Describe your charity/non-profit in a few sentences.

Akin, founded in 2008, is a provider of creative space in Toronto as well as an arts programming organization and registered nonprofit (as of 2015) with the mandate of providing affordable studio space as well as creative and professional development opportunities to members of Toronto’s artistic and cultural communities and the public at large.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Initially set up as a small studio for a group of friends, the organization soon moved to a larger space as it became clear that there was a great need for affordable creative workspaces in Toronto. Currently with six locations across the city, Akin provides rental space to over 200 artists, focused on affordability and building social connections. Akin is proud to be an artist-run and operated organization.

When did you start/join it?

Akin was founded by Oliver Pauk and Michael Dellios in 2008. I joined the Akin team as the Senior Development Associate last December.

What made you want to get involved?

I’ve been following Akin’s work that fills a real need for artists and creatives in Toronto for almost a decade now. I first found out about Akin when a friend had a studio at their Lansdowne location (no longer an Akin location, but the building is still there) and went to an Akin gallery crawl with her, this is when I was still an art student myself. Last year, when I moved back to Toronto, I wanted to get more involved in the local art scene and couldn’t think of a better way to do so than through joining Akin.

What was the situation like when you started?

When I joined Akin, Covid-19 had already greatly impacted the organization financially, however, admirably, Akin’s focus remained on supporting artists and creatives. On the same day that Ontario went into a state of emergency, Akin launched its Rent Relief Fund to provide studio members with short term financial aid in times of financial instability – with priority given to artists that self identify as a member of an equity priority group in Toronto. Transitioning Akin’s programming online also helped communities to maintain a vital connection through virtual arts events that are free and open to the public.

How has it changed since?

We are still working to creatively problem solve and adapt to the unique and collective challenges artists in Toronto face in Covid-19. A big part of it is listening, learning and unlearning, showing up and being there for community members, while recognizing and acting on where changes/improvements are needed. We are still learning to grapple with these uncertain times but certainly it brought us closer with our community of artists and supporters. From 17 March to now, support from the broader community through the Akin Rent Relief Fund has been incredibly moving. 108 supporters from generous individuals and the private sector have enabled us to support 99 artists, over 55% of funds were given to artists that identify as a member of an equity priority group in Toronto. I am quite proud to be part of a team that really cares deeply about what we do because at the end of the day, it’s the people (the team, community members, supporters, advocates, and friends) that makes the difference.

What more needs to be done?

We are still learning to better support the communities within which we exist through learning-unlearning, knowledge and experience sharing. Anti-oppression, equity, inclusion, and access are at the forefront of Akin’s work and increasingly so in recent years. The Akin member demographic survey conducted in 2018 found that over 40% of Akin members lived at or below the poverty line, 30% self identified as BIPOC, 35% self identified as LGBTQ2S. There is the need, not just exclusive to Toronto, to increase representation of diverse artistic voices and increase public access to art and programming.

Another area of need is rebuilding together post-Covid and developing sustainable relationships with organizations and businesses in the local community that share a common dedication for sustaining and improving the arts ecosystem for the next generation of artists and communities in Toronto.

How can our readers help?

We welcome friends of Akin and community partners! Support through the Akin Rent Relief Fund, become a Friend of Akin, share Akin Projects with friends and family. We are always open to collaborating with like minded individuals and organizations that share a common mission. You can also support Akin by becoming an Akin member! Studio rent is month-to-month and starts as low as $70/month for a shared (communal space) membership. You can view our Currently Available Listings online and email info@akincollective.com for more information.

Do you have any events coming up?

We recently had a Taxes for Artists Workshop, Virtual craft nights, and an Indigenous community consultation with Akin’s Indigenous Studio Space Advisor, Tannis Nielsen.

Coming up in the spring and summer months, we have a virtual Artist Show & Tell, Honouring The Artist’s Voice wellness session, Zine making workshop, and a botanical drawing event among many others. Stay tuned by following us on social media or sign up for our community newsletter. Coming up in the spring and summer months we have a virtual Artist Show & Tell, ‘Honouring The Artist’s Voice’ wellness session, a Zine making workshop, self-guided Art Walks, and a botanical drawing event among many others. Stay tuned by following us on social media or sign up for our community newsletter.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Pay it forward:

Encampment Support Network: https://www.encampmentsupportnetwork.com/.

Emily Gong (she/her/they) is the . Emily is the co-founder of Asian Arts and Culture Trust (AACT) a non-profit that aims to increase empathy, understanding, and representation of Asian arts, culture, and heritage in Canada. Emily is also the co-founder of Art Focus, an organisation which aims to increase international mobility for emerging artists. She completed her BFA at Queen’s University and masters at the University of Oxford. Emily has worked in External Relations for the University of Oxford and Public Engagement for the Ashmolean Museum. She has published in the Barbican Centre’s exhibition catalogue AI:More than Human and exhibited at the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.

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Typically, the sprawling Liberty Grand event venue would fill with 2,500 of Toronto’s finest young move-makers and talented Special Olympic Athletes for a glittery celebration in support of the ever-important Special Olympics Canada Foundation.

This year, the social calendar staple event moves online with the motionball In-Home Gala presented by the AIR MILES Reward Program

Hosted by CityTV’s Devo Brown the 90-minute virtual gala will feature the same energy-lifting entertainment it’s offered in previous years. This includes musical performances by Karl Wolf, MOON Vs. SUN, Skratch Bastid, and Amaal; stand-up comedy by Family Feud Canada’s Gerry Dee; and a special performance by Special Olympics athlete Ari Reinoso.

The event will also include a digital luxury silent auction, awards for best dressed, and the option of a gourmet three-course dinner for two delivered to your home with cocktails for the full gala-glam experience.

In better years, the motionball event raises over $300,000 in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation. This event will ensure that motionball has the resources to continue supporting the community of Special Olympics athletes during what has been an incredibly difficult period for many of them and their families.

Brothers Mark, Sean, and Paul Etherington started the motionball not-for-profit back in 2002 when they noticed a lack of integration between the Special Olympic supporters and the benefitting athletes. It has since grown to become so much more than the hot-ticket Toronto gala, becoming a multi-faceted national charity.

Tickets can be purchased here: motionball.com/2021-motionball-in-home-gala/, at $30 for general admission and $250 for VIP (includes dinner & drinks for 2). For every ticket purchased, one will be given to a Canadian Special Olympics athlete free of charge!

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Recently, however, some of the city’s restaurants have adapted to offer their culinary goodness from the comfort (and, yes, painful familiarity) of your home. On April 22, Isolish launched to unite some Toronto restaurants to host a revolving selection of four-course prix fixe meals, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Daily Bread Food Bank.

Spots like Miku, Il Covo, The Drake, Lake Inez, BBs Diner, Barque and La Fenice will deliver their multi-course meals, which cost $60-$100 and include an optional wine pairing. Customers also have the opportunity to purchase a specialty cocktail kit featuring three different cocktails created exclusively for isolish by Canadian award-winning Empress 1908 Gin and Fentimans botanically brewed beverages. Each “Cocktail Kit For Two” comes with all of the ingredients you need to mix your own cocktails at home. Customers can pick your menu here and the restaurant delivers it on their participating day.

Not only is the new initiative a way to support hard-hit local businesses, it also benefits the local community in these trying times; $5 from every meal purchased will support Daily Bread Food Bank’s COVID-19 response efforts.

“Food is a human right, and we are grateful to our city’s makers, chefs, and restaurateurs for supporting Daily Bread Food Bank’s hunger relief efforts during this critical time”, said Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank. “We are incredibly grateful to the restaurant community for rallying together to ensure everyone can access the food they need.”

The Isolish initiative was developed by a group of local creative businesses that came together to support the restaurant industry and continue the city’s tradition of prix fixe menus – all while practicing social isolation guidelines, of course. The group includes Makers, Linda & Linda, Ambassador AI, and Array of Stars.

Tickets can be purchased at www.isolish.to up to 48-hours in advance of each restaurant’s delivery date:

Miku – Thursday, April 30
The Drake – Friday, May 1
Il Covo – Saturday, May 2
Barque – Thursday, May 7
BB’s Diner – Friday, May 8
Lake Inez – Saturday, May 9
La Fenice – Friday, May 15

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Describe your charity in a few sentences

Rethink Breast Cancer’s mission is to empower young people worldwide who are concerned about and affected by breast cancer through innovative resources, education, support and advocacy. Rethink brings bold, relevant awareness to foster a new generation of young and influential breast cancer supporters and, most importantly, respond to the unique needs of young women living with breast cancer.

What problem does it attempt to solve?

Young women diagnosed with breast cancer have a unique set of struggles. We are often just getting started establishing our life. We are starting out in our careers, romantic relationships, have young families or want to start having babies and a sudden diagnosis means we have to put everything on hold to go through aggressive cancer treatments. Being diagnosed young can be especially isolating and lonely because it is common to not see anyone looking like you at your doctor’s appointments and support groups.  It is hard to really understand what it’s like to go through cancer unless you are actually going through it. Rethink created a community of women who fully understand and support one another, which is a really special and life changing thing.

When did you join it?

I joined Rethink Breast Cancer as a participant after I was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. Life drastically improved after I met others who I could relate to. Two years ago, a six-week contract fell into my lap to work for Rethink, which I enthusiastically accepted. I’m now at Rethink full-time as the Community and Programs Specialist.

What made you want to get involved?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer two months after graduating from law school. After a year of active treatment, I articled at a law firm and was called to the Bar. That summer I had major breast reconstruction surgery and had to recover over the summer. During my recovery I attended Rethink’s Stretch Heal Grow Retreat where I had the time to reflect about my diagnosis, year of treatment and what I wanted for my future. Even though I worked hard to become a lawyer, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be – helping other young women who have been diagnosed with cancer.

What was the situation like when you started? How has it changed since?

The breast cancer landscape was and still is a growing one. To be working in an environment that’s dedicated to young people affected by breast cancer feels especially important in today’s social media savvy world. It helps us educate people about breast health while connecting us to women all over the world who relate to and connect with our content.

What more needs to be done? How can our readers help?

We encourage people to be breast savvy by knowing their body and also their risk factors, which they can read more about on the Rethink Breast Cancer website. More definitely needs to be done in terms of Metastatic Breast Cancer awareness. Every year, approximately 5,200 women are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), which is incurable and carries an average survival rate of 2-3 years. Rethink Breast Cancer just launched a new campaign that is calling for 10,000 MBC Allies to stand together to help those with MBC live better and longer. Readers can sign up here to join us to sign the pledge to help double the MBC survival rate by changing policies and funding research.

Do you have any events coming up?

Our flagship fundraiser, Boobyball takes place across Canada during October (Toronto on October 4, Calgary on October 18, Ottawa, on October 25 and Vancouver on October 26). Tickets are selling out fast so get yours asap! For the first time ever, our Stretch Heal Grow retreat will be outside Ontario this October in Calgary. We also have monthly meet-ups for young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

How can we follow/keep up-to-date with the charity?

Follow us on Instagram (@rethinkbreastcancer), Facebook (@Rethink Breast Cancer) or on Twitter (@rethinktweet).

The post Charitable Choices: Emily Piercell From Rethink Breast Cancer appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

On Wednesday, July 8th, Toronto welcomed Five Hole for Food which set up ball hockey rinks at Yonge-Dundas Square to raise money and food for Toronto’s hungry.

The main recipient of the donations was Second Harvest. Their mission is to rescue and deliver fresh, surplus food to feed people experiencing hunger.

Nature’s Path is a Canadian organic cereal company that donated 10,000 lbs of their product to the cause. They have been a long time sponsor of FHFF and this is their 4th year supporting them. Nature’s Path believes everyone has the right to healthy food regardless of circumstance or socioeconomic status. They are committed to nourishing all fellow Canadians with healthy, delicious food which is why they also donate $1 million in cash and food every year to food banks across North America as part of their Bite4Bite program.

Total amount of food, and the amount of money raised for Second Harvest, is still being calculated.

On-site alone, Second Harvest raised 362 lbs of food and $1,851.80 which allows us them to serve 3,702 meals.

Nature’s Path also brought this huge cereal box and spoon for people to snap pics with. It was a big hit!

To learn more about Five Hole for Food, visit their website.

To learn more about Second Harvest, visit their website.

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