Good morning, oh in case i don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight. excuse me, i’d like to ask you a few questions. we’re going for a ride on the information super highway. Here she comes to wreck the day. here she comes to wreck the day. alrighty then kinda hot in these rhinos. we’re going for a ride on the information super highway.
News
Sharing Stories about Abshir Hassan on CBC Metro Morning
It has been 6 months since the tragic passing of Abshir Hassan – a TDSB teacher, a community activist, graduate student and SBL family. As we continue to mourn his loss, we have been thinking about what it means and what comes next.
In continuing the important work Abshir was doing in the Jane and Finch and Lawrence Heights Community, in partnership with York University, SBL has established an awards fund looking to invest in young people who share first and foremost a similar passion in the uplifting of their communities. The award is being organized by two of Abshir’s closes friends and SBL staff Tesfai Mengesha and Sam Tecle.
Sam Tecle was on Metro Morning speaking to Matt Galloway sharing stories about growing up with Abhsir Hassan or has he refers to him Ab.
Here’s a link below:
http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2015/01/20/abshir-fund/
You can donate to Abshir’s Award Fund at the following link:
forabshir.ca
Sam Tecle – New SBL Team Member
With Toota going back to school, we posted a position for our After School program and Youth Space at Westview. The pool of applications was incredible, and there were a number of candidates who would be phenomenal, ready to hit the ground running.
We are excited to announce that Sam Tecle is the newest member of the SBL team. Sam has a long-history with our program as a teacher in our summer program, as well as a consistent volunteer and mentor to many of our mentors. Currently working on his PhD through the York University Faculty of Education, Sam brings a wealth of experience having grown up in the Jane and Finch community, working as a teacher, and deeply involved in community initiatives.
Most importantly, he will be a welcoming face in our programs. He will begin on Monday, January 19th and will be reachable through s.tecle@successbl.com as of Monday.
SBL @ Jays Care Amateur Baseball Clinic!
On Friday, January 9th youth all over the GTA gathered at the Rogers Center for the 2015 Jays Care Foundation Amateur Baseball Clinic. Thanks to our great friends at TD Bank, SBL youth enjoyed an evening of relationship building and discovery.
This opportunity incorporated many of the key elements in line with SBL’s mandate , including exposure of both the city and new activities and a space for relationship building. Students were given the opportunity to learn baseball fundamentals, explore the Blue Jays facilities all while having a blast!
“It was a great day. We got to do many different things. I’ve never played baseball before and I got to learn about it.”
-Haji Shee- Grade 9
The jays clinic was an amazing experience because i got to learn the fundamentals and techniques of playing baseball and got great advice from experienced players 😀
–Malik Mude- Grade 10
It was refreshing for the youth to practice baseball while leaving their comfort zone-Samuel Boakye- SBL Staff
Having the opportunity to explore arenas outside of Jane and Finch and doing so with their peers was an experience they will never forget!
Toota – Going Back to School
If you know SBL, you know Toota – our After School Supervisor. From running our programming after school and playing a lead role in our summer program, to partnering with and supporting many initiatives across Westview, she has played an important role in the presence of SBL at Westview.
We wanted to share with you that this will be her last week as the After School Supervisor, as she is going back to school for Human Resource Management at Seneca College. We are sad to see her go, but happy for her in this important step that she is taking.
She will still be working with SBL on a part-time basis as our Organizational Administrator, but her regular presence in ALL aspects of our programming and space will be deeply missed.
For all inquiries related to our After School Program, please contact Shanaz Ali (s.ali@successbl.com). They have been working closely together running the program, so the transition should be a smooth one!
Student Profile – Presila
Presila Mason is a young African Canadian woman with lots of ambition and the will to do better. She grew up in the Jane – Finch community and knows how the negative stereo types of the community can be internalized by youth usually leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Presila remembers what she was like prior to her interaction with SBL of which she believed that she had to be rowdy and loud. However, today Presila is proud to say that she has matured tremendously from a person who had a don’t care attitude, to a young woman who wants to be a dedicated mentor for the SBL organization with the intention of giving back to her community. Presila feels SBL is invaluable to the community as the organization promotes a friendly but impactful space, which helps Jane-Finch youth develop an interest to be mentors for their community. After admitting that being around SBL staff has made her eager to get involved and serve young people.
As Presila has visions of one day becoming a prestigious lawyer, she encourages her peers to be and do better with their current situation. Finally, Presila highlights how SBL has helped her become more approachable, open minded, and willing to learn something new, while stepping out of her comfort zone. SBL commends her independent attitude and wishes nothing but the best for her, GO Presila!
Student Profile – Corrie
Corrie Calliste is an intelligent African Canadian woman who is a vigorous athlete at Westview Centennial. Corrie is a powerful example of the reality of how student needs are diverse, and not every student is engaged in the same manner; as the needs of students must be intentionally considered when attempting to ensure their success. Corrie recalls that she was a shy and quiet person who was not doing well in school prior to her path crossing SBL’s. The lack of student engagement in the education system seemed to be something that immensely affected Corrie growing up in her middle school phase of the education system. Corrie being part of the summer program had been exposed to a more engaging atmosphere which has proven to be the catalyst to her having an enjoyable and successful high school experience. Currently in grade 10, Corrie recognizes that she has grown tremendously from a girl who was not interested in school to a young woman who takes pride in her educational experience as well as her performance. Corrie plans to study medicine with the intentions of being a medical doctor. SBL recognizes and encourages Corrie’s growth and cheering her on to keep on going! GO Corrie!
The Abshir Hassan Award for Excellence in Community Service
A passionate teacher who strived to make a difference in his community, Abshir Hassan was a hard-working and caring individual well known and admired for his work with youth. As a dedicated student Abshir earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from York’s Faculty of Health and then his Bachelor of Education degree from York’s Faculty of Education. At the time of his death, Abshir was working on his MEd, with plans to pursue his PhD at York.
Abshir taught in several local schools where he was a role model, leader and mentor to his students. He also mentored students as a volunteer in after-school programs with Success Beyond Limits and made a point to let students in the community know the value of education and continuous learning.
The Abshir Hassan Undergraduate Entrance Award for Excellence in Community Service and The Abshir Hassan Graduate Award for Excellence in Community Service are two ways that Abshir’s legacy will continue to inspire students and make positive change in their communities.
Go to the link below to make a contribution that will see young people with a commitment to community and passion for education carry-on the work that was so important to him.
http://www.forabshir.ca/
Hiring: Student Support and Program Assistant
SBL is now hiring a student support and program assistant. The application deadline is January 4th 2015. See link below!
HNIC Holds Large Event
The Helping Neighbourhoods Implement Change (HNIC) held the glamorous Ball Masquerade Dinner on November 22nd that was kept at Oakdale Golf Country Club. The gathering was a semi-formal event that brought together some of Toronto’s unique talents from well – known personalities like Francis Atta author /spoken word artist, Kofi Frempong Afro-art- producer and the illustrious Latoya Forever up and coming Youtube reality star. The purpose of the event was to aid the HNIC initiative, raise funds and keep rolling out some of their innovative programming. Chris Blackwood, Rayon Brown and Harpret Gill are the dedicated members of the HNIC group who not only ensured the event was a reality but continually spear head programming for youth in the community.
Success beyond Limits commends and supports HNIC’s drive to do hard-work that brings our young people together in positive ways as this type of work thrives off collaboration and bringing communities together. HNIC is doing great things and should continue to be an example of what it means to collaborate and work with others in the community.