Age Ain't Nothing But A Number

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What have I been up to? Well, let's just say that I have not permitted age (almost 60) to stop me from doing what I love.

Since my last post, I have successfully completed phase I of my master's degree and am currently working on phase II. As well, I have been given a clean bill of health from the specialist and look forward to conquering more health demons. To top that off, I am now divorced and I did it on my own with a lot of patience and online research. And as you can see below, I have just received the 2016 Artist in Residence and my first one-woman show is scheduled for April, 2016 (I shall keep you posted).

Yes, I've been very busy and I continue advocating on behalf of the homeless and the mental ill because their voices are not heard and they are not seen ... "Invisible".  I am determined to remove the stigma about mental health so that people can get the help they need without shame or fear.

Before I let you go, I would also like to add that upon graduating with an art certificate from university, prior to commencing my masters, I was awarded the York University Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award and received a scholarship to continue my education in 2015-2016.

The bottom line here is to not give up on your dreams and do what makes you happy. For me, that is my art and I am honoured to have been chosen to showcase my work. ~ Gloria

2016 Sharon Wolfe Artist in Residence

Art & Comedy Show - Fundraiser

On July 15th, I was fortunate to have some amazing people (and new friends) come out to ‪Support‬ me and I thank you all with all my heart. Amanda Killeen, Aisha Brown, Camille Côté, Jen Sakato, Nour Hadidi, Eric Magnifico, Ronen Geisler, Simi Grewal, Andy Fruman, Glenda MacDonald & Wayne, and Mariam Jubril and James. A special thank you to management and staff at Fox and Fiddle - Bloor. 

And everyone else who came out to support; buy art; and hear some awesome comedy.

Thank you. 

Remembering Toronto's Homeless

#Homelessness #MentalHealth #Memorial

Rest in Peace

Let's not forget about the nine lives lost to the church shooting tragedy: ‎

Rev Clementa Pinckney‬

‎Daniel Simmons‬

Rev Sharonda Coleman-Singleton‬

Cynthia Hurd‬

‎Susie Jackson‬ and her nephew, ‪Tywanza Sanders‬

Myra Thompson‬

Ethel Lance‬

DePayne Middleton Doctor‬ 
... and all lives lost because of ‎Racism‬ ...‪

#‎LetsNotForgetTheirNames‬

Opening Soon ...

Opening Soon:

NEW Quizno's (Broadoaks & Keele), located beneath Walmart.

Bus Shelter

Work in progress ... Keele and Broadoaks ... TTC ... Bus Shelter. 

Carlos Morgan Family Fund

Carlos Morgan is a 41 year old husband and devoted father of 3 beautiful young children. He is also a brother, son, friend, drywall installer and entrepreneur.  In December 2014, we found out that that he is now a cancer fighter.  Carlos was diagnosed with stage 4 of a rare and aggressive form of paranasal sinus cancer. In the last few weeks, a large tumor behind his left eye has grown quickly (taking his vision in that eye), another tumor has grown in lymphnodes in his neck, and the cancer has spread to his lungs. He is undergoing radiation, with surgery and chemotherapy both planned for the upcoming months.  

Carlos has always worked very hard to support his family through his own drywall business, and the cancer has made it impossible for him to work.  This, and the numerous out-of-pocket medical expenses, are adding to the burden and stress on Carlos and his family.  Any donation, large or small, is appreciated more than words can express.  100% of the money raised on this site will go directly to the Morgan family to help with their expenses while Carlos battles cancer.

Carlos is a fighter, and he will not be defeated by this disease, but he needs your help.

http://www.youcaring.com/family-fundraiser/the-carlos-morgan-family-fund/289520

In the beginning ...

The digging up (traffic headache, etc.) at Keele and Finch. 

Completion Year: 2015 ... 2016 ... 2017 ... 

Picture taken October 2012

Bus Shelter

Guessing my endless tweets to ‪#‎TTC‬ about the urgent need for a bus shelter (especially during cold and rainy weather) will soon pay off ... bus shelter at Broadoaks and Keele is coming soon. Now when the #41 is late (and it will be late - lol), at least riders can wait inside shelter.

Hosted by Regenesis | York University

 

Free Store intervention is part of 100 in 1 Day festival in Toronto.

A Free Store is a place to donate and take items for free.

The idea is to promote gift economy and keep items out of landfill

by encouraging their reuse & repair.

 The goal is to establish a permanent Free Store

with regular working hours

on the Keele campus at York University.

 Right now Regenesis is in negotiations with

YorkU for a long-term space.

 Come to the event, get something you need and 

help show that there is a demand for the Free Store!

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Please bring items for donation

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Saturday June 6th 2015

12-4pm

York University, York Lanes Mall - follow the signs!

In Their Commuity #SocialIssues

Young people of colour unable to secure employment because jobs go to non-community youth; young single mothers of colour on welfare because they're unable to obtain higher education or work because affordable childcare doesn't exist; people of colour ashamed, afraid, and unable to fight their mental demons because of the stigma about mental illness - young men of colour with mental illnesses are jailed or killed and called thugs; people of colour can't afford to eat healthy because the rent is too high and they live in privately-owned unmaintained unsecured apartment buildings; creative and skill building programs and projects for young people of colour are either available for a short period or do not exist; aging people of colour become invisible because society no longer has use for them; but it doesn't end there!

Community Issues do exist!

Pick a cause!

Walk the community!

Talk to the community!

Learn the community!

Don't just talk the talk ... take the walk ... in their community!

Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award 2015

Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award.
The prize recognizes current undergraduate and graduate students whose leadership has contributed to the growth, development and vitality of York University. Nominees are judged on their leadership skills, dedication, integrity, enthusiasm and the pursuit of excellence through their endeavours.

Community ...

There are no strangers in community. ~ Gloria

Spaces

Let's create art-based spaces for everyone. ~ Gloria

Keele and Finch

Under Construction. 

Oppression ...

Low-income ... #Oppressions ... Affordable Housing .. Responsible Residential Property Owners ... Youth Programs ... Low Tuition Rates ... Student Debt Assistance ... Reliable Child Care ... Employment Opportunities ... Increase Min Wage ($14) ...Homelessness Alternatives ... Community Development #Imagine ... a government who cares and works to eliminate Poverty! #PoliticsShouldBeAboutThePeople

Happy Canada Day ... July 1st

Help Send A Child to Camp @ Tim Horton's

Remove Labels

Keele and Finch is a community of decent hardworking people who fight and struggle to remove negative labels about our youth and our neighbourhood.

This neighbourhood is filled with seniors; students; new comers; small businesses; children; and everyday good-hearted folks.

We don't need nor appreciate any negative labels - this neighbourhood is definitely not the Ghetto! We are a community.   ~ Gloria

A litter-free environment ... Imagine.

 

Keele and Finch is getting a subway station ... but we can't get a #!&^ garbage bin placed near the construction site where residents wait for the buses ... it's a temporary bus stop ... therefore it doesn't qualify for a garbage bin.

 

At night, the rats and other small animals feast on the garbage stuffed behind the cloth used to cover the construction site from public view.

 

Keele and Finch is also getting a Walmart ... still, no garbage bin. #Just Saying

 

#JustTryingToKeepOurCommunityLitterFree ~ Gloria