Scenic photography by Mark Galer (2015)

KWIC July Newsletter

Dear KWIC members and friends,

As July brings us a warm welcome of seasonal change, we find ourselves embracing the mirror of transitions heading into summer. Teachers, students and parents wrapped up the school year last week, and Peterborough businesses and activities prepare to reopen after Covid19 closures. Emergency measures are slowly lifting, families are beginning to gather again, and folks are able to see each other for the first time in many months.

In the practice of physical distancing, our community continues to ask critical questions about working toward a just recovery post-Covid19 focusing on the intersections and interconnections of racial, environmental, and healing justice. Many are asking about the direction of economic transitions as we look at regenerative economic solutions that might be equitable for local communities and can accommodate natural diversities. Momentum is gaining in response to the ever-shifting social climate, yet while there is no concrete solution for it all, we are collectively emerging from this experience with an appreciation for the unique opportunity that physical-distancing and shelter-in-place offers us.

In this month’s newsletter, you will find the latest KWIC news and updates as our team welcomes new team members and prepares for programs in the upcoming school year, along with a curation of meaningful resources and events that allow us to stay connected and engaged.

Although these past months have been challenging for all of us in many different ways, our unique experiences are unified in that we are still very much part of community. Whether we are able to participate in post-Covid19 transitions or not, we are truly in this together. So as we continue to do the good work to recover from these challenging times, in right relations with one another and with the land, our hope is that we might consider the theme of leaving no one behind as we stand together in a supportive community, trusting in the hope for what's to come.

Be well & take care

- a message from Czarina Garcia, KWIC Communications

KWIC Updates

Welcoming New KWIC Staff

We are excited to welcome Margaret Zou, thanks to the federally funded Canada Summer Jobs program. Margaret joins us as KWIC Liaison and Program Facilitator this summer and will be supporting the research and development of some exciting new projects at KWIC.

Margaret Zou (she/her) is working at KWIC as a Program Facilitator this summer and is passionate about engaging youth and students in the wider community. Her interests include climate change, food security and health. Prior to joining KWIC, Margaret worked at several NGOs in both US and Canada. She holds an MSc in Environmental Management from the University of Liverpool and an MSc in Public Health specializing in Environmental Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In her spare time, Margaret enjoys travelling and exploring new places.

TEACH Outside the Box Social Justice Certificate Program
REGISTRATION OPEN

Are you interested in social justice education? Are you a community educator or student who wants to learn more about anti-oppressive education?

TEACH Outside the Box Social Justice Certificate Program is a unique opportunity to participate in a series of interactive workshops to explore critical education theories from various perspectives (anti-oppressive, Indigenous, anti-racist, popular education), different ways to teach (in and outside of the classroom) and how to implement them in the community or the classroom. The certificate will include practical applications of social justice education that will relate to your specific field of work based on the material shared in each month's workshop. Topics include Indigenous education, anti-racism, accessibility, gender and sexuality, privilege, and poverty. Workshops will be held through remote learning platforms from October to March, but will be experiential and focused on community building.

Register now at www.teachpeterborough.ca to reserve your spot in our program! Space is limited and registration closes in September. Feel free to reach out to teachpeterborough@gmail.ca with any questions!

KWIC Reads Bear Town and Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
Recommendations from By the Books, Peterborough

This month, KWIC Reads Bear Town and Us Against You by Fredrik Backman, offered from By the Books, a local second hand bookstore in Peterborough.

The books tell a story about a community, and in particular how that community is divided and then comes back together after a horrendous trauma. Backman understands that people and the decisions they make are not as transparent as they might first appear. He writes about how empathy, and understanding can grow and supplant prejudice and tribalism. These books run the gamut of sexual assault, racism, homophobia and gender issues, but the way they are woven through the plot highlights the development of understanding in characters and community. Startling at times was the realization that this town could be/might be Peterborough/Nogojiwanong.

Local Feature: By the Books on 384 Water Street

By the Books is a carefully curated second-hand book store, located adjacent to By the Bridge restaurant at 384 Water st. The focus areas of content are books by authors from different countries, recent award-winning books, and books by and about communities that do not have the profile in most used bookstores that they deserve. As well the bookstore has a high-quality collection of mysteries, classics, and young adult and children's books.
Follow us on instagram #bythebooks.ptbo or email at bythebooks.ptbo@gmail.com
Home delivery in Peterborough is available, often the same day.

Community Events & Resources
Peterborough Area

Farmer’s Markets
Every Wednesday 8:30am-1pm @ The Courtyard at Peterborough Square
https://ptbodowntownmarket.com/

Trent Talks Series
Every Wednesday @ 12pm
https://mycommunity.trentu.ca/trenttalks

PTBO Is My Home - Virtual Canada Day Celebration hosted by New Canadians Centre
Wednesday, July 1
https://nccpeterborough.ca/ptboismyhome/

Company Town Installation at Artspace - Public Energy
Gallery Installation: July 13 to July 19
Online Installation: Live on Monday, July 13
https://companytown.ca/

Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough (CRRC)
Community-based race relations resources and events in Peterborough
https://racerelationspeterborough.org/

"Peterborough-Kawartha MP asked to take action on national MMIWG report" - Global News
Click here

Social Justice Events & Resources

Planetary Health Week: Webinar Series on Climate Change and Disasters - London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 3
https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/events/climate-change-and-disasters

"What is the role of white CJTO members in anti-racism?" - Climate Justice Toronto - The Action Network
Thursday, July 2@ 6pm-9pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/694721021375268/

Integrating a Gender Lens in HR Policies and Pratices - CanWaCH Webinar
Wednesday, July 8 @ 1pm-2pm
https://www.canwach.ca/learning-centre

Radical Ethics and Black Lives Matter - Centre for Ethics, University of Toronto
Monday, July 13 @ 3pm-3:30pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/2863802947082261/

Reconciliation Canada
Indigenous-led resources & events engaging Canadians in reconciliation dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize relations with Indigenous communities
https://reconciliationcanada.ca/

RITES for African-Canadian Youth - Central Toronto Youth Services
https://ctys.org/program/groups/rites-for-african-canadian-youth/

The Community Healing Project (CHP) - Toronto
Resource for mental health literacy with youth vulnerable to violence and crime
Multiple Events and Dates
https://www.instagram.com/thecommunityhealingproject/?hl=en

Akin Collective
Toronto-based resources to support BIPOC Communities
https://www.akincollective.com/

Racial Equity Tools
https://www.racialequitytools.org/home

Community Event Calendar
Click here to open the July Calendar Page

The KWIC Community Social Justice Calendar is a free, shared community resource. Community members are encouraged to use the calendar to browse upcoming events in the Nogojiwanong/Peterborough area, and to submit upcoming events to share with the community. For more information on event submissions, please contact communications@kwic.info

EVENTS UPDATE DUE TO COVID19
Due to the overwhelming shift from physical gatherings and events onto digital, online platforms, KWIC continues to support community partners by sharing online events, webinars, community Zoom meetings, etc. on our online community calendar.
Thank you.

GIVE TODAY

Are you interested in supporting KWIC?
There are many ways to get involved and to show support!

Volunteering:
KWIC is recruiting volunteers to help out with activities,
events, workshops and programs.

Engagement and Partnership:
KWIC welcomes community partnerships with like-minded
organizations, advocates and professionals.

Donations:
KWIC is accepting donations to further support the work
we do as a registered charity! Every dollar goes a long way.

Thank You!

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