OK, so the posting has been sporadic, at best, so far in 09. I’ll give you a little background because I feel like the Lemonheads deserve the right to know...
Since the beginning of the year, I’ve started teaching a management class at one of the local colleges in downtown Toronto. It takes a significant amount of time to prep classes and grade papers... but it is so important to help people learn and achieve their dreams.
This isn’t just any college: George Brown College – a renowned Chef School in Toronto and a great contributor to conductors and connectors.
By nature, a Chef School would likely have excess food and ingredients. As such, the school has partnered with Second Harvest: a pretty original concept in Toronto. This organization’s work is picking up excess foods in the area, and redistributing it to social service agencies in the hopes of eliminating hunger in the community – a fantastic conductor. So, at the end of every day, Second Harvest visits GB College and picks up its excess food. What a far cry from the days when excess food was simply thrown out after it had gone to waste...
But, that’s not all! GB’s Chef School also worked out a partnership with Regent Park – Canada’s oldest social housing community (circa 1948) – another connector. GB works with the youth of the community to teach them basic cooking skills. What an amazing link to provide education and basic life skills to those who need it most... not to mention, a little hope and aspiration, maybe?
Are we done yet? Nope – not at all... Still in collaboration with Regent Park, GB is participating in a Pathways to EducationTM program. This is an amazing program focused on ensuring that young people from at-risk communities get to school, stay in school and graduate from school. Pathways works as a connector here providing tutoring, mentoring, financial support specifically focused on getting kids to school and bringing parents, teachers and kids together with community agencies.
I am truly proud to have a (small) part with George Brown College. This is a great example on how small contributions make a big difference.
Ripples in the water...
If you know of others who should be highlighted, let me know.
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Hey exciting stuff - thanks for fleshing it out and bringing it to my attention - what an added significant contribution to Toronto from a fine College! Sounds like a perfect place for you to hang your hat, at least part of the time!
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