Hidden Stories of York Region

The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) is a not-for-profit charity that advances rights-based housing policy through research, policy development, advocacy and litigation. CERA is recognized internationally as a world leader in applying both domestic and international human rights law to address issues of homelessness and poverty.Our guest, Bahar Shadpour (Director of Policy and Communications, CERA) speaks to the current state of housing in York Region and what happens when housing is treated as a commodity rather than a social good and a human right.

2SLGBTQ+ youth may be the most vulnerable members of our community with an over-representation in the homeless population. Studies report that 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness face high rates of depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Our guests, Jesse Vacarciuc (Youth Worker, 360°Kids) and Dr. Alex Abramovich (Youth Worker, 360°kids) and Dr. Alex Abramovich (Independent Scientist, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, CAMH; Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto), speak to the urgency of prioritizing stable and affirming housing for 2SLGBTQ+ youth to support a wide range of goals, from education and employment to overall levels of health and well-being.

It is estimated that 75% of adults with disabilities live with an aging parent or caregiver, and most are not afforded the supports or services that would enable them to enjoy the fulfilling lives we all deserve. Our guests, Kathy Mochnacki (Home on the Hill Supportive Housing) and Surjit Sachdev (Anand Vihar – The Centre for Dignified Living), discuss housing models for marginalized populations that provide opportunities for residents to find meaning in their lives and relief for family members knowing their loved ones will be supported now and in the future.

York Region is often viewed through the lens of suburban affluence with its single-family homes and grassy backyards. But beyond this façade are people who live a different reality. This episode examines housing from past to present, with an eye to how York Region can provide more equitable and livable options for its residents. Our guests, Michael Braithwaite (CEO, Blue Boor) and Mayor John Taylor (Town of Newmarket), discuss the landscape and trends in the Region, the housing crisis declared in 2021, and share ideas on how to support new strategies, policies and housing models.

Janine Berridge-Paul is joined by Jaclyn Wong to discuss the work of "Live Well Take Action, an Ambassador Program for East Asian Youth" In addition to the work of this specific program, Janine. and Jaclyn also talk about larger themes of anti-asian racism taking place in their community and the impact COVID has had on this. Jaclyn Wong is a 1.5 generation Chinese immigrant who grew up in York Region and now works as a teacher at the York Region District School Board. She is also one of the program managers at the Live Well, Take Action: Ambassador Program for East Asian Youth, an after-school initiative that encourages students to explore social issues affecting Asian communities. In addition, Jaclyn is committed to various activist roles across the GTA and city of Toronto. She is currently working on her thesis about anti-oppression, education and well-being at Trent University. When she needs to ground herself, she likes to play her ukulele and immerse herself in the Star Trek universe. Jaclyn goes by she/her pronouns.

Janine Berridge-Paul is joined by Gurneet Kaur Dhami to discuss the important issue of food justice and how work in this area has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Gurneet Kaur Dhami is a Panjabi-Sikh settler living, working and playing in present-day Vaughan, Ontario.Over the past year, she has brought her passion for food justice, community and youth leadership in various roles with the York Region Food Network (YRFN).She is the co-founder of the YRFN Youth Food Committee, where youth with meaningful connections to York Region gather for community, mentorship and leadership opportunities to advance food justice.If she's not busy with youth leadership roles, you will find her completing her MSc in Applied Human Nutrition thesis (online) at Mount Saint Vincent University to become a registered dietitian advocating for racial justice.

Janine Berridge-Paul is joined by Sharon Simpsonand May Ann Proulx Street to discuss the amazing work that is happening in the York Region community with a specific focus on the impacts of COVID-19 on women.Sharon Simpson is a member of Social Planning York Region board of directors. She has over 30 years experience working in the not-for-profit community social service sector. Sharon is the Special Projects Coordinator at Labour Community Services. She is the past president of Urban Alliance on Race Relations and the Assaulted Women’s Help Line (AWHL). She continues to serve on the board of directors. For several years Sharon chaired the Community Worker Program Advisory Committee at George Brown College. Between 2009 and 2014 along with Peter Sawchuk (University of Toronto) Sharon co-led on the Anti-Poverty Community Organizing & Learning Project (APCOL) Research, which focussed on how people learn to engage, re-engage, and remain unengaged in various forms of anti-poverty community activism.Mary-Ann Proulx has been in the Region for 40 years living in Newmarket and working in York Region: 10 years children’s mental health, 10 years adult mental health and 20 years working with people experiencing homelessness and those living at poverty. She is currently working at LOFT Community Services as the Street Outreach Coordinator and has served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, York Region, Community Legal Clinic of York Region, and Bereaved Families of Ontario, Newmarket. Mary-Ann has chaired the Family Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity, York Region for 7 years and volunteered for Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region, Yellow Brick House, Inn from the ColD. She is currently a volunteer for ADAPT

Janine Berridge-Paul is joined by Tara Bhardwaj to discuss the work of the organization, "Reimagining a Just Recovery Coalition" and the work of building community resilience.Since childhood, Tara Bhardwaj has long been concerned with justice and sustainable access to food. Growing up in York Region and participating in local community work, she saw firsthand the deep need for advocacy in a rapidly-developing region with intricate and complex realities and inequities. After years spent in Montreal at a food security non-profit where she is now a board member, she brings her passion for community building to her role as a Community Mobilization Manager at the York Region Food Network and the Social Planning Council of York Region.

York Region is often viewed as a diverse area that includes the voices and experiences of so many different cultures and opportunities. As such, diversity is often seen as a strength of the region. It is often assumed that all members of the diverse fabric of the region have an equal seat at the table when it comes to decision making. However, this episode sheds light on the fact that diversity cannot be assumed as a strength of the region and sheds light on the experiences of different communities. Our guest speakers, Michael Bowe and Zhixi Zhuang unpack the meaning of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and the impact of these terms. We also discuss community building using an EDI lens and share ideas on how to support change in the community.

The idea for this episode emanated from each of our experiences working with young people in particular across the region. For many young people living in the region, there has been an absence of opportunities to get involved in community and extra-curricular activities due to Cost and Transportation challenges. Our two guests today also sought meaningful involvement in their communities, ways to work with others and give back and also create opportunities to get involved in the arts and social change. They recognized the gaps that existed for themselves and others and decided to do something about that. Out of absence of the very things they were looking for, they created opportunities for themselves and others. These are truly inspirational stories and at the same time, they inform us about the way in which our systems and structures can improve to become more responsive to the youth in our communities.

What is it like north of Steeles Ave? Who lives in those suburban communities? In this episode, we explore the cities and towns that makeup the York Region, the realities of communities that have settled here and emerging issues. We unpack the common or predominant narrative(s) about the region. There is a “Danger in a Single Story” as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reminds us in her TED Talks.

In this episode we sit down with the creators behind the Hidden Stories of York Region Podcast and learn more about how this podcast came together and why it was needed in York Region. Hidden Stories of York Region was made possible by the generous support of the UofT School of Cities - the Community Builders Fellowship, United Way of Greater Toronto, and Stephen Hurley from VoiceEd. RadioMake sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @HiddenStoriesYR