caregivers.

This is an opportunity for animal lovers and businesses to provide immediate support. We know Canadians will step up to help these animals.”

“It’s a terrifying situation for Ukrainians and the animals. But to see the funds we are raising in action—food and other resources being delivered directly to the animals and caregivers most in need—is incredibly encouraging.

There is so much love, care and comfort given to these animals, who are equally traumatized by the war as their caregivers. It is reassuring to know that even amid so much devastation, good people want to care for and protect vulnerable animals.”

People are encouraged to donate emergency funds for animals in crisis in Ukraine through Veterinarians without Borders.

Scan to Donate!

COMMUNITIES THRIVE WHEN

WE ELEVATE AND PROTECT

THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN

Visit www.biggerthanourborders.ca to learn more.

May • 2022

globalheroes.com The power of positive, solution-based journalism.

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Investing in Women Around the World The pandemic has exacerbated the struggles faced by those in vulnerable communities, especially women. Even before the global health crisis, women bore the brunt of poverty. Statistically, women earn less, take on the majority of responsibility when it comes to caring for their families, and often hold less secure jobs. This is especially prevalent in low- and middle-income countries around the world, where traditional gender roles can prevent women from making decisions about their bodies and their lives.

However, with a heavier focus on investing in reducing gender inequality, these gaps can be closed. According to a UN Women report, over 100 million women and girls can be lifted out of poverty if governments implement comprehensive policy strategies to improve access to education, family planning, and equal wages. Women bring with them different skills, perspectives, and ideas. Investing in their equal presence in society leads to better decision-making and benefits for all—and both

men and women on the ground exemplify just that.

In Chatorkhand, Pakistan, Adiba gathers peers in her community to discuss issues like gender discrimination. She uses theatre performances to increase awareness about genderbased violence, women’s roles in decision-making, mental health, and maternal health. Her work is funded through the Access to Quality Care Through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems program, supported by Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the Government of Canada. Through this program, implemented in Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, and Pakistan, over 400,000 women and girls gained access to comprehensive reproductive health services, helping them make decisions for their own bodies.

Similarly, in Benin, West Africa, Soumanou Oumarou is working to change the minds of men in his community. Since becoming a peer educator with CARE’s PROJEUNES project, he has supported men in making gender equality a priority while

also inviting women to be decision-makers in their homes and communities. As a result, the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls is improved, and early and forced child marriages are reduced.

In Ethiopia, Waga works with other women in her self-help group to create recipes using

locally sourced ingredients.

The women mix, grind, and sell complementary feeding flour, creating jobs while improving food diversity in their communities. Supported

by Save the Children, this work has brought sustainable feeding practices to ten villages and hundreds of mothers, resulting

in healthier and stronger children, families, and communities.

Canada’s support to UN Women’s work in the African region has enabled the movement of legislative practices and frameworks to promote gender balance in politics and increase the effective participation of women as political leaders at local, national, and regional levels in countries like Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria.

Communities thrive when we elevate women in all their diversity.

Empowering women helps them overcome systematic inequalities in their homes and communities, which is essential to creating a safer, healthier, and more prosperous world for everyone.

With the support of the Canadian government and the hard work of Canadian civil society organizations, women’s rights worldwide will become stronger.

Let’s keep the progress moving; visit www.biggerthanourborders.ca to make your commitment to supporting Canada’s international aid.

HEALTHBRIDGE VIETNAM © COURTESY OF BIGGER THAN OUR BORDERS

Redefining Possible: The Power of Perspective ALLIE MURRAY

At the age of five, Spencer West lost both legs from the pelvis down due to a genetic disease.

Having to learn how to navigate a world set against those with disabilities, he began his mission

to redefine what living with disabilities meant, showcasing that he—and anyone—could do whatever they put their mind to.

Today, West works as a motivational speaker, a content creator, and a disability and LGBTQ+ activist.

Over the course of his life, West never aspired to be a motivational speaker. However, in 2008, he went on a volunteer trip to East Africa and had the opportunity to spend time with the kids of the school they were visiting. It was an opportunity that changed his life.

“They were eager to learn all about me and asked many of the questions I have been asked my whole life, ‘What happened to your legs?’ ‘How do you go to the bathroom?’ ‘Can you drive a car?’

But at the end, after answering all their inquiries, a young girl raised her hand and when translated from Swahili said, ‘I didn’t know that this sort of thing’ meaning the loss of my legs ‘could happen to white people too.’ That sentence stopped me cold,” West explained.

“For the first time in my life, I realized the power of my story.

I realized I could use my story to help teach people how to look at challenges differently.”

After returning from Africa, West quit his corporate job in

SPENCER WEST © RYAN BOLTON PHOTOGRAPHY 2021

Arizona and moved to Canada to work with the organization he had been volunteering with and began his journey as a motivational speaker, later starting his own business both as a speaker and content creator.

West’s story quickly inspired everyone he spoke with, which led him to opening for Demi Lovato’s 2014 World Tour, starring in the documentary “Redefine Possible: The Story of Spencer West,” writing and publishing a memoir titled “Standing Tall: My Journey,” and even climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Similarly, West’s story took the social media world by storm, garnering him 179,000 followers on Instagram and 3.7 million followers on TikTok. “One of the positive things about social media is that it allows you to access and connect with a global audience,” West shared.

“For many folks with disabilities, that has become a very important tool for telling our stories and discussing the barriers we face.

But truthfully, social media is the wild west; you never know what

people are going to like and what content will do well. For me, as long as my content has a mixture of heart, humour, honesty, and awareness, I’ve done my job.”

A driving force for West as he began his content creation and motivational speaking career was to show others that they weren’t alone.

“Any time I receive feedback from a young person or adult disabled or nondisabled that says I empowered them to come out or live their life more authentically, that’s what really touches my heart,” he said. “Growing up in a small town in Wyoming in the 90’s, there was almost zero queer representation on tv, in the media or elsewhere, especially when it came to queer disabled folks. I hope I can be another face in the crowd that says we exist, you’re not alone and when you’re ready we’ll be here with open arms because your life has meaning and value.”

In his speeches, West encourages audiences to redefine possibility and embrace the mindset that anyone can overcome obstacles.

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More Than a Place to Stay At Halton Women’s Place, we know that domestic violence has no boundaries and can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, economic status, sexual orientation, or education.

Statistics tell us that at least half of all women in Canada have experienced one or more incidents of physical or sexual violence since turning 16, and on average, every six days a woman is murdered by her intimate partner. Over 6,000 women and children are sleeping in Canadian shelters on any given night because they are not safe at home. These numbers represent our co-workers, friends, family, and neighbours. There is not a single community across our country that is free of domestic violence.

Intimate partner violence, also called domestic violence, continues to be an issue affecting individuals and families across the globe and right here in our community. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual, economic or include psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes a pattern of behaviours that are meant to frighten,

intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone.

Here at Halton Women’s Place, we continue to provide safe spaces, information, education, and crisis intervention services to women experiencing domestic violence and abuse. We are committed to advocating and raising awareness about the issue and the resources available in our community to help.

We are also deeply committed to preventing violence before it starts.

Our public education team provides hundreds of presentations each year to teach about healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, and communication. We teach about the importance of bystanders using their voices. We explore how crucial it is to believe a survivor’s disclosure and respond without judgment. We believe that domestic violence cannot be addressed when met with shame.

This violence in our communities must be addressed openly, with compassion and understanding towards those with the courage to come forward and tell their stories.

We believe that the survivors of violence within our community

are the heroes. They are the reason that our staff work tirelessly to explore options, establish safety, and provide comfort. The safety and success of the women and children we serve is about so much more than just having a place to stay.

When women feel supported and valued, they and their children are more likely to thrive.

To effect change for women across Halton impacted by violence, we need the community to recognize the beginning stages

of violence. Commit this year to take a workshop and gain tools and knowledge about how you can help someone you care about if you suspect they are experiencing domestic violence. We will be expanding our public education offerings throughout the year to inform you about these topics and work in partnership with all of you to stop violence before it starts.

As well, as Mother’s Day is celebrated around the country, please pause to reflect on those 6,000

© IMAGES COURTESY OF HALTON WOMEN’S PLACE

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Mother’s Day Campaign haltonwomensplace.com/mothers-day

mothers and children in Canada who were unable to spend the night in the safety of their own homes due to domestic violence.

Halton Women’s Place is the only women’s shelter in the Halton region providing emergency safe shelter and community outreach services to women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse. To learn more about how you can help in addressing the issue of domestic violence, please visit www. haltonwomensplace.com. If you or someone you know is in need of support, call our 24/7 crisis, information, and support lines at 905-332-7892 or 905878-8555 or reach out through our online chat tool at www. haltonwomensplace.com/chat.

For a list of local organizations across Canada working to address domestic violence please visit www.sheltersafe.ca to see how you can help.

Domestic Violence affects us all. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out.

You are not alone.

Bees, Birds, and Butterflies need your help.

Pollinator Partnership Canada works to support their habitat, creating a better world for pollinators, people, and the planet.

Visit pollinatorpartnership.ca. Donate and make a difference today.

May • 2022

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Investments in STEM Education Will Pay Dividends for Generations The world we live in is rapidly changing, and there is a high demand for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills in multiple disciplines to drive the innovation needed to thrive.

Kids are natural, curious learners, and the way they discover the world around them is inspiring.

They have an innate desire to ask questions, explore everything, and test theory after theory. Engaging youth in STEM education from early years through high school nurtures these skills, inspires curiosity, and encourages all students to push boundaries and imagine the impossible.

By encouraging kids to ask and answer questions, you foster the development of reasoning skills that are essential to understanding and discovering STEM-based concepts. They begin to think about their world by making connections and exploring new ideas, which is essential to developing curious, critical thinkers as they grow

older. Questions open the door to inquiry and wonder. They stimulate discussion, interest, and exploration that may otherwise go untapped.

Due to its foundation of inquiry-based learning and problem solving, STEM education provides youth with the skills they need to grow into our future job and wealth creators who are prepared to tackle the most pressing issues facing our planet.

From practical or technical skills like using a piece of machinery to digital literacy to advanced skills that enable us to take risks, invent new technologies, and create solutions for sustainable development, youth are faced with a future that will be increasingly dependent on STEM.

with the resources, strategies, and tools necessary to help prepare youth in Canada to participate and thrive in a digital economy.

“Coding and digital skills are becoming the new ABCs, fundamental to jobs of the future,” said Bonnie Schmidt, President and Founder of Let’s Talk Science. “Children and youth across Canada need to be curious, ask questions and be capable of challenging the status quo in order to succeed.”

Connecting youth’s passions and interests will spark curiosity and encourage collaboration while broadening their awareness and value of STEM education.

Together, we are helping youth build the skills they need—because our future depends on it.

DIGITAL SKILLS ARE BECOMING THE NEW ABC’S Let’s Talk Science recognizes the importance of providing youth, parents/caregivers, and educators

To find out how Let’s Talk Science free programs and resources engage children and youth virtually and in the classroom, visit letstalkscience.ca

Education For All: Waterloo Students Offering Tutoring Services to Students in Ukraine ALLIE MURRAY

Noticing the lack of academic support for younger students adjusting to online schooling, a group of students in Waterloo joined forces to create HomeworkHub Tutoring—a

non-profit organization dedicated to providing free, accessible and quality education to all students.

The group now extends across Canada, the U.S., China, India, and around the world.

The organization pairs high school or university tutors

THE HOMEWORKHUB TEAM MAKING BACKPACK DONATIONS © COURTESY OF HOMEWORKHUB

with elementary students for one-on-one, virtual, eight-week tutoring sessions in all school subjects. Students can register for up to three subjects at a time to get the help they need.

“HomeworkHub Tutoring started last year in February,” founder and president Paris Cai explained. “During the pandemic, a group of friends and I realized that there was a lack of academic support going around for younger students struggling to adjust to the online learning format and a lack of volunteering opportunities for older students to engage with their community, so we decided to tackle both issues at once and created HomeworkHub.” The team works to support students in need of academic support not only in Waterloo, but across Canada, the U.S., China, Kenya, India, and now, Ukraine.

Amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of students have been displaced from their

homes, schools, and forced to put their education on hold.

“HomeworkHub has a pretty sizeable Ukrainian community and we’ve utilized our own members as well as outside institutions such as various church and newcomer support groups to reach and facilitate tutoring for Ukrainian students currently caught up in war,” Cai said.

Cai shared that offering these services has been a slow and steady process, but one that has gained a lot of momentum since they’ve begun offering their services to Ukrainian students. They have a quality assurance team hosting English Second Language (ESL) tutoring training sessions, and they have been extra diligent with tutor requirements when onboarding new volunteers.

“Currently, we have many students residing in and around Ukraine, and it’s honestly really inspiring to see

them continue to pursue and better their education even when under such stressful circumstances,” Cai said.

“Some of our students have to visit bomb shelters multiple times a week and it’s really amazing that they can still make time to study with our tutors. For now, we welcome all students affected by the war and we hope to start working with Ukrainian newcomers in Canada a little later on.”

There are roughly 1,000 students using the tutoring services offered

by HomeworkHub, and approximately 60 of them are students from Ukraine.

To help make a difference, Cai shared that they are always looking for more tutors to join their team. As they expand their efforts to reach more students worldwide, they have students on their waiting list that they would love to help—and they need more tutors to support students in need.

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Conserve Land and You Conserve Life Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy’s (EBC’s) 25th Anniversary! EBC was formed in 1996 to protect lands on the Niagara Escarpment and in its watersheds. With our first project, we learned that land is not just acres. It is alive. Views, hiking, mammals, places for migratory birds and monarchs. People. EBC set out to Conserve Land and found we were Conserving Life.

stand out. Bob Barnett, EBC’s Director; an architect by training, a doer by habit. Bob meets landowners; they arrange conserved futures. Bob was part of EBCs start and is part of each EBC nature preserve.

Our Chair, Saba Ahmad, a devoted environmental activist since her teens, is now a lawyer and mother of three. Saba led

the clean air drive to electrify Toronto’s airport trains. Then, she joined EBC’s Board and electrified our operations and outlook. Since joining us in 2013, Saba has worked on over 100 new nature preserves and funding to secure and steward others. Saba’s vision has helped EBC work for reconciliation with First Nations. EBC, time

aware, care and results-driven. day hikes for visitors in an oldJoin us. growth forest.

RESULTS YOU CAN WALK ON; RESULTS YOU CAN BREATHE EBC’s Heaven’s Gate project in 2021 joined 2,400 acres linking Killarney to La Cloche Prov. Park. Protecting 12 rare species, a spectacular trail, and

EBC’S NATURE IS YOUR NATURE 200+ preserves; variety to explore for a lifetime and never see it all. 100 km of trails in every season. Spring frogs in chorus. Bird calls from shaded trees. Loons alone in fall. Silent groves of snow. Species so rare, we tell no one. EBC’s nature is your nature. Open, but some secrets.

EBC’S PEOPLE Alive and diverse, each sharing a keen awareness they are in and of nature and that harm to the earth is ongoing. Two

Find us at www.escarpment.ca

SAVE LAND AND HELP MONARCH BUTTERFLIES, ALL IN ONE GO Scan the QR code and donate $25 for land. Your donation will help conserve 370 acres on Manitoulin Island, and you will get a packet of Milkweed seeds to make homes for monarch butterflies!

People, nature, and conservation come together in EBC. Over 100 families donated land outright.

It is their nature, and they want it to endure. Land conservation is for people now and to come.

It is your nature and life for all people, all creatures. Help EBC grow. Visit EBC preserves. Be part of a growing land trust. Help EBC conserve 2,500 acres for our 25th Anniversary. For you.

For generations. Conserve land.

Conserve life.

LEFT: SABA AHMAD AND BOB BARNETT © SASHA SEFTER; RIGHT: HEAVEN’S GATE FROM THE SOUTH IN THE EARLY MORNING FOG. © COURTESY OF ESCARPMENT BIOSPHERE

Largest Ontario focused land trust 20,000 acres conserved: including 20 kms of Lake Huron shore, Habitat for 70 species at risk, Linking La Cloche & Killarney Parks, Rare orchids, Phenomenal birding, Monarch butterfly protection, 100 kms. of trails, Charitable number 88878 2570 RR 0001

SUSTAINABLE FASHION THAT’S GOOD FOR THE PLANET AND YOUR WALLET! visit talize.com

May • 2022

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Save Big on Sustainable Fashion The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry globally, contributing to ten percent of carbon emissions around the world. Simply making a pair of jeans takes 1,800 gallons of water and produces approximately 33 kilograms of CO2. On top of that, each year, more than ten million tons of textile waste are generated in North America.

At the same time, clothing is a daily essential and a great way to express your personal style.

As sustainability becomes more important in our daily lives, it’s important to consider where the things we buy come from and find environmentally friendly alternatives to buying new.

Shopping secondhand, for example, is naturally friendlier to the environment; you’re giving a second life to something that would otherwise be headed to the landfill and saving money at the same time. Thrift shopping is a great way to introduce sustainability into your lifestyle and wardrobe, crafting a conscious wardrobe that reduces your carbon footprint.

© COURTESY OF TALIZE

Canadian-owned and operated for-profit thrift retailer Talize fills the gap between traditional thrift stores and mid-range discount retailers, providing a place to find unique, one-of-akind items at a cost your wallet will love.

Finding a unique piece of clothing that perfectly matches your style is one of the joys of thrift shopping. Experienced thrifters are all too familiar with scouring the aisles for hidden gems, but at Talize, where each

item is carefully inspected for quality assurance prior to being put on the sales floor, every item is a treasure. Their product selection offers a wide range of secondhand items, including brand names and designer clothing for all ages, accessories, footwear, housewares, books, media, toys, and much more.

What’s more, thrifting at Talize doesn’t feel like sorting through an endless array of textiles— their stores are brightly lit and colour coordinated, so you can

find what you’re looking for with ease.

Aside from giving you more for your money, one of thrifting’s most significant advantages is keeping clothes out of landfills. Now more than ever, consumers recognize that by donating the clothes they’ve outgrown or no longer want, they are making a more positive impact than they would by tossing their items in the garbage.

Talize focuses on reusing, upcycling, and recycling gently

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used clothing and hard goods.

When clothing doesn’t sell, they recycle it to keep their processes zero-waste and ensure that clothing does not end up in landfills. Donating gently-used items to thrift stores like Talize ensures that your clothing and items will continue to serve someone else even when you’re done with them. It’s an easy way to include textiles in your recycling practices and extends the lifespan of your purchases.

Every item that can have its life extended is one less item that needs to be manufactured.

Talize accepts donations at all of their stores through their donation centres and dropboxes from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. With every donation, you receive a $5 coupon for your next purchase of $25 or more.

With ten locations in Ontario and two in British Columbia and new items donated every day, there’s never been a better time to start crafting your conscious closet.

Canada’s Arctic Rose:

Susan Aglukark Receives Humanitarian Award RAYE MOCIOIU

Canadian folk-pop icon Susan Aglukark calls herself an “accidental artist.” Though she grew up with no musical background or practice, she loved music and had the soul of a writer. She spent the first part of her career learning the ropes of the music industry while performing on small Ontario stages, gaining an audience and establishing herself as a unique presence in the music world.

Her early songs from the 1992 album Arctic Rose drew inspiration from her early life in Canada’s north and the feelings of uncertainty that clouded her early twenties.

With an air of relatability and the weight of the real and often serious stories she shared of her homeland, Aglukark catapulted into stardom. Twenty-five years, nine albums, and three Juno Awards later, the artist has shared her life through her music—a path of healing,

SUSAN AGLUKARK © DENISE GRANT

cultural connections, and personal discoveries.

A leading voice in Canadian music, Aglukark’s way of blending the Inuktitut and English languages and sharing the stories of the Inuit of Arctic Canada set to contemporary folk-pop arrangements captured the ears and hearts of international listeners.

The emotional depth and subject matter of Aglukark’s music paved the way for her other passion, supporting the

health and wellness of Indigenous communities, to shine through.

While releasing and touring her first album, Arctic Rose, Aglukark worked with the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, a nonprofit organization that seeks to protect and advance the rights and interests of Inuit peoples in Canada. In 2008, two years after her seventh album, Blood Red Earth, Aglukark was appointed as Distinguished Scholar in Residence at the University of Alberta, working to address the school dropout issue among Aboriginal students across Canada. After leaving to shift her focus back to creating music, she felt a tug to continue the work of improving lives in Inuit and Indigenous communities.

She began the Arctic Rose Foundation, working to help address hunger, homelessness, and the health and wellness of Inuit children and youth.

One of the foundation’s primary programs, the Kamajiit (Caretakers) Program, is a youth leadership development program

designed to mitigate the root causes of high school dropout rates in three communities in Nunavut and will be piloted in Rankin Inlet this autumn.

“The Arctic Rose Foundation is fundamentally about dignity, and as Indigenous, we know that this is an issue at the root of many challenges, including staying in or finishing school,” Aglukark shared.

In Aglukark’s healing journey, art played a significant role in finding her identity. She believes the power of art can be just as meaningful for Inuit and Indigenous youth dealing with identity issues today.

The foundation’s Messy Book Program offers culturally specific after-school art programs for students in Grades 5-12, in a space they can use as an emotional outlet and connect with Indigenous artists, role models, and mentorship. Combining art, writing, movement, music, technology, and drama, the program encourages creative

cultural and historical exploration, allowing students to connect with their traditional and cultural backgrounds in an intentional way.

This month, Aglukark will be honoured with the 2022 Humanitarian Award, presented

by Music Canada at the 2022 Juno Awards, recognizing her philanthropic efforts and long-standing commitment to improving the lives of youth in Northern Indigenous communities through the Arctic Rose Foundation.

“It is an honour to receive this award and a privilege to have had the opportunity to help create safe spaces for Northern Inuit and Indigenous youth,” Aglukark said in a statement. “I am proud of the work our team at the Arctic Rose Foundation has achieved so far, and look forward to expanding our footprint across the North to bring more culturally-grounded, adaptable programming to young people and help engage, support, and inspire them in all aspects of their lives.”

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SAVING LIVES. SUPPORTING FAMILIES. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES.

May • 2022

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STAND

BY ME.

YEARS

1922−2022

THANK YOU TO OUR CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS Susan Agranove

Corteva Agriscience/ VanderBurgt Brothers

Airshow London The Arcangelo Rea Family Foundation

The Covey Family Barbara Del Net

Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation

In Honour of Joseph DiCecco

Burnett Okanski Dale Financial Group - CIBC Wood Gundy

Fantham Family Foundation

Cadillac Fairview Margaret M. Carroll In Honour of Socrates Antonio Pereira Catsamoundis Children’s Health Foundation Board of Directors Compass Minerals

In Memory of Gerald A. Garvie Rodney and Caroline Hancock Hardie Family Foundation Dr. Steven Harrison, Mrs. Kanwal Chandi-Harrison and Family

Ironstone Building Company Ivari J. P. Bickell Foundation

Selectpath Benefits & Financial Inc. In Honour of Harry Shapiro

Gary and Mary Margaret Koreen

Tom Sheidow and Lori Dietrich Sheidow

London Knights

The Stedelbauer Family

In Memory of Keith Moffatt

In Honour of Petra Stockford

The O’Neill Team - CIBC Wood Gundy

In Honour of Jim Tait

In Honour of Ollie Pale, Therapeutic Clown

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada

Pfister Philanthropic Foundation

UNIFOR LOCAL 1520 Retired Workers

In Memory of Ted Hunter

The Pickthall Family Memorial Trust Fund

Westminster College Foundation

iA Financial Group

In Memory of Lyla Rainford

Jack and Jean Wettlaufer and Family

Children’s Health Foundation serves more than 60,000 children annually in Western Ontario, ensuring kids and their families receive the best possible care and the most possible hope when faced with a life-threatening or life-limiting diagnosis. The generosity of our Stand

By Me Circle of Champions makes it possible for our health care partners to focus on the only thing that matters: our kids. From state-ofthe-art equipment and personalized therapies to family comfort programming and staff training, your generosity makes leading-edge care a reality, even in times of crisis. Thank you for standing by our kids.

An Emotional Story, a Powerful Voice In Grade 11, Rabiah struggled deeply with her Every year, Canada’s Walk of mental health. Her dark Fame, a national not-for-profit mental state, combined with a organization that works to shine lack of mental health support, a light on extraordinary achievers led Rabiah to attempt suicide. and their journeys, reaches out to Her recovery, however, opened Canadians to nominate a deserving up a pathway that changed her young person for the Community life forever.

Hero Program. Presented by Maple Now, as a survivor of suicide, Leaf Sports & Entertainment Rabiah is committed to (MLSE) and Scotiabank, this lending her voice to champion program recognizes an inspiring awareness and education about Canadian under 30 who positively mental health inequities, impacts their communities and suicide prevention, and beyond. In 2021, the fourth annual disability justice, not just in her year of the Community Hero community but throughout the Program, the winner was B.C. nation. From acting as a voice native Rabiah Dhaliwal, founder of for her country in the House of the Voices for Hope foundation.

Commons to sharing her story with people on the other side of the world, Rabiah is achieving At just 22 years old, Rabiah things that her “14-year-old self Dhaliwal has already impacted never thought were possible.” countless lives for the better— and she’s only just getting started.

As a neurodivergent youth of colour struggling with The activist, humanitarian, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and pageant queen has long Rabiah has faced more than been an advocate for mental health resources and education, her fair share of challenges and adversities. Through it all, she a mission that has taken her has championed positivity, across Canada and her voice always looking for a way to use across the globe.

RAYE MOCIOIU

© COURTESY OF RABIAH DHALIWAL

her voice to raise awareness, call for education, and build connections with others who may also be suffering.

In 2019, Rabiah was selected to kick off and be the face of World Cup winner and professional soccer player Mesut Ozil’s

#YourStoryOurVoice campaign, where she shared her story with millions across the globe.

“Being a part of the #YourStoryOurVoice campaign gave me the wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the importance of mental health and my own lived experiences at an international level,” says Rabiah. “I was grateful to simply be able to share my experiences, and my only hope was that the campaign reach even one person who may be struggling and make them feel a little less alone.”

Her humble expectations were greatly exceeded—after the campaign was launched, she was flooded with messages of support and encouragement as the campaign reached 80 million people across the globe.

“It was overwhelming in the best sense of the word! Learning the hundreds of stories of young people who said my voice and advocacy efforts gave them the courage to speak on their own experiences was truly an honour.

It gave me the strength and motivation to continue my work

and serves as a daily reminder of why I champion mental health awareness and education.”

Learning the power of sharing her story led Rabiah to create her foundation, Voices for Hope, focused on challenging mental health stigma through an intersectional lens, giving BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals a platform to share their experiences. Through the foundation, Rabiah is working to establish Canada’s firstever “sensory hub” program, giving students a safe space to decompress when they need it— something Rabiah wished she’d had when going through mental health difficulties in school.

“Right now, my team and I are engaging with diverse stakeholders to launch our first pilot program at a local school or youth centre,” Rabiah notes.

“The sensory hub will be a therapeutic space with sensory technology, stim toys, special lighting, calming visuals, and sounds where students can go when they’re feeling overwhelmed.”

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Grandview Kids’ Historic Leap Forward in Paediatric Excellence We all have powerful stories to tell, and Grandview Kids is no exception. Our journey began in 1953 when a group of parents in the Durham Region came together to create more support and services for their children. We are an independently operated, notfor-profit organization that helps children and youth to live life at their full potential. Moreover, we are the only Children’s Treatment Centre in Durham Region, providing specialized programs, outpatient clinical treatment and support to thousands of children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs and their families.

Over the years, the demand for Grandview’s services have grown from 400 kids annually in the ‘80s to the current demand exceeding 19,000 children and youth. To answer that need in our community, the Grandview Kids Foundation has embarked on a monumental journey with our Believe Campaign to raise $20 million that will make the dreams of a new Grandview facility a reality. Funds raised will complement support from Federal, Provincial and Regional partners.

Donors like you have helped

Campaign can choose to support in one of three ways: 1. Help BUILD THE NEW GRANDVIEW 2. SUPPORT FUTURE PROGRAMS & SERVICES in the new Grandview 3. Help to CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE that will benefit Grandview kids for years to come

© COURTESY OF GRANDVIEW KIDS FOUNDATION

to raise an impressive $17 million through the Believe Campaign, but we need to raise an additional $3 million to help build and support the new Grandview. And we could really use your help!

This next chapter in our story is historical. The new Grandview Kids headquarters will support the seamless and coordinated provision of family-centred care.

Our new location will be a spacious, multi-story facility located in Ajax on five acres of beautiful land that has been generously donated

by the Town of Ajax. This fully accessible building—named the Jerry Coughlan Building after Jerry’s generous donation—will allow us to expand and enhance our existing services and introduce new ones.

The vision for the new Grandview Kids is to support the seamless and coordinated provision of family-centred care for children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs and their families. It will be an open, welcoming, and inclusive community-based paediatric

facility, supporting an integrated mix of specialized rehabilitation, medical and clinical services, and education and research activities.

Act today and be part of our story. You have the power to help ensure that Grandview Kids is always prepared with the staff, technology and innovation that will help children and youth live life at their full potential. Be part of Grandview’s historic leap forward in paediatric excellence by joining our Believe Campaign today. Donors to the Believe

Be part of our story today to help empower more children and youth for tomorrow at grandviewkidsfoundation.ca/ believecampaign/ or scan the QR code below. If you’d like to connect and get more involved, we’d love to hear from you!

You can email us at believe@ grandviewkids.ca and connect with us on socials.

@grandviewkids_fdn @grandviewkidsfoundation @GrandviewFDN Grandview Kids Foundation

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100 Years of Patients

Growing Up at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Canada Richard was a patient at Canada Shriners Hospital for many years of his childhood after experiencing a terrible car accident with his family when he was just two years old. It was 1968, and Richard and his family were on their way to visit their relatives in Montreal, just an hour and a half drive from their hometown of Trois-Rivières, Quebec.

At about the same time his mother had taken him into her lap to settle him from crying, another car swerved into their lane, causing them to veer off the road. Richard was thrown from the front window, landing in a ditch with the vehicle on top of him and his mother. With the help of a kind stranger passing by, Richard’s father was able to pull him out from under the car and was attended to by first responders shortly after.

He made his way to several emergency rooms, spent some time in another children’s hospital, and then found his way to Canada Shriners Hospital. Unfortunately, his spine was beyond repair, and the accident left him a paraplegic.

Despite the difficult circumstances

Shriners Children’s is celebrating 100 years of changing the lives of children all over the world.

Find out how at shrinerscanada.org

he was facing at such a young age, Richard only has positive memories of his time at Canada Shriners Hospital. “I grew up at the Shriners. I’m a Shriners kid,” he recounts. “I lived there until I was 18. I have so many memories.

There was a dormitory for the boys and another for the girls, each with about 30 beds. It was great! There’s nothing like having all of your friends around when you’re a kid.”

Richard was in and out of the hospital until he was 18 years old, receiving treatment for his spine.

“We did all sorts of fun activities, including theatre, which I loved! We did the set décor and we were the actors. We presented our plays to the patients, their families, and staff.

In addition to my parents, it was the nurses who raised me. They taught me to be positive and respectful.”

Richard went on to enjoy many hobbies as a teen and young adult, discovering his passion for both music and sports. He played the drums, percussion, and guitar, and participated in sports such as basketball, tennis, swimming, and sailing.

He became an elite sailor and won

© SHRINERS CANADA

many notable races, including the Mobility Cup in 2008. “I made my way despite the circumstances,” he says. While he met many challenges on his path through life, he always had an open mind and a generous spirit and says he will be forever grateful to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada.

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada is among a network of healthcare facilities across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Together we are celebrating 100 years of providing specialized care to children all over the world.

Healing Through Dance:

Toronto Artist Sheds Light on Sexism and Trauma many women and trans people experience in Latin America.

When most of us dance, it’s to “On stage, I get to create the celebrate at a party or let loose world that I want to manifest,” in our living rooms. When Mata explains. “And in this world, Victoria Mata dances, it’s to my protagonist has a nude torso heal intergenerational trauma, that is not sexualized and wears empower young women fleeing a traditional culoepuya skirt domestic violence, and explore that is connected to the people the diasporic experience. of Venezuela. The machete she Mata is a Venezuelan-Canadian holds is an instrument that can clear paths, but it is also a tool choreographer, director, activist, for protection and killing when and expressive arts therapist who has been dancing professionally needed. There’s a warrior entity to her that I feel we all have to carry.” for over 20 years. Drawing Through ConSECUENCIAS, inspiration from her home in an artist network she co-founded Toronto and ancestral roots, her work is influenced by the that operates in Canada and Latin traditional Afro-Venezuelan America, Mata brings dance and filmmaking to women’s shelters, genres of the cacao-farming regions her grandfather hails from inspiring participants to exhibit and produce their own critical art. and the contemporary Canadian dance scene.

Her face lights up when talking about the young women she’s Telling stories of women mentored over the years. that aren’t commonly told in “It’s really awesome to see performance spaces is a major when participants start their focus of her work. Her characters own production companies and are often seen standing strong music labels, become teachers, and beautiful against the sexual violence and “machismo” or sexism have kids and reach out to us VANESSA GRANT

and say, ‘I want to put my kid in a workshop!’” she says.

Besides equipping young women with the tools to create their own art, Mata also uses expressive arts therapy to support them as they work through trauma. Her clients use collage, clay, painting, movement, song, and more to heal.

“Expressive arts therapy is a field that accesses the power of the imagination. It’s in moving from one art form to another that we connect with the subconscious and gain deeper knowledge about our relationship to other people and experiences of trauma, and then begin to imagine how we want to choose to shift those relationships.”

Mata also uses art to call attention to timely social issues. In Cacao: A Venezuelan Lament, an upcoming theatre work premiering in September, she highlights the exploitation of cacao farmers through the global chocolate trade and the fight to preserve their traditional way of life.

Another frequent theme in Mata’s work is mental health. She investigates grief in Suspended, hanging from a harness in mid-air to recreate the feeling of the world turning upside down when we lose someone or something. She’ll be presenting a version of this work to Toronto audiences this May through Discover Dance, a free lunch-hour series presented

by TO Live and Nova Dance that introduces many of the city’s incredible dance artists.

Mata explains that the motivation behind her work isn’t just professional—it’s personal, too. She has a family history of suicide, addiction, and displacement.

“As I learn more about my family’s story, there’s an answer to why I’m doing what I do that is bigger than me. There’s a calling to heal the intergenerational trauma that I feel my body is holding onto. And I have both expressive arts therapy and the world of dance and choreography to heal what my cells carry.”

VICTORIA MATA © ANA HIGUERA

ADVERTORIAL

From Loss to Landing The Mothers Matter Centre launches a May 2022 campaign to support refugee mothers and children.

Globally, by the end of 2020, 82.4 million people were forced to flee their homes. With the current crises in Afghanistan, Sudan, Ethiopia, and—now—in Ukraine, this number will rise, breaking new records of people forcibly displaced. The Mothers Matter Centre (MMC) and its partners have an essential role to play in meeting the complex and urgent resettlement needs of arriving refugees.

WHAT DOES THE MOTHERS MATTER CENTRE DO? The MMC works to assure mothers they are not invisible, that they are valued, and that help is now at hand.

The MMC does this through their flagship program, Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), an evidence-based program where Home Visitors come into a family’s home to support vulnerable and isolated mothers in their critical role as their

child’s first and most important teacher. HIPPY strengthens families and communities by empowering mothers to be active in Canadian society while preparing their children for success in school and life.

THE MMC’S RESPONSE TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS In 2018, in response to Operation Syria, the MMC partnered with the Immigrant Services Society of BC to deliver Reviving Hope and Home, a program for newly arrived, high-risk refugee mothers and their children. It was a responsive, personalized collection of settlement services assembled to meet the complex and evolving needs of vulnerable refugee mothers. The successful implementation of Reviving Hope and Home yielded many sustainable outcomes for participants, including supportive social networks, bridges to essential social services, relief of food insecurity, child care assistance, and the successful

transition of pre-school children to school.

The Canadian government announced a doubling of refugees to 45,000 in Canada over the next two years, a number likely to increase in response to the crisis in Ukraine. Much effort is required to welcome refugee

mothers and their families, who arrive after arduous journeys filled with violence, loss, and extreme uncertainty. The MMC will ease this complex transition into Canadian society by building on the success of Reviving Hope and Home. But, we need your help!

To support the MMC’s work with refugees, please consider donating to our From Loss to Landing campaign launching in May. There is no better time to show Mothers how much they matter.

Visit mothersmattercentre.ca/ from-loss-to-landing

© COURTESY OF MOTHERS MATTER

YOUR IMPACT BRINGS HOPE TO MOTHERS IN CRISIS.

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A Safe Place to Speak On November 4th, 1985, the Assaulted Women’s Helpline (AWHL) answered its first call.

They answered an incredible 5,000 calls from across the GTA in their first year. Over one million calls later, AWHL has grown to serve women across the province and beyond.

Home is supposed to be a safe space, but for victims of domestic abuse, it’s the most terrifying place to be.

In Canada alone, one in four women has experienced domestic abuse. The issue has become so prevalent, in fact, that calls to the AWHL have increased by 86 percent in the past year.

There is no easy way out of domestic abuse, but the AWHL is here to help. AWHL provides 24 hours a day, seven days a week telephone crisis line counselling, online counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referral in over 200 languages.

Women call the Helpline for many reasons, including information, emotional

or psychological support, referrals, safety planning, or for emergency crisis help.

The Helpline is often the first point of contact for abused women, especially those whose vulnerability is exacerbated by isolation, language barriers, or disability. Between April 202021, out of the 93,444 calls answered, 44 percent of callers were calling for the first time Domestic abuse is a complex issue with no easy solution; when people hear about cases of intimate partner violence, they ask the same question: “Why doesn’t she just leave?”

Leaving an abusive relationship isn’t as simple as ‘just leaving.’

There are very often children in the home, financial repercussions to think about, many women are too scared to flee for fear of what their partners might do. Some women do not want to leave; they just want the abuse to stop.

When a woman calls the Helpline, her call will be answered by a professional counsellor. Although each call is

unique, AWHL counsellors will ask questions to understand her situation better. Questions such as, are you in a safe location to speak? Can you tell me a little about your situation? What concerns do you have about your relationship? What have you considered at this point?

Our counsellors are there to listen, support and help explore all options available.

The pandemic has created unique challenges for those experiencing intimate partner violence and for those providing support services.

As our communities gradually reopen and return to “normal,” the need for our services will only increase. AWHL will continue to provide a lifeline to thousands of women when they need it most. In many instances, a call to the Helpline can and does save a woman’s life and that of her children.

If you would like to support our work, visit www.awhl.org/donate.

Rainbow Railroad is Doing Life-Saving Work A Pathway to Freedom, Supported by the TreadRight Foundation In a multicultural and diverse city like Toronto, sisters Kena and Sanchia fit right in. However, their journey to living freely hasn’t been easy. In their birth country of Barbados, one that discriminates based on sexual orientation, the last thing in the world Kena and Sanchia felt was accepted. Self-censorship was vital to their very survival. Like many members of the LGBTQI+ community, the burden of hiding their authentic selves was a heavy one to carry—one that loomed over them constantly and robbed them of their joy.

“My sister, in our country, she never smiled,” explains Sanchia, looking at a photo of her and her sister the day after they landed in Canada, at Niagara Falls, with huge smiles on their faces. With tears in her eyes, Kena explains that she finally felt like she could be her true self once in Canada.

There are currently more than 70 countries that criminalize homosexuality or legally discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In

these countries, LGBTQI+ people are routinely arrested, denied basic human rights, attacked and brutalized, and even murdered.

Coming to Canada changed Kena and Sanchia’s lives forever, and for that, they credit Rainbow Railroad. The organization is providing safe passage and resettlement support to thousands of LGBTQI+ individuals, with a mission to help them escape persecution and violence and find safety in a new country where they can live freely. For many, the organization is a lifeline. “I feel safe within this community Rainbow Railroad offers me,” says Sanchia.

Based in Toronto and New York and operating globally, Rainbow Railroad receives thousands of requests each year for assistance. This number increases consistently, with more than 5,000 requests received in 2021 alone, and is exacerbated by the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the refugee crisis, and increased crackdowns on LGBTQI+ individuals in countries like Uganda, Ghana,

and most recently, Afghanistan.

Like Kena and Sanchia, many of these individuals faced dangerous and abusive home environments.

Today, violence in family and domestic spaces committed against LGBTQI+ women remains at epidemic levels around the globe*.

As an internationally recognized human rights leader, Rainbow Railroad has facilitated safe travel and resettlement for more than 1,500 LGBTQI+ individuals since 2006 through its core Emergency Travel Support program and has provided support to thousands more.

The TreadRight Foundation, charitable arm of global travel provider the Travel Corporation (TTC) and a leader in the sustainable travel space, recently announced its partnership with Rainbow Railroad. TreadRight has funded more than 60 sustainable travel initiatives worldwide to date and, alongside TTC, shares with Rainbow Railroad a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and a more equitable

future for all. For The Travel Corporation and its family of 40 brands, including Contiki, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, and Red Carnation Hotels, increased diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital for both the communities visited and for travellers.

TreadRight’s support will further Rainbow Railroad’s ability to help an increased number of persecuted LGBTQI+ individuals find safety, help enhance partnerships with organizations working on the ground to assist migrant and asylum seekers, and provide additional support to its beneficiaries through resources including accommodation, medical care, access to essential medicines and in-country relocation.

“Rainbow Railroad was like that opening for me, like yeah, there’s hope for you. There’s hope for other people like you, you’re not alone,” says Kena.

Rainbow Railroad is working

© TREADRIGHT FOUNDATION

hard to provide a pathway to freedom for those living in oppressive societies. We all deserve a life that is free from violence and hate. * Statistic sourced

by Rainbow Railroad ADVERTORIAL

Prioritizing Pain: Fighting for Access to Care Chronic pain impacts millions of children and adults worldwide, impacting daily life, work activities, and mental health.

And yet, chronic pain is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, leaving patients lost and without treatment options.

One such condition is EhlersDanlos Syndromes (EDS), a group of rare and inherited conditions that affect connective tissue, which supports skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs, and bones.

All too often, individuals living with EDS and chronic pain are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed for years and are forced to pay out of pocket for private health care. Even with a referral from their family physician or specialist, patients face skepticism of their pain and are rejected.

Inspired by the heartbreaking journeys of young people who were diagnosed with EDS, the ILC Charitable Foundation (TheILC) has worked tirelessly to engage academia and the government on the critical need

to address gaps in our healthcare system for EDS patients.

Over the last 12 years, TheILC has made incredible strides in increasing the recognition and awareness of EDS, leading to more people with EDS being correctly diagnosed and treated.

However, even with these wins, TheILC knows its mission is far from complete. The lack of access to specialized healthcare in neurosurgery leaves many patients suffering, with no place to turn.

“EDS affects someone that I care about very much. What I like most about these conferences is that for many years doctors didn’t know what she had, didn’t know how to help her even if they did know what she had and with these conferences, she can get together with people that go through the same thing as her, and it’s a very helpful experience for everybody.”—Tom, TheILC supporter There are many types of EDS, and symptoms can include hyper-extensibility of the skin, hypermobility of the joints, and

EDS patients in Ontario and Canada are not looking for miracles—they’re trying to improve their quality of life. Their measure of success in treatment is being able to perform daily tasks like writing and walking on their own, time spent with family, and not feeling anchored by the weight of their pain.

“I’d like to express to the patient population that no matter how hard the battle gets, no matter how often your pain is dismissed, please never give up.”—Denise, patient DR. MACLEOD SPEAKING AT CONFERENCE © COURTESY OF THE ILC FOUNDATION

tissue fragility. EDS can affect people of all ages in different ways. For some, the condition is relatively mild, while for others, their symptoms can be disabling.

Some of the rare, severe types can be life-threatening.

Patients with EDS experience a lifetime of physical challenges—including chronic pain, fatigue, neurological deficits like bladder control, and other

related issues—which impact their mental health.

Because of the immense challenges that come with this condition, advocating for hereditary EDS and other chronic pain diseases through public education campaigns and resources, wellness support, patient networks, government and stakeholder relations, and research to find cures is essential.

TheILC is committed to forging a future where Canadians living with EDS can access timely care and treatments they require from specialists, including neurosurgeons, without having to travel out of the province or country.

All Canadians deserve an efficient diagnosis and pain management process and access to leading experts here at home. With your support, these individuals can experience support, connection, and the care they need to thrive.

IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS WITH BIG IMPACT With your help, individuals can experience validation, connection, and support! Aid in these connections by donating at www.TheILCFoundation.org

May • 2022

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It’s Festival Season in Chenango County!

Summer season is back in full swing in Chenango County, located in the heart of Central New York. Each summer, nationally recognized arts and music festivals draw thousands to see emerging and established performers, artisans, poets and more for family-friendly summer weekends.

Chenango County has become a destination for music lovers far and wide. This year’s 29th Annual Chenango Blues Festival is slated for August 19th and 20th with headliner Jimmie Vaughan. This festival draws attendees from all over the eastern United States to enjoy its family-friendly atmosphere and national-calibre musical talent.

It received worldwide recognition in 2016 when the Blues Foundation

recognized it as Best U.S. Festival.

The festival organizers also host the NBT Bank Free Thursday night concert series in East Side Park all summer long, with over a thousand people a week coming together to hear artists from a wide range of genres perform.

Basketball fans everywhere know that the famous Gus Macker three-on-three tournament takes over downtown Norwich for a fun-filled weekend each July. Over 400 teams play in a double-elimination round robin tournament with different classifications. Still run in a hometown, friendly manner, the Macker has grown to national prominence.

As a partner in the Brew Central beverage trail, near the southern

Whether you are here for a short visit or are considering a relocation to our area, we welcome you. For ‘Everything Chenango,’ go to our website www.visitchenango.com, or call 607-334-1400 to get your free visitors guide.

© CHENANGO

Chenango County Tourism

Enjoy all the beauty that summer has to offer in

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end of Chenango County, you’ll find the Madrona Tasting Room.

At the same time, up in the northern part of the County, the Bullthistle Brewing Company creates craft beers that have developed a large and devoted following.

Fairly new to our area is Hidden Springs Brewhouse in Norwich and Forged Brewery located in Coventry. And for the first time this year, Commerce Chenango Tourism is prepping for the inaugural Wine, Beer, and Food Truck festival slated for July 30, 2022.

Looking for action? One of the many unique attractions in Chenango County is the Unadilla Valley Sports Center, a professional motocross track that is considered one of the best tracks in the country. Spectators and riders come to the track in New Berlin from all over America to partake in their summer races.

Sustainable Adventure in the Heart of the World Across Türkiye, travellers can explore majestic mountains, Whether you’re craving time in sparkling lakes, caves, and nature away from the crowds national parks. Türkiye is also or seeking an immersion in home to an abundance of traditional heritage, Türkiye calls UNESCO cultural and natural to green-minded adventurers heritage locations focusing from all over the world. on historical landmarks and Late last year, Türkiye’s sustainable travel. Türkiye President Tayyip Erdogan has 18 locations recognized changed the country’s

by UNESCO, including the internationally recognized Karain Cave, The Mausoleum name from Turkey to Türkiye, of Hecatomnus, Cappadocia, which is the way the country and more. is pronounced in Turkish.

Regarding the change, President CHOOSE ECO-FRIENDLY Erdogan said, “The word TRAVEL FOR A BETTER, Türkiye represents and expresses HEALTHY WORLD the culture, civilization, and Get off the main trails and values of the Turkish nation in take in the natural beauty of the best way.”

Türkiye while keeping your carbon footprint small. There Türkiye’s culture and values surrounding tourism focus on are so many ways to explore sustainability, making the country Türkiye using eco-friendly the ultimate destination for transportation, from scenic bike travellers seeking an adventure trails suitable for all skill levels that is both unforgettable and to low-impact train travel with magical views along the way. environmentally conscious. The country is working to ensure Türkiye is driven to make the travellers focus on ecothe country a more sustainable tourism and leave behind nothing global tourist destination by but footprints. prioritizing the protection of the

adventure. Spend the day hiking through numerous national parks and mountains and fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the waters. The bravest of adventurers will enjoy outdoor adventures like rock climbing, caving, and horseback riding.

ALLIE MURRAY

© PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOTÜRKIYE

planet in everything they do. To do so, they have implemented international environmental conventions and have focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development goals as the foundation for their tourism strategy.

Discover the beautiful wildlife and natural areas in the region, like Caretta Carettas (Loggerhead sea turtles) hatching on Turkish beaches. Nature

lovers will be enchanted by the floral richness of Türkiye’s vast fields of flowers—the country is home to nearly 12,000 species of plants and over 2,300 species of mushrooms. Even more magical are the many colourful butterflies native to Türkiye, most notably in the provinces of Van, Hakkari, and Artvin.

Feel the full force of Türkiye’s natural charm by packing a tent and embarking on a camping

SUSTAINABLE DELICACIES Experience Türkiye like the locals do by indulging in gastronomic experiences from local small businesses and artisans. Each region of Türkiye is home to various age-old cuisines, including traditional agriculture and food practices that connect the past, present, and future in each plate. Immerse yourself in centuries of Turkish cuisine, from wild Aegean herbs to unique street foods, world-renowned kebabs, and desserts that will keep you coming back for more.

Through each dish, you’ll be supporting the protection of biodiversity and regional culture, ensuring that generations for years to come will be able to experience the same.

ADVERTORIAL

Returning to Travel in a Spirit of Reconciliation What if you could do what you’ve longed to do these past two years—travel! Be a carefree tourist again!—and make an easy and meaningful contribution to Reconciliation just by taking a trip?

That’s the value proposition Indigeno Travel, Canada’s first Indigenous-owned full-service national travel agency, is hoping conscientious travellers of ever y kind—business and leisure, Indigenous and non-Indigenous—will find impossible to resist as they emerge from their COVID cocoons and welcome an opportunity to reduce Canada’s deepest historic disparity simply by travelling.

“When you travel with Indigeno, you’re helping us grow what we believe is destined to become an iconic success story in the emerging Indigenous economy,” says Chris Maxfield, Co-founder and VP of Business Development.

“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has challenged Canadians to make economic Reconciliation an integral

© PHILIP WU

part of the national healing process,” notes Indigeno Board Director Jessica Dumas, the first Indigenous woman to have chaired the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. “Canadians want to do the right thing.

Indigeno helps them fulfil that commitment, whether by booking a family vacation, arranging accommodations for a large institutional event or handling the complex travel requirements of a corporation or government.”

Headquartered on Treaty One

territory in Winnipeg, Indigeno Travel is powered by an operational partnership with two of Canada’s leading independent travel firms: Great Canadian Travel Group—a multi-awardwinning Mecca for leisure travellers—and Continental Travel Group, a stalwart provider of corporate travel.

The result is Indigeno Travel operates at the scale, capacity and expertise of one of Canada’s largest full-service travel agencies.

Indigeno President and CEO

Phil Sproul has been there, done that many times over, having helmed some of North America’s largest travel brands for more than three decades.

In addition to helping you book that Paris-in-springtime getaway, Indigeno is your natural go-to agency for the world’s most exciting array of Indigenous tourism experiences.

“As the lead organization tasked with growing the Indigenous tourism industry across Canada,” says Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, “we are proud to be working with an Indigenous travel agency to promote and commercialize some 1,800 Indigenous tourism experiences across the country. Despite the pandemic’s devastating impacts, ITAC is working hand in hand with Indigeno to ensure a path to recovery for the providers of these tourism experiences.”

Reinvigorating Canada’s Indigenous tourism sector is also a priority for Indigeno’s newest equity partner, the

Treaty One Development Corporation (T1DC).

“Travel is about to come back in a big way,” says T1DC spokesperson Chief Dennis Meeches.

“Indigeno offers a choice for Canadians of goodwill towards Indigenous people.”

It’s an emotional moment for Chris Maxfield.

“When the late Darrell Phillips, or Little Black Bear as he was traditionally known, and I first conceived of Indigeno Travel,” Chris says, “we dreamed of a way for all Canadians to take part in Reconciliation simply by doing what they already love to do—travel. Canadians have never yearned to travel more than they do now, and the thirst for Reconciliation has never been stronger. We are all just raring to go!”

Making your next trip an Indigeno experience—and voting with your dollars for Reconciliation—is as easy as visiting their website at indigenotravel.com to “explore the possibilities.”

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES. leisure | corporate | indigenous tourism

www.indigenotravel.com

May • 2022

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PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP

TO ALABAMA’S BEACHES GULFSHORES.COM • ORANGEBEACH.COM

RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER ADVERTORIAL

Find Relaxation, Adventure, and Fun on Alabama’s Beaches Are you longing to dig your toes in the sand and feel the waves wash over your feet? Or maybe you’re looking to get out and experience the natural wonders of the Coast. Perhaps you’re searching for unique experiences and memorable adventures. You’ll find all of this and more on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Our destination is the ideal spot for an extraordinary beach vacation. Located on the Alabama Gulf Coast, the area boasts over 51 kilometres of gorgeous sugar-white sand beaches, perfect for playing or relaxing. You’ll be in beach mode from the moment you arrive until your final minutes here.

While the beaches are incredible, they aren’t the only reason to visit our two communities. The area offers plenty to do, see, and eat. You’ll find endless entertainment with exciting attractions and activities that all ages will enjoy.

Get wild at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, make a big splash at

Waterville USA, or shop until you drop at The Wharf. The fun doesn’t stop there either— countless watersports are available, including jet-skiing, paddle boarding, fishing, kayaking, and even more water activities like boating, sailing, and cruises.

There are so many ways to reconnect with the natural beauty surrounding you. The iconic Gulf State Park is the ultimate spot for those wanting to immerse themselves in the great outdoors. Inside the park, you’ll find over 45 kilometres of trails perfect for biking, hiking, and running through nine distinct ecosystems found throughout the park. You might even spot some of the local wildlife. Guided Segway tours are also available and provide a unique way to explore the park and learn about its environment.

If you’re looking for even more exciting ways to check out the area, embark on a dolphin cruise or go on a charter fishing excursion for a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Our two communities offer various signature experiences that will allow you to encounter the destination in unique and unforgettable ways.

Be sure to bring your appetite when you visit. While here, you’ll also enjoy the excellent meals, delectable desserts, and novelty drinks that make up the unique taste of the Alabama Gulf Coast at any of the area’s more than 200 restaurants. Fresh Gulf seafood, mouthwatering burgers, and irresistible desserts are just a few of the delicious eats you’ll find. To complement your meal, choose from a variety of drinks, including locally brewed beers, hand-crafted cocktails, and coastal specialties such as the Bushwacker. Not only are the food and beverages incredible, but so is the dining atmosphere. With waterfront dining, live music, and amazing views of the Gulf, dining out here is unparalleled.

Whether it’s feeling the waves wash over your feet, biting into a delicious meal

as you overlook the water, or and get ready to relax, indulge riding a bike along the beach, and explore our stunning memories are waiting to be white-sand beaches. made on Alabama’s beaches.

Start planning your next trip to GulfShores.com Gulf Shores and Orange Beach OrangeBeach.com

IMAGES © COURTESY OF GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

Discover Iran’s Rich Culture in New Nomadic Adventure Reminiscent of the late Anthony Bourdain’s global food safaris that paired a love of food with cultural immersion, Austrian pro skier Fabian Lentsch journeyed to Tehran to immerse himself in Iran’s rich culture. On the yearlong adventure, he discovered the region’s unique ski culture

and untouched slopes in the new documentary film series “Snowmads - A Foreign Native.”

Lentsch grew up in the idyllic mountain city of Innsbruck in the Austrian Alps, and by the age of 15, he was already taking on the might of Mont Blanc with his father and winning his

FABIAN LENTSCH AND JULIAN ZENZMAIER ON TOP OF THE SNOWMADS TRUCK © FLORIAN BREITENBERGER / RED BULL CONTENT POOL

first two competitions.

In 2015, shortly after securing a spot on the Freeride World Tour, Lentsch pulled out of the competition to forge his own path.

He refurbished an old fire truck, filled it with skis and friends, and headed East to explore less vaunted mountain ranges and document his travels along the way.

This career-altering decision led to Snowmads—a film project that follows his wildly nomadic adventures. Alongside longtime friend Markus Ascher, the duo has since travelled to Greece, Georgia, and Iran in pursuit of perfect powder and newfound cultural experiences.

“As a professional athlete, we’re always travelling,” said Lentsch.

“But despite all these travels, I’ve always had this feeling of living abroad somewhere, going one step further, and becoming more than just a foreigner.”

During his previous trips to Iran, Lentsch had already made a few friends and explored the sweeping landscape of this culturally rich country. Lentsch explained: “This time, I really

wanted to lose my role as a tourist.

I wanted to settle in Iran, get an apartment in Tehran, get a car and become as local as possible.”

Lentsch described Tehran as “the most underrated ski town in the world,” and shared: “Tehran is the skiing hub of Iran, and there are four world-class ski resorts within an hour’s drive from the city. There’s also Tochal: a massive gondola in the northern outskirts of Tehran that climbs 3,800 metres to an alpine ski field. In a mega-city, you would never expect this type of access.”

Lentsch’s crew packed the legendary Snowmads fire truck and ventured to Namak Darreh, a small village in the Mazandaran Province that straddles the northernmost mountain ranges alongside the Caspian Sea, exploring new untouched tracks. However, the trip was abruptly halted as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold across Iran. His friends returned to Europe, but Lentsch preferred to stay and embrace life in Tehran, learning to speak Farsi and to play the Kurdish Tanbur,

an instrument with over seven thousand years of history.

After gaining more confidence speaking Farsi, he decided to hit the road together with Shamayani and Saharkhiz when snowfalls arrived in the south of the country. At Chelgerd in the Zagros mountain range—700 km southeast of Tehran—without another soul in sight, Lentsch and his friends took on the region’s spectacular big mountain lines.

Reflecting on his journey, Fabian revealed, “I’ve stopped counting how many people have asked me the same question: Why Iran? Often I answer, why not Iran? In the end, it’s the culture and the landscape and the warm-hearted people that fascinated me from day one.

This experience has shown me that we’re all just human beings with the same fears and joys, just growing up with different environments and perceptions of the world around us. It’s not something that should separate us but bring us together. I think we can learn a lot from each other.”

(Source: Reuters) ADVERTORIAL

Experience the Best of Maine On your way to or from just about anywhere in New England, Maine’s MidCoast is easy to get to and offers the best of everything in Maine.

Shopping, dining, sightseeing, outdoor recreation…the MidCoast is quite literally in the middle of it all.

IT’S SIMPLY THE MIDDLE OF AMAZING! A visit to Maine’s MidCoast region is one you will treasure forever. This region is a vibrant and stunningly beautiful natural destination dotted with quaint villages lined with unique shops and world-renowned restaurants.

Experience our world-class museums, enjoy our theatres, stroll our beaches, visit our vineyards, and hike our rocky coast. We help build customized itineraries for families, foodies, adventurers, history buffs, and even relaxation seekers at mainesmidcoast.com.

They say the quickest route between two points is a straight line, but everyone knows that’s not always the best way to reach your destination. The trip from Portland, Maine to Acadia National Park is a little over three hours if you drive straight through on the

highway—but you’d cruise right past some of Maine’s best art, culture, food, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Instead, veer off the beaten path and head right up through Maine’s MidCoast: take U.S. Route 1 between Portland and Bar Harbor.

Adventuresome types won’t want to miss out on walking these beaches, sea kayaking around a New England harbour, or peeping puffins and whales. The route also features plenty of rainy day activities, including the best lobster roll in Maine (but we’ll let you be the judge) and two excellent maritime museums. So next time you’re travelling in Maine, take the scenic route with stops at any (or all) of these MidCoast gems.

And, of course, we have the islands. The islands of Maine’s MidCoast evoke romantic images and light up the imagination in people all over the world.

They have inspired some of our culture's greatest art and literature.

Tantalizing glimpses of green spruce and pink granite hover on the horizon as one looks out to sea. Our islands are iconic and mysterious, with evidence of human history

going back thousands of years.

Some islands are accessible by bridge, and some must be reached by boat—whether that’s one of the ferries leaving from Rockland or a sea kayak (bring your own, rent, or book a tour with one of our wilderness guides.)

Pretty much any time of year, you’ll find interesting events going on, large and small. Lobster festivals, music festivals, maple syrup celebrations, parades, and concerts…see our website for the when and where.

With plenty of wide-open spaces, Maine’s MidCoast offers everything that makes our state a great vacation without the crowds you find at more popular destinations. When the time comes, do yourself and your family a big favour and head straight for Maine’s MidCoast.

Whether you visit Maine to relax or to adventure—or maybe get a little bit of both—Maine’s MidCoast is the place you’ll find what you’re looking for. See life here the way it’s been lived for centuries.

Fair warning, you may never want to leave!

Maine’s MidCoast…the middle of amazing!

© MAINE’S MIDCOAST & ISLANDS

The best of Maine is all within reach here in the MidCoast.

MainesMidCoast.com

RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

May • 2022

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© REBECK PHOTOGRAPHY

Antigua’s Wallings Nature Reserve Proves Sustainability is a Team Effort

The dual-island destination of Antigua and Barbuda has long been a favourite of travellers seeking a sun-and-sand Caribbean refuge from the stresses of everyday life. Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the gentle green hills, placid lagoons, and reeflined beaches of Antigua and Barbuda on the tropical getaway of a lifetime. With a combined population of under 100,000 people and only limited, selfsustaining industries, this tourism is the economic lifeblood of the destination, typically accounting for over half of the country’s GDP pre-COVID. The magnetic appeal of Antigua and Barbuda has always been a product of its stunning natural beauty and biological diversity, and residents have consequently become keenly aware of the connection between environmental sustainability and economic survival. In recent years, Antigua and Barbuda has been at the forefront of driving sustainable tourism, rolling out a “Green Tourism Initiatives” package aimed at minimizing the impact of excursions on sea turtles and endemic birds, incentivizing locally owned businesses, and implementing a ban on plastics.

In particular, one small village

in Antigua is providing a new, inspiring model for the rest of the world on how to realize grassroots, community-driven change.

Nestled in the forested areas of southwestern Antigua, The Wallings Nature Reserve is the country’s first communitymanaged national park. A not-for-profit company that safeguards over 1,600 acres of Antiguan rainforest, the nature reserve has grown from humble origins into an international case study for empowering vulnerable communities. The secret to Wallings’ success is in its staffing: the reserve draws its growing force of volunteers and employees from persons who have a love for nature.

Although located in John Hughes Village, most team members do not reside in the village. Rangers, technicians, and administrators make up the dynamic team, driven by a desire to preserve the nature and wildlife of the last remaining rainforest in the Sherkley Mountain range.

“The story of Wallings dates back over 30 years from another NGO Environmental Awareness Group (EAG). Although written, those plans for the area never materialized,” said Refica Attwood, Executive Director of Wallings Nature Reserve. “It took one

person in 2016, after receiving training in community tourism from the sustainable tourism unit within the Ministry of Tourism, to create what is now the conservation and development of the Wallings Forest area.”

Championing biodiversity, ecological sustainability, and equal access to the islands’ resources, the Wallings Nature Reserve has been able to translate the hard work and commitment of the company into a compelling outreach, forging key partnerships with other NGOs and public donors both at home and abroad. With this growing groundswell of support, the reserve has already initiated and completed 11 projects to conserve the biodiversity of the Wallings Forest area. Extensive reforestation, the construction of accessible washrooms, and the provision of local subsidies for businesses suffering from the impact of COVID-19 are only a few highlights from the company’s ambitious docket.

With Wallings Reserve quickly growing to become one of the foremost attractions in Antigua, perhaps the biggest beneficiary of its rise has been the parish of St. Mary’s. Wildlife lovers who may have previously been solely enraptured by the

expansive frigatebird sanctuary in Barbuda are now provided with a complementary alternative in the euphonias and vireos that flit about in the canopies above Wallings as hikers and picnickers frequent the meticulously maintained trails of the reserve either accompanied by a local guide or through self-guided exploration.

“We’re proud of not only what we’ve been able to accomplish in Wallings, but also what we’ve accomplished through Wallings Nature Reserve,” noted Attwood.

“With the Wallings Nature Reserve enjoying the success it has, we’ve had the resources and the volunteers to push forward with programs that benefit Antigua on the whole. We’ve provided employment for the greater Antiguan community.”

with the core of their conservatory mission, the team is also looking to convert the entirety of the reserve to solar power.

“We won’t rest on our laurels.

We’ve done so much, but there’s much more than can be done,” concluded Attwood. “We’ve created a model of community-driven change that we know can do great things. We think this is something that can work all across Antigua and Barbuda and beyond, to realize greater sustainability in the world.”

Of course, this sort of forward, sustainably-minded thinking is emblematic of the shift towards greener, cleaner initiatives embraced by Antigua and Barbuda on the whole. Should the world’s leaders need a thriving example of environmentally conscious policymaking in action, they will find it in Antigua and Barbuda.

Should the world’s people seek an uplifting, authentic story of how a vulnerable village reinvented itself as a verdant preserve for some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful flora and fauna, they will find it in the Wallings Forest being led by Wallings Nature Reserve.

Looking forward to the future, the administration at Wallings continues to have big plans. Fresh off navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team is gearing up to pursue further beautification efforts (including hammocks, benches, and To learn more about the Wallings resurfacing), reservoir maintenance Nature Reserve and how you can and repair, and an electrically support the project, visit powered shuttle service. In keeping www.wallingsnaturereserve.org

May • 2022

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Spring into Greenhouse Freshness Ontario Greenhouse grown cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes are in stores now.

ogvg.com

FOOD HEROES & FEEL GOOD RECIPES

Dig Into the Colours of Spring Get ready for a fresh start to spring with this colourful bowl adapted from a recipe by Chef Rahil Rathod, Executive Chef from Cactus Club and Team Captain for Culinary Team Canada. It features the bright colours and flavours of Ontario Greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, which are sustainably grown, using stateof-the-art climate control systems, natural pollination and pest control, and many renewable, energyefficient processes. Chefs and home cooks alike rely on the local greenhouse industry in Ontario to provide consistent, fresh vegetables throughout every season.

Take a virtual tour of a local greenhouse to learn more at ogvg.com/ogvg-vr-360.

GREENHOUSE GROWN SUNSHINE BOWL SERVES 4

Ingredients VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

• Skin of 1 preserved lemon (can be store-bought) • 1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard

CHEF RAHIL RATHOD

SUNSHINE BOWL © PHOTOS COURTESY OF ONTARIO GREENHOUSE VEGETABLE GROWERS

• 3 tbsp (45 mL) liquid honey • 2 tbsp (30 mL) Champagne vinegar • ¼ cup + 2 tsp (70 mL) water • 3 tbsp (45 mL) lemon juice • 1/3 cup (85 mL) Extra Virgin Olive oil • 1/3 cup (85 mL) Canola oil BOWL INGREDIENTS

• 1 Ontario Greenhouse Grown Yellow Bell Pepper • 1 Ontario Greenhouse Grown Red Bell Pepper • 1 Fennel Bulb • 1 bunch Broccolini • 2 tbsp (30 mL) neutral oil • Salt and pepper to taste

• 3 Ontario Greenhouse Grown Heirloom Tomatoes • 1 Ontario Greenhouse Grown Mini Cucumber • 1 Orange • Garnish • 3 tbsp each of fresh mint and baby watercress • 1/3 cup (60 g) Feta cheese Directions 1 Begin by preparing the dressing.

Trim the lemon skin to remove all of the white parts. For this recipe, you will only need the yellow skin. Wash it under running water to remove excess salt.

2 Using a blender, combine all ingredients except oils and blend until smooth. Slowly add oils to emulsify. Set dressing aside.

3 Wash vegetables. Let the vegetables dry on a kitchen towel.

4 Roast the red and yellow bell peppers. When cool, peel the skin and cut it into bitesized pieces.

5 Shave fennel as thin as possible with the help of a mandolin and reserve it in ice water so it becomes very crunchy.

6 Char the broccolini florets.

Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the broccolini in a medium bowl; drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Grill for approx. 6 minutes or until charred, turning once. Allow to cool.

7 Dice tomatoes and cucumber.

8 Peel orange and remove any seeds. Cut into bite-sized pieces.

9 Combine prepared cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, orange, broccolini and fennel in a large bowl.

10 Toss with dressing until

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all of the ingredients are evenly coated.

11 Transfer to the fridge for 30 minutes to allow it to marinade.

12 Transfer to a serving bowl and top with mint, watercress and crumbled feta cheese.

COOKING TIP: HOW TO ROAST PEPPERS 1 Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

2 Halve Greenhouse Grown peppers, remove the seeds and arrange them on the baking sheet cut-side down.

3 Roast for 30-35 mins until the skin is blackened, shrivelled, and lightly blistered.

4 Set aside to cool completely before peeling. Then, gently rub off the blistered skin.

5 If you are in a hurry, you can also place the hot roasted peppers into a sealed food bag, where they will steam, and the skins will come off more quickly.

6 Enjoy roasted peppers in salads, pasta dishes, sauces, dips, sandwiches, and pizza.

More Than Three Million Meals Served as Chefs For Ukraine Relief Effort Grows ALLIE MURRAY

Within hours of the initial invasion of Ukraine, World Central Kitchen (WCK) began serving hot meals to those fleeing. The team quickly set up at the eight border crossings between Ukraine and Poland and did what they knew best: served meals.

World Central Kitchen began in 2010 when founder José Andrés and his wife Patricia heard the news of the earthquake in Haiti that devastated the country. José was cooking alongside displaced Haitians in a camp when he and his wife came up with the idea: when people are hungry, send in cooks. Not tomorrow, today.

Since then, they have been on the ground serving meals amid disasters in Puerto Rico, Texas, Indonesia, and now in Ukraine.

WCK’s Chefs for Ukraine response grew rapidly, and they began distributing food and fresh meals across the region, including in Poland, Hungary,

© IMAGES COURTESY OF WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN

Moldova, and Romania. They are also working with local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks to provide fresh meals at border crossings, shelters, and other locations.

The relief kitchen is based in Przemyśl—a Polish city just a few miles from the border of Ukraine. From this kitchen, the team has the capacity to cook 100,000 meals per day.

The United Nations estimates that more than 3.5 million people have fled the country, with that number to continue to grow. Similarly, many Ukrainian people are staying in the country, sheltering in place and sticking with their country.

In addition to their work on the borders, WCK also delivered prepared meals to 50 locations in Lviv alone, with many more

across the country.

“From our WCK warehouses in Lviv, we are also helping fill gaps in the country’s strained food supply chain by sending meat, fresh produce, and dry goods like rice and bulgur to our restaurant partners,” the team shared. “Multiple trucks have already gone to Odesa, Mykolayiv, Zolochiv and soon to Kyiv. We are working with

the mayor’s office in Odesa to deliver bulk food to the city’s humanitarian warehouse.”

While working, the team has met countless people, amazed by their stories and bravery amid constant fear. They’ve heard stories of women and children, refugees who fled to Ukraine from other war-torn countries, and families fearing for their loved ones that are staying back to fight for their country—each story more heartbreaking and heartwarming than the last.

WCK remains on the ground in Ukraine and surrounding areas, working day and night to feed people in need.

“We’ve seen incredible courage from Ukrainians showing up every day to cook in cities under siege,” they said. “It’s our honour to be able to support these teams in ensuring that everyone is met with a warm, nourishing meal, and we are so thankful to all of our supporters who have come together to show the power that a plate of food can hold in even the darkest times.”

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Ontario Honey for Every Season

© JAMES MCALPINE

honey is perfect for tea or drizzled on yogurt; creamed or churned honey is ideal for toast or serving with cheese and crackers; and just as the bees made it, in the comb, makes a stunning addition to a charcuterie platter.

THE EFFECT OF TERROIR The taste and colour of honey varies from place to place, season to season. Small, local beekeepers offer unique honey based on the flowers growing in their area at the time. Spring honey is lighter in flavour and colour than autumn honey. Dry summers produce thicker, bolder-tasting honey than wet summers. Locally produced honey takes less energy to make than other sweeteners and travels the least distance to get to consumers. So, take advantage of markets and farm stands to pick up local honey and host your own Ontario honey tasting party!

WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH CRYSTALLIZED HONEY? There is a misconception that crystallized honey is spoiled or adulterated—but nothing could be further from the truth. Depending on the nectar source, honey will have different ratios of glucose and fructose.

Glucose is less soluble than fructose, so honey with more glucose will crystallize faster (canola and dandelion honey are two examples).

All honey will eventually crystallize, though—and honey from different regions and floral sources will crystallize at different rates and to different textures. So what should you do with crystallized honey?

Enjoy it, and savour the different flavours, colours, and textures of Ontario honey. (You can liquify your crystallized honey by gently heating it in a warm water bath.)

one quarter. For example: 1 cup sugar + 1 cup milk = 1 cup honey + 3/4 cup milk.

Or replace sugar with three-quarters the amount of honey. For example: 1 cup sugar = 3/4 cup honey.

Honey will slide out of measuring cups or spoons if oil is measured first or if the measures are rinsed with hot water.

BAKING WITH HONEY Mild flavoured honey is best for baking and cooking—or you can take advantage of the bold taste of a fall or buckwheat honey to liven up your recipe. Add honey to the batter in a fine stream, beating constantly. Baked goods containing honey will brown more quickly, so reduce the oven temperature by 25°F to prevent over-browning and flavour change. Baked goods will also remain fresh and moist for a longer period when honey is used.

STORING HONEY Store honey at room temperature in a dark, dry place. Always keep honey covered tightly to retain its distinct flavour and aroma and protect it from moisture absorption. Creamed and churned honey will retain its texture better if refrigerated.

When storing honey for long periods, it’s best to keep it in the freezer—if well sealed, you shouldn’t find any change in flavour or texture.

SUBSTITUTING HONEY FOR SUGAR Use the same amount of honey and cut the amount of liquid by

For more information about honey, great honey recipes, and where to find your neighbourhood beekeeper, visit ontariohoney.ca.

TASTE THE SWEET GOODNESS OF ONTARIO HONEY WWW.ONTARIOHONEY.CA

© COLETTE MESHER

Ontario is home to a host of delightful honeys. The distinctive palate of flavours and aromas derives from floral sources such as clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, goldenrod, and basswood. Honey is available in a delectable array of formats—liquid

FOOD HEROES & FEEL GOOD RECIPES

May • 2022

Pack for a good day then compost* away

100% compostable* bag

Scan to learn more:

*for industrial curbside programs only

BPI & BNQ certified

May • 2022

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FOOD HEROES & FEEL GOOD RECIPES ADVERTORIAL

DISRUPTING THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Local Co-op Launches Canada’s First Zero-Carbon Milk Carton As Canada’s first organic dairy, Organic Meadow has been trusted by Canadian families to provide high-quality organic dairy foods that taste true to nature since 1989.

With sustainability at the front of mind, the Guelph-based farmer-owned co-operative has announced that it has transitioned its 2L organic milk to Elopak’s carbon-neutral paperboard milk carton, Pure- Pak® Natural Brown Board.

As the demand for environmentally responsible packaging grows, so does Organic Meadow’s commitment to limiting its contribution to climate change.

Research shows that 37 percent of Canadian consumers say carbon footprint is an environmental concern when purchasing food and beverage, with 57 percent likely to avoid products that have a lot of packaging within the next year, to limit their contribution to climate change.

Organic Meadow’s zero-carbon carton delivers on this growing demand and provides a responsible

option for climate-conscious consumers. This innovative package is the first carbon-neutral carton in North America, after successful launches in European markets, and is a continuation of Organic Meadow’s long-standing commitment to putting the planet first, forging a future that is ethical, clean, and transparent.

“From the moment we learned of a carbon neutral packaging option for milk, we were immediately committed to adopting it,” says Maurice Bianchi, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing at Organic Meadow.

“We’re extremely proud to be the first dairy in North America to bring this innovative new carton to Canadians and we hope that our actions will inspire others to join us on a journey toward a more sustainable future.”

Recognizable by its distinct brown hue, this sustainable package is made with natural, unbleached, FSC-certified paperboard and generates 27 percent fewer CO2 emissions— the lowest CO2 emissions of any 2L carton!—making it certified

CarbonNeutral®. The cartons are produced using 18 percent less material and one less packaging layer, making them lighter than traditional milk cartons. The remaining carbon emissions are reduced to net zero through verified protection carbon offset programs resulting in a Certified CarbonNeutral® package.

It comes down to having the will and desire to make sustainability a key pillar for your business, and Organic Meadow’s history is rooted in sustainability.

“For over 30 years, we’ve been on a journey to build a more circular future, and our new, zero-carbon milk carton brings us one step closer to this goal,” says Nancy Korva, Senior Vice-President of Organic Meadow.

Organic Meadow’s Zero-Carbon 2L Organic Milk Cartons are available in five varieties— 3.8 percent, two percent, one percent, Skim, and Lactose-Free— and can now be found across Ontario at major grocers and health food stores, including Metro, Longo’s, and Whole Foods.

Choosing organic is about more than food you can feel good about today—at its heart, organic is a choice that helps keep our planet healthy for tomorrow.

When you choose Organic Meadow’s Zero-Carbon cartons, you’re supporting a healthy and sustainable planet for you, your family, and generations to come.

Learn more at organicmeadow.com

© MATTHIAS ZOMER / PEXELS

How a Lucky Charm Is Solving One of the World’s Largest Health Problems research on solutions to combat malnutrition. With a Iron deficiency is the world’s similar goal of finding creative largest nutritional challenge, solutions to tackle hidden with research from the World hunger, Armstrong and Charles Health Organization (WHO) connected and developed the suggesting that across the globe, Lucky Iron Fish. over two billion people are While there are many ways iron deficient, most commonly to increase one’s iron intake, women, children, and teens. such as iron-rich foods and Canadian company Lucky Iron supplements, Charles wanted Fish is striving to change that to determine if placing a small with the help of a little good piece of iron in a standard luck charm. cooking pot would have similar iron-releasing results as a castIn 2008, University iron pan. of Guelph PhD student They shaped iron blocks into Christopher Charles was researching anemia in the form of a fish—a sign of Cambodia and found that luck in Cambodian culture— nearly half of the women and distributed them to local Cambodian women to use in and children were afflicted by iron deficiency anemia. cooking pots. The results were Their symptoms ranged from overwhelmingly positive!

Iron is a vital mineral that inconvenient to deadly, and Charles knew he needed to do feeds your body and your brain.

Without adequate iron, the something to help. body is starved for oxygen. Iron At the same time, Gavin Armstrong was working on his deficiency and iron deficiency Masters degree at the University anemia are linked to poor of Guelph, conducting PhD maternal health, poor cognitive RAYE MOCIOIU

development, frequently falling sick, and much more.

The recipe is simple; boil up a pot of water or soup with the iron fish for at least 10 minutes, allowing time for the iron to infuse the water. Then, remove the fish and add a little lemon juice, which allows for the absorption of the iron.

When added to the slightly acidified boiling liquid, the Fish/Leaf will release microscopic iron particles off its surface and into the liquid!

“I am a firm believer that businesses have a responsibility to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges,” says Armstrong. “And one of the biggest challenges we face today is that of hidden hunger. Over one third of the world’s population goes to bed malnourished. Lucky Iron Fish was designed to serve as a simple solution to this complex problem. We are on a mission to make iron deficiency a thing of the past, one fish at a time.”

EASY IRON-ENRICHED LEMONADE Sweet, tart, and natural, this iron-enriched lemonade is easy to make and is sure to quench your thirst.

Ingredients • • • •

Lucky Iron Fish/Leaf 6 cups of water 6 lemons 2 cups sugar Directions

© COURTESY OF LUCKY IRON FISH

1 Boil 4 cups of water. Once boiling, add 3-4 drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice and the Lucky Iron Fish/Leaf. Continue to boil for 10 minutes. Then remove the Fish/Leaf.

2 In a separate saucepan, add 2 cups of sugar to 2 cups of water to make a simple syrup. Bring to a simmer and stir so that the sugar dissolves.

3 Allow the iron-infused water and syrup to cool. In the meantime, juice all 6 lemons. You can save a few slices for garnish if you wish.

4 In a large jug or bottle, combine the lemon juice, the syrup, and the iron-rich water.

5 Serve over ice garnish with your favourite fruits. Cheers!

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Lemon Blueberry Bars That Mom Will Love When life gives you lemons, make mom these bars!

Not only does May bring flowers, but it is also a time when we celebrate that special person we call mom. Whether you are spending the day with your mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, partner, or daughter, a sweet treat will always make any Mother’s Day extra lovely.

The best gifts are homemade with love, and nothing shows her you care like making something sweet! We’ve got the perfect recipe in mind—these Lemon Blueberry Bars have the perfect balance of sweet and tart, bursting with blueberry flavour combined with a rich and buttery shortbread base. When you include fresh Ontario eggs in any of your baking, you know it’s got to be delicious!

Did you know the eggs you buy in your grocery store go from farm to grading station to your store shelves in only four to seven days? During busy times like holidays, it can be even faster. More than 500 egg farm families, some of them multiple generations,

work every day to ensure a supply of fresh, high-quality eggs for Ontario consumers.

Eggs can be found in all kinds of cookies, cakes, custards, puddings, meringues… we can go on! So go ahead and share these Lemon Blueberry Bars with someone special or visit getcracking.ca to find your favourite egg recipe.

LEMON BLUEBERRY BARS

Yields: 16 bars Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 40 to 45 minutes

Ingredients

© COURTESY OF EGG FARMERS

(3.5 L) metal cake pan with 3 Lemon Blueberry Filling: Shortbread Crust: parchment paper, leaving In a large bowl, whisk eggs, 1-inch (2.5 cm) extending • 1 cup (250 mL) butter, sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon over long edges for handles. softened juice and salt until combined.

• ½ cup (125 mL) granulated Set aside.

Pour over cooled base; sprinsugar 2 Shortbread Crust: In a large kle with blueberries. Bake for • 2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose bowl, with a hand mixer or 25-30 minutes, or until the flour stand mixer, cream butter and centre is set. sugar until light and fluffy. Stir 4 Let cool completely in pan on Lemon Blueberry Filling: in flour in two additions until rack. Chill uncovered for at • 6 eggs Directions just combined. Press evenly into least 2 hours before serving.

• 3 cups (750 mL) granulated the prepared pan and chill for Slice into 16 bars of equal sugar 1 Preheat the oven to 350°F 20 minutes. Bake for 20 minsize; sprinkle with icing sugar, • 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour (175°C). Line a 13 x 9-inch utes. Let cool in pan on rack. and serve.

• 2 tbsp (30 mL) finely grated lemon zest • 1 cup (250 mL) fresh lemon juice • ½ tsp (2 mL) kosher or sea salt • 1½ cups (375 mL) fresh blueberries • Icing sugar

RS. E M R A F L A E R .

REAL MOMS

May • 2022

FOOD HEROES & FEEL GOOD RECIPES

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A Toast to Empowerment:

Saving the Birthplace of Vodka “Vodka, for Ukrainians, is a connector,” says Zirkova co-founder and CEO Katherine Vellinga. “We treat it with reverence and respect.”

In 1997, Vellinga and her husband John moved to Ukraine and came across the origins of vodka.

The “X” on the map where vodka first began. She recalls feeling like an adventurer, searching for long-lost treasures, pulling up manuscripts, and speaking to industry experts, many of whom were women.

“Our research showed that over 600 years ago, the first vodkas were made in a place called ‘Cherkaska,’ which was part of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth,” Vellinga shares. “Cherkaska is in the Cherkasy region of Ukraine.

It made sense to us that the origin story about vodka involved both Poland and Ukraine and that their stories were intertwined together.

We pondered, ‘if this is what true vodka is and vodka culture, then how come it looks nothing like what we are being marketed to as consumers in Canada?’”

This discovery set the Vellingas on a path to bring authentic Ukrainian vodka to Canadians— and thus, Zirkova Vodka was born.

“We never set out to create a vodka brand, we made a discovery and wanted to share it with the world,” says Vellinga.

“As a Ukrainian Canadian, the Ukrainian in me drinks vodka the way we do in Ukraine—straight, savouring its complexity. The Canadian side of me loves Caesars and cocktails. Working with Master Distillers in the birthplace of vodka, we had two goals: To create the best vodka in the world, based on spirits that were reserved for royalty and preserving classical methods, and to develop an innovative vodka that takes any mix that you love and makes it

taste better, not boozier, which has never been done before. It took years to formulate our vodkas, and we are proud that Zirkova is the first vodka brand in the world that created these two unique formulations to honour how people drink vodka. Many people ask me what the difference is. It is like my twin sister and me; we have the same DNA, but we are completely different people.”

Zirkova One is for vodka drinkers who prefer to sip, as one would a fine scotch or whisky. Zirkova Together invites vodka drinkers to amplify the flavours of their favourite cocktails, mixed drinks, and of course, Caesars—Canada’s national drink.

“This is also important to our women customers who represent the majority of cocktail drinkers.

They love to create beautiful drinks, and want to know they are using a vodka created by women Master Distillers, that honours them.”

The work of creating a vodka that honours its home is a driving force behind the Zirkova brand and is what led them to become a platform for giving.

“We had the purest of intentions. Zirkova came from love and a desire to share our culture and create uplifting moments that bring us together. As entrepreneurs, you cannot write big cheques, but you can donate your time and your talents. So that’s what we did. We have raised over $400,000 by donating Zirkova Vodka Experiences, tutored tasting events as live auction prizes for all kinds of charities all over Canada and always participated in fundraisers, and ways to give back to Ukraine, especially opportunities to show the world Ukraine’s transformation. We have never forgotten our roots.”

© 2017 ZAHER SALEH

SAVING THE BIRTHPLACE OF VODKA Now, as Ukrainians fight the invasion of their home, Zirkova is donating 100 percent of their profits, putting everything they can into supporting—and saving—the birthplace of vodka.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. At times like these, I believe that each of us has a choice. To act and be powerful or to be helpless and give up our power. If you look at CEOs and companies in Ukraine, they have pivoted entirely. Nobody is prioritizing their business; they are focused on Ukraine and what they can do right now to make a difference. Because entrepreneurs typically create companies that are an extension of their passions, interests, their unique gifts and talents, then it is natural to contribute these same things at this time to help Ukraine. When we decided to donate 100 percent of our profits it felt so right, we knew we had to do that. The decision was made instantly, and within an hour the post was up.”

Using her passions and gifts, Vellinga has pivoted the Zirkova brand to actively supporting Ukraine in every way possible, from helping families connected to the distillery get to safety to raising awareness for Ukrainian aid organizations like Help Ukraine.

“Our mission has always been to share vodka’s birthplace, bring the origin story to life, and create a global brand rooted in passion, purpose, and culture.

When I think about what we are doing, it is about contributing to Ukraine, but fundamentally, it is about saving the birthplace of vodka.

“I am particularly inspired by Ukrainian women who form the backbone of the nation. Ukraine sits on the lands of the most powerful matriarchal societies dating back thousands of years.

Ukrainian women make an enormous contribution—they serve in and make up 15 percent of the Ukrainian Army, they patrol their communities in

Territorial Defense Units, assist internally displaced people who are arriving in Western Ukraine by the hundreds of thousands per day, they are helping refugees cross the border and settle in communities across the world, they are helping mitigate the risks of human and child trafficking, they are raising money, they are taking care of their children and taking care of their parents. They are extraordinary leaders and civil society activists.

“When people speak about the bravery and spirit of the Ukrainian people, I want you to know that this is the Ukraine I have known and loved for most of my life. Our hearts are breaking, and many of us feel helpless. We are not weak. We are free to choose. Let’s follow the example of Ukrainians. Let’s do what they would do and find our courage and strength in standing together. Ukrainians need us to unite, act, and help them now.”

TOASTING TO BRAVERY

© COURTESY OF ZIRKOVA CO-FOUNDERS KATHERINE AND JOHN VELLINGA

“Vodka is used for toasting, acknowledgement, and special occasions. As a UkrainianCanadian, some of my fondest memories were celebrating Ukrainian Christmas at my grandparents’ home. Over 30 of us gathered around one table, sharing special memories and laughter with every bite and every toast. I recall my grandparents always inviting people that would have otherwise been alone for the holidays; everyone was always welcome and included at their table. Imagine what this meant to my grandparents, two orphans who had survived unimaginable horrors of Stalin’s genocide against the Ukrainian people or Holodomor— death by famine—in 1932-33, the Nazi Germany occupation of Ukraine, and the uncertainty of

displaced labour camps. Imagine what it meant to them to have their children and grandchildren together and gathered around one table.

“When my husband and I moved to Ukraine in 1997, we saw this amplified and understood that it was a “superpower” of Ukrainians. That toasting was part of every gathering, every birthday, every occasion. There was a ritual to it, a beauty, and a way of focusing the energy of family, friends, and community gathered around the table towards blessing the celebrated person. At Zirkova, we love the toast ‘BUDMO’ which means ‘Just Be’—just be you. Especially in times of crisis, the easiest thing to be is who you already are.

“We cannot imagine a world without Ukraine. Ukraine is capturing the hearts and minds

of people everywhere. The way they stand united, resilient, and strong shows the powerful choices made by individual citizens of Ukraine. Together they are a force. Margaret Mead famously said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ Ukrainians are inspiring global citizens to unite and work together in ways that are unprecedented. I hope that together, we can stop this home and land invasion of Ukraine, this war that they do not want to be in, and in this way, we can change the world. Once people understand how powerful they are as citizens, we will unite again and again to tackle the greatest challenges of our time.”

-

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is a Better Wor e t i B y r ld Eve

May • 2022

L'ANCÊTRE CHEESE IS PROUD TO OFFER AUTHENTIC ORGANIC CHEESE AND BUTTERS

FOOD HEROES & FEEL GOOD RECIPES

Canada’s Best Organic Cheese For 30 Years Discover L’Ancêtre’s extensive, multi-award-winning line of organic butter and cheeses, including cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, parmesan, gouda, and fondue. Since 1992, L’Ancêtre Organic’s acclaimed aged cheddar has been made with only quality unpasteurized organic milk from the St. Lawrence valley. Our experienced and dedicated cheesemakers ensure a carefully nurtured and natural aging process to achieve the unique flavour and texture beloved by Canadians.

With the recent addition of Le Baluchon, an organic semisoft cheese with a washed rind and winner of many Canadian Cheese Awards, including 2014 Cheese of the Year, L’Ancêtre has diversified its offerings and solidified its position as the leader in certified organic dairy products in Canada.

Besides being certified organic and non-GMO, most of L’Ancêtre’s cheeses are lactose-free, gluten-free, and animal rennet-free. What distinguishes L’Ancêtre from its competitors is

its single-minded focus on organic and its vision to be a trailblazer in helping consumers make environmentally friendly choices.

Driven by its core values of organic farming and outstanding product quality, L’Ancêtre strives to make a meaningful difference in the areas of environmental preservation, animal welfare, and consumer health. With L’Ancêtre, every bite is an important step toward a better world.

© COURTESY OF FROMAGERIE L’ANCETRE

ADVERTORIAL

ORGANIC LASAGNA WITH CREAM OF BROCCOLI

• 1 L (4 cups) broccoli florets little rice milk to obtain the • 125 g package Parmesan consistency of a white sauce.

L’Ancêtre 3 Pour a small amount of cream • 200g package L’Ancêtre SERVES: 8-10 of broccoli into a baking dish Mozzarella cheese PREP TIME: 40 MINUTES (about 23 cm x 33 cm–9 • 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable broth COOK TIME: 40 MINUTES inches x 13 inches). Cover concentrate the cream with a layer of noo• 3 organic garlic cloves, crushed Ingredients dles, then add more cream of • 375 ml (1 1/2 cup) organic broccoli. Garnish with another rice milk • 500 g (1.1 lb.) lasagna noodles layer of noodles, then add the legumes. Add two more laymade from rice, quinoa or spelt, • 540 ml organic legumes of your choice, drained or other organic paste containers of pasta, moistened with • Pinches cayenne pepper, ing no gluten cream of broccoli. Add salt and salt, pepper pepper and add a few pinches of cayenne pepper to taste Directions between layers. Keep enough cream of broccoli to coat the 1 In a large saucepan of boiling top layer. salted water, cook lasagna noo- 4 Cover the lasagna with mozzadles as directed on the package, rella cheese, then bake for 30 until al dente. Drain, then cool minutes in a preheated oven noodles with cold water. Drain at 180°C (350°F). again, leaving a small amount 5 Remove from oven and wait 10 of water in the pan, then put minutes before serving. pasta back in the pan.

6 Serve with arugula salad.

2 Cook the broccoli in a bit 7 If making the lasagna in adof water until they are tenvance, store covered in the refrigerator and bake an extra der, then drain. Purée with the parmesan cheese, broth, 10 minutes. garlic, and about 375 ml (1 1/2 cup) rice drink in a food More recipes at processor. If necessary, add a fromagerieancetre.com

Grow Local This Season Spring weather and spending more time at home may have you thinking about gardening. Whether it’s a small container garden on your condo balcony, a produce aisle of your very own in your backyard or a tropical paradise around the pool, there is truly a garden for everyone— including pet owners!

Yes, you can have a beautiful garden to relax in and a place where your pet can run and chase squirrels. When planning a garden that both you and your furry friend can enjoy, keep these tips in mind.

Remember that dirt equals mud. You know where your pet likes to travel in the yard, and a beaten-down path through the lawn and garden is your cue to put down a hard surface like patio slabs or interlocking brick.

Dirt, after all, becomes mud— especially in the fall and spring.

Cool it. Plant trees or largegrowing shrubs on the south and west sides of your yard to provide shade for your pet during the hottest parts of the day.

Deal with the “unmentionable.” Dogs are famous for burning the grass where they squat to urinate. The solution is to dilute the urea, which is what causes the lawn to die in patches, by hosing down your lawn when you see the culprit do its business. When brown patches occur, have a bucket of pre-moistened sand-and-grassseed mix standing by.

Keep in mind that cats are attracted to dry soil. Discourage them from using your garden as a latrine by keeping the soil under your soffit and fascia moist. Orange peel and scented plants, like lemon geraniums, lavender, basil and verbena, can also discourage cats. Never use moth balls, which are poisonous to humans and could be picked up by young children.

© COURTESY OF NEWS CANADA

Choose plants wisely. Avoid plants that are poisonous or harmful to animals, including common ones such as boxwood, clematis, daffodil, foxglove, hosta, hydrangea, lily of the valley, periwinkle, tomato (leaves) and many more. Research before you plant to be safe.

This year, Canadian grower Arnold Devrij wants you to think local when planting your plot.

Along with his brother Pete, Arnold is a third-generation grower who operates more than 50 acres of greenhouses for the family business, DeVry Greenhouses, in Chilliwack, B.C. Keep things simple by choosing items you and your family will enjoy eating, like tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, carrots, peppers, leafy greens, and herbs. These foods grow in abundance and come in many different varieties, making them the perfect vegetables to throw on top of the grill and enjoy with family all season long.

Regardless of whether you’re looking to grow your own food or create a tropical oasis in your backyard without having to travel to a warm destination, don’t be afraid to try something new and let your garden grow.

You can find locally grown hanging baskets and planters, as well as a great selection of annuals, herbs, and vegetables grown by small producers at your local Independent Grocer’s garden centre.

—NC ADVERTORIAL

Burnbrae Farms: A Canadian Family Business Committed to Sustainable Egg Farming MARGARET HUDSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO AT BURNBRAE FARMS

It’s safe to say that when my great-grandparents purchased our family farm back in 1891, they had no idea of the legacy they were creating. Today, more than 130 years later, Burnbrae Farms has grown into a collaborative and resilient business. We are very proud of our role in feeding eggs to millions of Canadian families.

The strength of our business stems from our family values, which have sustainability at heart. We are very proud to be an organization that genuinely cares about people, animals, and the environment. This is nothing new for us. Being mindful of the impacts we have on our world has influenced the decisions we’ve made throughout our company’s history from the very beginning.

Sustainability is an integral part of both our heritage and our purpose. Linked to our corporate

strategy, our sustainability mandate focuses on five key pillars: Environment, Animal Care, Health and Well-Being, Safe Nourishing Food, and Community Spirit. We are committed to offering safe, nutritious, and affordable eggs and egg products to Canadians while focusing on high-priority issues in areas where we can make the most significant impact, like reducing our energy consumption and waste to landfills.

As an example, in 2019, we built our first solar-powered egg-laying farm in Woodstock, Ontario, and launched the Green Valley FarmsTM brand. This farm has the capacity to produce freerange eggs with 100 percent clean, green energy. Leveraging the success of this initial solar project, we recently opened a second solar field on our original family farm in Lyn, Ontario.

As well, in 2021, we took the time to define our culture further and establish new company values. As part of this important initiative, we gathered feedback

from our stakeholders and refined our sustainability goals, setting long-term commitments that will help to drive our efforts in this area even further. As part of this commitment, we recently announced a net-zero carbon emission commitment by 2050.

We will be working on a plan

We believe in a greener tomorrow.

Providing a selection of eggs produced from our 100% solar power farm and Bullfrog Power® renewable energy.

toward further interim emission in your local grocery store under reduction targets along the way. the Burnbrae FarmsTM and Green We are very proud of what Valley FarmsTM brand names. we do and are thankful for our many loyal customers. For us, To read more about our being responsible for providing sustainability efforts, I welcome safe, affordable, and nutritious you to read our first public food to Canadians is an honour report found on our website at and a privilege. You can find us www.burnbraefarms.com.

MARGARET HUDSON © COURTESY OF BURNBRAE FARMS

May • 2022

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FOOD HEROES & FEEL GOOD RECIPES ADVERTORIAL

WOW! Factor: A Sweet Canadian Story Life can be sweet when it has that WOW factor. For 39 years, WOW! Factor Desserts has been producing sweet treats right here in Canada, and their homemade and handmade recipes and desserts have only gotten tastier.

FAMILY DRIVEN The secret ingredient to WOW’s range of delicious homemade treats is the love that goes into every creation. Since opening in 1982, WOW! has called Sherwood Park, Alberta home. With secondgeneration owner Debbie Gust at the helm, the family-run business has made a name for itself as the leading upscale frozen dessert supplier to restaurants, hotels, banquet halls, casinos, airlines, and cruise ships—and to this day, they make all of their cakes by hand.

For 30 years, WOW! has placed a strong emphasis on community support, partnering with the Robin Hood Association, a non-profit, registered charitable organization dedicated to providing personcentred services and supports to children and adults with intellectual and developmental

disabilities, to provide meaningful job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Their incredible team members hand-fold each and every box their desserts are packaged in. While this could easily become an automated and cost-effective process, providing employment for members of their communities means more than efficiency—it makes a difference in a way that matters and adds a personal touch to every dessert.

In addition to being handfolded by their Robin Hood team, every WOW! box is made from 100 percent recyclable FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified Paper made from 100 percent recycled content.

“Since 1992, WOW! Factor Desserts and The Robin Hood Association have collaborated to fulfill a need in the factory,” says Sharon Galloway of Robin Hood Association. “It has been a very rewarding experience for us as it has enriched the lives of many of our individuals that seek meaningful employment.”

WOW! takes its community impact further by working

with local charities and nonprofits year-round to help make Canadian communities stronger.

Among many local charities, WOW! is a Silver Sponsor for the Luce Initiative in support of Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project, and supports Hope Mission Edmonton, a not-forprofit Christian social care agency providing hot meals to those in need in Edmonton, Alberta.

SCRATCH-MADE GOODNESS Homemade goes a long way at WOW! Their premium desserts are made from scratch using delicious icings, custards, glazes, and cream cheese icings made in-house with generations-old recipes that have only improved with time. With hundreds of desserts, including new biannual launches in the spring and the fall, WOW! is known for their innovation. In 2020, their Vegan Chocolate Decadence Cake placed in the top 10 in the SIAL International Innovation category, which rewards the best innovations in food. But what really brings these treats up a notch is

VEGAN CARROT CAKE © COURTESY OF WOW! FACTOR DESSERTS

the combination of high-quality ingredients and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

From 100 percent Farm Fresh Canadian Dairy from Lactalis Canada to Canadian-made sugar from Lantic/Rogers to Canadian Grade A frozen wild blueberries and apple filling sourced from Canadian farms, WOW! makes it a point to support Canadian farmers. WOW! is also proud to stand behind products and ingredients that participate in sustainability programs, like fine Belgian chocolate from Callebaut Chocolate, which supports sustainable cocoa cultivation, and Robin Hood flour from Ardent Mills, which partners with farmers to help grow crops.

WOW’s team of specially trained representatives works one-on-one with the chefs and owners of restaurants across Canada to give them the support needed to customize their dessert menus and increase sales. Their high-quality desserts and dedication to supporting restaurant customers are what sets them apart from all others.

Without compromising on quality, WOW! produces products with WOW! Factor. Find delicious WOW! Factor gourmet pre-portioned cheesecakes, cakes, and so much more at your favourite chain restaurants, hotels, banquet halls, and airlines. wowfactordesserts.com

Add More Fermented Foods to Your Diet With This Flavourful Lunch In recent years, many of us have found new joy in the kitchen.

For some, spending more time at home has meant experimenting with new cooking techniques and recipes.

Whether misadventures with baking bread or take-out meals were more your style, one of the top eating trends has been naturally fermented food. That includes treats like kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha drinks, or even sourdough bread. The fermentation process to make these foods has been practiced around the world for generations.

But what makes fermented foods so popular? According to registered dietitian Abbey Sharp, “Fermentation provides probiotics or ‘good’ bacteria, which are great for supporting our immune systems and for regulating digestion. Fermentation is also known to bring out rich and delicious flavours.”

Aside from great flavours, eating fermented foods can boost the production of good bacteria, known as probiotics, in your gut.

Probiotics are microorganisms that health keep your body healthy, improve digestion, and can aid in immunity and weight loss.

Yogurt, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, and tempeh are just a few of many fermented foods that naturally contain probiotics. However, even fermented foods without naturally occurring probiotics can ease the digestive process.

A once rare bakery specialty turned popular quarantine DIY for curious bakers, sourdough is lower in sugar and higher in protein than a regular slice of white bread, as it is made with no sweeteners or oils. Instead of using a baker’s yeast, sourdough uses wild yeast produced in the starter, made from a combination of flour and water.

Unlike other fermented foods, the probiotics in sourdough are burned off in the baking process.

However, sourdough releases more fibre and creates lactic acid, making it easier to absorb and digest nutrients, ultimately making it the most gut-friendly option for your sandwiches.

• 1/2 cup (125 ml) chevre, softened • 1/4 cup (60 ml) cream cheese, softened • 2 red pears, thinly sliced • 12 thin slices prosciutto • Balsamic glaze, for serving Directions

© MAPLE CHUTNEY

CHEVRE, PEAR, & PROSCIUTTO SANDWICH Naturally fermented sourdough bread is a great source of flavour in this elevated lunch or brunch sandwich—paired with thirst-quenching kombucha, it’s perfect for your next gathering.

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES COOK TIME: APPROX. 1 HOUR SERVES: 6

Ingredients CARAMELIZED ONIONS:

• • • • •

2 tbsp (30 ml) butter, divided 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil 3 large onions, thinly sliced 2 tsp (10 ml) honey Salt and pepper

SANDWICHES:

• 1 loaf (12 slices) Stonemill Bakehouse Authentic Sourdough Rye Multigrain Bread

1 In a large skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium-low heat until melted.

2 Add the onions and cook until caramelized and golden, about 45-60 minutes.

3 Add the honey and a pinch each of salt and pepper and cook another 1-2 minutes. Set aside.

4 In a bowl, mix together the chevre and cream cheese.

5 For each sandwich, add 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto one slice of bread. Add 4 thin slices of pear, two slices of prosciutto, and top with a generous spoonful of caramelized onions. Drizzle with a tablespoon of balsamic glaze.

6 Serve with hibiscus and rosehip kombucha.

—NC ADVERTORIAL

Since the very beginning, Zywiec beer has been brewed in only one place: the Archduke's Brewery in Zywiec.

When it comes to beer, we are uncompromising, this is why Zywiec is brewed exclusively from three ingredients: malted barley, hops, and pure mountain water.

Zywiec beer is available at LCBO, The Beer Store and selected supermarkets.

May • 2022

globalheroes.com

ADVERTORIAL

© GENACOL®

Genacol®: A Canadian Leader in Joint Health At Genacol®, our values and commitment include listening to people who want the best solutions for healthy aging and staying active for longer.

CONTINUOUSLY INVESTING IN RESEARCH Genacol® is proud to shape the future of natural health products through innovation and research.

Our team is constantly innovating to offer natural and effective supplements that exceed the highest quality standards in the industry, and which are based on science. A AN EXCLUSIVE collaborative research project with PATENTED the School of Human Nutrition TECHNOLOGY of McGill University confirmed, AminoLock® Collagen is a unique among other things, the uniqueultra-hydrolyzed collagen made ness of our AminoLock® Collagen with our patented technology. This for healthy joints. exclusive process makes it possible to obtain peptides with the smallHELPING PEOPLE est molecular weight used among WORLDWIDE STAY all the bovine collagen products ACTIVE LONGER. available on the market. This char- We are so proud to take care of acteristic makes the AminoLock® the joints of people all around the Collagen easily absorbed by our world. Thousands of people trust body for better results.

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WHAT IS COLLAGEN? Collagen is a structural protein found everywhere in our body, especially in our joints. Cartilage, tendons, and ligaments are mainly composed of this important protein. Over time, the human body produces less collagen naturally. In our thirties, collagen production decreases by about one percent per year, a percentage that increases from the age of 50.

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THE BENEFITS OF AMINOLOCK® COLLAGEN Adding Genacol® joint care supplements to your daily routine is a great way to reduce the effect of collagen loss and thus maintain your precious joints healthy. They are natural, safe, and effective solutions to relieve joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.

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GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Genacol® has been dedicated to the well-being of our customers through their joint health for more than 20 years. However, we also care about the well-being of our community. Each year, we are more than happy to donate thousands of dollars to support local charitable organizations such as food banks or our local United Way / Centraide organization fighting poverty and social exclusion. Respect, Loyalty, Commitment, and Harmony are the heart of our values for our employees, customers, and community.

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TO THE CONSUMER: Limit of one original coupon per product. Please be advised that the retailer is in its right to refuse this coupon. Find out before you go to the checkout. In the case of a retailer’s refusal, contact Genacol at 1.888.240.3002 or by email at info@genacol.ca for a refund. Limit one coupon per product. It is forbidden to sell and/or to make several copies of the coupon.

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THIS COUPON IS VALID UNTIL MAY 31, 2022.

TO THE RETAILER: Corporation Genacol Canada Inc. will reimburse this coupon for the face value plus the established handling fee. Failure to send in, upon request, evidence that sufficient stock was purchased to cover the coupons presented will void coupons. A reduction in any applicable taxes payable is included in the coupon face value. VALID IN CANADA. For redemption, this coupon must be received by mail before AUGUST 31, 2022 to: REDEMCO INC., C.P. 128, Longueuil, Quebec, J4K 4X8.

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(1) Learn more about our clinical studies and the patented technologies on genacol.ca

painrelief.genacol.ca