This is a job offer sent to us by Groundglass Casting. Hopefully you find this helpful.
I’m reaching out from Groundglass Casting, a commercial casting company. We are actually casting a meaningful commercial for a major employment website brand at the moment that I was hoping you could help us with.
We are looking to feature people who have faced and overcome barriers when it comes to employment due to (but not limited to); their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, mental health/addiction, disability, limited access to educations or lower income, etc. I know you work with marginalized communities, so I wanted to reach out and see if you could share this with your network. We are really interested in hearing stories from people who have incarcerated, people with lower income, limited access to education and overall, just marginalized communities.
If selected, it is a paid commercial; $750 for one day of filming and an additional $2,500-$4,500 if their footage is used in the final commercial. If selected, their story, experience, and participation will help promote this job website brand as they seek to create more equitable workplaces.
If you could share this with your network, that would be wonderful! We are open to any and all kinds of stories (different types of jobs and barriers) as we want to celebrate people’s success, big or small.
Here at The Second Chance Foundation (TSCF), we try to eliminate social inequalities faced by women, with a new series of programs design to address the needs observed over the last 2 years. Some of the Programs/Seminars we are hoping to implement, are highlighted below: These are not in any particular order, and should you or anyone you know, be interested to sign up for any of these programs, please go to our website and fill out our registration form (Registration forms will become live on October 01, 2021), and indicate which or how many of the stated programs/seminars, you would be interested in. Should you wish to register prior to that time, please contact the office at 416-792-6702.
1. Removing financial barriers through financial literacy on the importance of managing and investing your money wisely; via, Budgeting, Savings, Investment, and more, with tips from our experts.
2. Self-Help workshops – Developing Healthy habits: Self-care is at the centre of our work,we believe that when a woman puts herself first and makes efforts to improve her well-being, she can successfully change her life. We are looking at offering grooming services, self-defence and basic yoga training, healing circles through group consultation. Our hope is that connections will be forged and built, in our community by the end of the sessions.
3. Conflict Resolution: This program/Seminar will focus on Improving productive communication, active listening and conflict resolution skills. Our aim is to provide the necessary tools to help each individual mend relationships, communicate better and to empower individuals in creating their own solutions when dealing with interpersonal conflict.
4. End of life decision/preparing for it: Unfortunately, this is one topic no one wants to hear or even talk about, but it happens to everyone. Living Will (POA), Last Will and Testament, Living Trust, Letter of Intent, and Funeral cost/arrangement. Lets discuss and create a conversation, while learning how to.
For more info and Registration click here Program Series
“Spring cleaning is always the busiest time of the year” The only busier time we have had is, during this pandemic cycle, which has seen everyone redecorating, renovating, and generally sprucing up their homes, as we have been literally relegated to it, due to the shut down.
Why am I saying this? Well, If things goes as planned, and we are set to re-open on May 20th, 2021, We would like to ask our well-intended patrons to think before they donate their truckloads full of treasures.
“We hope everyone brings great things that will help our programs, but we know some people make some questionable judgments about what is good to donate.”
A lampshade, that is stained and literally falling apart, a small table missing a leg, cracked purple food-storage containers, a used sponge, ripped and soiled clothing, shoes with holes in the bottom or no heels; are just a representative sample of the useless stuff dropped off at our location.
GLASS AND OTHER TRASH FOUND- courtesy of someone
Broken glass and toys are among items people donate.
Along with simply being gross, these items cost us money, we don’t have, how? Our volunteers have to sort through all these items – time + labour = money, not to mention the cost for us to recycle these items.
A recent U.S. study, has shown that with the Goodwill Thrift stores alone, “All this trash adds up to more than $1 million a year in a trash bill, and it’s been growing every year for the past five years,” says Steeves. And that’s just for the 30 stores she oversees.
Goodwill does recycle lots of what it can’t sell. The nonprofit reuses textiles and refurbishes some broken electronics. But last year, it threw away more than 13 million pounds of waste — technically other people’s garbage — across all of it’s locations. We are not even on Goodwill’s radar, thus cost wise, extremely difficult for us at The Second Chance Foundation.
One cause of this growing trash problem is a phenomenon called wish-cycling, “where people are hoping that something is recyclable and therefore they put it in with their recycling,”
We have been trained not to throw anything away but haven’t been schooled in how to get rid of items properly. Please understand, The Second Chance Foundation appreciate your donations, and do not want to discourage your donations, we are all walking a fine line here, and in no way do we wish to take too hard a line.
And so, we at The Second Chance Foundation is doing a bit of a media tour, asking people to be more careful.
The key question to ask before dropping something off is: If you needed it, would you buy it in this condition? –or–
“’If you wouldn’t give it to your judgmental mother-in-law, don’t donate it.’ “
As the pandemic pushes food insecurity to new heights in Scarborough, one woman is pushing back
As the city enters its third lockdown, marginalized communities have been ‘devastated’
Beverley Dwyer spends the majority of her time trying to source enough food to serve everyone who uses the food bank. ALEXANDROS VAROUTAS/TORONTO OBSERVER
By 1:55 p.m. the lineup outside a new unnamed, unassuming food bank in a Scarborough apartment building has stretched all the way down the hall, with patrons evenly spaced the entire way. One by one, the volunteer standing at the door waves them in, sprays their hands with sanitizer, and directs them to one of the two tables with groceries at either end of the room. At the tables are more volunteers who carefully layer the items in buggies and bags for those in need.
Even without the extra safety protocols in place for the pandemic, it’s easy to see how difficult it is running a community food bank.
Last year, a charity called the Toronto Foundation conducted a study to see the effects the pandemic had on the city. It showed that during the initial business closures, 40 per cent of food banks closed their doors at the precise moment they were needed most. That’s why Beverley Dwyer opened this one.
Dwyer, who also owns a nonprofit thrift shop that focuses on helping women in the community, knew it would be an uphill battle. With unemployment rising and other food banks collapsing under the pressure, she quickly realized her initial bi-monthly approach wasn’t going to cut it.
“The first day we opened the food bank, everything disappeared in 15 minutes,” she said. “So then we started a weekly food bank.”
But even with donations and community outreach, demand continues to outpace the supply. Dwyer says the lockdowns have “devastated” the communities’ already marginalized members.
Watch: Scarborough food bank struggles to meet demand
“There are people who are not working. Thank God the government brought out CERB which helped a lot of people, but as we speak today I know multiple families living in one apartment,” said Dwyer.
Familiar faces in the line
Many of the people in the line are familiar faces who the volunteers have come to know on a first-name basis. Lisa Sampson, another longtime volunteer of the thrift shop and now food bank, deals directly with patrons and helps hand out the food to people as they come in.
If she recognized someone who she knows has a large family, she might offer some of the milk in bags instead of the small cartons. That’s the power of community.
Almost every week, the food bank runs out of food and volunteers must turn people away. Sampson admits she didn’t realize how difficult sourcing enough food would be.
“Even if it’s just sending a dollar into the Daily Bread Food Bank, every little bit counts,” she said.
The Daily Bread Food Bank reported a 25 per cent increase in its daily usage and a 200 per cent increase in new patrons since the beginning of COVID-19. With every additional lockdown, the problem is exacerbated.
Toronto Community Housing provides the space for this food bank in one of their buildings’ event rooms. One staffer, who declined to give his name, has noticed the uptick in demand, as well.
“They started out with low numbers but it has increased since the second lockdown. There’s never enough food. She always runs out.”
“People help people.”
—Beverly dwyer, founder of a new scarborough food bank
One of the building’s residents, who relies on the food bank and preferred not to be named, has lived there for 19 years and says that going to the store to get groceries is just one of the challenges the lockdown has created.
“Going somewhere else, like for a photocopy, they’ve temporarily shut down so where do you go to make some photocopies?”
Basic services compromised by pandemic
Services like printing and wireless internet, that are taken for granted by many, have evaporated in these parts of the city, making it harder to work or study from home for those who need to.
Under these circumstances, it’s no wonder why so many other food banks have been unable to stay open throughout the year.
Donations are organized onto tables for those in need. ALEXANDROS VAROUTAS/TORONTO OBSERVER
Still, throughout the past year, Dwyer has been appreciative of all the help she’s received.
“We have been blessed since we started the food bank and are very fortunate to have different people who support us and provide us with food.”
From community programs to Sikh temples, she’s been able to source donations from all over. It’s how the majority of her time is spent.
“The reason I do so much sourcing is because a lot of the food banks give out [things like] dried pasta which doesn’t help with diabetes,” she said. “It’s hard to get things like eggs, milk, dairy products. I try to put some of that whenever I can. Whenever I would get money, I would buy these things because people don’t normally donate them.”
Among the most sought-after items are always fresh produce, milk, and proteins. However, due to their perishable nature, the main obstacle is co-ordinating this type of donation since they can’t be left in a bin at the front of a grocery store.
Regardless of her challenges, Dwyer believes it’s in each person’s nature to do what they can for others.
“I knew one apartment that housed 11 people and they’re not family members,” she said. “Because people help people.”
Our role at TSCF is to ensure that all Racialized, Marginalized and Formerly Incarcerated women and their children receive a second chance to thrive and succeed.
To do this, we are reaching out for support. The year 2020 has shown us that we are stronger when we stand together, as we tackle the opportunities and challenges facing us. Learn more about our work at www.thesecondchancefoundation.ca
As a Not-For-Profit Organization, we play a key role in providing:
nutritiously prepared meals to our community on a weekly basis.
operate a weekly food bank in the Scarborough Village Community.
strengthen women through our “women empowerment program”
provide computer/software training.
a safe space for women to meet over tea/coffee, read a book, chat, or just unwind and relax.
A”Hub” services, where faxing, copying, internet, and computer usage are provided.
clothing and necessities are provided free of charge, through our Community Thrift Store, to those in need.
On the job training via volunteerism at our office, food bank, thrift store, tutoring, and or counselling services.
continuation of our recreational services, once Covid-19 allows us to.
While some of our Revenue is from earned income, we are in dire need of support to help us both in our policy work and our sustainability.
With your monthly help from as little as $5.00, to the cost of a dinner, you can help us in making a difference in a woman’s life, one woman at a time. 2020 has proven that our work is needed now, more than ever. Won’t you help?
TSCF started out 2020 with high hopes and mile-high goals, a long to-do list, some of which materialized and then halted; and others that never materialized due to complications associated with the Covid-19. Despite all of this, we count ourselves, extremely lucky, and God Blessed!
At a time when the whole world faced a global pandemic and other threats, The Second Chance Foundation took a step back, and made the decision to barrel forward, despite everything crumbling around us.
A few of our superstars, and give them a big shout out:
Our work could not have been accomplished, first and foremost, without the loyalty, dedication, and hard work, done with the love and empathy of our volunteers.
My friend and benefactor, Mira Bezkorvany, who left us on March 25, 2020, and is still looking down on us to make sure that we do the right thing; we miss you
The generosity of Toronto Housing, who saw the work we were doing in the community and provided us with the space we needed to run our programs; especially our friend and mentor Mike Morgan, who was always there to guide, direct, and assist us in all that we do (we just have to work on his respect of time).
Christina Varoutas (one of our most ardent supporter since 2017) and her gang of workers from LuLulemon who worked night and day to put our Thrift store (that’s locked down) together.
Garth Soso, of Soso World Ministries, who, due to their commitment to us, helped put us over the top with their assistance towards the food insecurities in our neighbourhood.
Dr. Osake of Hope World Wide Canada (Toronto Chapter) and his lovely wife Stella, who due to their continued generosity has made a lot of children and families, very happy this year.
The ladies from the Durham region that answered our call for help, via my friend and supporter Eva Allen
All the countless others who supported us, and were there for us, against all odds, I just want to say, Thank you!
Because of all the people highlighted above, The Second Chance Foundation was able to, against all odds:
*** we started our Weekly Food Bank in July of 2020. Food insecurity is very real, especially among Black household, Indigenous people and people of colour, living in dense, low-income neighbourhood.
*** once again was able to revive our “Thrift Store” (now closed due to the pandemic), at a new and improved location; along with our online store at tscf.ca.
*** was able to “Bless” two shelters (one male, one female) this year, and bring some smiles to faces that did not expect to smile this year.
*** was able to provide the families and children we cater to, in the Scarborough Village area, with Christmas gifts.
*** and through it all, despite not being able to operate and provide all the programs planned for 2020, we were still able to do some, in a limited capacity.
As I write this today, I just want to point out that gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity; but more importantly, it can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, and a stranger into a friend…..and because of that, The management, staff, volunteers of The Second Chance Foundation (TSCF) are extremely grateful, and have a lot to be grateful about this Holiday Season.
Here is wishing each and everyone of you, a happy and safe holiday season, and a Blessed start to 2021.
Please note: As a not-for-profit organization, TSCF relies on small donations from supporters, like yourselves. All it takes is $5.00 per month, or $50.00 per year (the price of a Starbucks Coffee, or a nice Dinner) to keep us functioning. Never doubt that every penny helps!
At The Second Chance Foundation, our top priority is the well-being of our community. We are committed to being proactive and responsible in responding to the every evolving COVID-19 “Pandemic” to keep our Residents, Clients, volunteers, staff and community safe and healthy. As such our office will be closed until Monday, January 4, 2021.
We have decided to follow the guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), Ontario Public Health, and the Toronto Public Health, in connection with COVID-19. Education is key to understanding, and to that end, we will continue to closely monitor the situation.
As such, we are taking the following cautionary steps to ensure the health and safety of our community.
–Our food bank will continue to run until December 18, 2020.
–All Game nights (Dominoes, Bingo, Trivia etc,) will be on pause until further notice.
–All voice mails will be checked remotely.
–All Material donations are on pause, please do not leave any donations outside of our location or our store.
During this time of uncertainty, I would like to thank everyone for their continued support as we do everything possible towards the goal of providing uninterrupted service to the people we serve.
***Due to the Covid-19 lockdown we ask that all bags be brought to our office location at 3171 Eglinton Ave E, with a phone call to Aiyana at 416-792-6702 ext 17 being made at least 30 mins prior to drop off. We thank you for you continued support and understanding in this manner.
***The office and store will be closed, the store until Dec 21, 2020, please add a note that no donations will be accepted at the store during the lock down. The office will be closed until Jan 7, 2021
The Second Chance Foundation’s aim is to bring some comfort and dignity to women, men and youth in crisis, with the gift of a purse or backpack with personal necessities. These purses and backpacks will be donated to one of two locations; a men’s and a women’s shelter with Homes First Society in Scarborough.
This is how you can help
Purchase of a new, or donate a gently used purse or backpack with love and empathy.
Fill it with new, unopened items such as: feminine hygiene products, men’s and/or women’s deodorant, razor blades, cloth or disposable mask, hand sanitizer, face shields, medical grade wipes, shampoo, and/or conditioner, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair brush and comb, hair elastics and/or clips, gloves, hats, scarfs, socks, lip balm, lotion, or petroleum jelly Gift cards to a coffee shop or Walmart, Note pad/book and pen, flashlight, whistle, etc.
Drop off your donation to one of our two locations clearly indicating which shelter you are willing to support, before December 7 th , 2020
to the: The Second Chance Foundation Office at 3171 Eglinton Ave Main Floor, on the following days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, from 10am – 5pm, or The Second Chance Foundation Thrift Store at 2604 Eglinton Ave E; Monday – Friday from 11am – 6pm, Saturday 11 am – 6 pm and Sunday 12pm – 5pm.
Should you need more information, please call us at 416-472-6702 Ext 11 or send us an email at info@thesecondchancefoundation.ca
We are working on a 2018 Calendar highlighting women who have successfully made the transition from prison to the community. The calendars will be available after December 14th; more updates to follow.
