If you’re one of the many fans who tune in on Sunday nights to Global TV’s hit show da Kink in my Hair, you would have seen the African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario’s (ACCHO) thought-provoking Keep It Alive series of commercials. Its powerful message is hard to miss.
As the first television show with an all-black cast featured on a private national network in Canada, advertising during da Kink in my Hair is a natural fit for ACCHO. Its acclaimed Keep It Alive commercials feature community members promoting HIV/AIDS prevention among Black Canadians and African and Caribbean communities in Canada.
The campaign encourages Black, African and Caribbean adults and youth to know their HIV status by getting tested, practice safer sex, encourage their loved ones to do the same and to remember that people who are living with AIDS and HIV deserve support.
The Keep It Alive campaign shows people how to start a conversation with a loved one about HIV/AIDS. It’s a conversation that could save lives. “We’re also trying to create the kind of environment that supports HIV prevention, and the care, treatment and support for people already infected,” said Winston Husbands, co-chair of ACCHO. “This is part of an effort to ensure healthy communities.”
“The idea behind the TV campaign was to bring a more tangible and personal approach to the key messages of prevention, testing and stigma,” said Howard Chang, founder and president of Top Drawer Creative, the Toronto-based ad agency that worked with ACCHO to develop the campaign. “We hope that people will see in these ads their own stories and challenges, and with that begin their own conversations about HIV and AIDS.”
ACCHO plans to air the popular ads again this spring and is just one of many ways ACCHO keeps busy growing its Keep It Alive campaign. ACCHO is also a repeat supporter of Sun TV’s broadcast of the NAACP awards through broadcast sponsorship and the airing of the Keep it Alive commercials.
To extend its reach beyond the tube, ACCHO Street Teams were developed to give the third phase of the Keep it Alive campaign a more grassroots social marketing focus. The Street Teams work with local AIDS service organizations in Toronto and Ottawa to get the prevention message out to youth in a language they can relate to.
The amateur teams recruit from youth affiliated with local dance or social groups. Participants are trained in HIV/AIDS education, the effects of stigma and the social responsibility African and Caribbean Canadians have in combating HIV/AIDS in their communities.
To effectively reach their individual communities, the teams develop theatrical performances with unique storylines that incorporate their cultural nuances. Through live performances, the teams address the core issues of HIV/AIDS in the community and get the word out about prevention.
If you want to discuss HIV/AIDS with a friend or family member but are unsure how, the new bilingual ACCHO website is a great place to get the tools necessary to approach this sensitive issue. So, do your part to Keep It Alive, visit www.accho.ca and get the message out about HIV/AIDS.
For more information about ACCHO, contact spokespersons Winston Husbands and Wangari Tharao at www.accho.ca.
Showing posts with label WE Community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WE Community. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
WE COMMUNITY - SAPACCY: Saving Toronto's Black Youth
By Krysta Celestine
Back in 1996, a group concerned with the growing number of black youth incarcerated for substance abuse and involvement in the drug trade; approached the Ministry of Health with a proposal for a service that was sensitive to the cultural needs of black youth and their families as it relates to substance abuse. The result was SAPACCY--the Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean and Canadian Youth, and for the past 12 years the organization has been making a difference in our community.
SAPACCY provides counseling and early intervention for youths who are at-risk at becoming involved in the dangerous world of substance abuse. The service helps youth and their loved ones make positive choices about substance use and mental issues.
An alarming 40 % of black youth do not finish high school, and turn to the drug trade as a means of survival. This, says Lou Golding (program manager at SAPACCY), creates a vicious cycle: "where there is a drug trade, obviously there are users. [Drug dealers] are selling drugs to other kids, creating a cycle where people are stuck".
An alarming fact is that, despite SAPACCY's efforts, there is still a dangerous amount of black youth who are involved in substance abuse or the drug trade. Goulding warns that the need is outgrowing SAPACCY's capacity to respond. As a community, we need to challenge this problem, says Golding. The community needs to be aware of the increasing numbers of black youth that are smoking weed and are experiencing psychological problems, such as schizophrenia, paranoia and depression.
"One of the things that people do not realize [is], once the psychosis is triggered, it does not go back to what it was before. They (drug users) have to be medicated", he says. "We have a small staff, and an amounting number of referrals that they receive, so people need to be aware of that. One of the things that may be useful is to provide more exposure to young people from the point of view of prevention, so that they have that as a basis to make some decisions."
Golding lists Hip Hop culture as the main culprit of substance abuse among black youth. Teenagers are still young and impressionable, and with one listen to a hip hop record, it's easy to see how drug use, or more specifically, drug dealing, is sensationalized. "I look at how hip hop has had an impact on our young people so much so that more of our youths are exposed to substance abuse (marijuana, ecstasy, and crack) as a result of the social scene. Hip hop culture normalizes these as tools to suppress pain... to create happiness."
Covered by OHIP and free for Ontario residents, SAPACCY offers counseling, assessment, consultation, family support and community-based programs for youth. For more information, visit: www.camh.net, or call 416 535.8501 x 6767.
Back in 1996, a group concerned with the growing number of black youth incarcerated for substance abuse and involvement in the drug trade; approached the Ministry of Health with a proposal for a service that was sensitive to the cultural needs of black youth and their families as it relates to substance abuse. The result was SAPACCY--the Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean and Canadian Youth, and for the past 12 years the organization has been making a difference in our community.
SAPACCY provides counseling and early intervention for youths who are at-risk at becoming involved in the dangerous world of substance abuse. The service helps youth and their loved ones make positive choices about substance use and mental issues.
An alarming 40 % of black youth do not finish high school, and turn to the drug trade as a means of survival. This, says Lou Golding (program manager at SAPACCY), creates a vicious cycle: "where there is a drug trade, obviously there are users. [Drug dealers] are selling drugs to other kids, creating a cycle where people are stuck".
An alarming fact is that, despite SAPACCY's efforts, there is still a dangerous amount of black youth who are involved in substance abuse or the drug trade. Goulding warns that the need is outgrowing SAPACCY's capacity to respond. As a community, we need to challenge this problem, says Golding. The community needs to be aware of the increasing numbers of black youth that are smoking weed and are experiencing psychological problems, such as schizophrenia, paranoia and depression.
"One of the things that people do not realize [is], once the psychosis is triggered, it does not go back to what it was before. They (drug users) have to be medicated", he says. "We have a small staff, and an amounting number of referrals that they receive, so people need to be aware of that. One of the things that may be useful is to provide more exposure to young people from the point of view of prevention, so that they have that as a basis to make some decisions."
Golding lists Hip Hop culture as the main culprit of substance abuse among black youth. Teenagers are still young and impressionable, and with one listen to a hip hop record, it's easy to see how drug use, or more specifically, drug dealing, is sensationalized. "I look at how hip hop has had an impact on our young people so much so that more of our youths are exposed to substance abuse (marijuana, ecstasy, and crack) as a result of the social scene. Hip hop culture normalizes these as tools to suppress pain... to create happiness."
Covered by OHIP and free for Ontario residents, SAPACCY offers counseling, assessment, consultation, family support and community-based programs for youth. For more information, visit: www.camh.net, or call 416 535.8501 x 6767.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
WE COMMUNITY - Camp Jumoke: Everyone Loves the Child
By Krysta L. Celestine
Approximately 10,000 children in Canada have sickle cell anaemia. Another 45,000 could carry the trait. The disease, which is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells, is not limited to, but is most common in people of African descent. In fact, one out of every ten people of African descent carries the gene. The symptoms, which include fatigue, abdominal pain, fever and vomiting, are excruciating, (in severe cases--deadly) and can make leading a normal life very difficult.
Camp Jumoke (the word “Jumoke” from the Yoruba language of Nigeria translates to “Everyone Loves the Child”) allows children with the disease to be children. Each year, the not-for-profit organization raises funds to send kids with sickle cell anaemia to summer camp, at no cost to their parents.
The organization was founded in 1994 by a group of doctors with the intent of “allowing kids to have a space to go and to be themselves and not worry about being sick or restricted”, says Donna Sobers, Communications Director at Camp Jumoke. “(Jumoke) allows kids to challenge themselves, enrich their lives, and (basically) give them a chance to do things that they wouldn’t normally do”.
Supervised by a team of volunteer medical staff, kids at the camp are in good hands. “Parents feel safe. If it’s too cold for the kids to swim, they won’t go”, says Sobers.
Each year, Camp Jumoke hosts two fundraisers: a bowl-a-thon, which is taking place on January 19th at Play Time Bowl, and a walk-a-thon. The annual walkathon which has attracted people of all ages from the GTA, surrounding areas and Ottawa, has been a resounding success since its inception in 1994. This spring, the walkathon takes place at Nathan Phillips Square, and promises to be as successful as previous years.
“We’re proud and passionate”, says Sobers, who boasts that the organization receives no outside assistance from the government. “The money comes from the supporters”. Currently, the organization is able to send 40 kids to camp every year, and Sobers hopes that membership will increase, but this can only be done with an increase in public support. The organization is always in need of volunteers and sponsors, and for as little as $17.50, you can change the life of one special child.
To find out how you can change the lives of children affected by this disease, contact Camp Jumoke at 416-410-2995. More information is available at http://www.jumoke.org/.
Approximately 10,000 children in Canada have sickle cell anaemia. Another 45,000 could carry the trait. The disease, which is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells, is not limited to, but is most common in people of African descent. In fact, one out of every ten people of African descent carries the gene. The symptoms, which include fatigue, abdominal pain, fever and vomiting, are excruciating, (in severe cases--deadly) and can make leading a normal life very difficult.
Camp Jumoke (the word “Jumoke” from the Yoruba language of Nigeria translates to “Everyone Loves the Child”) allows children with the disease to be children. Each year, the not-for-profit organization raises funds to send kids with sickle cell anaemia to summer camp, at no cost to their parents.
The organization was founded in 1994 by a group of doctors with the intent of “allowing kids to have a space to go and to be themselves and not worry about being sick or restricted”, says Donna Sobers, Communications Director at Camp Jumoke. “(Jumoke) allows kids to challenge themselves, enrich their lives, and (basically) give them a chance to do things that they wouldn’t normally do”.
Supervised by a team of volunteer medical staff, kids at the camp are in good hands. “Parents feel safe. If it’s too cold for the kids to swim, they won’t go”, says Sobers.
Each year, Camp Jumoke hosts two fundraisers: a bowl-a-thon, which is taking place on January 19th at Play Time Bowl, and a walk-a-thon. The annual walkathon which has attracted people of all ages from the GTA, surrounding areas and Ottawa, has been a resounding success since its inception in 1994. This spring, the walkathon takes place at Nathan Phillips Square, and promises to be as successful as previous years.
“We’re proud and passionate”, says Sobers, who boasts that the organization receives no outside assistance from the government. “The money comes from the supporters”. Currently, the organization is able to send 40 kids to camp every year, and Sobers hopes that membership will increase, but this can only be done with an increase in public support. The organization is always in need of volunteers and sponsors, and for as little as $17.50, you can change the life of one special child.
To find out how you can change the lives of children affected by this disease, contact Camp Jumoke at 416-410-2995. More information is available at http://www.jumoke.org/.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
WE COMMUNITY - Play with GIRLS not Guns!
The NOT GUNS campaign promotes non-violence. Targeted primarily at males between the ages of 14-35, the campaign specifically focuses on youth gun violence (hence the title, NOT GUNS). Some audiences may not view a 30+ year-old man as a member of the youth demographic however; this wide age group is responsible for the majority of recent gun crimes being committed in the GTA.
Business partners, Bruce Ramsay and Erue White, have been motivated by the recent increase of senseless violence in communities around the GTA. Gun violence in many neighbourhoods appears to now be a monthly issue. Innocent lives are being lost and many more are feeling the affects of those losses.
The NOTGUNS campaign sheds light on a serious issue in a way that youth can relate to. NOT GUNS uses humorous and catchy slogans to inspire conversation and increase awareness without being heavy handed or corny.
Their first slogan "Play With Girls Not Guns" has been well received by communities across the GTA. Youths have accepted their apparel as something cool to wear out to clubs and parties thus spreading the anti-violence message to more people than the campaign could ever reach directly. Their goal is to reach as many people as possible, starting with the Canadian market. Eventually, they plan on reaching out to the rest of North America with their message, which is basically, “Guns are not cool and not meant to be played with.”
For more information please visit - http://www.notguns.com/ & www.myspace/notguns.com
WE COMMUNITY - Safe T Ride: Keeping drunk drivers off the street
by Krysta Celestine
Drunk driving is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada, which means, according to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD), that you are more likely to lose your life to impaired driving than to being murdered. A startling 187 people are injured each year as a result of drunk driving.
With the holiday season fast approaching, people tend to be more “festive” by indulging a little extra in that holiday cheer. While there is a need for people to drink responsibly, the SafeT Ride program provides a bit of leniency not only during this festive season but all year around.
SafeT ride, a designated driving service based in Scarborough, Ontario, takes the pro-active precautions in keeping impaired drivers off the streets.
The service allows those in a festive mood to enjoy themselves, without the dire consequences of drunk driving. “We like to think of SafeT Ride as a positive alternative to impaired driving,” says Mike Toussaint, who founded the service just over two years ago. “Our goal is to keep intoxicated drivers off the street”.
The unique service differs from a typical cab service in that the impaired driver has the luxury of being a passenger in his or her own vehicle, and avoids the hassle of having to pick up your car the following morning. “We’ll pick you up from anywhere that alcohol is involved”, says Toussaint.
“We go out drinking, and don’t have to worry about getting home… with the RIDE program being around,” says Toussaint, referring to the roadside spot-check program on the lookout for impaired drivers. The service allows you to party without worrying about losing your license, losing your vehicle, or worse—losing yours or someone else’s life.
There is a high demand for the service between Halloween and New Year’s Eve, yet not much of a demand for the service during Caribana time, when people tend to really party. “Perhaps people are not aware [of the service]”, says Toussaint. This is something that he hopes to change.
The service is also reasonably priced—certainly cheaper than a DUI ticket. The team of safe drivers will pick you and your car up, and take you home. The service is provided within the GTA and it surrounding areas. To echo MADD, if you drink, it’s your own business, but when you drink and drive, it become’s everyone’s business.
For more information, call SafeT Ride at 416-438-8356, or email safeTride@bellnet.ca
Drunk driving is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada, which means, according to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD), that you are more likely to lose your life to impaired driving than to being murdered. A startling 187 people are injured each year as a result of drunk driving.
With the holiday season fast approaching, people tend to be more “festive” by indulging a little extra in that holiday cheer. While there is a need for people to drink responsibly, the SafeT Ride program provides a bit of leniency not only during this festive season but all year around.
SafeT ride, a designated driving service based in Scarborough, Ontario, takes the pro-active precautions in keeping impaired drivers off the streets.
The service allows those in a festive mood to enjoy themselves, without the dire consequences of drunk driving. “We like to think of SafeT Ride as a positive alternative to impaired driving,” says Mike Toussaint, who founded the service just over two years ago. “Our goal is to keep intoxicated drivers off the street”.
The unique service differs from a typical cab service in that the impaired driver has the luxury of being a passenger in his or her own vehicle, and avoids the hassle of having to pick up your car the following morning. “We’ll pick you up from anywhere that alcohol is involved”, says Toussaint.
“We go out drinking, and don’t have to worry about getting home… with the RIDE program being around,” says Toussaint, referring to the roadside spot-check program on the lookout for impaired drivers. The service allows you to party without worrying about losing your license, losing your vehicle, or worse—losing yours or someone else’s life.
There is a high demand for the service between Halloween and New Year’s Eve, yet not much of a demand for the service during Caribana time, when people tend to really party. “Perhaps people are not aware [of the service]”, says Toussaint. This is something that he hopes to change.
The service is also reasonably priced—certainly cheaper than a DUI ticket. The team of safe drivers will pick you and your car up, and take you home. The service is provided within the GTA and it surrounding areas. To echo MADD, if you drink, it’s your own business, but when you drink and drive, it become’s everyone’s business.
For more information, call SafeT Ride at 416-438-8356, or email safeTride@bellnet.ca
Thursday, October 11, 2007
WE Community – Toronto Man Teaches Life Lessons through Discipline
by Niama S. Sandy
At the Malvern Youth Centre in 70 students are learning the art of discipline and self-restraint through Tae Kwan Do. Their teacher, 42-year old Stephen Salicksing, has been a student and teacher of Martial Arts, for 30 years.
Guyanese-born and Trinidad-bred, Salicksing and his family moved to Toronto at age 8. When he was 11 years old he started taking his very first martial arts course. After months of taking the classes, young Salicksing was able to begin instructing other children in his neighbourhood on how to defend themselves. His instruction helped to ease tensions in the area. "Everyone knew everyone else could fight so no one really interfered with anyone else," said Salicksing.
At 18, Salicksing completed the training required to receive a Black belt - though the period of study for the Black belt generally takes far less time. "I came from a very poor family," explained Mr. Salicksing. His days consisted of getting up to go to school, returning home, tending to his siblings, and going to work. In those days where Martial Arts was concerned, Salicksing said "when I had the time I trained." Salicksing also underscored how times have changed. "Back then, when it was over it was over and it was good being able to walk away and leave it at that."
Upon leaving high school, Mr. Salicksing began to coach basketball at Stephen Leacock High School. This time coaching led him to discover his passion for working with youth.
"When I left high school, I went back and I decided to help coach the basketball team at Stephen Leacock High School. They enjoyed it! A lot of the kids went on to play university ball, at Syracuse University and some other schools in Canada," said Salicksing. The young coach ended up returning to school and receiving a degree in Social Services. In addition to his own studies, Salicksing engaged in more coaching in volleyball and track.
In a world where senseless acts of violence and innocent bystanders becoming victims of heinous crimes is the norm, Mr. Salicksing is trying to instil in his students at the youth center a different set of values. Simply put, "they know how to fight and they know they can hurt people - but they will not because I ask them not to. I feel bad for my kids that they can't defend themselves because they can really damage people. I spar with them in class so I know exactly what they are capable of."
The most fulfilling part of his job is the privileges of implanting this discipline and the seeds of inspiration to go above and beyond in his students. "Their parents complain that they're so distracted in school and they can't be taught. I teach them when they don't think anyone else can," explained Salicksing.
Students of Salicksing's have gone on to do great things. "We have students that have become doctors and police officers. 90% of our current students are getting B+'s and up," explained Salicksing.
The Salicksing children are following in their father footsteps. One student was doing very poorly in her French studies. As a result, her mother wouldn't let her come to Karate school. One of the Salicksing daughters lent the student a study guide. On the day I spoke with Salicksing, the student was just returning the book and raving about how much her French grades had improved with use of the French book. "The same thing I do, my kids are doing," explained Salicksing. "It grew on them. They're all teaching Karate now, the three elder children - they teach for the city. They're doing what comes naturally now." Just as their father is doing what is second nature to him.
At the Malvern Youth Centre in 70 students are learning the art of discipline and self-restraint through Tae Kwan Do. Their teacher, 42-year old Stephen Salicksing, has been a student and teacher of Martial Arts, for 30 years.
Guyanese-born and Trinidad-bred, Salicksing and his family moved to Toronto at age 8. When he was 11 years old he started taking his very first martial arts course. After months of taking the classes, young Salicksing was able to begin instructing other children in his neighbourhood on how to defend themselves. His instruction helped to ease tensions in the area. "Everyone knew everyone else could fight so no one really interfered with anyone else," said Salicksing.
At 18, Salicksing completed the training required to receive a Black belt - though the period of study for the Black belt generally takes far less time. "I came from a very poor family," explained Mr. Salicksing. His days consisted of getting up to go to school, returning home, tending to his siblings, and going to work. In those days where Martial Arts was concerned, Salicksing said "when I had the time I trained." Salicksing also underscored how times have changed. "Back then, when it was over it was over and it was good being able to walk away and leave it at that."
Upon leaving high school, Mr. Salicksing began to coach basketball at Stephen Leacock High School. This time coaching led him to discover his passion for working with youth.
"When I left high school, I went back and I decided to help coach the basketball team at Stephen Leacock High School. They enjoyed it! A lot of the kids went on to play university ball, at Syracuse University and some other schools in Canada," said Salicksing. The young coach ended up returning to school and receiving a degree in Social Services. In addition to his own studies, Salicksing engaged in more coaching in volleyball and track.
In a world where senseless acts of violence and innocent bystanders becoming victims of heinous crimes is the norm, Mr. Salicksing is trying to instil in his students at the youth center a different set of values. Simply put, "they know how to fight and they know they can hurt people - but they will not because I ask them not to. I feel bad for my kids that they can't defend themselves because they can really damage people. I spar with them in class so I know exactly what they are capable of."
The most fulfilling part of his job is the privileges of implanting this discipline and the seeds of inspiration to go above and beyond in his students. "Their parents complain that they're so distracted in school and they can't be taught. I teach them when they don't think anyone else can," explained Salicksing.
Students of Salicksing's have gone on to do great things. "We have students that have become doctors and police officers. 90% of our current students are getting B+'s and up," explained Salicksing.
The Salicksing children are following in their father footsteps. One student was doing very poorly in her French studies. As a result, her mother wouldn't let her come to Karate school. One of the Salicksing daughters lent the student a study guide. On the day I spoke with Salicksing, the student was just returning the book and raving about how much her French grades had improved with use of the French book. "The same thing I do, my kids are doing," explained Salicksing. "It grew on them. They're all teaching Karate now, the three elder children - they teach for the city. They're doing what comes naturally now." Just as their father is doing what is second nature to him.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
