Theme: Perspectives

Our event will take place from 11-4:30 on Saturday April 16th at the beautiful 19 on the Park- Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment. We will have five outstanding multi-disciplinary speakers who will bring their fresh ideas forward to challenge us and promote discussion and help us in finding a new perspective.  We will also be featuring 3 TED videos and 2 musicians
Is a sustainable and accessible food system for everybody a possibility?  Let Debbie Field, of Toronto’s Food Share, dish out some ideas to digest.  
Look again, with new eyes, at the issue of anti-bullying with Carol Todd of Vancouver. 
Sit with compassion to hear Naheed Dosani speak of palliative care, and Tim Huff, author and advocate for the vulnerable and disadvantaged of Toronto. 
Discover entrepreneurial insights not only for your work, but for your life, with Harry James.

19 on the Park
19 Civic Avenue
Stouffville, Ontario, L4A 1G6
Canada

Wendat Village Public School Slam Poets

Public school students

Spoken word is a form of poetry that is performed aloud. It has become a mode of self-expression for youth and helps them express their perspective. Poets compete in poetry slams, where they are judged by audience members on their writing and performances. Students from Wendat Village Public School's poetry team are here with us to give you a taste of a slam. They have written these original works which recently won them a spot in the York Region District School Board's Poetry Slam finals to be held later this month. At a slam, the audience is not passive; if you hear something you like, don't be afraid to say "Ya!", cheer, or snap...no, it's not just a cliche! These young people are eager to share their voices with you and thrive on that feedback. Please welcome Grishma, Felicity, Hunter, Sana, and Andrew, Wendat Village Public School's poetry team!

Carol Todd

Advocate - anti-cyber bullying

Carol Todd is a mother of two, and an advocate for many. She was a typical hard working mom, whose days were filled with regular activities until, on October 10, 2012, Carol’s world tragically changed when her beloved daughter Amanda took her own life, after her never ending struggle as a victim of cyberbullying, exploitation and relentless bullying in her everyday life. Through the pain of losing her daughter, Carol courageously took a stand and shared Amanda’s story with her community and the world. Known as a global advocate she is sharing the voice of her daughter and increasing awareness of bullying in all forms and mental health issues in our youth. Amanda started a conversation that brought to the world’s attention the serious issues regarding social media safety, cyber abuse and mental health. Carol continues sharing this message and followed Amanda’s dream of wanting to help kids Stay Strong and reach out for help. Amanda Todd Legacy was created to help bring global awarenes

Debbie Field

Executive Director of Foodshare, Toronto

Debbie Field is the executive director of FoodShare Toronto, an award-winning organization that works to improve access, knowledge and consumption of vegetables and fruits through community led projects. Last year FoodShare supported more than 263,060 adults and children through its many programs. Believing passionately in the healing nature of food and its ability to strengthen communities and bring people together, Field has helped FoodShare expand its work in the area of active nutrition education and broaden its scope from direct service to increased advocacy and entrepreneurial activity. She has travelled throughout Canada and to the United States to speak about FoodShare’s innovative programs.

Harry James

Businessman/entrepreneur

An entrepreneur for over 30 years, Harry James is a businessman, a strategic consultant and a motivator. He built one of Canada’s premier independent financial planning boutiques and sold it for an unprecedented price. Along with his primary business – an extensive net worth building practice with a robust employee benefits division, Harry’s portfolio includes three restaurants, a natural stone quarry, and over the past 20 years, orchestrating in excess of $100 million worth of real estate deals. He has earned his black belt in successes and failures and that experience resonates with people. Many entrepreneurs that he has spoken to across Canada have adopted his "Vital Signs" philosophy of "building a business and a life" which is more than a personal philosophy, it’s what he lives every day.

Naheed Dosani

Palliative Care Physician among vulnerable populations (homeless)

Being sick, of course, is very hard, but being sick and living on the street, is even harder. Dr Naheed Dosani is a passionate and respected advocate for marginalized & vulnerable populations with palliative needs. He serves as a Palliative Care Physician at the Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) and William Osler Health System (WOHS). He recently completed the Conjoint Palliative Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto and prior to that, a residency in inner-city Family Medicine, where he was elected by his peers as Chief Resident of St. Michael’s Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program. After completing his training, Dr Dosani founded PEACH (Palliative Education And Care for the Homeless), a mobile, street & shelter-based service aimed at providing palliative care for the homeless & vulnerably housed. Through PEACH, he provides Toronto’s most marginalized populations with compassionate care and a dignified approach to their end-of-life journeys.

Tim Huff

Author

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Tim Huff has stitched together a radical life of service among children, youth, and adults facing profound physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual challenges. His journey of fulltime service, learning and advocacy for poor, oppressed, misunderstood and marginalized people has taken him across Canada, the United States and around the world, as both an avid learner and highly sought after speaker and teacher regarding pro-active community building and compassionate responses to domestic poverty, homelessness, marginalization and poverty of spirit. Tim is the author of the award-winning best-sellers Bent Hope; A Street Journal, and Dancing with Dynamite; Celebrating Against the Odds, with a third book in this series for teenagers and adults just released in the autumn of 2015, titled The Yuletide Factor; Cause for Perpetual Comfort and Joy. He is also the author/illustrator of the award-winning best-selling children’s books.