Grace and Dignity - Good News Toronto

Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 February 2008By Eva KarpatiOnly when the flooris swept, the tablesset with tablecloths,and the dishes pairedwith cutlery, does GraceNg’ang’a open the doorsat Friends’ Restaurant, locatedin the Fred VictorCentre. Her customers —Grace Ng’ang’a at Friends’ RestaurantGrace and Dignityhomeless, marginalizedadults coming off thestreets for a hearty meal— are always greeted witha warm smile and an openheart. Grace welcomes everyoneto the restaurantwhere she has created aspace of caring and courtesy.“She is a mother tothe community,” saysSami Abdurahim, a kitchenstaff member at theCentre. “She gives peoplerespect.”Grace became managerof Food Services in 2002.“Every human being needsto be treated with dignity,”she says, and she wantedFriends’ Restaurant to reflectthat value. She setabout to improve the health,safety, and aesthetic appealof the kitchen and restaurantarea. To start, Graceput in new low-maintenancefloors and tables, sothe restaurant always looksclean and welcoming. Next,she modified the menu toincorporate healthy foods,offering plenty of fruitsand vegetables, as well asa variety of ethnic flavoursto reflect the culturallydiverse community frequentingthe restaurant.Every Friday, Friends’ Restaurantoffers a new taste: itcould be Chinese, African,or Eastern European day.“The clients have been keento try these new dishes,”says Grace, “and word hasspread that Friends’ Restaurantis a wonderful placeto get nourishment for thebody and the soul.” Grace isgently opening new doors,to everyone’s benefit.“She is a motherto thecommunity.”The Fred Victor Centre,located at Queen and JarvisStreets, offers a continuumof community services, ofGrace continued on 6Jake’s CrossingBy Mary LevitskiSix years ago, theparents of NorthleaPublic School’s youngstudents began petitioningfor a crossing guard atthe notoriously dangerousintersection just north ofthe school. Three yearslater, when certified SchoolCrossing Guard (SCG) JakeApacible assumed hisposition at Rumsey Rd.and Broadway Ave, the petitionersrealized that theyhad gotten more than theyhoped for.Commuters heading southtowards downtown oftenuse Broadway Ave. duringthe morning rush. Thesebusy drivers seem to turn ablind eye to the numerousstop signs along this residentialstreet. “Cars justdon’t stop,” Sandy Northmore,a resident in thecommunity, says. “The policehave to follow a car fortwo or three blocks to pulldrivers over, because theydon’t even know that theybroke the law.”“I stand at mycrosswalk nomatter what.”SickKids AmbassadorsBy Paul MoodyOur names are MichaelForrester, AmandaDoyle, Maria Jose-Bouey, and I am Paul Moody,and together we make upStudent Team SickKids(STSK). This summer, wehad the pleasure of representingthe Hospital forSick Children (SickKids)at charity events in andaround the GTA. Our goalwas to raise awareness ofthe Hospital, fundraisethrough inspiration, and,most importantly, serve asAmbassadors for the Hospital,Research Institute,and Foundation. We area group of four universitystudents, all of whom havea personal connection toSickKids, either as a patientor as a family member of apatient.Michael’s personal relationshipwith SickKidsbegan through his littlesister, Liane, who was apatient in the hospital forfive months in the winterof 2002. Sadly, on February12, 2003, she passedaway at the age of 14 fromnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma(a blood cancer). This eventBack row: Maria Jose-Bouey, Michael Forrester, Paul MoodyFront row: Amanda Doyle and Kirkland Kilbridehas become a cornerstoneof Michael’s life, and hasplaced him squarely onthe path to a career inclinical paediatric oncology— childhood cancermedicine.Amanda’s relationshipSickKids continued on 11Things have changed. Askpeople in the neighbourhood,“What is it like tohave Jake here?” and you’llhear words like caring,conscientious, friendly, andwonderful, over and over.Each person takes the opportunityto mention howmuch the kids love him. “Ibecame almost a celebrity,”Jake says. Every residentalso points out Jake’s greatcommitment to his job.“He’s very careful,” saysMarie Blanchet. “If he seessomebody who is starting[to cross] ahead of him,he’ll run out and stop allthe cars.”“Considering how manyJake continued on 3

February 2008 Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1Children’s HeroesHumanitarian on a MotorcycleBy Andy RétiFor more than 30 yearsSid Rochwerg hashelped to raise millionsof dollars for variouscharities by doing what heloves — riding a motorcycle.Good News Toronto caughtup with this busy man inbetween projects.If looks were deceiving,Sid is living proof of it: heis short and fit — not the“biker” image often portrayedin the media. The 52year old is a director at ADPCanada, a firm specializingin payroll and HR solutions.He is married to Evelyn andis a father of two teenagers.He is quick to point out thathe has been a motorcyclerider — not a biker — for32 years. Interestingly,this distinct difference isexactly what started Sidon his amazing journey tohelp others.“What I havelearned is thatyou can decideto act on an ideato do some good.It’s easy to findexcuses not to getinvolved but whenyou do, the resultis that each of uscan make a difference.”According to Sid, the term“biker” is often associatedwith gang activities, as isthe case both today andback when Sid began hischaritable work in 1976. Inan attempt to change thisimage, Sid and a number ofother like-minded individualsfrom York University involvedwith the motorcycleclub, “The York Wings,” usedtheir club as a vehicle to dosome good. They organizeda toy run for underprivilegedchildren. Over theyears, this benevolent ideaof helping others beganto popularize and soonbecame an integral part ofmost motorcycle clubs. Infact, all major motorcycleclubs in existence todayhave a fundraising or charitycomponent includedin their ride calendar, thecauses varying from clubto club, and ranging fromcancer research to distresshelptelephone lines.The York Wings, originaltoy run evolved into the“Ride for Sight,” which Sidwas instrumental in promotingacross Canada. Thistoy run is the most successfuland longest runningcharity ride in the country,still going strong after 30years! Today, Sid is also amember of HOG (HarleyOwners Group), the Silverados,and YOWs (Yidden OnWheels) motorcycle clubs,all located in Toronto. As amember of these clubs, Sidhas helped create eventssuch as BAD Ride (BikersAgainst Despair), which isgoing into its 11th year, andalso the Paper Clip Ride. Tounderstand the successesof these events, last year‘sBAD Ride raised over$230,000 and registeredmore than 1,450 motorcyclistswho roared throughthe scenic Halton Hills areajust west of Toronto.Sid is proud of all thecharity rides he has assistedwith; however, theride he found most fulfillingto lead was the PaperClip Ride. At a whopping1,435 kilometers, this eventwas the longest ride, andwas unusual in its scope.www.greenparkgroup.caSid Rochwerg on the Paper Clip RideA small school in Whitwell,Tennessee created a Children’s’Holocaust Museum,which is housed in anoriginal German cattle carthat was used to transportJews to death camps. Themuseum was the culminationof a school projectto collect 6 million paperclips to represent each Jewwho was murdered in theHolocaust.After hearing about thePaper Clips project, Sidbecame so inspired that,together with a numberof friends, he organized aGreenpark continues to be inspiredby all of Toronto’s everyday heroes.Your extraordinary contributionsmake life better for all of us.visit to the school. In Mayof 2006, over 400 peopleincluding 250 motorcyclesfrom across Canada, USA,Israel, and Australia congregatedin Whitwell, Tennesee.They raised morethan $60,000 and presentedthe school with elevenPromethean Boards — aninteractive computerizedwhiteboard. The Paper ClipRide itself was made intoa documentary, and Sidmade over 35 presentationsabout the project to variousorganizations, such asschools, service groups, seniors’homes, and religiouscongregations.When asked what motivateshim, Sid’s answeris modest but profound:“What I have learned is thatyou can decide to act on anidea to do some good. It’seasy to find excuses not toget involved, but when youdo, the result is that eachof us can make a difference.Whitwell is the bestexample. The school’s mottois changing the worldone classroom at a time. Iwouldn’t want to be sorryfor the missed opportunitieswhen I had the chanceto make a difference. In themeantime, it gave us a lifetimeof memories”.Good News Torontowishes him and his groupsGodspeed, open roads, blueskies, and many more yearsof helping others.Children’s Heroes Project ExcerptsASHTON MEADOWS PUBLIC SCHOOL Grade 2/3 ClassThis Markham schoolhas a wide variety ofethnicities and cultures.Many families are newimmigrants and thereforeEnglish has not been thefirst language for many ofthe children. The childrenhave learnt to balanceCanadian culture withtheir own background andperspectives to bring a mixof histories and values.“My students embraced thiswriting activity with enthusiasmand an eagernessto share their lives withtheir greater community.We hope you enjoy readingit as much as we enjoyedwriting it.”— Ellyn Waldman, teacher.For their complete stories, please visit out website: www.goodnewstoronto.ca

10 February 2008 Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1February 2008 11The Power of TeaBy Eva KarpatiNorma Cowan, a77-year-old grandmother,brings theworld together in friendshipevery Wednesdayafternoon. Sensing a needin the community, sheand her friend AudreyMartels created a casualdrop-in conversationalEnglish class at DonwayCovenant United Church,nine years ago. It hadbecome evident to Normathat “graduates of formalESL classes still neededpractice speaking English.”“Doctors, lawyers, dentistsfrom around the world[from such countries as]Russia, Sri Lanka, Burundi,and Hong Kong, gravitatetowards this informal environment,”says Norma.Under her guidance, thestudents practice theirskills while they drink tea,socialize, and learn aboutone another’s countriesand cultures — and abouttheir new home in Toronto.“Laughing and bonding,”Norma remarks, “is whattakes place.”Born in Kingston, Ontarioon a farm, Norma graduatedas a nurse. Shortly aftertheir wedding, she and herhusband started their familyin Toronto. A stay-athomemother, who raisedfour children, Norma alwaysfound time to volunteerand give back to her community.She was active withleadership roles in Browniesand is currently helpingpatients at the SunnybrookRegional Cancer Centre.When Norma began leadingthe conversation group, shetook the responsibility veryseriously. “I would scourthe newspapers to bringin articles that would berelevant and interestingto talk about, as a way toencourage conversation,”she says.She recounts her favouriteanecdote: “Two doctorsmet at the conversationgroup, one from Russia andthe other from Iran. As theirconnection continued, theystarted studying together inorder to pass their exams;two people from two differentworlds coming togetherto help each other overcometheir difficulties.”At the last tea partybefore the summer break,Jonathan, an electrical engineerfrom China, praisedthe group. Despite beingable to read and write English,Jonathan explains thathe could not speak the language.“This group taughtme about Canadian culture,and it was a way to immersemyself in English.”Sami, a Palestinian, explains,“This group enabledme to keep up with my childrenwho had learned thelanguage quickly [as well as]to make friends.” Althoughstill shy about his Englishproficiency, Sami feels verycomfortable conversingwith his fellow students.Melody, a young floristwho emigrated alone fromSouth China, describes thegroup as being “like home.”This group gave her confidenceand helped her find ajob in her profession.Norma has created a safehaven where adults fromacross the globe can unite,leaving behind the worriesand concerns associatedwith being new immigrants.As Norma says, “We arehere to make a difference.”There are benefits for her,too. “I have learned so muchfrom them,” she says.Norma Cowan and her studentsDaniel Will Get It DoneBy Gillian PrupasDaniel Bachmutsky in classDaniel Bachmutsky isa young man with adream: to make hisschool a better place for hisfellow students.An enthusiastic and articulate14 year old, Danielis a ninth grader at FishervilleJunior High School,where he continuouslygives of himself to betterthe school.Arriving from Russiaeight years ago, it took himsome time to come out ofhis shell. “Before, I wasreally shy,” he says. “Rightwhen I got to Fisherville Iwasn’t shy anymore.”Daniel credits Fisherville’sencouraging environmentwith allowing himto grow into his own skin.Since arriving there twoyears ago, he has kept busyperforming in school playsand finding other ways toget involved. “I really likethe school and wanted to domore,” he says. This year,Daniel was elected studentpresident, his goal being“to make a difference.” Hiscampaign slogan was “I willmake it happen!”“Daniel was elected byhis peers,” says Fisherville’sPrincipal, Ellen Austrom.“His peers recognize him.[He wants to] bring fun tothe school [and] add to theschool community. [He]brings students’ voice forwardto teachers. He is sensitive,caring, and fun.”Another of Daniel’s majorachievements at his schoolarose out of an unexpectedtragedy that swept throughFisherville two years ago.“It really scared me,” hesays. “If we have counselors,then why is this happening?”Realizing the need toaddress the problem, Danielcreated a peer supportgroup. “I started the peersupport group because studentsmight not want to talkto adults. Students understandeach other.” Throughthe peer support group,students will be able to talkto other each other, with thehelp of social workers, in asafe and relaxed environment,about anything thatconcerns them. “The pointof the peer-group is to havea big group of people lookingout for each other,” hesays. “If we had the peergroupbefore, [the tragedy]would’ve never happenedand now it will hopefullynever happen again.”Daniel has taken hisrole as President seriously,raising money for cancerresearch, organizing TerryFox walks and coordinatingCulture Day, whichcelebrates the school’s inclusiveness.“He shines atDaniel continued on 11Surviving StrengthBy Kate De FreitasIhad the pleasure of beingintroduced to SusanMarch seven years agoas her eldest son’s girlfriend.Immediately, I wascaptivated by her lovingspirit, and giving nature.She welcomed me as adaughter instantly, and wehave formed a beautifulfriendship over the years.At times I sit back andwonder how she finds thestrength to withstand thepain, and find the will tomove forward with her newlife; then I hear her voiceciting that old proverb,“God doesn’t give you whatyou can’t handle.” Perhapsthis is how Susan has madeit this far on her journeythrough life — there wasnever any doubt she wouldnot.It only takes a few momentsupon meeting Susanto realize that she is trulyan inspiration. Mother,wife, daughter, sister, friend— she is your typical loving,down-to-earth humanbeing, put on this planetto live, breathe, and simplyastound those around herwith her strength and will.Diagnosed with a rareform of breast cancer in1994, Susan was given sixmonths to live. One canonly imagine the terror shemust have felt. “I wasn’tgoing to just sit there andSickKids continued from 1with The Hospital for SickChildren began seven yearsago when her very closecousin Alison was admittedwith severe stomachpains. The amazing doctorsat SickKids were ableto diagnose her chronicdisease as intestinal lymphangiectasia(a breakdownof the lymphatic system).Although Amanda lost hercousin this past December,she maintains a great dealof respect for the hospital,its foundation and the incrediblydedicated staff atSickKids.Maria-Jose is a Chiléan nativewho moved to Canadawhen she was 8 months oldto seek medical treatmentfrom one of the world’s toppaediatric facilities -- TheHospital for Sick Children.Susan March welcoming us to her homebe told I wasn’t going to bearound for much longer,”she sternly remarks to meas she sips her tea. Jumpingfrom doctor to doctor, Susanwould not give up untilshe heard the words shewas searching for: “We canhelp you.” Susan stumbledupon a doctor researchingher rare form of cancer, andoffered to include Susan inBorn with cloacal extrophy(a disease that affects allthe abdominal organsrendering them virtuallyuseless), Maria-Jose has hadmore than 40 major operationssince birth, includinga kidney transplant fromher mother. With perseverance,determination, and acommitted staff workingwith her, she has survivedthe astonishing odds to becomea vibrant and radiantyoung woman.My connection began atthe age of two. My familyphysician diagnosed me ashaving narrow eustaciancanals (the canals thatdrain the excess fluidsfrom one’s ears), whichwere causing chronic earinfections, hampering myability to hear properly andnegatively affecting myspeech development. Thethe study.Though it was a difficulttime, Susan took comfortin the caring nature of herfamily, friends, and neighbours.“My boys never wentwithout a full meal on thetable, clean clothes, or a lovinghome. My neighbourstook turns cooking usmeals each night, visitingme, and praying for me.”doctor made it clear that ifI did not undergo a seriesof restorative surgeries,I would lose my hearingentirely. For the next fouryears, I underwent surgeryevery four to six months,and by the age of six myhearing had been completelyrestored.SickKids has thismagical way ofnever leaving anyperson’s heart.In the summer of 2006, Icame back to the SickKidscommunity to extend mygratitude and become amember of Student TeamSickKids in its first year.This gave me a wonderfulopportunity to volunteerThe love and encouragementthat surrounded herhelped Susan to recover;and for this reason, fifteenyears after her diagnosis,Susan sits before me, wideeyedand smiling, tellingme her story. “The prayers,my children, my husband,and my friends, they arewhat kept me alive. I didn’tknow I was a fighter, it’ssomething that just happens.”A fighter she is. Threeyears ago, Susan had apace-maker put in due toher weakened heart, a resultof her chemo therapy.She continued to go to thedoctor, each time remindedof the severity of her condition.She was placed on theheart donor list: she waitedand hoped. On August6, 2006, Susan received thephone call she was prayingfor: “We have a heart foryou.”“I wasn’t goingto just sit thereand be told Iwasn’t going to bearound for muchlonger.”Susan underwent heartsurgery while her threesons, her husband, a loyalfriend, and I sat by. Probablythe longest night ofmy life, I remember feelingtruly touched by the lovethat surrounded Susanwith patients, work in afundraising and publicrelations setting, and meetpeople who have beenequally as touched by thehospital.SickKids has this magicalway of never leavingany person’s heart, andas a result, people neverwant to leave it. Almostevery staff member, fromthe researchers, to thefundraisers, to the doctors,nurses, volunteers,and custodians, has had apersonal experience withthe hospital that has madethem choose SickKids overother places to work. Mike,Amanda, Maria-José, and Iare only four examples ofpeople who have felt theneed to give back to Sick-Kids and work in such aninspirational environment.To others who wish toPlease share the GOOD NEWS – pass it on!that evening. The worry,the hope, the fear, and thedevotion: these feelingsseized us as we sat withanticipation in that emptyhospital-waiting room. Shesurvived yet again.She is giving, welcoming,and caring. Her loveis distributed evenly toeach person she meets. Hermotto is, “My door is alwaysopen,” and open it alwaysis; her house has becomethe neighbourhood retreat,and Susan relishes in thecompany. It is truly movingto watch each young visitorin Susan’s home greet herwith a simple hello, presenther with a warm hug,or stop for a small chat bythe door. When dinner ismade, all are invited; whenlunch is being prepared, allare included. When troublefinds these kids, her sofais offered as a bed. Whensickness overtakes them,her warm palm tests theirforehead; when sadnessstrikes them, her soft voicesoothes them. She is theirMother and their friend.Her home is open to them,and they know this.Her will to live impressesthem, and her humblenessmoves them. She does notexclude; considering otherpeople before herself, sheacts on instinct and love.Her sickness did not diminishher; in fact, it madeher stronger. She is a herobecause she inspires. She isalive because she has yet tomeet a challenge she cannotovercome.pursue this type of position— as an “Ambassador,” nomatter the cause — I wouldask that you carry yourpassion to the next level:unbridled passion is whatconnects best, no matterthe audience. Hold nothingback — that’s a reward untoitself.Daniel continued from 10everything,” says Irina, afellow classmate. “He is apeople person and is alwayswilling to help everyone.”He manages to do all thiswhile nevertheless beingon the Honour Roll.“I wanted to leave somethingbehind me,” Danielsays. If his accomplishmentsare any indication,he appears to have donejust that.

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