CCRA supports Fernie Youth Services in Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser
By Kathy Rowe
On Saturday, March 28, Team CCRA walked in the Coldest Night of the Year event to support local charitable foundation Fernie Youth Services (FYS). There were many teams that participated in this 2 km or 5 km walk and it was a lot of fun. Fortunately, the weather was clear and not too cold. We all gathered at 4 p.m. at the administrative office on the Scarborough Grace Church property to listen to speeches made by Jeff Johnson (CEO) and Councillor Neethan Shan.
After a tasty cup of hot chocolate, we were on our way. Upon return we were greeted by FYS staff serving complimentary homemade chili ( absolutely delicious) and freshly baked donuts from the Port Union bakery. The funds raised in the Coldest Night of the Year event go to at risk youth who are experiencing every day struggles such as hunger and homelessness.
I want to thank Fernie youth worker Edessa Andrada for her guidance as well as our team walkers and supporters. As I write this article, donations are still coming in and their goal to raise $25,000.00 is within reach. Fernie Youth Services provides essential support in the way of employment readiness programs, counselling and community reintegration for youth in East Scarborough. To find out more information about FYS please visit their website fernieyouth.ca. CCRA looks forward to supporting this important organization next year.
Scarborough Association Leaders United
On March 2, I joined 17 community association leaders across Scarborough to share our community concerns with our six ward councillors. This important forum, organized by Scarborough United Neighbourhoods (SUN) , demonstrated that Scarborough councillors must work together on behalf of their constituents in order to achieve success within Scarborough communities. Each leader made a short deputation before the councillors and many concerns were raised. Different parts of Scarborough are experiencing different problems.
I spoke of concerns regarding an unlicensed care home (a residential home) in our community and the lack of municipal oversight. Other leaders spoke of the lack of youth programs, rec centres in disrepair, crime, food insecurity and the need for tree canopy preservation. Two topics that were overwhelmingly common across Scarborough were the urgent need for more parking (think transportation hubs and new condo developments) and better transportation. The councillors listened, took notes and they all appreciated our concerns and hard work. As Councillors need to be held accountable, SUN plans on following up with more meetings of this nature. Scarborough must speak up for its needs and our municipal elected officials must work together at City Council to solve the important issues that Scarborough faces.
Community Earth Day is on Saturday April 25
Supported by West Rouge Sports and Recreation, West Rouge Community Association and CCRA, our community Earth Day promises to be a day filled with educational activities. Please see more about this event here. We hope to see you at our community Earth Day!
