E6: Strengthening Community Linkages on Poverty Reduction in Ontario
This interactive information session will provide participants with an update on Ontario’s poverty reduction strategy, including an overview of what has happened thus far and what we are anticipating in the coming year. It is widely recognized that new immigrants are essential for the future well-being of Ontario and Canada, as a whole. Yet, new immigrants are one group that has experienced rising rates of poverty, even when unemployment rates were low and economic growth was strong. The Government of Ontario*s poverty reduction strategy and the all-party commitment to ongoing efforts to reduce poverty in Ontario provides an opportunity to focus on what is needed to insure all. Ontarians can live free from poverty - including new immigrants. This information session seeks to open conversation on how to ensurethe needs of new immigrants and agencies serving new immigrants are integrally linked to government poverty reduction strategies and engaged with 25 in5. Facilitated by network members and spokespersons, Pat Capponi and Jacquie Maund, this session will provide participants with a brief history of the origins and work of the 25 in 5 Network, and information on how to become more involved with the coalition.
Michael Creek is the Coordinator of the Toronto Speakers Bureau; Voices from the Street, where he has learned research, public policy and public speaking. He is a director representing Ontario on the National Anti Poverty Organization (NAPO) now called Canada Without Poverty. Michael is also one of the leaders of the 25 in 5 coalition, working towards a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario serving as co-chair. Michael is the vice-chair on the board of the Gerstein Crisis Center in Toronto. Michael is a survivor of cancer and physical and mental abuse, homelessness, poverty and is a psychiatric consumer/survivor. Michael speaks out and advocates on many health issues that affect those who live in poverty.
Michael has also been a guest speaker on poverty, homelessness and mental health, health and community engagement at many of Universities and Colleges including the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University, University of Waterloo, University of Queens, Seneca College, Humber College and George Brown as well many other organizations. Michael is guest speaker at the 2009 Calgary Social Forum. Michael continues to work with marginalized communities and people and encourages them to speak out so that their voices can make a difference in shaping policy and planning with governments. He points out that only when we as a society allow those who have been silenced by circumstances to be heard we can understand how to fix these challenges.
John Campey, Executive Director, Social Planning Toronto. Prior to his appointment, he taught immigrant children in inner-city Toronto schools for six years. He served two terms as Downtown Trustee on the Toronto Board of Education, focusing on issues of exclusion such as poverty, racism, language, and homophobia. He was a consultant with the International Children’s Institute, and has edited two books of children’s writing and drawing of their experiences in post-war Bosnia. John is a past President of Friends of Community Schools (a small charitable foundation supporting children’s entitlements), and currently serves on the Boards of CERIS – The Ontario Metropolis Centre, the Canadian Education Association, and the Social Planning Network of Ontario. He is also a member of the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction Steering Committee, and Co-Chair of the Community Social Services Campaign.
