Across Newsletter March 2022

MARCH 2022 ISSUE

Across U-hub TOGETHER WE CARRY ON

Contents Message from Executive Director - 01 Music is both Personal and Social - 02

Message from Executive Director Since March 2020, Canada has enacted stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and closing businesses and schools. The cancellation or restriction of in-person events has put enormous pressure on all organizations. This problem is especially acute for Across U-hub because we rely heavily on in-person social engagement for development, advocacy, convening, volunteering, and service delivery.

I am grateful for the uncompromising dedication of our team to protecting Across’ mission at all costs. Despite the myriad challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our team’s passion and enthusiasm has been, and continues to be, critical to continuing the work of Across U-hub. Our team has made many sacrifices, including: maintaining a flexible perspective, adjusting programming; and, optimizing resources to maintain operations and pursue our mission in the face of unanticipated changes.

COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on all non-profits, and Across U-Hub is no exception. As we emerge on the other side of COVID-19, we are deeply thankful for your continued and generous financial support of our mission.

Messages such as: "You know your ministry better than we do, and use the money you need to help you through this difficult time", uplift us, and remind us of how grateful we are of your trust in our abilities to change lives for the youth community.

Nicole Wong

Message from Executive Director con't The Summer of 2022 is just around the corner, and updated provincial health guidelines indicate that the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel is near. After nearly two years, Across U-hub is preparing for gradually reopening our spaces for in-person gatherings and program delivery.

Starting in April, we will be hosting regular in-person events for small groups at Across U-hub, as well as outdoor events for larger groups. We are excited to connect with you again.

Please visit our website at www.acrosshub.com for more details, and we look forward to get “TOGETHER” soon!

Music is both Personal and Social “87% said that music provided enjoyment and happiness during the pandemic” Engaging with Music, 2021

What kind of music do you enjoy? When do you listen to it?

A study of music engagement was conducted in 2021, and it shows how the pandemic has impacted people’s listening habit. Over the last two years, many people spent more time listening to music, and they listened to more types of music.

Music is like a companion. Sometimes we seek out specific songs for its rhythm, melody, lyrics or the voice of a singer. Sometimes they are simply nearby while we do house chores or drive to work. Consciously and unconsciously, they become part of our life, marking our time and experience. Music is very personal.

Music has the power to move our emotions, providing important emotional release; sometimes, buried emotions of which we are not aware. In the privacy of our room, our headphones, we can sing, weep, scream or simply let time freeze while our mind wander.

Samson Wong

Music is both Personal and Social

con't

But music is also very social.

Together we sing, attend concerts and play music. They mark the times that we spend with people in a café with certain background music, or when we attended an event at a concert hall, a church, or paused with a friend upon encountering TTC performers.

Both personal and social time with music are good for us, but the pandemic has taken away much of the social experience.

Starting in April, Across U-hub will be hosting various music related activities, to bring back the social side of music. There will be open-mic events, music making workshops, and trip downtowns to hear live music.

If the work of Across U-hub has touched you in any way, please consider supporting us through donations. Your financial support will allow us to do more in supporting our youths.