Voices in the media

The links below feature DiverseCity Voices candidates as well as articles and press releases related to the program.

The Toronto Star: Refugee reform bill sparks grassroots protests across GTA “Times are changing,” said FRANCISCO RICO-MARTINEZ, who fled political persecution in El Salvador 22 years ago for the welcoming arms of Toronto, where the couple helped set up a refugee shelter. “Because of the current government’s overhaul of the refugee system, refugees no longer have the same opportunity to escape precarious situations and rebuild their lives in Canada,” he said.
Torontoist: Cycling Advocates Consider a Rebrand Written by DESMOND COLE
TEDxSenecaCollege: Bhupesh Shah TEDx talk at SenecaCollege - BHUPESH SHAH
The Atlantic: What's So Crazy About an Arranged Marriage? In arranged marriages, says REVA SETH, author of First Comes Marriage: Modern Relationship Advice from the Wisdom of Arranged Marriages, "both people come into the relationship with a sense that this is forever." That kind of mindset stands in stark contrast to the one common in Western culture, says Seth, a Canadian journalist who spoke to more than 300 women over the course of five years while researching her book. In this part of the world, she says, even in committed relationships, we're constantly asking ourselves: Could I do better? Would someone else make me happier? That kind of mentality—coupled with how easy it is, legally and socially, to get divorced—"makes it extremely difficult to duplicate the level of commitment that I found among the women I spoke with," Seth says.
MaRS blog: Meet a MaRSian, Nabeel Ahmed Interview with NABEEL AHMED, Managing Editor of SocialFinance.ca at the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing.
Huffington Post: Why Ethnic Politicians Should Move to Ontario Written by SAMUEL GETACHEW
South Asian Generation Next: Committed to serve the community: Neethan Shan NEETHAN SHAN is currently running for the Presidency of the Ontario NDP. Last year, he was a candidate for member of the provincial parliament of Ontario. The year before that, he was running to be a city councilor. And two years before that, he was running to be a member of Queens Park. Prior to this, he was elected as a school board trustee successfully after failing at that the term before. What makes this ever-passionate South Asian community activist tick?
Advisor.ca: Wealth preservation tops list of HNW concerns Fixed income has become a staple for portfolios that need to generate income, says TINA TEHRANCHIAN, CFP, Assante Capital Management, Richmond Hill, Ontario. “Fixed income adds diversification,” she said. “Last year, if your money was invested in bonds, you’d have done a lot better than the stock market. Generally because of this kind of negative correlation, it’s good from a diversification standpoint to have a fixed income component in the portfolio.”
Mississauga.com: Bid envisioned for Summer Games LOUROZ MERCADER, president of the Mississauga Youth Games, wants to see the City of Mississauga host the 2014 Ontario Summer Games. To turn that dream into a reality, he's trying to gather as much support as possible before he takes his proposal to City Council.
HR Magazine: Winning strategies for internal networks Written by HARPAUL SAMBHI
CBC Here and Now Toronto: Disappearing Daughters Matt Galloway spoke with midwife MANAVI HANDA about her experiences with new parents in the South Asian community. She describes the challenges this study presents and her experiences as a front-line caregiver for that community.
SAWNTV: Doctor Naila Butt Social Services Network Dr. NAILA BUTT, Executive Director of Social Services Network, describes the urgent need for access to Community Health Centre services in the York Region.
Sway Magazine: Q&A with lawyer and social activist Omar Ha-Redeye OMAR HA-REDEYE is an ambitious lawyer with a conscience. The noted activist has been seen in the media commenting on topics from the Occupy Toronto movement to the importance of youth engagement. Possessing a rare passion and youthful vigour, the part-time Ryerson University professor is on a powerful mission based on the “principles of social justice”. A former Black Law Students Association of Canada (BLSAC) president, Ha-Redeye tells Sway why law is a great career and the reasons why he supported last year’s Occupy Toronto movements.
Huffington Post: Not Even the Charter Excites These Liberals Written by SAMUEL GETACHEW
Huffington Post: Temporary Foreign Workers Canada Blacklist: Jason Kenney Wants Permanent Ban On Employers Who Abuse Migrant Workers As workers’ rights advocate DEENA LADD sees it, that fear of reprisal is a significant barrier in a system that relies heavily on migrant workers coming forward to lodge a complaint. “It’s well and good that if someone is found to be non-compliant that they are banned,” said Ladd, who is a coordinator at the Toronto-based Workers’ Action Centre. “But the real issue is the system of enforcement, the ways in which migrant workers are brought in with very little access to protections, and [very little] ability to come forward.”
The Toronto Star: Toronto immigrant networks connect newcomers with jobs and community help Funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and sponsored by Scotiabank, PINs benefits employers as well as immigrants. With an increasingly diverse population, newcomers are both a source of international talents and market growth. “We recognize that professionals coming into our country are not just prospective employees and managers, but also customers,” says PANKAJ MEHRA, director of India and South Asia markets in Scotiabank’s multicultural banking unit.
The Toronto Star: Will NDP let Andrea Horwath dance with the Liberal devil? NEETHAN SHAN, a former Scarborough candidate with deep roots in the Tamil community could project a fresh face for a mostly whitebread and white-haired party with shallow ties to ethnic groups.
rabble.ca: Recap and highlights from the Babble Book Club Interview with author FARZANA DOCTOR
YorkRegion.com: Conference tackles family violence "When terms such as honour killing are attached to violence, the conversation skews to centre focus on issues perceived to be endemic to certain cultures and away from the main issue, which is violence against women", NAILA BUTT said. “There’s a kind of hierarchy – that this is something foreign, it exoticizes the whole thing,” she said. "The killing of women, no matter their culture, should be termed femicid"e, she said.
InsideToronto.com: Sun shines on Greenest City "One of the things that I find interesting about Greenest City is that they do a lot of work with diverse communities, with refugees and ESL people," KAREN SUN said. "I think it is a nice intersection between social services and social justice work and environmental work."
HR Reporter: Negative social attention on your HR brand Written by HARPAUL SAMBHI
Humber Et Cetera: Physical books preferred by readers SHENIZ JANMOHAMED, 27, author, spoken word artist, and graduate of the MFA in creative writing program at Guelph-Humber, had her first book of poetry, Bleeding Light, published by Tsar Publications, a small publishing house that specializes in promoting multicultural works. “Seeing a physical copy of what you’ve written bound forever kind of creates the completion of the circle from the inception of the book, writing the book on pieces of random paper, first draft, second draft, and the final edited copy,” said Janmohamed. “I don’t know if I’d have the same sense of completion from having a non-physical book.”
Mississauga.com: Fashion for funds LOUROZ MERCADER, who helped organize the event, said the fashion show raised much-needed funds that will allow the group to continue helping more than 3,200 people each year. "The show is totally run by volunteers," said Mercader. "Four designers showcased their clothes and all models, hair and make-up were done by people in the community."
The Globe and Mail: How can seniors avoid investment fraud with Tina Tehranchian and Rob Carrick - YouTube TINA TEHRANCHIAN and Rob Carrick discuss how seniors can avoid investment fraud.
Windy City Times: LGBT South Asian authors in Chicago FARZANA DOCTOR is the recipient of the Writers' Trust of Canada's Dayne Ogilvie Grant ( 2011 ) . Her first novel, Stealing Nasreen, received critical acclaim upon its release in 2007. Farzana is also an activist and psychotherapist.
The Toronto Star: Kony 2012 campaign makes us feel good — Written by RAYWAT DEONANDAN
Toronto Life: Return of the Dads - one Scarborough father’s simple solution to his community’s most taboo problem BRANDON HAY, the group’s 32-year-old facilitator, introduced himself by revealing his own background, that he’s a father too, of three boys, and that it’s the hardest job he’s ever had. Hay is tall and balding and heavy-set, with lion cubs inked down one arm. His smile is magnetic and his eyes serene behind octagonal glasses. He told a story about his first extended outing alone with his eldest son, Tristan, then less than a year old. On the way home, Tristan began to scream and cry in the back seat, and Hay couldn’t console him. He frantically pulled off the highway into a gas station, drenched in sweat, and called his girlfriend to ask what he should do. The next time his son threw a fit, he was better prepared. The point was: you just have to keep trying.
National Post: Luminato announces literary programming “The profile of the program has increased” from 25 writers in 2010 to about 30 writers this year, but “the important thing for us is the traction the program is gaining with increasing audiences who are responding to the thematic programming and the quality and diversity of the events,” says DEVYANI SALTZMAN, the festival’s curator of literary programming.
Torontoist: Etobicoke Residents Supportive of Resurrected Finch LRT Written by DESMOND COLE
Sway Magazine: Colour Me - A film explores Canadian Identity “What was most important to me was not being patronizing and to be really open with the kids on what my agenda was,” says SHERIEN BARSOUM, who besides being a youth worker also reported as a journalist for the Christian Television Station (CTS), SunTV, and CTV. “I told them, ‘I’m going to be really open and ask about your personal and family life, and if you don’t want to share then don’t be in the film.’” The filmmaker says she wasn’t interested in exploiting conflict but focused on respectfully telling everyone’s story. She wanted them understanding that their evolving notions of Blackness and identity would be part of a lasting record. “They were vulnerable and they trusted me,” says Barsoum. “Not as a journalist but as a friend.”
Huffington Post: Think of the Children - Why We Need a New Story for Working Moms Written by REVA SETH
National Post: Light rail transit ‘better bang for the buck’: advisory panel MITZIE HUNTER, CEO of CivicAction, echoed the support for light rail. “The LRT option is the choice for the ridership, for the funds that are available, and also for timeframe in terms of the impact on the community and for equity issues as well – bringing rapid transit to more people,” she said.
The Toronto Star: Mariam Makhniashvili - Did the teen struggle with isolation at her new Toronto high school? “There is no doubt in my mind about the utter alienation of being new in a school. I can only imagine,” said JEHAD ALIWEIWI, executive director of the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, a Toronto-based community agency that provides immigrant settlement services to schools in the area.
Quill & Quire: Review of Six Metres of Pavement by Farzana Doctor Review of FARZANA DOCTOR's book Six Meters of Pavement
Xtra!:Setting a strange Frequency Invited to teach and perform at a festival in Labrador in 2003, YVONNE NG led dance workshops with Innu community groups in two isolated northern communities. Wanting to formulate a creative language with her students not dependent on English, Ng proposed a cultural exchange; the students would teach her lullabies from their childhood in Innu and she would teach them ones from her own childhood in Chinese. “The songs they were using all had a distinct country and western style, which had no specific relationship to their cultural heritage,” the York University graduate says. “I found out that by some atmospheric quirk, radios in Labrador in the early 20th century would pick up signals from the southern United States. They came into contact with a genre of music they probably never would have otherwise, which wove its way into their cultural lineage.”
CBC: Lifting of hijab ban in world soccer welcomed Lifting the ban on Muslim women soccer players wearing hijabs in international matches is being hailed as a victory for human rights by those who had urged it be overturned. “I’m ecstatic. This is a win for Muslim women and their allies,” said FARRAH KHAN, a Toronto social worker and activist whose group Right2Wear championed the cause. “This sends a really clear message — let’s stop bullying Muslim women and get out of their wardrobes. It’s a religious and feminist issue.”
National Post: Exploring the abstract in choreographer Yvonne Ng’s Frequency Choreographer YVONNE NG sets out on an abstract exploration of the ways in which technology creates social bonds while simultaneously severing them with her debut dance performance, Frequency. “Through different choreographic tools I pretty much translated different creative processes that I’ve already been working on,” Ng says. “[I’m] diving back into my own body and trying to figure out [the concept] through myself, through the physical self.”
Ottawa Citizen: Auto industry poised to surpass expectations, BMO says Auto sales in Canada should edge higher in 2012 although circumstances are ripe for the market to surpass expectations, according to a report from Bank of Montreal. Driven by rising employment, continuing low interest rates, small increases in vehicle prices and better vehicle affordability, "there is the potential for a surprise on the upside," said KENRICK JORDAN, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets.
Canada.com: Oil is the wild card in inflation outlook Still, the easing price pressures will be uneven, with meat, baked goods and vegetables continuing to rise fairly fast, warns KENRICK JORDAN, an economist with BMO Capital Markets. There are different reasons for each. Baked goods and cereals continue to reflect earlier price hikes for grains, while limited supplies of potatoes will hold vegetable prices relatively high.
rabble.ca: Worker support groups demand justice for migrant farm worker deaths In memory of the 10 migrant workers that died last week, candles were lit and placed on the sidewalk near the steps leading up to the the Ministry of Labour building at 400 University Avenue. "How many more candles are we going to light this year?" asks DEENA LADD, Coordinator of the Workers' Action Centre. "Absolutely no more. This is it. We cannot have any more workers dying on the job."
RCI: Mister Blue by Jacques Poulin Our resident book reviewer PRISCILA UPPAL tells us Jacques Poulin's Mister Blue is an unusual love story about a lonely writer with writer's block, a mysterious woman living in a cave by the sea, and a charming cat who befriends a troubled but sweet young girl.
National Post: Black & White: Search for roots uncovers forgotten family secret “Racial passing,” when a member of a racial group trying to become accepted as a member of a different racial group, happens all the time amongst myriad cultures, says ROSEMARY SADLIER, president of the Ontario Black History Society. “There were people from the American south, people born here at the turn of the century who were passing because that was how they could get a job, that was how they could move up,” she said. “There were people passing for white working at Eaton’s when Eaton’s was not hiring black people, there were people passing for white working on the railroad in higher positions because they could pass for white.”
The Globe and Mail: Toronto documentary tracks high school students’ journey of self-discovery SHERIEN BARSOUM's documentary Colour Me, screening at the TIFF Lightbox as part of February’s Black History month, tracks Mr. McLean, now a motivational speaker, and six Brampton high school students on a five-month journey of self-discovery. Ms. Barsoum spent two years piecing together the 80-minute documentary – her first – playing the role of producer and director.
Financial Post: Retirement: More Canadians taking the semi-retirement route Tina Tehranchian certified financial planner with Assante Capital Management Ltd. who has advised Mr. Burasch for 20 years, said so many of her clients just miss work once they stop. “They miss the pace they had and need something to do. It’s starts with consulting work that they think they’ll do as a hobby here or there and before you know it, it’s almost like full-time all over again,” says Ms. Tehranchian, adding they find their skills are in demand and the money helps with their lifestyle. Ms. Tehranchian says many of her clients get to retirement and realize they don’t want to cut back on their spending, so why not supplement the savings and any pensions they have with more income?
The Toronto Star: Why Gen Y is least likely to give to charity but more vulnerable to fraud A survey shows that Gen Y adults aged 18 to 34 are more likely to hand over money and personal information to charitable solicitation than older Canadians. That can make them more vulnerable to phony online pleas, says OWEN CHARTERS, chief executive of CanadaHelps. “The Web is a place where there’s both good and bad,” he said. “We thought with constant use, they’d be a little more savvy about checking into the things they’re going to give to. But it seems they’re the ones who take the least precautions.”
South Asian Focus: We need to promote Ontario jobs more aggressively Western Canada has done a great job by promoting themselves to aspiring and attracting new immigrants settle in those provinces, says a Toronto-based marketing and partnership expert. The PNP (provincial nominee program) also helped them a lot in terms of encouraging newcomers — but on the other hand Ontario also doesn’t lack employment opportunities and award-winning employers, said MUNIRA RAVJI, a marketing and partnership specialist at the Maytree Foundation. “We need to promote Ontario more aggressively while our employers must consider the hidden talent that is coming into Canada,” said Ravji.
The Globe and Mail: Credit downgrades paint a bleak economic picture Food prices will climb between 2.5 per cent and 3 per cent in 2012, compared with 3.8 per cent in 2011, according to KENRICK JORDAN, an economist at BMO Nesbitt Burns. The slowdown is one reason that Canada’s central bank hasn’t felt the need to raise interest rates to quell inflation.
Sway Magazine: Q&A with Akwasi Owusu-Bempah AKWASI OWUSU-BEMPAH, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Criminology, is co-author of a new study on Canada’s Justice system. He tells Sway about his “troubling” findings and also reflects on an imminent law that he feels will “not only affect those who get caught up in the system, but also the families and ultimately entire communities.”
Town Crier: Honour bestowed The society’s president, ROSEMARY SADLIER, said Burgess was recognized for her strong commitment to education and for the fact she was one of Toronto’s school board’s first black teachers. “The idea that Millie committed herself to a very high calling, a higher purpose, she was a very dedicated educator,” said Sadlier. “It’s interesting how she’s been able to give back in that way.”
MarketWire: Auto Sales Expected to be Up in Canada and U.S. "We look for sales to total about 14.3 million units in the U.S. and 1.6 million in Canada. This compares with 12.8 million and 1.59 million, respectively, in 2011. But there is the potential for a surprise on the upside," said KENRICK JORDAN, Senior Economist, BMO Capital Markets. "With the availability of Japanese products back to normal levels this year, we see Japanese automakers making every effort to regain market share. This should make for attractive pricing. Furthermore, because consumers put off purchases in view of weak economic growth during the past few years, there is some pent-up demand, particularly in the U.S., where the average vehicle age is at a record high. Also, a slew of new products in the market may well entice cautious consumers to buy."
The Toronto Star: Black History Month - Black leaders in Toronto select trailblazers worthy of street name Among the many people worthy of recognition, says ROSEMARY SADLIER, president, Ontario Black History Society, are Dudley Laws, civil rights activist and executive director of the Black Action Defence Committee; Elder Christian, founder of the First Baptist Church Elder Christian; and Josiah Henson, author, abolitionist and minister.
National Post: As immigration booms, ethnic enclaves swell and segregate In almost every Canadian family tree, there is an ethnic enclave: Irish Catholics in Montreal’s St. Anne’s Ward, European Jews in Toronto’s Kensington Market or Ukrainians in the new farming villages of early 20th century Alberta. “People find their footing in these neighbourhoods … they pull comfort from these areas, especially women and elderly people,” said SANDEEP AGRAWAL, a specialist in ethnic enclaves at Ryerson University.
The Toronto Star: Metcalf Foundation study: working poor numbers way up in Toronto The report should be a warning to government, says Deena Ladd of the Workers’ Action Centre, a non-profit workers’ collective. “It shows that the issue of wages and working conditions as they are connected to the working poor really needs to be looked at. “Are we going to continue growing the service-sector jobs,” she adds, “or are we going to have innovative strategies by the government that lead to decent jobs that have good wages, good benefits where people can take care of their families and save for the future?”
InsideToronto.com: CEO defends need for merger between Scarborough, East General hospitals Friends of The Scarborough Hospital co-chairs ED CASTRO and Eden Garaj talked to residents at St. Paul's L'Amoreaux Centre about a possible merger between the hospital and Toronto East General in East York.
MarketWatch: Food Freedom Day 2012: BMO Recognizes Important Milestone for Canadian Consumers; Expects Lower Food Prices "Concern about widespread food price inflation is receding as the supply outlook for a number of agricultural commodities improves," said KENRICK JORDAN, Senior Economist, BMO Capital Markets. "Intense competition in food retailing is also playing a role in restraining price increases. Overall, food price increases are expected to be a fair bit lower, on average, this year compared to 2011."
The Vancouver Sun: Safety of 15-passenger van to be probed A lawyer representing the families of four of the victims of the two-vehicle crash that claimed 11 lives in southwestern Ontario on Monday says he'll explore whether the type of van the men were riding in had anything to do with the tragic outcome. "We will be filing the paper-work with the (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) and the police to get more details as to what happened and to explore the liability situation," Toronto lawyer JUAN CARRANZA said Thursday. "It may be with the van, if there's a product liability with the van."
TheRecord.com: Crash survivor improves in hospital; group worries... JUAN CARRANZA said the family will need help with Workplace Safety and Insurance Board claims and he will be looking into whether there are any liability angles to pursue such as mechanical or product liability issues with the van. “You can’t rule anything out at this juncture,” Carranza said. “As you can imagine, these families depended immensely on the ability of the breadwinner.”
CTV News: Deadly collision raises labour rights questions DEENA LADD, co-ordinator of the Workers' Action Centre, said migrant workers often don't receive the same protections as other workers, and have little means to complain about their treatment. "Migrant workers have little power in the workplace. Brought into Ontario under temporary foreign work permits or the seasonal agricultural program, workers are tied to one employer and can be sent back to home countries if they raise concerns about health and safety or wages and working conditions," Ladd said in a statement.
Crossroads: "Colour Me" The Film with Director/Producer Sherien Barsoum Jim Cantelon talks to SHERIEN BARSOUM, Director/Producer of the documentary "Colour Me".
Mississauga.com: UTM honours Black History Month Students and invited members of the community heard the works of poet C.J. Eboh and spoken-word performer Chiamaka and watched a documentary film called Colour Me directed by SHERIEN BARSOUM, which is intended to "change the way you think about race."
The Brampton News: Trillium Foundation Grant Helps Youth Make a Difference “The Ontario Trillium Foundation is helping to empower young people to become problem solvers in their own communities, said LOUROZ MERCADER, Board Chair. “This grant will maximize the impact of our efforts, encourage innovation and inspire life-long engagements through volunteerism.”
InsideToronto.com: Friends of The Scarborough Hospital holding a town hall meeting Thursday The Friends of The Scarborough Hospital are trying to facilitate a discussion on the future of their community hospital by holding a town hall meeting next Thursday. The event takes place at St. Paul's L'Amoreaux Centre on Feb. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. ED CASTRO , co-chairperson of the Friends of The Scarborough Hospital, said the main issue is the community wants to be part of any discussions regarding the "possibility of an alliances or integration" between The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) and Toronto East General (TEGH).
Share News: Black History Month kicks off at Toronto police celebration WENDELL ADJETEY and AKWASI OWUSU-BEMPAH connected the first time they met on the Mississauga transit six years ago. In addition to their Ghanaian heritage, they have a passion for working with underprivileged young people and they are committed advocates for equality and social justice.
Embassy - Canada's Foreign Policy Newspaper: Canada's gay rights defence is all hot air Written by AKIM ADE LARCHER
Tamil Canadian: Diversity and Inclusion: Going Beyond the ‘To Do’ List PIRAGAL THIRU is a 2011 DiverseCity Fellow, an initiative of DiverseCity: The Greater Toronto Leadership Project, and a Board of Director with the Canadian Tamil Congress.
The Toronto Star: Project Unbreakable gives sexual abuse survivors a forum to speak “It’s kind of a huge secret and a huge reality at the same time,” said Andrea Gunraj, a communications specialist with Toronto’s Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children. “There aren’t many opportunities for people who have experienced violence, particularly sexual violence, to share their stories,” she said.
The Varsity: Negotiations underway for food workers’ union AMARJEET KAUR CHHABRA of UNITE HERE Local 75 says that based on the union’s record with hotels and other food service industries, an agreement with the universities is achievable. “We are hopeful that we can arrive at new collective agreements that strengthen campus food service jobs as good jobs with decent wages and benefits,” said Chhabra in an email to The Varsity.
The Toronto Star: Bob Marley’s granddaughter takes epic journey in new doc about Rasta PATRICIA SCARLETT, who was born in Jamaica, says: “Most of the broadcasters that I went to told me quite plainly that they didn’t think there was an audience for this film and certainly NOT a Canadian audience. “Financing was a big issue,” Scarlett says. “Although our budget of $650,000 was not over the moon, I suspect that some of the broadcasters felt that I couldn’t raise the funds, so they were not interested in supporting the project. What they didn’t understand is that I’m Jamaican and as such we know how to ‘try a ting.’
Winnipeg Free Press: Search of literary journals discovers poetry at its 'best' The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2011 (Tightrope, 160 pages, $20), edited by Toronto's PRISCILA UPPAL, with series editor Molly Peacock, offers a strong selection of work (despite the inclusion of this reviewer's own poems), culled from literary journals published in 2010.
THE TORONTO QUARTERLY: The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2011 (Tightrope Books) - A Review This year’s guest editor, PRISCILA UPPAL admits her decision to take on the editorship for this project was a no-brainer from the very start, even though the project involved countless hours of reading, comprising a best fifty shortlist, then another fifty poems for the longlist, and then finally writing an introduction and trying to make sense of the entire experience.
Ismailimail: York Region Spoken Word Slam SHENIZ JANMOHAMED wins first York Region Spoken Word Slam
YorkRegion.com: United Way record “United Way is like our parent organization,” Dr. NAILA BUTT said. “We feel like we’re United Way’s baby. They gave us our first funding in 2004, $30,000, now we’re helping bridge the Chinese and South Asian communities with main stream agencies. “They gave us the opportunity. They recognize the needs of their agencies. We’re very proud to be a member agency.”
Global Toronto: Brandon Hay - Founder of Black Daddies Club BRANDON HAY, founder of Black Daddies Club talks about parenting issues fathers face in today's society.
Mississauga.com: Square in contest to find country's great places LOUROZ MERCADER, president and founder of the Mississauga Youth Games, nominated the Mississauga's Celebration Square to be named one of the great public spaces in Canada.
South Asian Generation Next: Making Community Work a Passion: MUNIRA RAVJI “I think it’s important for employers to see immigrants as coming to the table with assets, not deficits. Having employees with global experience that speak multiple languages, makes Canadian businesses more competitive globally, and opens up new markets to individuals such as newcomers and immigrants they may not have been able to reach before.”
Oye! Times: Asha & Ravi Jain's A Brimful of Asha in Toronto Real-life mother and son, Asha and RAVI JAIN, share the stage and tell this true (and very Canadian) story of generational and cultural clash. Asha believes it's time for Ravi to get married and it's up to her to help him find a bride. Ravi, however, is not so sure. He's just embarked on an exciting new phase in his professional life that means marriage will have to wait - at least for a little while.
South Asian Generation Next: Immigration, Sexuality, Loss and Redemption: Themes of Farzana Doctor’s Novels Toronto-based author and social worker, FARZANA DOCTOR's first novel is called “Stealing Nasreen”. It received wide acclaim from the Globe and Mail, Quill and Quire, and NOW Magazine. “Six Metres of Pavement” is her second novel. She has also co-written a manual for therapists and was part of the video collective that produced the documentary, “Rewriting the Script”.
Winston Charles Arbitration Magazine: The Risks Of Going Back To School Written by WINSTON CHARLES.
The Toronto Star: New DiverseCity leaders ready to make their mark - thestar.com RAKHI HENDERSON and LEONARDO ZUNIGA are among DiverseCity 2012 fellows, part of the GTA Leadership Project.
Huffington Post: Courting the Ethnic Vote: What Liberals Can Learn From Rob Ford Written by REVA SETH.
dowser: Jennifer Chan of Exhibit Change on Early Lessons as an Entrepreneur | Dowser JENNIFER CHAN founded Exhibit Change to encourage impact through design thinking and to promote community building. The organization serves as a think tank for people to share ideas and designs, and to create healthier communities and neighborhoods.
YorkRegion.com: Leaders ‘comatose’ about female feticide, says Family Services therapist Dr. NAILA BUTT, executive director of Social Services Network which serves the South Asian community in York Region, said some in her community feel pressure to have male babies, but she urged caution. “Yes, some practices trickle over, and some bring baggage along, but this practice is minimal. I am concerned that they are targeting certain communities ... lumping together” ethnic groups that are hugely diverse.
YorkRegion.com: Awareness, innovation key in hard times The Social Services Network in Markham attracted more than 1,200 clients in 2011, executive director Dr. NAILA BUTT said. A lack of sustainable core funding is the network’s biggest hurdle. Advocacy and fundraising are pillars in its strategy, she said.
Mixed in Canada: Interview with Adebe DeRango-Adem, Co-Editor of “Other Tongues” | If someone were to ask me if there is one book in particular regarding the mixed-race experience that has never left my nightstand, I would without hesitation answer ADEBE DERANGO-ADEM's Other Tongues: Mixed-Race Women Speak Out.
The Globe and Mail: Mutual funds have their place in a portfolio Finding the right mutual fund means determining the right fit for your portfolio, especially based on your risk tolerance and investment time horizon, says TINA TEHRANCHIAN, a certified financial planner and the branch manager at Assante Capital Management Ltd. in Richmond Hill, Ont.
YorkRegion.com: Number of people needing aid rises Changing demographics, the need for culturally appropriate services and increased awareness about the Social Services Network attracted more than 1,200 clients to the Markham-based agency in 2011, executive director Dr. NAILA BUTT said. The network serves the widely diverse South Asian community that represents numerous cultures, languages and faith groups. Programs range from cultural preservation and settlement to seniors and youth.
CBC news: What are your New Year's resolutions? The new year is typically a time of reflection, rejuvenation and renewal. It's also a good time to ask ourselves who we want to be and what we want to do in the next twelve months -- and because 2012 is a leap year, we even get one extra day to accomplish our goals! On a recent episode of Toronto radio show Metro Morning, RITU BHASIN gave some tips on how to make realistic resolutions, and how best to keep them.
Montreal Serai: Ghazaling in English – A Canadian Poet’s Literary Journey Written by SHENIZ JANMOHAMED
The Globe and Mail: Who's reading what - Notables share their favourite 2011 books DEWYANI SALTZMAN, the author of Shooting Water and curator of literary programming at Toronto’s Luminato festival
SunTV : Omar Ha-Redeye with Alex Pierson OMAR HA-REDEYEexplains the 3-part test on injunctions.
The Globe and Mail: For a civic activist, a city is about creating opportunities MITZIE HUNTER is set to take the helm of CivicAction, the not-for-profit organization founded by the late David Pecaut to address challenges to the Toronto region’s social and economic future.
Toronto SUN: Feeding those in need “Good Shepherd relies heavily on volunteers and we have thousands of volunteers,” added AKLILU WENDAFEREW, assistant executive director of the Good Shepherd Ministries.
Open Book: Toronto: Farzana Doctor Wins Rainbow Award FARZANA DOCTOR recently won the 2011 Rainbow Award in the category of Best Lesbian Contemporary General Fiction for her novel Six Metres of Pavement.
Mediacaster Magazine: Canadian Ethnic Media Celebrate Journalistic Excellence across Multiple Media Platforms The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) annually recognizes and celebrates excellence in ethnic media. This year marked the 33rd Annual Awards Gala, and the first time it was held at Harbourfront's Enwave Theatre.
The Toronto Star: Minimum wage hike key to cutting poverty “The government says the best route out of poverty is a job,” says DEENA LADD, of the Workers’ Action Centre, a non-profit, worker-based organization. “But people working full time earning minimum wage are still having trouble paying the bills.”
The Toronto Star: TD commits $1 million to United Way financial literacy strategy ROXANA ZULETA, executive director of the multiservice Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre said the economic downturn continues to affect the poor. “People are being pushed,” she said, adding those who rely on payday loan companies, for example, “start the circle of debt that’s hard to get out of.”
Huffington Post: Why I Hate Santa Written by REVA SETH
660News: Internet impacts charitable giving The CEO of CandaHelps.org says while physical donations might be down, on-line charitable donations in Calgary this year are up almost 16 per cent over 2010. OWEN CHARTERS tells 660News much like online shopping, more and more Canadians are turning to the Internet to give back to the community. Charters says with a simple click of a button, people can select the charity of their choice, along with a dollar amount and get an automatic tax receipt.
Mississauga.com: Toy Tea aids children Interim Place development coordinator FARHEEN KHAN-UMER said the gifts are important. They connect the recipients to community at a time when they're feeling alone and life seems bleak. "The ones who are forgotten are newborns and teenagers," said Khan-Umer. "Just because they're in a shelter doesn't mean teens don't want electronics and things their friends want. For them, gift cards are wonderful."
PROFIT: Ray Cao founded a niche beauty business after abandoning Plan A When RAY CAO first went into business almost two years ago, he had big plans to shake up the world of apparel e-commerce. But plans change. Almost eight months after launching Loose Button, he realized he was on the wrong course. “The space was becoming incredibly saturated,” he says. “So, we decided to make a pivot.”