We knew that being a recipient of the Toronto Foundation Vital Youth grant this year was going to be extra special because of the theme of the Pan Am and Parapan Games attached to this round funding.
With amazing plans for events every month, our first installment was at Toronto’s Sky Zone for trampoline dodgeball. Our very own budding filmmaker Sariena (she is 15!) made this great video documenting the fun that was had. This video WILL make you want to go play some trampoline dodgeball.
SBL participant and Westview student Mohamed Ibrahim recently sat down with Chris Penrose to talk about his experiences as a youth member on the TIFF Next Wave committee. Here’s what he had to say:
How did you get involved with TIFF?
Well, Tesfai (from Success Beyond Limits) announced information about TIFF Next Wave, and it sounded really interesting to me. I haven’t had very much exposure to films or the film industry, so I thought this might be a great opportunity to venture into this new world.
What is your role?
As a member of the TIFF Next Wave Committee, we do so many different things! It is really difficult to describe it briefly. With the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, TIFF seeks to expand its reach to a younger audience and program films they’d enjoy! That is where we (The TIFF Next Wave Committee) come in! We are a group that comes with ideas to make programming for youth happen at TIFF – including the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival coming up February 13 to 15!
Who are you working with and what are you working on?
I work with other teenagers between the ages of 14-18 primarily. We work with a lot of TIFF staff including programmers and Communications, Marketing and Guest services. We work together and discuss films and program ideas at TIFF that would be of interest to our peers, the next generation of film lovers.
To someone who doesn’t know a lot about TIFF, how would you describe it?
TIFF Bell Lightbox is not your average movie theatre. The Toronto International Film Festival is not just a once in a year occasion. As a year-round organization, TIFF invests itself in connecting people to amazing film experiences of all kinds! This includes a wide range of films that people in North America would not get to usually see.
Why do you think youth from different part of the city should be involved in TIFF?
Honestly, in my opinion, TIFF Bell Lightbox is not like any other movie theatre in the city. They expose movie lovers to different types of films from all over the world- it’s a new movie going experience! You are exposed to great films from other countries and that brings along a new cultural understanding though film. It will have an impact on a person’s view point of the world and that is something that youth rarely ever get.
How do you see this experience connecting to your future goals?
I have learned a lot from just being a part of TIFF Next Wave these past couple of months and it has allowed me to get a better understanding on how to help my own community. The outreach methods and the youth committee are possibly some aspects that I would like to create within my community to help the adults better understand youth and to learn what kids need to create a safer environment for everyone.
What are some TIFF related events that we should look out for in the next year?
Stay tuned for our partnership with Buffer Fest this fall! Also, a TIFF Next Wave Film Festival Sneak Peek in December and of course, our TIFF Next Wave Film Festival in February! To find out more, visit tiff.net/nextwave.
And like us on Facebook! TIFF Next Wave! ~
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As the time approaches for students to fill out post-secondary applications, the implications of such a monumental task heavily impacts their prospective careers. With the aim of easing some of the anxiety that comes with making such a difficult decision, SBL is bringing in young professionals from a myriad of fields providing youth with an opportunity to ask questions and gain critical insight. Here’s a recap of Career Day put together by a very talented 16 year old, Sariena.
On October 7th we hosted a dinner in our space as a part of #1000DinnersTO, where people from across the city were discussing the challenges and opportunities that our city is facing. The dinner had some of our staff, students, mentors and mentor alumni present, along with Matt Galloway from CBC.
It was a night of inspiration, ideas and real reflection. Two recordings from that conversation over dinner were broadcast on Metro Morning today, which can both be heard at:
http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2014/10/08/1000-dinners-toronto/
As you will hear, the comprehension of the issues, the clarity of the vision, and the power in their voices came through beautifully.
Here’s a recap of SBL Summer 2014, with insights and perspectives from mentors and mentees.
Lisa, vampires are make-believe, like elves, gremlins, and Eskimos. We started out like Romeo and Juliet, but it ended up in tragedy. Attempted murder? Now honestly, what is that? Do they give a Nobel Prize for attempted chemistry? Get ready, skanks! It’s time for the truth train! Books are useless! I only ever read one book, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” and it gave me absolutely no insight on how to kill mockingbirds! Sure it taught me not to judge a man by the color of his skin…but what good does *that* do me?
Branded 2014 Youth Marketing Conference
Applications due October 15! Spots are filling up!
Register today at brandedto.com
On November 13th 2014, 60 rising entrepreneurs will be invited to the North York Civic Centre to experience the only FREE one day marketing/branding conference geared towards empowering young entrepreneurs to achieve success.
Branded is all about giving young entrepreneurs real tools that can improve their marketing plans right away. Instead of teaching through workshops the Branded model is about hiring skilled young professionals to provide one-on-one and small group consulting to the young entrepreneurs. Branded aims to build the skills, marketing resources and networks of young entrepreneurs from Toronto’s priority neighborhoods, focused on supporting African Canadian and Newcomer youth.
Branded 2014 is a follow up to last year’s highly successful inaugural Branded Conference, where 60 young entrepreneurs came together in the Jane and Finch community to learn new ways to market their businesses.
Workshops include:
§ Social Media Marketing
§ Brand building business writing
§ Developing a Press Kit
§ Million Dollar Pitch
§ A full photography studio for head shots and product photos
Attendees will also have an opportunity to network with industry leaders at an intimate reception.
We are also inviting established business professionals in the areas of Business Marketing, Fashion, Entertainment and Media Arts, Catering and Food Services, Workshop Facilitation/Event Coordination to become a mentor or consultant during the conference. This would be minimum two hour commitment on November 13th. You will also have an opportunity to be featured in our Professional Spotlight on our website!
Please register at brandedto.com
Due to the incredibly high demand during the inaugural year attendees are required to apply before October 15, 2014. Should you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us at branded@ceetoronto.com.
Thank You,
Branded Planning Committee
Branded 2014 is presented by Community Empowering Enterprises (CEE) and Access Alliance Multi-Cultural Health and Community Services, in collaboration with Ascend- Youth Enterprise Network (YEN), Neighborhood Arts Network, Doorsteps Neighborhood
Participants of the Community Walk of Hope for Peace gather Sunday, Sept. 14 during their commemorative walk for slain teacher Abshir Hassan and other victims of gun violence in the Lawrence Heights area.
It has been just over two months since popular school teacher Abshir Hassan walked out of his Lawrence Heights apartment building, moved his car to avoid a ticket, andwas fatally struck by a spray of bullets police say was not intended for him.
Since then, class has resumed at the schools where Hassan, a 31-year-old supply teacher, made an indelible mark. Fall courses have begun at York University, where Hassan had developed a tight-knit group of friends while pursuing a master’s degree in education. His family is trying to move forward.
Still, all wait for answers.
Toronto police continue to investigate the July 8 shooting, which killed Hassan and injured a 22-year-old man and 18-year old woman.
From the beginning, it was clear the bullets were never intended for Hassan. Lead homicide detective Steve Ryan said Hassan was in the wrong place at the wrong time; that is, in part, what’s making the case difficult to crack, he said.
Homicides are difficult to solve “anytime you have such a great disconnect between your victims, and your shooter,” he said.
Witnesses are co-operating, progress is being made, and Ryan is confident there will be an arrest. “But we have nothing concrete as of yet,” he said in a recent interview.
For Hassan’s family, the wait has been difficult. Zak Hassan, Abshir’s 19-year-old brother, said they are doing “a lot better,” trying to stay hopeful the case will be solved.
“It’s life, it’s how it works. Everything will fall into place eventually,” Zak said.
Recent memorial events have been buoying the family. On Sept. 7, friends, colleagues and former students gathered at York University to perform music, poetry and skits in Hassan’s honour. The university also announced they will be presenting Hassan’s family with an honourary Master’s degree.
On Sunday, friends held a memorial walk honouring Hassan and other victims of gun violence in the Lawrence Heights area. Organizers are hoping the event will encourage community members to take action against the gun violence that persists, despite efforts of Hassan and others like him.
While studying to become a teacher, Hassan worked with Beyond 3:30, a program offered at Lawrence Heights Middle School and others in Toronto’s inner-city neighbourhoods. He had also volunteered with Success Beyond Limits, a community-based organization encouraging youth to finish their education.
Following the shooting, David deBelle, principal at Lawrence Heights Middle School, spoke earnestly about its effect, saying the deadly gunfire was simultaneously shocking and unsurprising for his students.
“They’ve seen this all many times before,” he said after Hassan’s funeral, “and chances are they are going to see it again.”
Since school resumed, staff have been closely monitoring students for signs of grief, deBelle said.
There are plans to commemorate Hassan at Lawrence Heights in the spring, likely with a tree-planting ceremony and a commemorative bench. In the meantime, deBelle keeps pictures of Hassan up in his office. Some days, they are difficult to look at.
“It’s still quite raw,” deBelle said. “Some time has passed, but it comes back pretty quickly.”
http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2014/09/14/shooting_death_of_popular_north_york_teacher_abshir_hassan_still_quite_raw.html
York University MEd student Abshir Hassan (BA ’08, BEd ’11) was known by family, friends and the community as a hard-working and caring individual who was admired for his work with youth in the Lawrence Heights community where he was raised. He was a passionate teacher who wanted to make a difference in his community and in the lives of the children who lived there.
Abshir Hassan (BA ’08, BEd ’11)
Tragically, Hassan’s life of inspiring community work was cut short when he was fatally shot outside his apartment on July 8 at the age of 31.
“The York community mourns the loss of this gifted teacher and dedicated community leader,” Mamdouh Shoukri, York’s president and vice-chancellor, remarked. “Abshir Hassan was not only a York graduate student and two-time alumnus, but he was the kind of student who embodies the very best of this institution. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and fellow students at York.”
Hassan earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from York’s Faculty of Health in 2008 and then went on to earn his bachelor of education degree from York’s Faculty of Education in 2011. He was working on his MEd at the time of his death, with plans to pursue his PhD through the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Ron Owston, dean of the Faculty of Education, said, “Abshir is fondly remembered by all who came into contact with him as brilliant, loving and passionately committed to social justice. All of us suffer when a member of our community is lost and we want to express our condolences to his family and friends.”
“For me to describe Abshir in words [is] almost next to impossible,” his father Ahmed Hassan shared. “His actions towards people he has met in his short life superseded everything I hoped for in a child.”
He was a role model, leader and mentor who did everything he could to ensure his students—he taught at several local schools, including Lawrence Heights Middle School—worked hard and gave their best effort. He also mentored students as a volunteer in after-school programs with Success Beyond Limits. He made it a point to let his students and the kids in his community know the value of an education and continuous learning. He was a brilliant example of that message through his pursuit of graduate studies at York University.
Abshir Hassan (BA ’08, BEd ’11)
“Abshir was a curious, committed and engaging graduate student,” Professor Carl James, Hassan’s MEd supervisor, recalls. “He was interested in learning, in exchanging ideas and getting at the heart of the issues that pertain to the low achievement of racialized students—particularly Somalis and other black students. This concern informed much of Abshir’s graduate work, including his thesis, which looked at the complexity of identity. He wished to produce work that challenged the essentialized ways in which Somalis were presented in the media and, as he would say, ‘in the imagination of Westerners who thought that Somalis were unwilling to adapt to these Western societies.’ ”
Professor Nombuso Dlamini, who also worked closely with Hassan, described him as a rising academic star with a wealth of intellectual curiosity. “He was always reading and debating with me about issues of social identity and the way that young African Canadians—what he so fondly referred to as generation 1.5–construct, negotiate and make meaning of their social identities and experiences. He was also interested in knowing how the experiences of young people like him can inform theory and scholarship. He would say, ‘Professor, let’s talk about this transnational identity thing,’ and a long scholarly conversation would begin.”
Hassan is survived by his dad, three younger brothers and a younger sister, all of whom live north of Toronto, as well as his mother and older brother in Somalia.
Celebrating the Life of Abshir Hassan: A Memorial Concert
Through a generous partnership with York University, a memorial concert event will be held in honour of Abshir Hassan on Sept. 7 from 4-8pm at the Tribute Communities Recital Hall in Accolade East Building (Keele campus).
The doors open at 4pm for light refreshments and a reception where those attending can share stories and talk with one another. The performances begin promptly at 5pm, with a short intermission and more performances to follow. Food will be served at 8pm.
Throughout the evening, stories and memories about Abshir’s life, work and volunteerism will be shared with those in attendance, with a slideshow to be shown at the end of the evening.
Tickets to the event cost $10 and can be purchased at the door. This is a benefit concert and all proceeds will be going to preserve Abshir’s legacy.
http://advancement.yorku.ca/2014/08/19/remembering-dedicated-teacher-community-mentor-and-york-grad-abshir-hassan-ba-08-bed-11/
Through a generous partnership with York University and the Toronto District School Board, Celebrating the Life of Abshir Hassan: A Memorial Concert will be held on September 7th between 4pm-8pm. The doors open at 4pm for light refreshments as well as a reception where those attending can share stories and talk with one another. The performances begin promptly at 5pm, midway there will be a short intermission and then more performances will follow. Food will be served at 8:00pm. Throughout the evening stories and memories about Abshir’s life, work and volunteerism will be shared with those in attendance. A slideshow will be shown at the end of the evening. It is a ticketed event, and tickets cost $10. All are welcomed to attend. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. This is a benefit concert and all proceeds will be going to preserve Abshir’s legacy.