EVENTS and OWN ACTIVITIES
Newsletter – Vol 7 – Issue 1 August 2020 — Click on the link to read our latest Newsletter. For older issues, click here.
OWN Members’ Blogs — Members Audrey Danaher and Cathy Crowe have blogs. Click on the link to read them.
Upcoming — See below
Ongoing — Activities happening on a regular basis. Click on link.
Accessible Housing Network:
https://www.accessiblehousingnetwork.org
Sign up Form for the Mass Protest to Stop the Ford Government’s Privatization of our Public Hospital. Click here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeiSK47GNv3_4eg-xMuTWuHFUGUriC7QfgbfSvAMe9hYCX3Q/viewform
OWN Co-op Housing: Anyone interested in rental space at the Co-op, please email owncoop@rogers.com or call building management at 416-777-9543. For a history of the co-op, see https://olderwomensnetwork.org/co-op_housing
All OWN activities are suspended until the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Seniors are particularly vulnerable to this new virus. Please take care of yourselves. Get vaccinated, wear a mask, practice frequent hand washing, and stay at home whenever possible.
Membership Renewals for 2021
OWN has been a unique voice for mid-life and older women for over 30 years. Be proud of your membership, and renew here Membership Renewal Form 2021. If you are not a member, consider becoming one by going to our membership – new 2021 and apply to become one.
Many tenants won’t be able to pay rent and other bills during the pandemic
In a few short weeks, the widespread onset of COVID-19 has left thousands of Canadians facing economic hardship not seen in generations. Employment insurance applications have reached a record high and, with housing being the most significant expense for most households, many will not be able to afford their rent.
The Government of Ontario has placed a moratorium on evictions for the time being, and Mayor Tory has asked landlords to be lenient with tenants on April 1. While these are steps in the right direction, these are not adequate measures to address the needs of tenants struggling to stay housed. More must be done to provide rent relief to tenants and to ensure their housing is protected now and after the public health crisis subsides. We cannot allow anyone to lose their home due to COVID-19.
Please consider supporting one or more of the following campaigns to help renters stay housed:
Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations had a petition calling on the Province to enact legislation stopping the payment of rent on April 1st for residential tenants in Ontario. They’ve also set up a page listing current campaigns aimed to help tenants during COVID-19.
ACORN has set up a letter you can send to politicians calling for an eviction ban along with Rent Flexibility, EI for All and a Loan Payment Freeze.
Keep your rent has launched a campaign encouraging tenants to keep their rent.
Thank you for your support. There couldn’t be a more urgent time for everyone to have a safe and adequate place to call home.
The Right to Housing Toronto Network
Open Letter: 5 ways to demand justice during the Covid-19 epidemic
Friends,
We are in a moment like no other in modern history. In every corner of the world, COVID-19 is upending our lives and livelihoods, and putting the most vulnerable in our communities at even greater risk. That is why, amidst this dark and difficult time, it’s been so inspiring to see the ways that people are coming together in this moment.
After seeing so much mutual aid organizing, community care, and solidarity day in and day out, I can’t help but feel that, despite the challenge, we will pull through this together.
And, as we do, we need our governments to be with us in having each others’ backs. That’s why, along with tens of thousands of people, organizations, and groups, we’ve signed onto support 5 key principles for a just COVID-19 response and recovery. Will you add your name and demand a just recovery from this pandemic?
We know that we can’t get out of one crisis by making others worse. Even before this pandemic hit, people were already struggling in the midst of a climate crisis. That’s why these principles lay out a roadmap for responding to COVID-19 the way so many of us are, with care, compassion, and vision. Here they are:
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- Put people’s health first, no exceptions.
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- Provide economic relief directly to the people.
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- Help our workers and communities, not corporate executives.
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- Create resilience for future crises.
- Build solidarity and community across borders – do not empower authoritarians.
Click here to add your name in support of the 5 principles for a just recovery.
But, while we need to come together around these principles, we also can’t wait to act. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of actions you can take right now to support people in your community and demand government action for the most vulnerable in our communities:
We’ve put together a blog with more information on these 5 actions along with additional resources. Check it out here.
Make no mistake, these are hard times. But, together, we can make it through.
With hope,
Atiya
OWN Social Link Outings
ALL Meetings and Outings are suspended until further notice due to the virus pandemic.
Planning meetings are on the first Saturday of every month, at 1:30pm to 4:30 pm, 1st Saturday of each month, in the Meeting Room at 115 The Esplanade. Temporarily suspended.
For more information, contact Susan Mansfield-Jones, 416-242-6446
Raging Grannies Support Accessible Housing
Granny says: Change the Building Code Now! Click on the link to see the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjw6U6pa2QY
Use Your Voice to Impact the Future of Aging and Mental Health in Canada!
Are you a caregiver to an older adult?
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- Do you work in health or social care?
- Are you 55+?
If you answered yes to ANY of the above questions, please complete our three question survey on aging and mental health.
Survey questions focus on identifying mental health support, care, and treatment priorities across Canada.
At the end of the survey, you can enter for a chance to win 1 of 10 prepaid $50 VISA gift cards!
Click here to begin the survey!
Thank you for your participation in this important conversation.
Please forward this email to people within your networks across Canada!
This project is a collaboration between The SE Research Centre and The Canadian Mental Health Association. We are working to identify the top 10 unanswered research questions on aging and mental health in Canada. For more information:
Visit: https://research.sehc.com/resources/aging-in-society/aging-mental-health-priorities
Contact: research@sehc.com
Twitter: @SEHCResearch @CMHA_NTL #AMHPriorities
OWN Social Link Outings
Planning meetings are on the first Saturday of every month, at 1:30pm to 4:30 pm, meeting room 115 The Esplanade.
For more information, contact Susan Mansfield-Jones, 416-242-6446
Ontario Health Coalition Upcoming Events and Meetings
http://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/index.php/category/news-events/whats-new/
At the local health coalition, meetings and initiatives are planned. Local coalitions are working on fighting hospital cuts, protecting public health care for all, against privatization and 2-tier user fees for patients, improving home care and long-term care, stopping the privatization of primary care, improving quality and reducing wait times, protecting democratic decision-making and public access to information about our health care institutions and system. Local coalitions are open to anyone who is interested and who supports the aims and values of the health coalition — to safeguard and improve public health care for all under the principles of equity and fairness that are embodied in the Canada Health Act. All are welcome.
The Older Women’s Network supports the AODA Alliance’s Finalized Brief to the David Onley Independent Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act’s Implementation and Enforcement.
We draw particular attention to the recommendations that housing be included in the AODA , that the Ontario government ensure that public money is never used to create or perpetuate disability accessibility barriers, that the government effectively review all Ontario laws to ensure that they do not create or permit disability accessibility barriers, and that the AODA accessibility standards be amended to bring them in line with the Human Rights Code.
The same comments are posted on Living in Place facebook page, adding the links:
Read the entire finalized brief at https://www.aodaalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Jan-15-2019-AODA-Alliance-brief-to-david-onley-AODA-Independent-Review-with-pagination.docx
If you want to just read the recommendations , see the brief’s appendix at https://www.aodaalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/jan-15-2019-appendix-to-AODA-Alliance-brief-to-david-onley-with-pagination.docx
Have you visited our Facebook page for “Living in Place”?
https://www.facebook.com/livinginplaceON/
Please visit, like & post re need for accessible housing, and please invite your friends to check out this Facebook page too.
Some great reading for supporters of the “Living in Place” movement
(in case you are looking for something to do )
1. Doing Democracy: The MAP model…” by Bill Moyer
This book is in the Toronto library.
You don’t need to read the entire book, if you are short of time. The first half is the important part. He describes the 8 stages of any movement. “Living in Place” is just at stage 2. we have a long way to go. But we can speed it up. However, we must avoid discouragement. Great wisdom & strategy.
2. “This is an Uprising” by Mark Engler & Paul Engler
A new book. Paperback. Toronto library has 4 copies and there are no holds right now.
Analysis of non-violent strategy. Excellent as supplement to the other book, & quotes Bill Moyer.
Read them to glean lots of great ideas for our campaign.
Housing announcement for all OWN members — see our Housing Pages
Click on the link here or select from the Menu at the top of the page.
DEAR MEMBERS
OWN has been a unique voice for mid-life and older women for 31 years. We look back with satisfaction on an amazing journey while looking forward to supporting women’s greater representation on power and decision making bodies at all levels of government. Please continue to support us in our vital work together by:
- Renewing your membership at only $50 per year
- Making a donation to Anam Cara, which honours women who have made a difference in the lives of others
- Considering a donation to the Joan Campbell Housing Fund
Be proud of your membership, and renew NOW. If you are not a member, consider becoming one by going to our Membership page and apply to become one.
Thank You!
OWN Membership Committee
ONGOING:
Check Events at the Native Women’s Resource Center here:
http://www.nwrct.ca/events/index.php
Ontario Health Coalition News and Events:
http://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/
Canadian Voice of Women for Peace:
http://vowpeace.org/event/
Church of the Redeemer:
http://www.theredeemer.ca/Page/NewToRedeemer.html
OWN Special Interest Groups Meetings
Please click on the link for more info on each.
Social Link: First Saturday of every month, at the OWN office, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
La Vie en Rose French group: Fourth Thursday of every month, at the OWN office, 1:30 pm.
Book Discussion Groups: Two are held at branches of the Toronto Public Library, and one at the OWN office; groups meet once a month. Each group decides on format, book selection and time of meeting.
In My Own Voice: The writers’ group meets every first Tuesday of the month from 2 to 4 pm at the OWN office.
Library Events
Tea and Books : At the Mount Pleasant Library, and various other libraries in the GTA area, usually at 2:00pm, once a month, please check with the individual libraries.
Workshops for Low Income Retirement – At various library branches, see the flyer for more information, location, dates and time of the workshop.
The workshop is geared to 55 – 64 years old individuals, but will benefit anyone who will rely mainly upon income security programs in their senior years. There are 9 workshops taking place in Toronto Public Library branches in Spring 2017. The goal of this workshop is to provide low-income attendees, in plain language, with a complete picture of benefits available to them, explain how these benefits interact, and outline best strategies for long term retirement planning on a very limited income. John Stapleton, Metcalf Foundation Fellow and social policy expert, is the presenter.
The impact of the series cannot be overstated. Mainstream financial advice is in most cases, inappropriate and detrimental to low-income earners. For example, advising a low-income person to save within an RRSP, can be very bad advice as it reduces their Guaranteed Income Supplement. Simply put, this information is not readily available elsewhere, and fills a real need.
Events at Toronto’s First Post Office
Toronto’s first post office has all kinds of events coming up. Check the link below to see upcoming activities: http://www.townofyork.com/events.html
Seniors on the Road – TVO
Anyone interested can view it here, it is about 30 min long:
http://tvo.org/video/programs/the-agenda-with-steve-paikin/seniors-on-the-road?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=theagenda
Electronics Waste Drop-off
Non-profit Free Geek Toronto wants your laptops, desktops and other electronic waste (no more than 5 years old) to refurbish and resell at affordable prices. Their mission is to promote social and economic justice by reducing e-waste and increasing access to technology. www.freegeektoronto.org
