Contest Winners The best contest entries have been published in this issue and the winners have been selected in four different categories:
Non-fiction–Tommy Shenhav Yay to Y.A.Y. Fiction–Ria Sanghavi The True Country, Australia Drawing–Hugo Lim Centennial Library Photography–Andy Oprescu Bathurst-Finch Tree
Our congratulations to the winners! every story matters... add yours | SUMMER 2009 | #5
For more stories, photographs and drawings go to www.newheightshealth.org/anc
BFK Celebrates Its First Anniversary T
his issue is special in many ways. Firstly, we are celebrating our first anniversary. Secondly, BathurstFinch Kaleidoscope has had a make over which coincides with the youth focus of this issue. For a year now our newspaper committee and other volunteer contributors have been working hard to bring you news from our community, cover important issues, provide information about important services, tell you about great people living and working in our neighbourhood, and make you laugh. This Kaleidoscope is a collection of youth stories, accounts of their personal experiences, their reflections on life, friendships and families. In this issue you will also find works of fiction, photographs and drawings submitted by youth. continued on page 2
contents youth media club 2 young faces of Bathurst-Finch
4
youth activism
5
school life
6-7
crafty youth
8
youth hangout
9
interview with a star
10
young writers 12-13 laughing matters 14 family and friends 15 youthful guide 16-17 information portal
18
free primary health care services 19 Antibes festival 20
youth media club
Kaleidoscope Summer 2009, Volume 2, Issue 3 ©2008 by Action for Neighbourhood Change. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission. Kaleidoscope is published four times per year by Action for Neighbourhood Change. The articles in this newspaper are contributions of individual residents and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. We would like to thank all our contributors and our dedicated Newspaper Committee: Nina Zaslavsky, Leonid Predein, Joss Brandt, Julia Kuzeljevich, and Nina Shenhav. We would greatly appreciate your input. We invite you to send your comments on the newspaper and your submissions to Action for Neighbourhood Change ANC staff in Bathurst-Finch are Julia, Julie, Hannah, Victoria, Oleksandra and Oleg. Please visit us in our office. Action for Neighbourhood Change 5987 Bathurst Street Suite 104 (2nd Floor) Toronto, ON M2R 1Z3 Phone: 647-436-0385 E-mail: anc@newheightshealth.org Website: www.newheightshealth.org/anc
Our Winners – Congratulations! Most contributors have been active participants of the Youth Media Club, a group that has been meeting regularly since October to learn more about newspaper publishing and work on their writing, photography, drawing and graphic design skills. At the Youth Media Club, youth participated in workshops on journalistic writing, photography and graphic design; conducted mock interviews and went on a photo trip around the neighbourhood; met with media professionals and had fun sessions where they made zines or drew comics and cartoons. While Youth Media Club participants were hard at work, the newspaper committee took on new roles as workshop facilitators and later as contest judges. The contest was announced in May, inviting submissions from youth for the summer issue of Kaleidoscope. Most articles, photos and drawings were submitted by the Youth Media Club members, but there were a few from outsiders. We are looking forward to more great stories, drawings and photographs from all our Youth Media Club participants and other newspaper contributors as their talents flourish.
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The best Drawing Contest Entry – Hugo Lim Centennial Library
The best Photography Contest Entry – Andy Oprescu Bathurst-Finch Tree
youth media club
Bathurst-Finch Photo Trip
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 3
young faces of bathurst-finch
New Heights Scholarships
New Heights Community Health Centres believes that education is one of the pillars of a healthy community. The New Heights Scholarship presented by New Heights CHCs, in partnership with Bathurst Heights Secondary School Commemorative Scholarship, promotes the importance of education as part of a healthy life and a healthy community. Each year, two scholarships of $2,500 are awarded to male and female student graduating from high school. This program is one of many ways that New Heights invests in the talents and creativity of our students and values their contributions to their school and community. Students who wish to apply for the scholarship must meet the following criteria: live or study in the New Heights catchment area (bounded by Keele to Bathurst, Eglinton to Steeles); attend a publicly funded school on a full-time basis; have achieved a minimum cumulative average of 75%; demonstrate involvement in the school and/or community; have demonstrably overcome personal hardship; and be able to show an education plan that includes acceptance at a university or college for the following academic year. For the first time, this year the New Heights Scholarship was offered not only to students from the Lawrence Heights area but also those who live or study in the Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood. Bathurst-Finch students rock! Both winners live in the our neighbourhood and attend Newtonbrook Secondary School. Congratulations to Zohal and Oleg! For more information on the New Heights scholarship, visit New Heights CHCs’ website at: http://www.newheightshealth.org
Oleg Shteyner
Zohal Kohistani
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y name is Oleg Shteyner and I am very honoured to be the recipient of the 2009 New Heights Scholarship. After my arrival in Canada in July, 2007, I had to face many obstacles, such as the absence of language proficiency and knowledge of the culture. However, my will to succeed in Canadian society was strong and I was determined to achieve my goal. I always like to challenge myself by integrating my school and extracurricular activities. On top of my intensive academic work, I endeavour to achieve leadership positions, join volunteer groups, scientifically-related clubs and organizations, sports and religious studies. My aim is to become a mineral engineer because I have always done exceptionally well in the fields of science and mathematics. Through this vocation, I will be able to give back to society by working to create clean and safe sources of energy. I have always sought academic excellence and have de-
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veloped my critical thinking skills to the point where I am ready to embrace further mentoring ideas and philosophies of a multidisciplinary approach that every University prides itself on. Starting in September, 2009, I will be studying Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto. Regardless of how my life turns out, I know that by attending a prestigious University, my time will be well spent. I believe that this incredible experience will make me a better person and a more responsible global citizen.
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y name is Zohal Kohistani, and I am truly honoured to have received this scholarship. It is with the help of organizations such as the New Heights Community Centres that students are able to come out of a troubled past and advance to a better future. I was born in Afghanistan during the rise of the Taliban. I lost my father to an attack at the age of 4 months. My mother was left alone with three kids to fend for, in a country where women are degraded and denied any opportunity to survive on their own. My mother was able to get her kids out of the slums of Afghanistan and into a world of freedom and opportunities in Canada. She is my inspiration in everything that I have done. I have worked hard in school to maintain high grades and be involved in raising awareness as well as helping people both close to home and around the world who need it. I have been working with and leading in organizations such as Free The
Children, Invisible Children, Students Making a Difference, Many Faces of Newtonbrook and World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. I will be heading to university and studying criminology in the near future. I will continue to be a part of and lead organizations that promote awareness and aid by remembering what my mother always taught me: “it is our obligation as human beings to help those in need.” I wish any future recipients of the New Heights Community Health Centres Scholarship the best of luck, and hope that this scholarship will help them as much as it will help me.
youth activism
Yay to Y.A.Y. By Tommy Shenhav
The best non-fiction contest entry
W
hen I arrived in Canada almost two years ago, I had no friends, I didn’t know the language, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever make friends. I was sad. I missed my cousins, my aunts and uncles, and I felt very alone. When I was not at school, I was just sitting at home, longing for company. One evening, my Father told me he had found a program that would make my little sister and myself very happy. The program offers youth (like us), a mentor. A mentor is a person older then us, who would become a friend. He would help me with my communication skills. One day when I came home from school, my Mom told me that my mentor would arrive soon. I was very excited, I wondered what my mentor, my new best friend, was going to be like. I knew that he would like stuff that I like, because that’s how
the program matches us. Y.A.Y. is the name of the program, which stands for: Youth Assisting Youth. We heard a knock on the door, I didn’t know what to do, how to act: Should I act cool? Should I act smart? I figured I didn’t really have a lot of time, so I just decided to be myself. The mentor came in, escorted by a member matcher from the program, and they both looked very friendly. We all sat down (myself, my Mother, my mentor, and the matcher). He introduced himself and my new mentor, and went over the rules. We discussed our favorite activities, like hobbies, sports, favorite movies, etc. The next week, my mentor and I met and played together. We had a lot of fun. He wasn’t upset that my English was not good yet, and was very patient. A week after that, we went outside and played basketball. Weeks went by, and we met for three hours every week. One time Y.A.Y. gave my mentor and myself free tickets to a Toronto Raptors game (we won!), or theater tickets, or other activities like an amazing photography
workshop! In June, Y.A.Y. invited me and my family to a family picnic that was the best picnic I have ever been to. I met new friends and ate very good hamburgers. During August, my mentor and I went to the Y.A.Y. camp up north. It was the best camp that anyone could wish for, or even imagine. We slept there for two nights in cabins. We played survival games, and we went kayaking and canoeing. I think my mentor had even more fun than me! The kids I met at camp were not newcomers like me, just kids who miss the friendship and good company of other youth. I can’t imagine my life in Canada without this program. I get to meet new friends, don’t feel lonely, and participate in events that I would otherwise not have known about. I highly recommend this program. Y.A.Y. is a free program, based on volunteers and donations.
Call (416) 932-1919 if you want to be a mentee (age 6-15) or a mentor (age 16-29).
Invisible Children
By Andy Oprescu
A
small golden leaf has fallen and it is waiting silently. Holding in its tiny memory, the African sunset and the events happening daily. As the wind blows, it brings many thoughts to us and tells us about the children of Africa whom we may call invisible, because not many people know their stories. The majority of them are suffering because of illnesses and hunger. Most of them don’t have money to pay for medications and food. A lot of them don’t have access to clean water. Some of these children die. The rest are waiting silently, praying for a new day filled with happiness, but happy moments happen very rarely. Raising money for charities may help these children receive education and overcome some of the hardships they are going through. Organizations like Invisible Children that work with these children, need our help and need us to get involved. There are some students that travel from school to school, sharing their sad stories. For example, my mother’s colleague at work always talks about her kids in Ghana and how hard it is for them. She sends them money that helps them a little, but it is not enough and a lot of children don’t even have that kind of support. That is why we all need to get involved. There are children in the world who need our help. The golden leaf has been floating in the wind to pass on the stories. Listen to them…
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 5
school life
Chess for Kids
he Chess Club at Rockford was designed to teach children how to play chess while enhancing skills such as strategic thinking and problem solving. Teachers and volunteer parents helped facilitate chess instruction with training provided by the Chess Institute of Canada. Nearly 30 children met twice a week during lunch and after school. This year they were
given enough tools to continue with their chess practice. They can either teach their parents or engage in a chess match with them. The Chess Club wrapped up the successful training with a year-end tournament on June 10 at Rockford School. There was a ceremony, awarding participants with certificates and chess medals. Congratulations to the winners!
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A letter of gratitude from Maria, mother of Daniel Morgunov
I
would like to express our gratitude to the music teachers for a wonderful Spring Concert. I was really impressed by so many different songs, dances and orchestras. As a mother, I am very appreciative of the administration of Rockford Public School for this very useful method of teaching students.
ten to classical music, particularly compositions by Mozart, study and pass their exams very well. I would especially like to mention the cooperation with The Toronto Symphony Orchestra. We hope that children will visit classical music concerts, because The Toronto
Our experience shows that preparation of school performances and teaching diverse arts like music, singing, dancing, etc., helps students to be successful in other disciplines. Arts help them analyze any problem from a variety points of view and to find original solutions. They become more motivated, self-confident, well educated, resourceful, disciplined and curious. We know a lot of famous scientists who used music in their work for inspiration. Also we know the “Mozart’s effect” as a beneficial effect on mental development. It is a fact that students who lis-
Symphony Orchestra has special Young Peoples Concerts. It would be very useful to listen and to know about beautiful classical compositions during childhood. Besides this, art and creative activities are a very good way of meeting people with diverse multicultural backgrounds. Toronto has 185 different nationalities and students need variety of cultural knowledge in order to be tolerant, loyal and erudite. I hope that this good experience will continue and we can discover a lot of talent in our school. Thank you for excellent job!
Photos–Maria Morgunova
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Rockford Spring Concert
school life
Northview Homework Club T
he club provides academic support to students who recently immigrated to Canada. They receive help from tutors and mentors twice a week. Each session lasts for two hours. In addition to homework support, there is also ESL tutoring to help newcomers improve their English and better their learning in the classroom. Currently there are 15 students registered and 3-4 volunteer tutors providing support to students.
I have been in Canada for a year-and-a-half. My mother recommended that I join the homework club. Here I have a chance to speak English.
Soyeon (Sophia) Baek, 14:
Jiawen Meng, 16:
I came to Canada from South Korea, three years and almost
five months ago. I joined the homework club because I want to know English better. The homework club is helping me to choose proper words when speaking and to make a dialogue.
Shin Sirim, 17:
I came to Canada from China. I came eight months
ago, I joined the homework club because I want to improve my English, and the teacher can teach me something I don’t know. At the homework club we can read interesting stories and we can learn new grammar.
Suhan, 15:
I’ve been in Canada for about six months. I joined the club because of my parents and because I need to study English. I come here to improve my English, eat a snack and learn how to read books.
Sye Jin Kim, 16:
I came from Korea four months ago. I joined the club because I want to be more competent in English and to make new friends. The homework club is very good, but a little hard. We have fun here.
Jiajing Meng, 18:
I came to Canada from China, eight months ago. I come to the homework club to volunteer, stay with my friends and improve my English. It’s a good place to practise my English.
A Good Teacher By Bryce Turner
T
Will there ever be life on Mars? or Is there a chance of the sun dying off? Mr. T will try to find an answer to the chosen topic and tell it to the kids. It’s a fun learning experience! To end off my article, I would like to give an a honorable mention to all the other teachers… you are good too!
Drawing–Nina Shenhav
his is my first year in junior high and my homeroom teacher, Mr. Tinter, has helped to keep the class happy. Every once in a while, he allows the class time to party! But it is not all playtime, Mr. T helps us with our work until we understand it, he never gives up! Sometimes he will take class time to talk to us about a popular topic such as
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 7
crafty youth
The Knitting Club Time: Thursdays 6 – 8 p.m. at Antibes Community Centre
Roxana Kronshtein (10 yrs):
The knitting club is the best. I love it because you learn how to knit and you can knit anything you want. I have just joined the knitting club and I have learned how to knit a scarf, hat and more items in just 2 weeks! (2 sessions) I really want the knitting club to stay.
Ekaterina Blazhkova:
Marina Mansurova (10 yrs.):
I think that the knitting club is great! I joined in April, 2008 and didn’t know anything about knitting. But Galina taught me how to make hats and scarves. Now I sometimes help others when the teacher is working with someone else. I come here all the time. I go to the knitting club be-
Angelika Toubis:
The knitting club is amazing! I learned so much, I know how to make presents for friends by hands. Now I can spend only ropes and not money — it’s amazing, extraordinary, and good! Also I love it because it’s fantastic!
Photos–Zair Mansurov
The knitting club is a great place for meeting people who appreciate cooperation as well as creativity and the beauty of hand-made items, a place to socialize and meet new friends. I knit with my daughter Marina, who is 10 years old. We like the welcoming, warm atmosphere made by group instructor Galina Tishchenko. Thank you! Keep up the good initiative!
cause it is really great relaxation. You can make your own things. No one will have the things that you are wearing. I think it should stay. If you’ve just come back from school or work, you can have some cookies with milk. We are very fortunate to have this club. It is good that people can join any time they want. Bored? Then this is the place for you! Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. will become one of your favourite days.
Нонна:
Благодаря своему учителю я быстро научилась вязать крючком. Связала внучке шапочку и пончо! Вязание дает радость общения с людьми. Я стала следить за модой – не помешают нарядные аксессуары. В процессе вязания возникло много новых идей. Если порой грустно, то вязание поднимает настроение.
Reena Green’s Studio A
In the photo young designer graduates with Reena Green (in the centre) and the sewing teacher, Ludmila Parkhomenko
few months ago, well-known Toronto designer, Reena Green opened her studio at 877 Alness St. She launched a new program for children and adults — all about fashion. During 10 lessons, girls learn about fashion design and sewing techniques. In the next classes they will learn knitting and crocheting, jewelry design, history of fashion, fashion drawing and graphics, the basics of modeling and more.
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In Reena Green’s Studio you can also enjoy a special feature: “Beading Fairy” birthday parties (do-it-yourself jewelry design and assembly: qualified instruction, easy-to-use kits, music and entertainment).
For more information: www.reenagreen.ca (416)667-9891 (416)464-6083
youth hangout
My Youth Chill Zone Experience W
hen you are a high school student, after a long day, I’m sure you’d want to chill somewhere after school. The perfect place to do that is at the Centennial Library Chill Zone. It’s great! There are so many teens that come everyday just to socialize with each other, learn new skills, and meet new people. It is a safe but fun environment where you can play various games, talk, do your homework, or even watch movies. With so many different people in attendance each week, it never gets dull. There are many events that happen
around the school year – for example, we had a game tournament that was held over March Break; it was really fun and I never grew bored. I personally enjoy coming to the Chill Zone because it’s a place to get away from all the stress you experience at home and at school. Chill Zone is really a place that teens can call our own. The Chill Zone is not only a place where you can kill time, but a place where teens (like me) can be themselves without the hassles of our everyday routines.
Karolina Budrewicz
Yikes! Fear Factor Night at Centennial Library Branch n April 30 2009, the Centennial Branch of YAG had a fantastic Fear Factor Night! This event brought out 92 excited youth. There were 12 brave contestants who participated in this wild and crazy event. The winner, Artiom Botnat, received a $25 gift card to the movies. As you can see from these photos, they speak volumes! The event was a total blast and Centennial discovered that our youth are fearless when it comes to eating worms and crickets!
Photos–Mike Tchapalinski
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Penny Calvo
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 9
interview with a star
David Bezmozgis
Written and interviewed by: Nina Zaslavsky
and Other Stories
North York in Toronto, reminds me of Brighton Beach in New York and Adar in Haifa: a considerable amount of signboards in Russian and almost a clear victory of colloquial Russian over English.
N
ew immigrants from the former Soviet Union are attracted to this area like flies to honey, as if trying to delay a collision with a new reality. They loudly explain directions to the taxi driver, who by now is used to these “Englishless, eternal tourists;” then with a contented sigh, they make themselves comfortable in the front seat and start leafing through a pile of free newspapers, often as many as 20 of them. Perhaps not everyone in Toronto knows about this distinctive area that has kept the Soviet and Post-Soviet way of life. A well-known Torontobased writer and film director, David Bezmozgis, has contributed twice to the popularization of this original place: first, through his book “Natasha and Other Stories”, that became a national best seller, and now through his film “Victoria Day.” Both the book and the film can be described in one sentence: It is all about us, the immigrants.
Even though the author focuses on the subject of immigration, he has been living in Canada for 30 years. At the age of six, David came to Canada from Riga with his parents, and even though he speaks Russian very well, prefers to write and read in English. David, you have a mixed cultural background and spent time in different countries. Do you feel blessed, and are you happy with that? Is your heritage a big advantage over other writers? Yes, I feel it. Everything I write about and the film that I have made are about Russian – Jewish immigration. I know about it and it is of interest to me. And I can definitely call myself a happy person, but this happiness did not come easily. Do you mean that from time-totime you regret not being born in this country? Well, sometimes I did think that when I was a kid. But when I say it didn’t come easy, I am talking not only about myself, it
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is rather true about my parents, my grandmothers and grandfathers – about their life during the war and their life in the Soviet Union. It was a very difficult life. I write about my ancestors and how they survived with humor and for me this is only literary material, and for them it was life. Are you interested in what goes on in the Baltic States and Russia? Yes, I am very interested. I am interested in the history and literature of these countries, because I speak Russian too. The past of these countries is a part of me too. I have never been to Russia but I would love to. I traveled to the Baltic in 2003 and I loved it there. I met a lot of my father’s friends. However, I saw people suffering because they don’t see any light in their future. Have you been to Israel? Twice. My most recent trip was in 2006. I was invited to the book festival in Tel Aviv. My
wife and I had only got married and decided to spend our honeymoon there. How did you meet your wife? I studied cinematography in Los Angeles. She studied at the same university, in a different department. That’s where we met. She is American but agreed to move with me to Toronto. Is she your critic now? Yes, she is the first person to read my stories and see my films. What did she tell you about your film “Victoria Day”? She always tells me about the drawbacks. First of all, she gets everything before it gets into some kind of shape, the rough copy. The most important question I ask her is if it is boring or not. If it is not, well then everything is fine. The film, eventually, she loved it. David, could you please tell me a little more about the movie, how the idea was born, and how difficult it was to carry it out? The script was written eight years ago, in Los Angeles. Then I returned to Toronto, started to write stories, and the film somehow faded into the background. But two years ago, I returned to it. I had producers, we received money from government funds, and, besides, I was supported by some close friends who invested in this initiative. The film was shot in September in the Bathurst-Finch area. I felt geat. People came by to see what we were doing there. And they gave advice as our people usually do? No, no… They were very interested in the fact that there was something unusual happening in the area. Children came. We were shooting in my mother’s house for a week. The same people came every day to see what was going on. Everyone felt pretty comfortable.
interview with a star
If this is not a secret, how much did the film cost? A little over two million. Not the biggest money, but for us it was enough. Where do you plan to show this movie? The film was already screened at the Sundance Festival, a big film festival in America. In Canada we plan to show it in theatres at the end of June. Certainly, it would be interesting to show it at the film festivals in Moscow and in Israel. Were your parents ever worried about your future? Were you a hard-working, determined child, so your parents could sleep easily at night? Or were there no conflicts? What did they demand from you? A family of immigrants … Russian-Jewish family … What do parents usually want ? To have a child aspiring to get education and become a doctor but not a writer? Or a lawyer. To have a more “secure” occupation. I wanted something different – to be a writer… But my parents always supported me. Did you have good grades in math, David? No, not really. I wasn’t so good in math. In high school I took all subjects, science and even mathematics, just in case. But I liked to read a lot, and English language and literature were always interesting to me. At that age, I was reading Canadian writer Mordecai Richler, and my favorite writers till now are Erich Maria Remarque, Isaak Babel, and Leo Tolstoy. And which modern writers do you like? Well, any Russian writers? It is hard for me to read in Russian. I can read, but it is really hard work for me. I read Liudmila Ulitskaia, I like her very much.
It turns out that you were a good child for your parents. Even knowing that you will be a writer, you studied math just in case. When did your parents realize that it was time to leave you alone and say: “Well done, David, we were wrong about you”? Well, it has not happened yet (laughs). They were, of course, very happy and proud when the book was published and so warmly accepted. About your book “Natasha and Other Stories,” – your Natasha – is she a real person or a collective image? Most likely, collective. I was reading about this girl and thought, my God, what future awaits her. I think, she will be very successful, because Natasha is a very purposeful person. She is the kind of person who can achieve things. I am not ready to answer now in what area she will succeed and how, but I am interested in this question as well. Perhaps I will write the sequel … I’m interested in what happens to children, especially teenagers, who have to go through immigration at a difficult per-
iod of their life, and how this reality of life impacts upon them; does it temper their souls or does it cripple them. For instance, you had a good family, and you managed to succeed. Well, there are people, who despite problems in their life, still make it through. Because they have a strong personality. Is it easy to communicate with such people or not? They must be terrible individualists. I do not know, this is a philosophical question, I don’t have such friends. Do you have a blog on the Internet? Today almost everyone has a page where they can express their thoughts publicly. I don’t have any internet blogs. For me, writing is very hard work. It doesn’t matter what I am writing: a letter or a story. Writing every word for me is work. People who can write quickly are lucky. When I am writing, I get up at 6 o’clock in the morning, then I do some chores, spend time with my little daughter, then I may go to the park with my dog, then I am back to work. I try to achieve something every day.
On weekdays, all I do is write. How does a modern Canadian writer earn his living? Do you need to have jobs on the side, say a journalist or a TV presenter, or does your trade provide for you? I have published the book, I have made the film. So far, it’s been enough. In America I also taught. There are a lot of different schools there and many more possibilities. Have you ever thought of translating your book into Russian? I have an agent in New York. If there is a publisher in Russia or Israel interested in it, we are all for it. But I have not yet seen any Canadian writers translated into Russian. What do you like about Canada and what don’t you like? I like the freedom in Canada, but I don’t like it that Canada is still a very small country in terms of opportunities. Toronto is a remarkable city, but there aren’t a lot of cities like Toronto in Canada. And I don’t like winter... Thank you, David, for a great conversation. Good luck! Thank you.
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 11
young writers
The Noises in The Attic By: Karen Truong
Thump, thump, thump. erek lay wide awake in bed as his eyes popped open. He knew he heard it this time. There was no mistake. There were noises coming from the attic. It seemed to be getting louder, then it suddenly died down, but started up again. Derek rolled over in his bed and squinted at the clock — 5:00 a.m. He let out a small groan and rolled over again. “I’m gonna look like a zombie tomorrow.” He thought about the baseball game after school. The team would be counting on him. Derek is a young boy with brown eyes and a dimpled smile. He’s what his Scottish uncle calls, “A charming lad.” Derek is a typical young boy, who tends to procrastinate and is slightly clumsy. The eight years of his life had been a balance between baseball and school. For his eighth birthday, his Dad had bought him a limited edition baseball bat. Derek only used it during special games when he needed extra luck. “I’m gonna need the lucky bat tomorrow,” thought Derek, as he tried to fall asleep and ignore the noises above his head. The next morning seemed strange. Derek woke up with cold feet and a runny nose. And it was nearing the end of May. “Mom?” he called out. “Why’s it so cold?” Baffled, he dove under his blanket for more warmth. “I’m not sure,” his mother replied. “There’s no air conditioning on.”
D
It was an odd morning. Without a full night’s sleep, Derek managed to fall asleep in his buttered toast at breakfast and went to school with crumbs in his hair. But fortunately, it was the baseball game that woke Derek up. He played his best and his team won by one point. “This is all thanks to my lucky bat!” cheered Derek as he and his teammates went out to Dairy Queen for ice-cream. “And no thanks to the noises in the attic,” he thought, yawning as he remembered it. So the day went by pretty normally for Derek. It was even a pretty good day. But as soon as Derek got into bed that night, the noises started up almost immediately. Thump, thump, thump. Naturally, Derek wondered what the noises could be. The wind? Mice? But there’s no way anything could survive the humidity in the attic. Nothing living, anyway. It’s practically hotter than the sun up there. Maybe it’s the air vents. But Dad just had them replaced. But then….it could be…..but it couldn’t be…...ghosts? It all makes sense now. The thumps can only be heard at night. The sudden temperature drop this morning. Ghosts are more active during the night and the temperature is colder when they’re around. So what else could it possibly be? “Ghosts have invaded the attic!” Derek freaked out. It was another sleepless night, as Derek tossed and turned. But luckily, the next day was Saturday, so as the noises died down, he managed to fall asleep for a bit. The next day Derek went to play with his best bud, Sam.
12 | summer 2009 | bathurst-finch kaleidoscope
They played games on Sam’s Wii until Sam’s Mom told them that their eyes “would bleed” if they played another minute. So Derek ended up going home and playing his games there. That night, Derek ran and told his Dad about the noises in the attic and about his conclusion that it must have been ghosts. Derek’s Dad, George, looked like an older version of Derek, with brown eyes and darker brown hair. He was a middleaged man with a jolly laugh and patience as long as the Milky Way. George loved to travel and liked a good adventure. So when Derek ran and told a pretty far-fetched story, George did what he probably should not have done, but did anyway; took his son up to the old, musty attic. “Son, you just may be right,” said George, putting on a thoughtful face. “You’ve got two solid reasons. Let’s go and check this out ourselves.” “Okay.” Derek quickly agreed. He was scared to the bone about going to the attic and seeing the ghost, but he wanted to show his Dad that he was brave. The father-son duo grabbed “protection” – a baseball bat, an umbrella, an old goalie mask, and a small fishing net. “To scare the ghosts into thinking that we can catch them,” explained George to Derek, who was looking at the dinky fishing net in confusion. And the two of them marched up the creaky stairs into the attic. The temperature seemed to rise with each step. Standing at the top of the staircase, sweat dripped down the duo before they opened the door.
“Ready?” asked George. “Ready,” squeaked back Derek. He gripped his baseball bat as tightly as an 8-year-old could. His heart beat fast as he contemplated the reality of seeing ghosts. “1…2…3!” screamed George and Derek. They flung open the creaky attic door with a BOOM and jumped into the attic. As they looked around, Derek’s heart was beating double-time...no, make that triple-time. The attic was almost pitch-dark with barely any light shining through the circular window. “Ghosts, ghosts, ghosts…” thought Derek as he scanned the attic. But there were no ghosts just an old mirror, a tall dresser, a coat rack, about 10,000 cobwebs….oh, and a couple of squirrels running around, startled from the noise the attic door made. “Well, there you go, son,” sighed George. “Suppose there aren’t any ghosts up here just two squirrels. They must have been the thumps you heard. Think I’ll go and call the Humane Society.” Derek was so disappointed, but a bit relieved. He really believed there were ghosts that had invaded the attic, but there were just two squirrels. George ran downstairs to make the phone call. Derek stood there for a moment, staring at the two squirrels who were trying to find a way out of the circular window. He kicked a dust bunny and slowly turned to head down the stairs. As soon as Derek had left, three misty ghost-like figures stepped out of the mirror, the dresser and from behind the door. They chuckled quietly and soundlessly floated out the window together...
young writers
The Diary of Anna Collins by Ria Sanghavi
D
April 5th ’09 I told my Mom and my friends about the dream but they thought I was thinking too hard. What a bad day! Finally I went to bed and found myself back in the village. The woman started the story as soon as I joined in. It was called “Be positive.” This is how it goes: Once upon a time the frogs had a competition to reach a tall tower. All different types of frogs participated in it. There were small ones, big ones and many more. The contestants were ready, the audience was ready and so were the cheerers. The competition began. Soon some frogs gave up, and then later many more frogs gave up. The audience yelled that small frogs would not reach the top. But the smallest frog was still trying its hardest. The audience laughed hard at him thinking he would give up. Finally, he was the only one who reached the top. When he came down, everyone asked him how he managed to reach the top. All he said was, size never matters, you just have to try until you succeed, without getting discouraged.
Drawing–Oleg Morgunov
April 4th, ’09 ear Diary, today in history class, we are learning about the Aboriginal People of Canada. They were the first people to live in North America for thousands of years, before any explorers set foot here in search of the Northwest Passage. We are learning about the Algonquin tribe. They were called Algonquin by the French explorers but they called themselves Anishabe meaning “original person.” We had a supply teacher, so no one was writing notes except me, since I was really interested in the subject. That night I said my prayers as usual, and went to sleep. But I couldn’t go to sleep. There was something unusual keeping me awake. I tried reading to myself and finally got some sleep at 2:00 a.m. Then I felt a flash – and zoom I was in a real Algonquin village! (It was the same picture as in my history textbook!) I had time travelled as quickly as a flash, but didn’t know how. It was a very beautiful village, the men and women were doing their daily chores and the little kids were gathering around an old woman’s wigwam. I tiptoed to the old wigwam and sat amongst the kids thinking she wouldn’t notice me (but obviously I was in pajamas.) But the surprising thing was, she knew my name and spoke English. She asked me to take a look around the village and
try to row a canoe in the nearby lake, while she told a story to the younger kids. It was an amazing view around the village. There were birds flying in the clear blue Father Sky as if swimming in the fresh air. There were little bugs crawling around the clean Mother Earth and trees dancing in the cool morning breeze. It was a scenic place. I tried to row a canoe but I almost capsized... Flash! zoom! And I was back in my cozy bed.
The True Country, Australia
The best fiction contest entry – by Ria Sanghavi
Our Australia A sun-burnt country Sacred land of Aborigines Far and wide red-baked land Of sweeping plains Majestic Mountains Forest fires and flooding rains And the brilliant jewel sea. Our Australia Home to many animals And bird species – From hopping kangaroos To the laughing kookaburras From cuddly koalas To the elegant cockatoos Oh the deadly taipan too. Covered with many trees and shrubs Try seeing how small I am by the old Kauri tree
Our Australia The Golden Outback Land of dust and droughts With merciless sun beating down And sand-covered ghost towns. The urban West With sky-scraped cities Packed with people of all kinds Sharing boundless lands. The dry beaches With glistening water Rolling and drumming at my feet Many more things to see That will fascinate you Our Australia Isolated from the rest But the Best.
Peace is…
By Amanda O-Nsah
A world with unity A world with loving friends A world of love A world without violence or discrimination A world without hatred Peace is the world
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 13
laughing matters
Nina’s Beauty Treats for Youth “I hate perfumed lotions!” declared Miley Cyrus, smiling brightly. “Don’t use them. I’m all about nature,” says the girl, who wears more makeup than any of us….
Drawing–Nina Shenhav
Stay away from the sun! I can’t stress this enough. Did you know that if you put a frozen chicken in the direct sun, in a couple of hours it will be all covered with blotches? You cannot imagine what it does to your epidermis(outermost layer of skin).
14 | summer 2009 | bathurst-finch kaleidoscope
Drawing–Nina Shenhav
Miley is happy to reveal her beauty secrets: “In the morning, I wash my face with mineral water blended with a drop of tea tree oil. In general, the tea tree is amazing! Whenever I discover a zit, I put a drop, and it’s gone, honestly,” she swears. “In the evening, after I’m done removing my makeup I spray my face with a blend of mineral water and…milk. Yeah. That gives me the moisture I need, and the refreshment. As for my diet, when I’m long in the spotlight all day, I really have to eat light…so I try to stay on 1,450 calories a day. I can choose either three nice meals, or two cheese cakes for that amount of calories. I don’t always choose the meals…”
If your hair is an absolute mess, and you simply need to impress that tall guy from the other class, how about wearing it wet? I’m not suggesting using water or even hair gel, it really dries the hair. Instead, wear your conditioner for a couple of hours. Firstly, you’ll smell lovely, and secondly, after you shower and wash your hair at the end of the day, your hair will be soft and moist. If your hair is extremely fine, don’t follow this advice. You probably hate wearing it wet anyway. Try not to eat heavy meals in the morning, especially if you have an exam ahead of you. A heavy breakfast is best for holidays and hotels. It takes time and effort for our stomach to digest eggs, bread and cheese together, (let alone bacon, etc.) So keep it light, and after the test, you might as well treat yourself with a nice hamburger and fries. Hey, you deserve it from time to time… Did you know that sometimes, simply applying toothpaste to pimples can help? Put a little on the red spot in the evening and wash it off the next morning. If it doesn’t help, it won’t harm you....
family and friends
Along the Wind
Families
By Maya Shenhav
Drawing–Nina Shenhav
amilies are always there to support you when you are sad, they love you very much, they can even be your best friend. Firstly, I would like to mention nuclear families. Usually nuclear families include parents and children. For example: mother, father, a son and a daughter. But nuclear families could include two mothers and a child or two fathers and a child, or one mother and one child, or one father and a child, or even, in my opinion, only husband and wife without kids are a family. I have a mom, a dad and a brother, and I love them a lot. They are very kind to me and even if sometimes my brother and I fight, I still love him, and even when my mom doesn’t agree with me on some things, I still love her, or even when my dad sometimes thinks differently from me, I still love him.
I know that many kids, just like me, consider their pets as family. A dog sometimes is like a real brother to a child, even a cat. When my mom was little, she was an only child, and she had a dog, named Lady. And when somebody asked her to tell about her family, she said: “My mother, my father, myself and my sister, Lady. I think even a best friend can be called family too. I feel sometimes that my good friends are my brothers and sisters, especially if you are away from your extended family. Extended families include the parent’s sibling, the parent’s parents; grandma and grandpa, and all the cousins and aunts. I really miss my extended family, because they live in another country. I wish they were here to live with me and see me grow. For now, I will send them this article so they know how I feel.
P
eople were watching the sun gently disappear behind the tall mountains as they were preparing to go to sleep after a long work day. As I went up the hill with two buckets of water from the old village well, I felt the rays of the sun slowly losing their heat. I arrived home and carefully placed the buckets on the kitchen floor. I ran to the garden to catch the last rays of the sun and a glimpse of the countryside before the sun went down. The house stood on one of the surrounding hills: a beautiful view lay before me; I could see the endless river separating the land into two sections, a little further down the tall church steeple stood proudly. Birds were hiding among the branches, leaving behind the echo of their unforgettable songs. The small bugs were dancing through the air, like fairies from stories I had read. Flowers were gently blowing in the breeze. I tried to close my eyes to feel its soft touch, but instead I felt three tears running down my face like ice. The wind was blowing and as I looked up, I noticed my friend crying. I wanted to console him, but he already knew. He sat down and we watched the sunset, spreading the final seconds of its intense light and hiding behind the mountains. As we watched, he slowly started to tell me his story. His words hit my heart like arrows: his grandmother had died the night before. I tried to comfort him and realized I was crying too. I was lost for words.
Drawing–Andy Oprescu
F
By Andy Oprescu
The sun had set as we walked back. On the way to his house I remembered my earlier thoughts. He told me he would return to the city because there was nothing more to be done. Suddenly I remembered the burdens I was carrying, all that unbearable pain, lost in time, but I have never been alone; my sister and my cousin were always there to hold my hand when I was upset. He then understood, he saw it in my eyes, at that moment. I told him that maybe for the entire world he was just another person, but for one person he could be the entire world, like he was for his grandmother and like he was for me as a friend. I made my way home. A week later, after I had returned to town, I heard my friend had remained in the village to continue with his work. I looked up at the empty sky, the wind was blowing. I was sending good thoughts to my friend. Each time the wind blows, thoughts are exchanged, even from long distances, as there are ties between our souls, which share the same pain and happiness.
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 15
youthful guide HOTLINES • Assaulted Women’s Helpline 416-863-0511 • Toll Free 1-866-863-0511 • TTY 1-866-863-7868 • Distress Centre 416-408-4357 • Distress Centre Peel 905-278-7208 • Drug, Alcohol & Mental Health Info Line 416-595-6111 • Food Link Hotline 416-392-6655 • H.E.Y.Y. 416-423-4399 (Hearing Every Youth through Youth; Mon-Fri 6-9 pm) • Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 • Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youthline 416-962-9688 1-800-268-9688 • Street Helpline Open 24/7 416-392-3777 Toll Free 1-866-392-3777 • Teen Sex Info Line (13-16) 416-961-3200 FOOD AND CLOTHING • Youthlink Thrift Shop 416-967-1773 • Daily Bread Food Bank 416-203-0050 • Evergreen 416-977-7259 • Good Shepherd Refuge (Men 18+) 416-869-3619 • Food Link Hotline 416-392-6655 (info on food banks & facilities in your area) • Salvation Army 416-285-0080 • Scott Mission 416-923-8872 • Stop Community Food Centre 416-652-7867 • Street Haven (Women 16+) 416-967-6060 MEDICAL • Evergreen 416-977-7259 • Hassle Free Clinic: Men 416-922-0603 Women 416-922-0566 Teen Clinic (12-17) (Sick Kids Hosp) 416-813-5804 • TheAnne Johnson Health Station 416-486-8666
• East Metro Youth Servi• The House (13-24) ces 416-438-3697 416-927-7171 (Expelled Students • Toronto Health ConnecProgram) tion 416-338-7600 • HIVAids & Sexual Health • Beat the Street (16-23) 416-923-3591 Info Line 416-392-2437 • City Adult Learning Cen• SHOUT 416-927-8553 tre (18+) 416-393-9740 DRUG / ALCOHOL LEGAL INFORMATION TREATMENT • Lawyers Referral ($6.00 • Centre for Addiction & charge) 1-900-565-4577 Mental Health (CAMH) (For Shelters, in custody, Child and Youth Services under 18) 1-800-268-8326 416-535-8501 ext. 1730 • Legal Aid 416-598-0200 • Breakaway • Duty Counsel (Women 13-25) 1-800-265-0451 416-234-1942 - The Works - Needle Ex- • Justice for Children and Youth (17 and under) change 416-392-0520 416-920-1633 - Methadone Treatment Clinic 416-537-9346 - Youth Substance Abuse COUNSELLING • Breakaway (13-25) Program (14-24) 416-234-1942 416-504-1710 ext. 206 • Caribbean Youth & Family Services PREGNANCY 416-740-1558 • Evergreen 416-977-7259 • Central Toronto Youth • Humewood Services 416-924-2100 House (13-21) • Delisle Youth Services 416-651-5657 ext. 240 416-482-0081 • Massey Centre • Dufferin Mall Youth 416-425-6348 Services (12-24) • Jessie’s Centre for 416-535-1140 Teenagers 416-365-1888 • East Metro Youth • Rosalie Hall Services 416-438-3697 416-438-6880 • Evergreen 416-977-7259 • Planned Parenthood • Griffin Centre (North 416-961-0113 York) 416-222-1153 • Toronto Health Connection 416-338-7600 • Oolagen Community Services 416-395-0660 • Talkshop (North York) • The 519 Church Street 416-338-7000 • HIVAids & Sexual Health Community Centre 416-392-6874 ext. 335 Info Line 416-392-2437 • Toll Free 1-800-668-2437 • South EastAsian Services 416-362-1375 • Square One Youth EDUCATION Centre (Mississauga) • City School 905-566-1883 (Alternative School) • Talkshop 416-395-6344 416-393-1470 • Tropicana Community • Contact School Services 416-439-9009 416-393-1455 • Turning Point Youth Ser• Oasis 416-393-9830 vices 416-925-9250 • S.E.E.D 416-393-0564 • Yorktown Child • S.O.L.E 416-393-0756 & Family Centre • The Student School 416-394-2424 416-393-9639 • Youthlink Head Office • West End Alternative 416-967-1773 416-393-0660
16 | summer 2009 | bathurst-finch kaleidoscope
• Youthlink Inner City 416-703-3361 SHELTERS • Covenant House (downtown) (16-21) 416-593-4849 • Eva’s Place (North York) (16-21) 416-441-4060 • Eva’s Satellite Harm Reduction (North of Sheppard) 416-229-1874 • Horizons for Youth (York)(16-24) 416-781-9898 • 2nd Base Youth Shelter (Scarb) ( 16-21) 416-261-2733 • Our Place (Peel)– 3579 Dixie Road 905-238-1383 • Touchstone (East York) (16-24) 416-696-6932 • Youth Without Shelter (Etob)(16-24) 416-748-0110 SHELTERS: Women • 1st Stop Woodlawn (80 Woodlawn Ave) 416-922-3271 • Evangeline (West Toronto) 416-762-9636 • Nellie’s (downtown) 416-461-1084 • Elisa House (Etob) 24+ 416-259-2528 • Women’s Residence (downtown) (18+) 416-392-5500 SHELTERS: Men • Good Shepherd 416-869-3619 • YMCA House (16-24) 416-504-9700 • Turning Point Youth Services 416-925-9250 GETTING OFF THE STREET • YMCA House (males 16-24) 416-504-9700 • Covenant House 416-593-4849 • Evergreen 416-977-7259 • Turning Point Youth Services 416-925-9250
• Operation Go Home 179 Murray, Ottawa 1-800-668-4663 • Street Outreach Services (SOS) • LOFT 416-926-0744 • Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Ctr 416-534-8941 • Youthlink Inner City 416-703-3361 CHILDREN’S AID: Under 16 • Catholic Children’s Aid Society 416-395-1500 • Toronto Children’s Aid Society 416-924-4646 • Jewish Family & Child Services 416-638-7800 • Native Child & Family Services 416-969-8510 SOCIAL SERVICES WELFARE • General Inquiry 416-3928623 (info on the Ontario Works office closest to you) • Client Services 416-392-2956 • Emergency Services (after hours: 6 pm to 9:30 am) 416-392-8600 • Intake Unit (to apply for welfare) 416-397-0330 1-888-465-4478 DROP-IN CENTRES • Central Neighbourhood House 416-925-4363 • Christie-Ossington Neighbourhood Centre 416-534-8941 • Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Ctr 416-656-8025 • Drug-Free Arcade (12-14) 416-964-8747 • Evergreen 416-977-7259 • SOS 416-926-0744 • 519 Church Street 416-392-6874 • Sistering (16+, women only) 416-926-1946 • Stop Community Food Ctr 416-652-7867x 224 • West-End Walk-in Counselling Centre (under 19) 416-394-2424
youthful guide HOUSING Housing Help Centres: • Flemingdon Neighbourhood Services 416-424-2008 • East York Housing Help Centre 416-698-9306 • Etobicoke South (LAMP) 416-252-6471 • Evergreen 416-977-7259 • North York (COSTI) 416-244-0480 • Scarborough 416-285-8070 • West Toronto Community Legal Service (advocacy only) 416-531-7376 • Woodgreen Info-Link (east downtown Toronto) 416-469-5211 ext 1175 • York Housing Help Centre 416-653-5400 • Open Door Rooms Registry 416-366-7124 • Save Our Youth (S.O.Y.) Mentoring Project (Queer-Trans) 416-324-5082 • PARC (One Stop Housing) (only via CAS) 416462-1010 ext 23 • YMCA- Housing & Outreach 416-504-9700 • Youthlink Head Office (co-op program) 416-967-1773 ext 201 EMPLOYMENT • Access to Self Employment Training (15-30) 416-739-7222 • Central Neighbourhood House 416-925-4363 • COSTI (immigrant youth) 416-789-7925 • Dufferin Mall Youth Services 416-535-1140 • Evergreen 416-977-7259 • Gateway Cafe Youth Job Network 416-466-7489 • Job Grow & Training Hotline 416-326-5656 (15-24) 1-800-387-5656 • Parachute 416-4363-1689 • St. Stephen’s Youth Employment 416-531-4631 • Sketch - Working Arts for Street-Involved &
• Homeless Youth 416-516-5428 • Toronto Youth Job Corps (2 locations) St Christoper House 416-848-7980 West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre 416-615-1049 • Youth Employment Services 416-504-5516 • Youth Job Centre (16-24) 416-462-3110 ext 2218 (Wood Green Community Centre) • Youth Skills Zone 416-595-9902 • YMCA Scarborough Employment and Community Services 416-609-9622 • Youth Employment Toronto: - Southeast contact: Michael Gallina 416-397-5507 - Centre contact: Grant Folley 416-392-4460 - West / Northwest contact: Robert Bondoc 416-392-4459 - North Central contact: Deboraugh Rodolphe 416-392-3938 - Northeast contact: Cathy Craig 416-392-4155 or Wendy Baker 416-397-1146 ASSAULT / SEXUAL ASSAULT • Assaulted Women’s Hotline 416-863-0511 • Rape Crisis Centre (24hrs EMERGENCY) 416-597-8808 • Rape Crisis Centre (Office) 416-597-1171 • The Assaulted Women’s Helpline 416-364-4144 ext 224 • Scarborough Grace Hospital - Sexual Assault • Care Centre (12+, male/ female) 416-495-2555 • Women’s College Hospital - Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse Care Centre (16+) 416-323-6040
DISABILITIES INFORMATION • Canadian National Institute for the Blind contact person: Randy Firth 416-486-2500 • Centre for Independent Living in Toronto contact person; Nancy Barry 416-599-2458 ext 27 • Learning Disabilities Assoc. of Toronto 416-229-1680 • Silent Voice (hearing impaired youth) 416-463-1104 • TTY 416-463-3928 • Toronto Assoc. for Community Living 416-9680650 (Intellectual Disability Services) FRIENDSHIP SERVICES • Black Inmates & Friends Assembly 416-652-3131 • Youth Assisting Youth 416-932-1919 • St. Albans Boys and Girls Club 416-534-8461 • Dufferin Mall Youth Services 416-535-1140
QUEER AND TRANS YOUTH • Central Toronto Youth Services Pride & Prejudice 416-924-2100 • Human Sexuality Program (education) 416-985-3749 • Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans Youthline (hotline) 416-962-9688 or 1-800-268-9688 • Meal Trans Program 416392-6874 ext 104 • Supporting Our Youth (SOY) 416-324-5077 • Mentoring Program 416-462-1010 • Trans Youth Toronto Community Centre 416-392-6874 ext 331 • Triangle Program (education) 416-393-8443
• Centre des Jeunesse Francophone 416-934-0588 • Oasis Centre des Femmes (admin) 416-591-6565 - Crise 416-657-2229 or 1-877-679-2229 • Elle-Ecoute (assault sexuel)(crise) 416-657-2229
SERVICES EN FRANQAIS • Centre Francophone du Toronto Metropolitan - Spadina 416-203-1220 - College St 416-922-2672 - North York 416-492-2672
FOR OTHER NUMBERS: Dial 211 for Community Information, Toronto
About 100 Million children
live and work
on the streets
in the developing world
MEDIATION SERVICES • Etobicoke Conflict Mediation 416-490-7556 x 225 • Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview contact: Shadell Permanand 416-740-2522 • Warden Woods Community Centre contact: Ayeesha Adam 416-694-1138 ext 127
HELP THEM
by buying a T-shirt!
Action for Neighbourhood Change: 5987 Bathurst Street unit 104 Tel: 647-436-0385, e-mail: anc@newheightshealth.org
This information is kindly provided by Justice for Children and Youth. Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law www.jfcy.org (updated Summer 2008)
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 17
information portal
Community Garage Sale On May 31, Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood had its first community garage sale. The garage sale was organized by Action for Neighbourhood Change at the Antibes Community Centre. In spite of strong winds that sent sales items and even tables flying, the garage sale attracted 16 vendors and over 100 buyers. It was also a fundraising event with a vendors’ registration fee and all the proceeds from the BBQ going to the Antibes Multicultural Festival organized by the Antibes Community Centre on August 2223. Some community groups used this opportunity to raise funds for their causes as well. We would like to thank all the volunteers who helped with this event.
Action for Neighbourhood Change has been receiving inquiries about similar events in the future. If you support the idea of making a community garage sale a regular (annual or semiannual) event in our neighbourhood, have other ideas for community events and/or would like to get involved in planning and organizing community events, please contact us at: anc@newheightshealth.org
Men’s/ Fathers’ Group
Action for Neighbourhood Change is looking to start a Men’s/Fathers’ group in the Bathurst-Finch Neighbourhood!
This group can discuss how men would like to participate in the community such as: • Planning events and projects to encourage positive fatherchild interaction • Increase father and child leisure activities to build healthy relationships • Develop a peer network with other men who share similar life experiences • Increase parenting information and enhance existing skills • Receive more information on men’s health • Promote men and fathers involvement in the community
Fathers and men’s involvement will not only set a good example and increase confidence in children and youth, it will contribute to an overall healthy community. If you would like to be part of the group and get more involved in the community, please contact Hannah or Nick, Men’s/Fathers’ Group Coordinators, for more information:
Action for Neighbourhood Change 5987 Bathurst Street unit 104 Tel: 647-436-0385, e-mail: anc@newheightshealth.org Join us and share your ideas!
Women’s Walking Group
Are you interested in participating in a new, weekly walking group for women in the Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood?
We’ll take a new route every week! For more information or to join us, contact: 647-436-0385 or anc@newheightshealth.org 18 | summer 2009 | bathurst-finch kaleidoscope
primary health care services
Если Вам нужен семейный врач или другая медицинская помощь– обращайтесь в New Heights Community Health Centres! Отличная новость! Вы можете стать клиентом New Heights Community Health Centres в районе Bathurst-Finch, даже если у Вас нет страхового полиса провинции Онтарио (OHIP). ВСЕ УСЛУГИ ОКАЗЫВАЮТСЯ БЕСПЛАТНО
Наш центр финансируется организацией Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network. Специалисты New Heights Community Health Centres консультируют и оказывают медицинскую помощь людям, которые живут, работают или посещают школу в районе, расположенном между улицами Eglinton St.W и Steeles St.W, и от Bathurst St. до Keele St .
Регистрация.
При регистрации новых клиентов приоритет имеют люди, которые живут, работают или учатся в микрорайоне Bathurst-Finch (Westminster-Branson).
Медицинская помощь
Основные специалисты центра - Врач-терапевт, фельдшер, медсестра и специалист по заболеванию стоп (chiropodist).
Социальная помощь
New Heights Community Health Centres помогает решать жизненно важные социальные проблемы, связанные с адаптацией в Канаде. Социальный работник и Сasecoordinator ответят на любой вопрос и предоставят всю необходимую информацию для решения таких проблем как учеба, трудоустройство, медпомощь, налоги, страховка, субсидии, финансовая поддержка, аренда квартиры, помощь с детьми и т.д.
Are you looking for a family doctor or other primary health care practitioners? New Heights Community Health Centres is pleased to announce new primary health care services for the Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood.
Our new primary health care team will include: a physician, a nurse practitioner, a registered practical nurse, a chiropodist (parttime), a social worker and a case co-ordinator. New Heights CHCs serves people who live, work or go to school in the area bounded by Eglinton, Steeles, Bathurst and Keele. People who live, work or go to school in the Bathurst-Finch (Westminster-Branson) priority neighbourhood, will have first priority, on a first-come, first-served basis. All services are free and funded by the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network. An Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card is not required to become a client. We are currently looking for premises in the Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood. In the mean time, most services will be provided at New Heights CHCs, 12 Flemington Road. If you need access to some or all of the above primary health care services, and are interested in becoming a client of New Heights CHCs, please call us: 647-436-0385
Адрес
Wilson Ave.
Bathurst St .
d. Bathurst Heights High School
Lawrence Ave. West
na Var
SOUTH
Varna
New Heights CHCs, Lawrence Heights site
Flemington R
New Heights Community Health Centres – Bathurst-Finch Site
12 Flemington Road, Toronto, ON M6A 2N4 web-site: www.newheightshealth.org fax: 647-436-0386 phone: 647-436-0385
Ranee Dr. Allen Allien Rd.Rd.
NORTH
Dufferin St .
Highway 401
Keele St.
На сегодняшний день основные услуги оказываются в основном здании New Heights. Однако центр ищет дополнительное помещение для обслуживания клиентов, проживающих в районе Bathurst-Finch (Westminster-Branson), и помощь можно будет получить рядом с домом. Если вы хотите стать клиентом New Heights Community Health Centres или получить более подробную информацию, позвоните нам: 647-436-0385
Lawrence Ave. West Lawrence West subway station
bathurst-finch kaleidoscope | SUMMER 2009 | 19
AUGUST 23, 2009 SUNDAY at 11 AM
10th anniversary celebration tastes of the world, bbq, info booths, children’s activities, music, dance, performances from around the world
special guests
Meet Your Councillor Mike Feldman
FREE ADMISSION SATURDAY at 9:30 AM AUGUST 22, 2009
3-on-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT prizes, trophies and t-shirts for the basketball players – team entry is $5.00/player. To register a team contact ASAP Mike Sterling 416-395-0475 or Tod Debling 416-395-0453
ANTIBES COMMUNTY CENTRE 140 ANTIBES DR.
RAIN OR SHINE