The Drive magazine // Fall 2020 // Issue 131

The

DRIVE

ISSUE 131

DIVERSITY ARE WE THERE YET?

LIFESTYLE | CULTURE | PEOPLE | TRENDS

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The

THE HEART OF YOUR HOME

DRIVE

PAUL ST-PIERRE

Publisher

KEN STEWART

Managing director

BREANNE MCGINTY

Sales

SABINE MAIN

Editorial and creative director

SHAWNA BEECROFT

Graphic designer

CONTRIBUTORS JEN HALE

Copy editor

SYX LANGEMANN

Lead photographer

DEVON PASTORIOUS

Photographer

ANTHONY SHEARDOWN

Photographer

ALLEY L. BINIARZ

Writer

JEN BRIGNALL-STRONG

Writer

IRENE MOORE DAVIS

Writer

LINA DIMOPOULOS

Writer

CHRIS EDWARDS

Writer

MADELINE MASTRONARDI Writer (student contest) KATRINA MANZOCCO

Writer

DEVAN MIGHTON

Writer

KIM PALLOZZI

Writer

The

DRIVE

On the cover:

ISSUE 131

DIVERSITY

What does Windsor’s diversity matrix look like?

We unpack inclusivity and diversity in the workplace and answer the question: are we there yet?

ARE WE THERE YET?

LIFESTYLE | CULTURE | PEOPLE | TRENDS

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4

CONTENTS

34 DIVERSITY DRIVE Overdue conversations on Diversity and Inclusion in Windsor-Essex.

Are we there yet?

ISSUE 131: FALL 2020 LOCAL DRIVE 9 Around Town TREND DRIVE 10 Dare to cut your own hair?

12 Dating in the time of Covid-19 BUSINESS DRIVE 18 Business forecast post Covid-19 20 Local businesses evolve during the pandemic LOCAL DRIVE 25 Organizations making an impact during Covid-19 MENTAL HEALTH DRIVE 28 Coping during Covid-19 HOME DRIVE 44 Fall décor trends: one piece, three ways 47 Extend your winter months with firescapes STUDENT DRIVE 48 Libro Financial contest: Madeline Mastronardi 50 What will education look like post Covid-19?

HISTORY DRIVE 56 Windsor: before and after INVENTION DRIVE 58 Hawaiian Pizza: who knew?

32 DIVERSITY DRIVE A brief glimpse into the hidden history of Windsor’s street names THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

5

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WHEN STORIES BECOME Diversity and inclusion have been buzzwords for so long, yet sadly they remain something we’re striving for but haven’t achieved, reminding us how far we are from the ideal.

The ongoing Black Lives Matter protests are commanding all of us to put the history of the institutions we work for under scrutiny.

I don’t believe that any of us have all the right answers, nor have we come close to solving this problem. But I do believe that we’re starting to ask the right questions and be accepting of the answers with more of an open mind.

One person’s story is another person’s inspiration.

That’s the basis behind this issue. We raised your silenced voices to inspire each other through stories.

We asked some of the people in our community who are most knowledgeable about race issues to talk to us about diversity in Windsor.

Irene Davis Moore, an author with family roots in Windsor since the mid-nineteenth century and the president of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, takes us on a journey to ask the tough questions and identify what the Windsor diversity matrix truly looks like. Are employers ready to move to diversity and inclusion?

There are some great pieces in this issue that point us in the right direction.

Let me know what you think or how you think we can improve, and as always, thank you for partnering with us, especially during the last few challenging months.

We couldn’t have done it without you.

Sabine Main, Editorial + Creative Director

6

INSPIRATION

FACTORY HOUSE

WELCOMES VITO & MICHELLE MAGGIO

The Maggio’s are the new owners of The Factory House and proud to welcome it to their family of well know and exceptional restaurants.

To Mona and the Kobrosli family: Thank you so much for choosing us as your successors, we are blessed to be presented with this opportunity. You have built a truly solid business offering great dining experiences and a place for families to create memories. We look forward to carrying on this legacy.

To all of our customers: Thank You for staying with us through the transition and as we proceed through Covid. We cannot do this without you and are looking forward to enhancing your experience here at The Factory House.

-Vito and Michelle

519.915.8224

5240 Tecumseh Rd. E.

PART of our

FAMILY

www.factoryhouse.ca

LET’S GET

AROUND

LOCAL DRIVE

TOWN

Welcome to our custom content page meant to highlight unique news from the Windsor-Essex region

ESTETICA The new owners of Estetica, Nicole Dell and Allison Depooter are pleased to announce that Dr. Peter Bray has joined the Estetica team. Dr. Bray is a certified member of the Royal College of Surgeons specializing in the area of plastic surgery. He has become one of the most sought-after providers, known for his enhancement and contour techniques. Contact 519.727.1010 or email drpeterbraymedspa@estetica.com

TRANSITION TO BETTERNESS T2B is excited to present The Ride to Survive 2020, taking place on September 19th and 20th. Participants will put the pedal to the asphalt across the county while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

In true T2B fashion, there will be several stops along the way for cyclists to pause and enjoy lite bites and delicious refreshments supported by so many local establishments. For more details and to register visit: www.t2b.ca

BACKPACKS FOR SUCCESS The 2020 Backpacks for Success Program donated over 1,500 backpacks to be handed out to families with school aged children in West Windsor, Downtown Windsor and Leamington.

Backpacks for Success equips students fro K-Grade 12 with free school supply materials to help them be successful. If you'd like to donate to the Backpacks for Success Program, contact Lynn Ridgewell at 226.345.7293 or info@weareunited.com

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

9

DRIVE

LOCKS IN LOCKDOWN Home Hair Trends During COVID-19

By Alley L. Biniarz

10

TREND DRIVE COVID-19 brought a lot of hardship, but one positive outcome was that it brought some much-needed time spent together. Families were getting through the months of quarantine by bonding over cooking, arts, and as time went by, haircuts.

So, we asked Windsorites: who was brave enough to have their hair cut by family members and who got nominated to do the cutting? Some winged it, some took a professional approach, but everyone had a fun story about these little experiments.

Going Grey: Prior to the pandemic, you would rarely see people embracing their grey locks. As soon as fewer people were looking their way, they didn’t mind a little grey, and for some people it stuck beyond quarantine.

Michelle Carlini-Santin says she used to fear her grey because she didn’t want people to think of her as old but now, “I’m really liking the salt and pepper look as it takes over my hair. However, I do have a box of colour…just in case.”

YouTube and At-Home Courses: Home cutters really got down to business and were thankful to YouTube and the internet for guides to get creative with their haircuts.

Lindsay Longprey found the “Haircuts at Home: Gentleman’s Haircut” class and says it worked great. “I think I’ll continue cutting my husband’s hair, but my son wants nothing to do with me as a hairdresser.” Lindsay also tried to emulate what her hairdresser does for her girls, which wasn’t perfect but also wasn’t a disaster. Pictured here are Xavier and Evangeline, as Lindsay says her youngest daughter Chloe—who also got a home haircut—wouldn’t have her picture taken because she was upset.

Toto, before and after THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

Brian, before and after

“She wailed and wailed: ‘I asked you to cut off partners gave up or were afraid to experiment, ALL OF MY BANGS.’” Apparently you can’t but there were also some impressive self-cuts. win them all.

Katie Yeomens tried to cut her partner Brian’s hair but got so stressed out that she bailed and Doggy-dos: Dog haircuts are not for the left him to finish it. “He ended up doing such faint of heart, and brave souls like my mother a great job. I was proud and impressed,” Katie went for it. She wanted to give our pup Toto says. Brian says he used a clipper with a trim a cleanup for the summer and it took her four guard for the top so it wouldn’t get too short hours. She held him between her legs and and used the clippers right down to the scalp used the scissors and clippers, and he was not for the sides. “But I’m happy to give my barber having it. It wound up looking a little choppy, money now to make me pretty,” he adds. but overall wasn’t a bad cut…until it grew back COVID cuts were a great way to feel in framing his face like a ’90s surfer-boy cut. It’s control when everything was so uncertain, and safe to say we took him back to a professional even though some say they’ll continue cutting after that one. at home, others say there are some things—like The “I give up” full shave: Many men haircuts—that are worth paying a professional ended up with the full shave look after their to do. D

Xavier and Evangeline

11

DATING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

TREND DRIVE

Here’s how some of us have been getting a little closer in the time of social distancing

By Katrina Manzocco

Stay-at-home orders don’t exactly make it easy to meet people.

The pandemic that’s shaken our gym routines, social calendars, and our lives in general certainly hasn’t been mindful of how isolation might harm our dating prospects.

Given the measures we’ve all taken to avoid exposure to COVID-19 (read: drive-by birthday celebrations, window-separated visits with grandparents, and delivery drivers dropping their pizzas and fleeing the scene), the notion of new intimacy has become hard to grasp.

But in the sage words of Jurassic Park, “life finds a way”—not even a pandemic could keep us apart. Despite the social distance between us, people haven’t really given up on dating—much like all other things in the time of COVID-19, it now just looks a little bit different than it used to.

To learn just how different this looks, I spoke to people from across Canada about what it’s like to date during COVID-19.

Is it harder or easier to find someone now than it was before?

That all depends on who you ask.

“I think it’s harder. Everyone has been isolated for so long that they meet someone new and no one knows how to act. When meeting someone new, I’ve noticed that people would bring their pandemic self,” says James Johnson, a gay Torontonian. “There’s a lot happening and a lot of uncertainty, so everyone’s brain seems to be in overdrive to process it all, myself included.”

In contrast, Fez Hussain in Edmonton feels as though the pandemic has helped his prospects. “Are you kidding? I’ve had more matches on the dating platforms I use than ever before. Nobody else has had anything to do in lockdown, so there’s been way more traffic than usual, and people are much more willing to chat, even if they don’t live in the area,” he says.

“People’s willingness to connect with someone farther away from them has THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

definitely increased now that nobody is had two virtual dates, and both included me worrying about physical proximity.” ordering myself and my date food through Not having anything to do in lockdown, UberEats and having a distanced dinner over however, doesn’t exactly make for great conver- FaceTime. We set up the call and chatted while sation, according to Rebecca Cole in Calgary. we ate—it was really cute,” he laughs.

“Despite the fact that so many of us are on “So if anything, it’s easier than a typical dating apps and there’s lots of people to meet,” date... you don’t need to worry about travel, she says, “I find it harder to find people inter- including parking, or having to drive home if esting during COVID because no one is doing you’ve had a few drinks.” anything worth talking about.”

Understandably, not everybody is thrilled about the shift to remote romance.

Have you seen anyone in-person since the “I am Zoomed-out so no more virtual pandemic started? How did you approach the dates,” says Johnson. “I felt like I was interissue of safety? acting with my computer instead of the actual The pandemic gives new meaning to the person I’m speaking to, and it’s too easy to miss out on little behavioural cues, which just question of ‘are you seeing anyone else?’ makes it hard to read the person. Distancing “Yes, I would still see people but from six is awkward when you’re trying to get to know feet apart. I’ve been up-front and honest about someone.” my need for safety like I am about anything surrounding my health and wellness,” says Johnson. “Someone who it might not work Is this pandemic going to change dating out with just isn’t worth risking COVID-19 permanently? and potentially spreading it. It may force that It’s hard to say whether virtual dating is awkward conversation to happen a bit sooner here to stay, but it certainly has made some than anyone is ready for, but if it’s meant to of us more aware of the subtleties of physical be, it will be.” nearness when we get to know someone However, not everybody has the same romantically. feelings about the necessity of distanced “I feel like many people are still worried dates—Cole shares that her own dating life hasn’t necessarily changed as a result of about COVID, which is keeping us away COVID-19—a surprise given who she’s gone from making that true in-person connection.

One can talk over the internet or in Zoom on dates with.

“I had been seeing the same two people meetings, but in-person is where it’s at,” shares casually since before the pandemic started. Windsor’s Greg Lemay. “I feel like dating for Coincidentally, they’re both first responders the most part has been put on hold, which [firefighters], and neither seemed concerned has caused folks to become lonely and has about needing to socially distance. As well, impacted their lives in a negative way.” neither have asked who else I’m seeing; the For some, however, COVID-19 has led to issue really hasn’t come up at all!” lasting relationships, despite the challenges brought on by the virus. Cole shares that she has encountered this firsthand in her own Have you gone on any video dates? What social circle. “My friend went on a bunch has that been like? of virtual dates with this guy that she met Could FaceTime or Skype really replicate during stay-at-home orders, and then went on the experience of an in-person meet-up? The a socially distanced walk and now they are jury is out. living together…all since April. To say the past Hussain is all-in on e-dates, and for good months have been weird is an understatement.” reason. “Personally, it’s been great for me. I’ve A pandemic love story if there ever was one. D 13

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Smile

“

LET’S

I’m not afraid to smile now.

I’m not covering my mouth with my hands anymore!

TOGETHER AGAIN

”

Patient at The Denture Center

Lisa before

Lisa after

Over the past ten years, Lisa lost several teeth, and shortly after, her smile. Following a series of personal traumas that took an understandable toll on her mental health, Lisa found herself afraid to smile in public as her failing dentition worsened.

“The last decade has been a really awful time,” says Lisa, who now credits denturist Eric Kukucka, owner of The Denture Center with giving her a new lease on life.

When Lisa decided to make some changes and seek dental treatment, she considered leaving the country for cut-price denture work.

An in-office consultation at The Denture Center changed her mind. Eric walked Lisa through a series of sophisticated “before-andafter” renderings using state-of-the-art Smile Design technology. Eric was the first denturist in North America to trial and test this technology, which allows denturists to share an accurate visual representation of what a new prosthetic rehabilitation will look like, before treatment.

“When Eric showed me my teeth on the computer screen, it was so amazing that I couldn't believe it,” Lisa recalls. Lisa was treated with upper and lower immediate digital dentures. Dr. Storey extracted all of Lisa's remaining teeth and her new denture was inserted on the day of surgery. “The procedure was nothing like I thought it was going to be,” says Lisa, who admits being nervous and skeptical. “I had no pain, no swelling, and now my new teeth feel like they’re mine.”

Today, Lisa is hardly recognizable. The changes in her appearance and mood have been extraordinary. She smiles confidently, free of worry and judgment. “I want to thank The Denture Center because they really did change my life,” she shares. “I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’m not afraid to smile now. I’m not covering my mouth with my hands anymore! I’m so happy that I put my faith in Eric and his team.”

A MESSAGE FROM THE DENTURE CENTER TEAM As we reflect on the work we have done and the lives we have transformed, we are truly honoured to have earned your trust. We look forward to continue serving you. From our families to yours, stay safe, and see you soon!

thedenturecenter.ca Crafting your smile 17

Windsor: 2601 Lauzon Parkway 519.969.6316 Leamington: 33 Princess St. Suite 320 519.326.7391 Oakville: 2892 South Sheridan Way 905.829.1033

BUSINESS 18

FORE We asked the experts on investing during Covid-19

MOE MAILLOUX Kevin M King, EPC What changes did insurance investments experience during Covid-19?

Covid-19 did not affect existing values on life insurance investments. There will be no money taken from an existing policy’s cash value because of a pandemic event. The permanent cash that was declared is fixed and guaranteed based on anniversary and purchase dates and dividend produced.

long-term goals. Insurance and insured products can help protect during these uncertain times. Segregated funds are a perfect example: they are a mutual fund with a death benefit insurance guarantee on them. This allows a client to assess some risk on their investment but also will address the concern about loved ones and offer a 100 percent death benefit guarantee.

Here’s an example of how this works: Your parents have a portfolio accumulated over the years. Heaven forbid, an untimely The only potential effect will be on any passing occurs during a market correction future growth and the dividend produced period like a pandemic. The value of their due to the actual internal rate of return. It account may have decreased by 30 to 40 is strongly advised to consult your firm to percent. By using a segregated account, the know this impact for the near future.

We treat these plans as a conservative part of value would be paid out by way of a death anyone’s portfolio and they are still a definite benefit at 100 percent of its value, which is a definite benefit to their heirs. advantage for anyone looking to provide We believe it’s our obligation to help our value and stability to their financial future. clients make educated decisions with their money, especially in times like these.

What is the market forecast over the next six months?

What advice can you share with locals?

Despite being in uncharted waters, we look at where and how we can forecast the near future. We use our experiences of the past to gauge but cannot solidly predict the future.

We meet with clients to revisit risk tolerance and ensure their portfolio match. At MM Financial Services Inc., it’s not the speed toward the goal, but the direction forward.

Our vast product base has a unique advantage of not just selling a fund or stock to a client—we want to meet both your short- and

Our approach has always been to take care of our clients’ needs, ask questions, and provide value-added service. We have a boutique of investments and insurance products that can help individuals with their specific needs. At MM Financial Services Inc. you are treated like family. You should always look for the same from your institution and ensure they have your goals in mind.

Contact: kking@momayu.com

CAST CAN-AM BULLION & CURRENCY EXCHANGE

BUSINESS DRIVE

Michael Piccioni, President What changes did precious metals and gold experience during COVID-19?

There were significant changes in the precious metals market after the pandemic was announced. The demand for gold has exploded due to the economic uncertainty that resulted from COVID-19. The increased demand resulted in huge supply issues, leading to an increase in the price of gold by 20 percent since March, while silver is up close to 50 percent.

What is your market’s forecast for the next six months?

Due to the recent job losses and business closures and uncertainty in the overall economy, we expect gold to continue to rise at a fairly rapid pace over the next six months to a year. We are seeing many investors turning to the shiny metal over the past few months because they are scared that their investments are at risk due to the economic uncertainty in the world. We expect the price of gold to rise above $2,000 US within six months and will likely test $2,500 US an ounce within a year.

What advice can you share with locals?

I would strongly advise that investors take this time to re-examine their portfolio and begin to look at ways to hedge their portfolio’s risk. Precious metals have always been the best way to hedge a portfolio when facing economic risk and uncertainty. Gold has 5,000 years of history on its side and will always be looked at as a safe haven asset.

Contact: michael@canamcurrency.com

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

D

19

Perfetto Bistro

A NEW DIRECTION Local Businesses Evolve and Emerge During Pandemic

By Jennifer Brignall-Strong

After COVID-19 restrictions shuttered shops, restaurants, and all non-essential businesses virtually overnight, many were left wondering “what’s next?”

As lockdown measures were eased, business owners scrambled to come up with new safety protocols, secure PPE, and in some cases, were forced to find a new way of doing business altogether.

Amid the chaos, however, an opportunity to pivot emerged. For some local entrepreneurs, it meant quickly adapting to an online platform. For others, it became a chance to explore new ventures that could help the community during an uncertain time.

20

BUSINESS DRIVE “Local Amazon” Helps Brick-and-Mortar “It was a difficult decision. We were still Shops Go Digital—ShopMyTown.ca doing takeout and had not planned on moving When businesses were forced to close to until the end of summer,” explains daughter curb the spread of Covid-19, the team at Splice Loren Mastracci. “We wanted to properly say Digital saw an opportunity to help small brick- goodbye to our customers in Pillette Village.” and-mortar shops move their offerings to an online platform.

“With the uncertainty of the economy, we tried to think of something we could do as a software solutions company to help our local community,” says Christine Ricker, operations manager for Splice Digital.

The Windsor tech company quickly went to work designing a new website, ShopMyTown.ca; a community-based e-commerce marketplace where local businesses could sell their offerings in one centralized location without having to make a large, upfront investment.

ShopMyTown.ca features over 30 local vendors from across Windsor-Essex, with more being added weekly. From arts and crafts to food and beverage, fashion, and wellness products, the site is a one-stop shop for a diverse array of items from all across the region.

“Customers can purchase from multiple local stores and have it all in one shopping cart,” explains Ricker. “It’s really convenient and allows people to support multiple businesses at once.”

In addition to offering scheduled cleanings performed by their technicians, Go Fog It Windsor also sells smaller versions of their With limited resources, no professional fogger machines to companies like fitness contractors, and no care options for their son studios and other small businesses hit hard Giordano, their journey was wrought with by COVID-19 closures. setbacks. Building materials were hard to “We wanted to have a cost-effective come by. A shipment of supplies from Italy solution for people to help them get back to was delayed. To make matters worse, the work,” says Devine. family patriarch and head chef Giampiero fell six feet from a ladder during the renovations, breaking his wrist.

Takeout, Taking On, and Taking Care— The Maggios “The incident taught us to pace ourselves,” says Loren.

For restaurateurs Vito and Michelle Maggio, the first month of the pandemic was With help from close friends and family, a dizzying blur—adapting their three dine-in the gruelling project was finally completed by restaurants to a “takeout only” model while mid-summer. simultaneously taking on an all-new venture.

The new bistro is a unique space that “We really had to restructure our entire reflects the family and the kindheartedness of the Windsor community. After being closed business model,” explains Michelle Maggio. “It for four months, Perfetto Bistro has now was quite a process for our whole team, but we reopened at its new location on 3850 Dougall adjusted quickly.”

Avenue.

With the support of their suppliers, the owners of Vito’s, Kildare House, and Ortona Café began featuring daily takeout specials— A Clean, Green Spraying Machine—Go family-style servings of some of their most Fog It Windsor popular menu items—offering value to the As word of the novel coronavirus began community during a financially challenging circulating early in the year, three business time. partners were exploring a new venture that They also strived to showcase local would enable businesses to easily disinfect retailers, selling pantry staples from Borrelli their high-traffic areas.

Gourmet Foods, as well as a selection of Essex

As an added boost to the community, a portion of every sale is donated to three local charities: Transition to Betterness, In Honour Beau Dubois, Scott Woodall, and Kyle of the Ones We Love, and Windsor-Essex Devine had been watching a new LondonRespite Services. based company, Go Fog It, with great interest “I think this is something that’s fantastic and quickly became their first franchise for Windsor and Essex County,” says Ricker. licensee.

“To have residents supporting businesses, “We had been following the brand for a and businesses and residents both supporting few weeks and wanted to connect with them,” charity—it’s positive all around.” explains Devine. “We really liked what they were doing.”

Perfetto Bistro Reopens during ImperThe new business specializes in spraying or fect Time “fogging” indoor areas with a sanitizing mist When signing a lease on a new location in early March, the owners of Perfetto Bistro had no idea the struggles they would face trying to reopen amid a worldwide pandemic.

At the onset of COVID-19, Giampiero Mastracci and Ivana Perfetto decided to temporarily close their family-run Italian restaurant on Wyandotte Street East and focus on renovating their new South Windsor space.

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

partnered with local real estate teams to disinfect properties between open houses.

County beer and wine.

Adding to their plate, the Maggios had purchased Factory House restaurant just as COVID-19 hit North America. Despite the initial uncertainty of the pandemic, they were excited to welcome the new addition to the family.

“We have some big shoes to fill,” says Maggio. “The previous owner did such a wonderful job. We’re very excited to continue on with the same staff and same recipes that that settles onto surfaces and cracks that can’t make it such a great place.” be reached with other cleaning methods. The Despite the challenges that lie ahead for all-natural, botanical spray kills 99.99 percent the hospitality industry, the duo remains of contaminants and allergens and eliminates hopeful for the future. odours.

“My husband Vito really had a gut feeling From agricultural facilities to bars, bowling to persevere through this,” says Maggio. “We alleys, and daycares, the Go Fog It team has don’t know what tomorrow brings but we worked with businesses across Windsor, Essex look forward to keeping our staff healthy and County, and Chatham-Kent. They’ve even moving forward to the next stage.” D 21

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LOCAL DRIVE

A TIME OF DIFFICULTY IS A TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

COVID-19 is quite the paradox. Its dangerous journey is covert yet revealing; silent yet piercing. It secretly attacks individuals without warning yet boldly exposes society’s injustices. It forces people to be isolated and excluded yet has united communities to step up and take action to help one another.

With the remains of this upheaval, a solid foundation for positive change has emerged. Here are five local organizations that have accepted the challenge head-on to help those in need.

By Kim Pallozzi

Justice for Migrant Farm Workers (J4MW) is a national organization with a strong presence in the Windsor/Essex region.

Recently during the month of June, the group organized a caravan and a walk to protest the mistreatment of vulnerable migrant workers in the agri-farm sector. Victims of harassment, lack of decent housing, and denial of necessary tools and resources to prevent and combat COVID-19 are just some of the injustices that migrant workers must endure at the expense of providing fresh Ontario produce. J4MW has been fighting for their dignity and right to fair working conditions in a system that has been marred long before COVID-19. For more information on how to help this cause, please visit harvestingfreedom.org.

Visit facebook.com/essexcountymutu- for over four decades. Their commitment alaid to find out more details on how to volun- to supporting the comfort and well-being teer or how to access their services. of patients and their families has never Windsor Regional Hospital Founda- wavered, especially throughout the pandemtion has established a COVID-19 Assistance ic’s instability. To contribute online monetary Fund that accepts three different donations donations, please visit their website at www. of choice. The first is a monetary contri- thehospice.ca/donation-6/hospice-covid-19bution to assist with purchasing personal response-fund/donate.

protective equipment (PPE) and other support needs for hospital staff members.

The second is to help provide actual PPE— products such as hand disinfectant, nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and handmade masks are just some items on their wish list. Lastly, donations of food are welcome to assist those facing meal shortages in the community.

Please visit wrh.on.ca/COVID19AssistanceEssex County Mutual Aid is a volun- Fund for further details. teer-based group that offers help to the at-risk The Hospice of Windsor and Essex with various services, including grocery store and pharmacy shopping and home delivery, County has launched a COVID Response childcare assistance, and home check-ins. The Fund to help frontline workers and patients group also has a Greenhouse task force to help receive the supplies and equipment that are provide much-needed services and resources to currently in demand. The Hospice of Windsor and Essex has been a pillar of the community migrant workers in the community.

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

The United Way Centraide WindsorEssex and their Covid-19 Emergency Response Initiative is looking for monetary donations or grocery gift cards. Also, they ask for help from volunteers to sign up for various tasks, depending on individual interests and skillsets. A list of resources and contacts can be accessed on their website for those seeking counselling, up-to-date health information, and financial relief services. A dedicated Facebook page is also available for people to list their needs and concerns to receive support. Check out weareunited.com/servlet/ eAndar.article/760 and www.facebook.com/ groups/WECovidCareCoalition for more information. D 25

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MENTAL HEALTH DRIVE

COPING DURING COVID

Mental Health and Addiction Services Adapt to Assist through Pandemic

By Jennifer Brignall-Strong Photographs by Syx Langemann

Kim WIllis - CMHA

Mark Lennox - Brentwood

When COVID-19 restrictions were implemented in Windsor-Essex in mid-March, life as we knew it ground to a halt. As the worldwide pandemic swept across North America, so too did worry, stress, and fear of the unknown.

For people already struggling with anxiety, depression, or substance abuse issues, lack of access to counselling and other mental health resources became a frightening possibility. How would their recovery be affected?

For those faced with a mental health crisis for the first time, the question became, “where do I turn if everything is closed?�

Lydia Fiorini - Sexual Assault Crisis Centre

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Thankfully, just as quickly as lockdown measures were put in place, local agencies began adapting the way

they provided care, creating online resources, “From the onset we looked at what was implementing safety protocols, and finding going to be most helpful for people,” says new ways to connect with people.

SACC Executive Director Lydia Fiorini. “We “From the outset, we’ve had to change started with weekly messages to clients about our delivery models,” explains Kim Willis how to stay well, resources on food security, of the Canadian Mental Health Association what to do economically. Helping people Windsor-Essex County. “Our case workers manage in terms of their own mental health, now check in with clients over the phone or as well as practical advice.” through other means of technology. As the In addition to talk therapy, which is now province is loosening some restrictions, we’re conducted by phone or on Zoom, SACC also starting to make arrangements and protocols converted essential aspects of their programs for some in-person visits if needed. It’s always to online worksheets and videos. safety first.”

They were even able to continue one of Through a donation from the Toldo their most beneficial services—Neurofeedback, Foundation, the CMHA was also able to a treatment that “re-trains” a person’s response quickly hire a Pandemic Response Thera- to trauma by remapping brainwaves through a pist to assist anyone dealing with heightened series of computer game–based sessions. anxiety, depression, or grief directly related to Through funding, the centre was able to COVID-19. purchase several portable Neurofeedback units “We are very grateful to them to allow us that clients can borrow and set up on their to introduce that service,” adds Willis. home computer.

At Brentwood Recovery Home, which deals with alcohol and substance abuse, addiction counselling and wellness programs continue on as they always have, but with advanced safety measures and screenings in place to ensure the well-being of both workers and residents.

“We do a Zoom session to help them hook up the program, and the staff monitor their progress online,” explains Fiorini.

Despite all the uncertainty over the past few months, COVID-19 has brought about some positive changes and created new avenues for people to seek care.

“Clients entering our live-in addiction treatment program must now enter a 14-day, on-site quarantine before migrating into the regular group,” explains Brentwood’s Director of Development Mark Lennox. “During that time, they’re already starting the program and are getting the resources they need.”

In partnership with Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, the CMHA has created a Mental Health Crisis Urgent Care Clinic, open five days a week and located at their head office at 1400 Windsor Avenue. What began as a threemonth pilot program has now been extended an additional three months, with hopes of Like many other organizations, Brentwood it becoming a permanent resource for those has also gone virtual, hosting up to 50 online seeking access to counselling services. recovery support meetings per week. A small “You’re able to get the services you need grant from Ontario Health has enabled them to install Wi-Fi and purchase tablets, allowing without the lengthy wait times,” explains members to connect with counsellors, family, Willis. “It’s been very successful.” and their ‘Lived Experience’ fellowship who Both Brentwood and the Sexual Assault have graduated from the program.

Crisis Centre are also hoping to keep compoLennox credits his staff with making the nents of their virtual resources going long after transition to a ‘new normal’ seamless. “We the pandemic is behind us. have a very active Covid Action Team. We have “It can be far more convenient, especially our own medical department, which has been a for our younger members,” says Lennox. “It’s huge advantage. Our counsellors and staff have definitely something we’ll be looking at keeping.” really been our heroes; showing up every single “The real challenge for every organization day to help the people on program.” has been ‘how do you continue services in a For the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, way that can still be effective and meet the assisting clients remotely began by providing demand?’” notes Fiorini. “I feel like we’ve weekly wellness notes and practical solutions found a lot of new strategies that have been to help them manage day-to-day life during very helpful to people that will hopefully a pandemic. continue in the future.” D THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health or addiction services, do not hesitate to contact one of the following agencies: CMHA Windsor-Essex County— Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Care Centre 1400 Windsor Ave. Windsor, ON N8X 3L9 Ph: (519) 255-7440 www.windsoressex.cmha.ca Walk-In Service available: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 11:30am to 7:30pm, Tuesdays & Fridays 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Community Crisis Centre 736-744 Ouellette Ave. Windsor, ON N9A 1E1 24-hour Crisis Telephone Line: (519) 973-4435 www.hdgh.org/crisis Walk-in service available MondaySunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Brentwood Recovery Home 2335 Dougall Ave. Windsor, ON N8X 1S9 Ph: (519) 253-2441 www.brentwoodrecovery.com Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County 1770 Langlois Ave. Windsor, ON N8X 4M5 Ph: (519) 253-3100 www.saccwindsor.net

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DIVERSITY DRIVE

WHAT’S IN A

A Brief Glimpse into the Hidden History of Windsor’s Street Names. Whose stories are we telling and why?

By Alley L. Biniarz Photographs by Syx Langemann

Maybe “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” but as we all know from Shakespeare’s play, a name also carries a lot of weight.

A name can cause feuds among families, it’s what some choose to accept or reject upon marriage, and on a local level, names feature on street signs throughout Windsor.

Irene Moore Davis Local educator and president of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society

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Local educator and president of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, Irene Moore Davis, says that we need to take a deeper look at our streets and ask ourselves

DIVERSITY DRIVE who they’re named after, what they’ve actually contributed to our region, and who we’re failing to represent?

Baby, Marquis, Russell, and Peter are all “Windsor Famous” names when learning about local history, but there are missing pieces. Most people living on or driving by these streets wouldn’t know that they’re named after slave owners.

“I want people to be conscious of it and understand that our history here is complicated,” Irene says, feeling especially haunted by these street names. Russell Street and Peter Street are named after Peter Russell, a slave owner who wasn’t from Windsor but was actually from York (Toronto) and came to this area, bought plots of land around Sandwich, and split it and divided it between United Empire Loyalists.

After that, he decided to name the streets after himself. “I don’t think we should just honour people who have accumulated a lot of wealth and power. Those aren’t always the values to uphold.”

Irene adds that we need to learn the full scope of our local history, that our city’s wealth was built on the backs of Black and Indigenous peoples. “Thinking about early pioneers that we call founding families and their involvement in the fur trade, who was doing the heavy lifting?” she asks. When you look around, you don’t see their names—or many non-white or non-male names—on important plaques or streets.

Local activist Philippa Von Ziegenweidt has also noticed the lack of diversity when it comes to our street names and has designed a map that displays 88 male-named schools, libraries, and streets, with only eight female names. She first started examining this when her daughter was 12. “When kids are thinking about their career choices, it’s important to look at role models. If these role models all fit a certain demographic, then what you’re telling your children is ‘here are all of your limited options.’”

Philippa adds that it’s not enough to simply have a female name like Henrietta Street, because it’s not aspirational. Take Adie Knox, for example: most of us know this recreational centre but when you look into the name, Knox was memorialized for being the wife of the male editor of the Windsor Star, W.F. Herman. Meanwhile, they could have named the centre after Ellen van Wageningen, the paper’s first female editor-in-chief.

“It’s not to say these named men weren’t worthy but look at all of these women in yellow [on the sidelines of the map]. You can’t say we don’t have great women—both dead and alive—as well.”

This goes beyond naming, as we need to go further and tell the whole story. Matthew Nahdee, executive director at CAIFC (Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre) brings up Wyandotte Street, which, despite sounding French, is actually a nearly extinct Indigenous tribe from the area (Wendat or Wyandot).

“We have more Native words in Windsor than you’d think, but they don’t bring up the right feelings or history. We don’t realize that they’ve been amalgamated and now assimilated into Windsor-Essex,” he adds. Even though these Indigenous names exist in our city, they’ve been whitewashed and turned into “easier to pronounce” versions like Ojibway (Ojibwe) or Mic Mac (Mi’kmaq), so the original meaning and intention has been lost.

Unintentional ignorance or lack of education can no longer be an excuse as more resources are available to educate ourselves about the past. Names that exploit slavery or mistreatment of races continue THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

to be harmful to past and current generations who deserve to see themselves represented in their city. “We need to make it possible for kids of racialized backgrounds, those growing up as LGBTQ, FNMI, and frankly just girls to be able to look around the landscape and see their identities reflected,” Irene says.

We shouldn’t just change the street names, Irene says, because that would eliminate the learning opportunity. Irene, Philippa, and Matt all agree that creating an interactive educational plan through the city Jennifernew White,landscapes family-based therapist and through schools, along with naming after the missing parts of our history, will help to tell Windsor’s full truth—both the good and the bad. D 33

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DIVERSITY DRIVE

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN WINDSOR-ESSEX ARE WE THERE YET?

by Irene Moore Davis

Conversations about diversity and inclusion have rarely been more ubiquitous in the mainstream media, on social media pages, or in everyday conversation as they are in the summer of 2020. Some might say that these conversations are long overdue.

In June, 133 members of the Business Council of Canada co-signed a statement denouncing racism in all its forms. Leaders of major Canadian companies agreed: “We all share in the responsibility to eliminate racism… We value and promote diversity and inclusion in our companies and in our communities. We call on other leaders to do the same so that together we can build a more just, fair and equitable society.”

In July, the BlackNorth Summit was held, co-chaired by the presidents and CEOs of Cisco Canada, CIBC, and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. The result was the formation of a new Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism.

The renewed national focus on racism is the latest phase in a broader process of awakening.

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

Whether stirred by the racially charged, policeinvolved deaths that have propelled the Black Lives Matter movement back into the spotlight, ongoing injustice against Indigenous peoples, or the #MeToo movement, Canadians who have rarely considered issues of exclusion are now asking questions about systemic racism, gender inequality, and other forms of discrimination that members of marginalized communities have decried for years.

by over 100 other cultural communities. It is often presumed that in a place where diversity and harmony are celebrated, there are equal opportunities for all people.

But are there? Research and anecdotal information suggest that barriers to the full spectrum of employment opportunities and income equality continue to affect women, racialized people, non-racialized immigrants, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, Here in Windsor-Essex County, residents and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. tout the city’s reputation as one of Canada’s According to the Census, 9.2 percent of most welcoming and most ethnoculturally racialized Canadians were unemployed in diverse communities. Mosques and churches 2016. The unemployment rate among Black co-exist peacefully along tree-lined streets; Canadians in 2016 was 12.5 percent versus area restaurants present a dazzling array 7.7 percent for other racialized groups and of global cuisines. Twenty-seven percent of 7.3 percent for white Canadians. Even among Windsorites and 15 percent of Essex County Canadians with a post-secondary education, residents are newcomers. The region’s the unemployment rate for Black Canadians Underground Railroad history is often cited was 9.2 percent in comparison to 7.3 percent proudly as evidence of a longstanding legacy for others. Meanwhile, the average income of of equity, diversity, and support for human racialized Canadians was 74 percent of that rights. In recent decades, Indigenous people of non-racialized Canadians. Twenty-three and descendants of the earliest French, percent of Black Canadians were categorized British, and Black settlers have been joined as low income, compared to 20 percent of 35

Top left Rakesh Naidu CEO & President, WindsorEssex Regional Chamber of Commerce. Founder- AyeWork Inc Top right Michael Akpata LaSalle town councillor Bottom Kossi Dodjro Job Developer at Collège Boréal

Photographs by Syx Langemann

36

DIVERSITY DRIVE other racialized Canadians and 12 percent of Business diploma. Then I got my graduate white Canadians. degree in Human Resources.” He channelled Justin Falconer of Workforce Windsor- his expertise into a career as a settlement Essex argues that multigenerational barriers worker, employment counsellor, and job develoften play a role in lower income and higher oper. “I try to help people like me because I unemployment rates experienced by margin- don’t want them to struggle as I struggled.” alized communities. “Educational attainment normally relates to income. For those who haven’t had the same opportunities growing up, it can create barriers over time.

You compound that over lifetimes and have families that just never find a way out of low incomes and lack of opportunity.”

Yet many members of the Windsor-Essex Black community indicate that barriers remain despite educational attainment. “All the time, we see educated Black community members leaving Windsor because they can’t find employment in their fields,” says Angelina Ebegbuzie, co-founder of Black Women of Forward Action. “Teachers, social workers, engineers, and other professionals graduate and end up looking for work in other places such as Kitchener or Toronto. They find opportunities elsewhere but can’t find them here. It’s frustrating to see so much talent leaving our community.”

Omolade Williams, a newcomer, a woman, and a person of African heritage, arrived in Windsor five years ago with degrees in Information Systems Management and Business Information Technology as well as a Master’s in Innovative Manufacturing… all acquired in the UK. Unable to find work in any of these fields, she took a job in a call centre. “I couldn’t even get hired as a receptionist,” says Williams. “I ended up in factory jobs, then through Women’s Enterprise Skills Training, I was introduced to a women in trades program.

It was a journey I did not expect to take, but now I’m working as a millwright.”

Born in Togo and educated in France, Kossi Dodjro of Collège Boréal has used his difficult early experiences as a newcomer to fuel his passion for helping others. Having obtained an education degree in France, Dodjro looked forward to a teaching career.

He says that immigration officials painted a rosy picture of his job prospects in Canada, but when he arrived in Windsor in 1993, he found it difficult to have his credentials recognized. “I had to survive so I did all kinds of jobs,” says Dodjro. “I cleaned restaurants. I was a janitor. I worked on a farm and in a mushroom factory. I ended up in manufacturing jobs. While I was working at one plant, I went back to school and got an International THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

culture, business etiquette, but they often do a good job of overcoming those barriers.

Certainly some come as refugees and have even more challenges. But the vast majority arrive with resources, higher education, or a trade. Relatively speaking, they are ready to Rakesh Naidu, now president and CEO hit the ground running and integrate into the at the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of workforce, if given an opportunity.”

Commerce, knows all too well the challenges Francis agrees that lack of recognition of faced by racialized Canadians and newcomers. international credentials is a major source of Originally from India, he arrived in Windsor frustration. “As a whole, the Canadian system in 2007, having already spent six years as can do better at recognizing foreign credentials an engineer in Toronto. “It was difficult to to get people integrated into the workforce a gain acceptance here or to be entrusted with lot faster and help us fill gaps in the economy. responsibility. I ended up on a factory floor, at At the Multicultural Council, we make organithe lowest rung of the hierarchy. I had to work zations aware of discriminatory practices and my way up from the bottom. Valuable time implicit biases. We are seeing improvements was wasted, both for myself and the company. in hiring practices and interviewing practices.

I could have contributed much more with my Employers are beginning to understand that skills and qualifications, which were actually having workers who speak French, Arabic, needed, had I been able to bring everything I Mandarin, or another language can help knew to the table. them overcome cultural barriers and attract “We ask immigrants for a lot in terms of new customers.” educational qualifications and work experience,” Naidu continues. “Yet many immigrants who come here in the skilled category end up delivering pizza or driving cabs. This is a huge opportunity cost to us as a society.” Naidu remembers meeting a man with a PhD in Physics who was working as an assembler in a Windsor plant. “He had some of the best ideas regarding the product. He could have contributed significantly to the company, but we were blind to the fact that we had a diamond among us.”

Dodjro concurs, “Now because the market is becoming global, there are more opportunities for bilingual and multilingual job seekers.

But I still don’t think employers understand the value of diversity and inclusion, the dynamic that can be created when people from different backgrounds are part of their workforce. Or some employers can’t prioritize it: they are just trying to survive. I would like to see more education and incentives offered.”

Rose Anguiano Hurst of Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) tells a similar story. “One of our employees was living in a refugee camp before she came to Windsor.

She already had a Master’s degree in Educational Technology. Her story was the same as so many people’s stories: she was working as a receptionist. She told me in a casual conversation about her credentials and when the pandemic approached she was the right person at the right time to get us on board with all of the applications that could help us: Zoom, MS Teams, Moodle, Facebook Live. She jumped right in and got us where we needed to be.

People in our community have so many skills, and we are definitely underutilizing them.”

Windsor-Essex County residents of colour are also underrepresented in the political arena. For example, currently, there is only one elected official of Black heritage west of London. Michael Akpata, LaSalle town councillor, says, “If a whole group is left out of the discussion then it’s easy for decisionmakers to fail to take their perspective into account. Inclusion results in better decisions.

But it is the younger folks, the university students, the activists involved in Black Lives Matter right now, that are pushing the movement forward. They are young, they are inspired, they want to see change. I hope some of them will enter politics. Someone who is informed, well spoken, passionate, compassionate—who would you rather have representing you?”

“We’re dealing with a city that historically has had high unemployment, and that can put certain groups at an even greater disadvantage,” says Fred Francis of the Multicultural Council of Windsor-Essex. “Newcomers may have to learn the language, workplace

Akpata exited a successful career in policing to join the private sector where he saw more opportunities for advancement.

“The skillsets you have, your oratory, your interpersonal skills, your organizational skills, your motivation are all welcomed in private 37

DIVERSITY DRIVE enterprise,” he says. “If you are the number one person selling the product, they don’t care who you are as long as you’re giving them results. I went into a corporate environment and saw people of colour, women in leadership roles, new Canadians, a multitude of Canadian diversity in the room. In the public sector, it would have been rare to encounter so many others from diverse communities.”

Meanwhile, Lynn Calder of Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario says that for people with physical disabilities, success stories are harder to find in Windsor and Essex County.

It is not for lack of trying. People with disabilities “often want to be lawyers or social workers or vibrant participants in the community and have full lives and a quality of life. We have the auto industry and that’s a large influencer in Windsor: people with physical disabilities have generally not been able to work in the Big Three or their feeder plants because you need a certain amount of physical ability to do those jobs. And there continues to be stigma in a number of workplaces.”

In 2016, the unemployment rate for Canadians with disabilities aged 25 to 64 years was an astonishing 49 percent... an incalculable loss, both for the quality of life of individuals who wish to work and for the potential of Canada as a whole. Lack of educational attainment is not always the primary barrier. Calder cites the example of a young, well-educated woman with disabilities who was hired for an administrative job in Windsor.

“She ended up leaving that job because she was ostracized by her coworkers… something as simple as everybody going out for lunch and not inviting her. People aren’t bad, but we have a lot of work to do to get over that stigma.”

politicized in the same way as the barriers faced by racialized people or LGBTQ people. Our culture values productivity and independence, but people with disabilities often have to rely on others. We would never judge someone for not sewing their own clothes or building their own house but we do judge people who need assistive technology or personal supports.”

officials and 34 percent of senior managers), only 53 percent of women employed, and 24 percent of women living in poverty. That news spurred Lisa Milec and Gemma Grey-Hall to found Women Inspiring Action. “I felt saddened by the fact that there were so many women in this city not thriving,” says Milec.

“We need more women in leadership roles, Calder agrees. “We can have all of these women in politics, women influencing change employment supports and incentives, but and decision-making.” we need champions among local employers “Many women see these roles as things to hire people with physical disabilities so for other people and not for themselves, that seeing someone in a wheelchair in the and that bothers me,” says Grey-Hall. “It’s workplace becomes the norm. It starts in the common for a woman to look at a job opporschools—we need an integration approach so tunity and see that she has eight out of the that able-bodied students and students with ten requirements and say, ‘This isn’t for me.’ physical disabilities aren’t seeing themselves A man will see it, have two or three of the as entirely separate and having completely skills, and take a chance.” different experiences in the school system.

Milec adds, “Employers sometimes perceive We have to stop seeing people with physical that it will be harder for a woman to juggle disabilities as charity cases. Instead, we need to work and family responsibilities and use that see people with physical disabilities as commu- as a reason to give preference to male candinity members who have the same aspirations dates. But women shouldn’t have to fight that we do.” battle on their own. It’s also up to employers to

“What we need is a way to avoid social exclusion in workplaces and in general society,” Laverne Jacobs agrees. As a law professor, a former member of the Human Rights Tribunal, director of the Law, Disability and Social Change Project, and someone who uses a wheelchair, she maintains that “it’s everyday things… planning events or trips designed for team-building, making sure those trips and events are accessible… I think we need to move beyond the law and think about how to be considerate, compassionate, and empathetic to our coworkers.”

rethink how they do business and what kinds of changes need to be made. Women should feel bold enough to speak up and say they’re looking forward to meeting the expectations of their role—how can this be done and what kind of support is available? But employers Jacobs argues that many employers still must be willing to engage in those conversabelieve the challenges to making a workplace tions too.” accessible are greater than they really are. “We Terry Weymouth, an industrial electrician have all just witnessed and experienced the and chief architect of the Women in Skilled role of technology through the pandemic, Trades program, agrees: “This is not a woman’s and many of these same technologies can issue.

It’s a life-balance issue with workers and be accessible and easy to use for people with employers are beginning to see that.” She sees disabilities. Sometimes people with disabilskilled trades as a crucial pathway to address ities can accomplish more working at home high unemployment and the income gap for due to barriers such as transportation. Now marginalized communities.

“So many women employers have seen how people can work who were not encouraged to even consider at home easily and how one’s home can be non-traditional careers are looking at them adapted into a workplace. I hope these lessons now and saying ‘Why not me?’ So many people learned can be used to create more opportuniwere encouraged to get multiple degrees and ties for people with disabilities.” certificates and then threw more certificates at “The answer to overcoming the stigma and markets that are oversaturated. Many are now the misunderstandings is more exposure and looking to skilled trades instead. Especially conversations,” Calder says. “And I’d like to right now, the baby boomers are leaving. We’ve see more people with physical disabilities get never had such a changeover of workers and so involved in politics, municipally or beyond. many opportunities.”

They have important perspectives that should “If women, people of colour, or others have be heard.” never seen others like themselves occupying

“The way we value certain norms excludes people with disabilities,” says Danica McPhee of Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario.

“It’s a form of exclusion that’s one of the last to be considered kind of ‘okay.’ It hasn’t been

Not long ago, many residents of WindsorEssex County were shocked to discover that the area had been ranked one of Canada’s worst places to be a woman, with few women in leadership roles (only 23 percent of elected

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“A lot of the learning that happens at school happens when you’re socializing,” says McPhee. “To get ahead in the world, you are who you know and if you’re isolated, you don’t know anyone.”

certain positions, how do they believe they can achieve it?” says Nour Hachem-Fawaz, founder of Build a Dream. “During my time at WEST, helping women get back into the workforce, I wasn’t seeing too many clients seeking

DIVERSITY DRIVE

Top left Laverne Jacobs Law professor, former member of the Human Rights Tribunal and director of the Law, Disability and Social Change Project Top right Nour Hachem-Fawaz Founder of Build a Dream Bottom Danica McPhee Employment & Consumer Service Navigator at Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario

Photographs by Syx Langemann

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

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DIVERSITY DRIVE opportunities in high-demand occupations.

Employers said that women weren’t applying.

I hosted an event with employers regarding skilled trades, and one client showed up. That’s when I understood that you can’t be what you can’t see.” Today, her organization partners with the business community, school boards, non-profits, and post-secondary institutions to address the underrepresentation of women in skilled trades and other non-traditional careers, but she indicates there’s also a goal of helping marginalized communities access new occupations, creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces. “Now we are working with small-to-medium companies who don’t have the HR infrastructure or resources to focus on diversity and inclusion. People of colour, women, and other marginalized communities are underrepresented in STEM occupations and trades, and even employers are in shock when they look at their own staffing sometimes.”

Canadian employment and income statistics for the LGBTQ2S+ community at large do not indicate that there are major disparities in comparison to other groups, but there is growing evidence that transgender Canadians face high unemployment and major income gaps. A widely cited survey conducted by the Sherbourne Health Centre (Toronto) indicates that approximately 50 percent of transgender individuals are living in poverty despite 71 percent having post-secondary education, and only 37 percent of transgender community members are employed full time. Male-to-female transgender community members are at high risk of seeing their incomes reduced by as much as a third… a chilling effect of both transphobia and the ongoing income gap experienced by women in our society.

Colm Holmes of the Windsor Pride Community Education and Resource Centre

Photograph by Syx Langemann 40

Colm Holmes of the Windsor Pride Community Education and Resource Centre says that there is still much more work to be done in the pursuit of diversity and inclusion.

“Queer members of the community, queer members of colour or of the Indigenous community, those who are transgender, those who are differently abled aren’t often afforded leadership positions. Our workplaces should be more committed to seeing the value of hiring and promoting people from our community. We can’t just continue to perpetuate the same cycles. It’s one thing to develop a policy but what matters is the practice… It has to be more than an equity blurb on a posting.”

“I see examples of people from the queer community who are now leaders in different

DIVERSITY DRIVE sectors, but I’m still not aware of any queer community representation among elected officials, on our municipal councils,” Holmes adds. “We need to be reflected in the people who represent us. But also, someone might say, I could step up but would the city vote for me?

We won’t see people stepping forward for these kinds of leadership roles until they see them as an option.”

Justin Falconer acknowledges that striving to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace has not been a top priority for many employers.

“Especially for smaller and medium businesses, sometimes it’s not a lack of interest or desire but it’s a lack of capacity. They don’t have dedicated HR departments or those who are able to devote time, energy, and resources to increasing diversity and inclusion.”

In addition, the lack of available data about workforce integration, income gaps, and employment barriers for members of First Nations Métis Inuit (FNMI), LGBTQ+, and Black communities remains a challenge. “Data exclusion can render those communities invisible because there isn’t good data to support advocacy and solutions to the issues they have faced,” Falconer says.

Falconer adds, “Often when there are economic downturns, marginalized groups are disproportionately affected. For example, COVID-19 has definitely impacted low wage earners. We know that overrepresentation in service industries is part of it. Just as women often earn less because the occupations in which they participate are a little narrower than men, the same can be said for other demographic groups. They just don’t have opportunities to work in all 500 occupational codes in a representative way so how could their income be the same as others?”

opportunities are more in the trades, but we don’t see many racialized people in those areas. The reality is that even if you have a degree, few people who are unfamiliar with you will give you the opportunity or the chance to get ‘Canadian experience.’ You will be the last one looked at. But skilled trades are in demand: if you have those skills, employers will hire you.”

balanced workplaces.

Falconer points to some exciting new developments that may improve workforce opportunities for members of underrepresented communities in Windsor-Essex County. RISE is a nascent initiative designed to empower entrepreneurial women and promote women’s participation in STEM fields. The WE Value Partnership has helped newcomer service agencies streamline the intake process for new Canadians with a capacity-focused settlement assessment, helping them move more quickly from the first steps of settlement to full integration into the local workforce and community. The Workforce Innovators’ Network offers a speakers’ bureau of racialized and new Canadian leaders who can share best practices for inclusivity and creating more

According to Anguiano Hurst, “Employers in Windsor-Essex have become more open and receptive to the idea of a diverse workforce, but some things remain the same. Opportunities are there, but we still find that people from marginalized communities have to work harder to prove their equal value. There’s still room for improvement.”

It is in the whole community’s best interests to ensure that the focus on diversity and inclusion outlasts the current news cycle.

Employment barriers faced by marginalized communities are reducing productivity overall, according to Rakesh Naidu. “When we don’t maximize the potential that everyone offers, we are losing out as a region and as a country.”

Fred Francis agrees. “Our goal should be to eliminate barriers and make Windsor truly a welcoming community, for everyone, whether they have just arrived, whether they are third generation, or whether they are tenth generation.”

“As a community, we have an amazing jewel that we can leverage in Windsor: our diversity,” Colm Holmes adds. “Let’s use what we have to our advantage.” D

“We need to diversify the roles that women and other marginalized individuals play in our society, because currently they are disproportionately represented in lower-wage occupations,” says Falconer. As an example, 90 percent of truckers are men, 97 percent of early childhood educators are women—the median wage for truckers is nearly twice as high. “It’s important that we support groups like Build a Dream and encourage people to pursue those occupations that they haven’t traditionally pursued. We all have to ensure that marginalized people have equal opportunities to pursue higher educational attainment, which is a route to generating higher income for themselves and their families. And in turn, they can be a new source of talent for employers seeking to fill high-demand jobs.”

Dodjro agrees, “Right now I would say the THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

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Fall’s darker, moody neutrals—like black, brown, and navy—are present throughout David Burman’s design.

According to him, these hues provide an ideal canvas for a great autumn-oriented space.

“The Article sectional we all used is my favourite new piece— it’s modern and the deep, rich leather tones are perfect for the season. It’s an ideal backdrop for layering some of my signature pops of colour to give the room more dimension.”

Sectional available from Article. Cowhide rug and concrete tables available from UrbanHome. Windsor, pillows, and decorative tree available from HomeSense. Chair available from At Home.

Adding older, meaningful pieces to a space is an effective way to ground it and introduce a personalized feel—the print behind the sectional is taken from Style HQ’s own head office. “I loved adding that history of the building

David Burman is the founder, owner, and operator of Mister Style—the answer to a well-furnished, creatively curated home, whether you’re staging to sell or styling to stay. For those uncertain as to how to attract a home’s best possible buyers, Mister Style offers partial or full home stages designed to highlight the true potential of a space.

After the heat of summer, we’re looking forward to cozying up during crisper days and darker nights—the perfect time to reset the mood in our homes. With each designer incorporating the same Article sectional as the focal point of their fall designs, Windsor’s own David Burman, Jodi Mason, and Tia Hughes show us how to make our spaces autumn-ready.

Bring the outside in this fall.

By: Katrina Manzocco Photographs by Devon Pastorius

Cozy up with autumn-ready design inspiration from our favourite local home design experts

Fall Feel: One Piece Three Ways

INTERIOR DESIGN SERIES

HOME DRIVE

DAVID BURMAN

a budget, smaller touches like luxurious candles and chunky knit throws are an excellent choice. When it comes to new pieces for fall, Burman suggests saving on the items that can be rotated out through the seasons, including throw pillows, candles, and small accessories, and splurging on pieces that will stay, namely furniture, art, and larger rugs.

Mason is the owner and operator of Urbanhome—a destination for inspired, luxury design services and uniquely chic décor pieces within her shoppable showroom. With a focus on creating fashionable, functional designs, Mason’s leading inspiration for each space is the combination of personalities of the people who will occupy it.

In search of chic pieces to help to transition your space for fall? Beginning September 1, be sure to visit The Collection—Style HQ’s brand-new sister store—which will offer new, previously staged, and consigned vintage furniture and décor items.

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Masculine and warm—yet trendy—is how Jodi Mason Adding new textiles is another clever way of influencing “The bindings can work really well with the other colours describes her design, the feel of a room. Mason is partial to natural elements and in the room—they’re beautiful on shelves, coffee tables, or “I can absolutely see this as the perfect family room or cozy suggests jute or rattan for rugs—both of which are multi- even stacked to add height to your design.” kickback for a young professional. It’s important that the season and transition beautifully from summer to fall.

Mason’s final tip for capturing the feel of fall: incorporate space was functional and usable, but with tons of person- Whether it’s birch poles or real pinecones in a bowl, a seasonal scent within your space. ality.” Mason notes that an easy way to change the mood bringing in accents from the outdoors is another easy way of a space is through changing its accents. Inspired by to incorporate an earthy, woodsy, and distinct fall feel. For “Oftentimes people don’t consider scent as part of a design, the colours of the season, Mason selected accent hues that another affordable, DIY accent, Mason recommends repur- but it’s a fun, easy way to influence the mood of room— complement the richness of the sectional—opting for olive posing old books as décor—ripping off the covers to expose campfire, toasted marshmallow, and tree scents are all gorgeous for the season!” green and coral. raw bindings and wrapping them in twine.

Sectional available from Article. Central Park Swivel Chair, cowhide rug, toss cushions, marble coffee table, concrete tables, synthetic yellow stems, and artwork available at Urbanhome Windsor.

Mixing new textures into a space is one of Burman’s favourite ways to transition a space for cooler seasons—for fall he recommends introducing fur and cowhide elements for added warmth and visual interest. He notes that for those looking to enhance or change the vibe of a space on

once being a bowling alley into the design,” says Burman.

JODI MASON

anywhere. The wheatgrass featured in this photo was cut out of the ditch on the side of the road!” Her colours of choice for the season include anything in rust and olive shades, and texturally, Hughes is a believer in rich, luxe fabrics to add the requisite coziness we all crave during the cooler months. “Velvet accents are a great choice, and a knit throw is the perfect accessory to layer in for curling up on fall’s rainy days.” Naturally drawn to the use of organic textures like linen, wood, and leather, Hughes likes to mix “I am always a huge fan of bringing the outside in, no matter modern elements like metals and furniture with clean lines what the season is, and you can find great pieces just about and modern silhouettes into her designs for a fresh feel.

Fall’s vibrant colours were the inspiration behind Tia Hughes’s space. Incorporating warm earth tones and textures, Hughes chose an eclectic mix of handmade pillows from Mexico and Guatemala in various shapes and sizes that give the space a sense of laid-back luxury. Hughes’s coffee table vignette is composed of candles in a modern silhouette, some wood links, and a vase filled with seasonal wheatgrass—a perfect selection of natural elements to bring the autumn season into this space.

Sectional available from Article. Throw pillows, candles, area rug, and coffee table books available at Nomad in Kingsville. Coffee table, floor lamp, and vase available at Style HQ. Artwork, wooden links, and basket available at HomeSense. Throw blanket available at H&M.

For more home design inspiration, be sure to keep up with Jodi, David, and Tia on Instagram at @urbanhomewsr, @misterstyleinc, and @tiahughesdesign.

“If you follow a lot of interior design accounts on Instagram, @jaci.daily’s found pot DIY has been blowing up all over.

Simply choose a pot, lamp, etc., from your home or nearby secondhand store, and paint, sand, and mud to achieve a high-end Restoration Hardware look.”

Looking for a great DIY project for your fall-focused space?

Hughes has an idea.

Drawing on her graphic design background to inform her décor techniques, Tia Hughes applies colour theory and exceptional use of proportion to bring her spaces to life. Tia Hughes Design is centred on creating uniquely beautiful, highly functional interiors and inspired brand identity services for her clients.

Fall Feel: One Piece Three Ways

INTERIOR DESIGN SERIES

HOME DRIVE

TIA HUGHES

Ready make your outdoor space fall-worthy? Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast looking for your next project, want to learn how make the most of your outdoor space, or would like a team to help bring your ideas to life, Landscape FX has you covered. For design and landscaping inspiration, and to learn more about firescape options, visit their website and follow them on Instagram @LandscapeFX

Offered in a number of sleek designs, firescapes come in both standard and functional options. Standard features offer a traditional take on a firepit, coming in rounded, square, and rectangular options—which can be small enough to suit a tabletop or large enough to command an open space.

Most firescapes are fuelled by wood, natural gas, or propane, and while wood-burning options have an authentic feel, the smoke they produce can be an issue to those with sensitivities, and some cities (including Windsor) have a bylaw prohibiting their use. On the other hand, gas or propane firescapes offer a clean flame with the luxury of not having to dodge smoke or source wood and are available with the use of propane tanks or a natural gas line.

The perfect anchoring piece to an outdoor entertaining area, firescapes (also known as fire features), add visual interest, ambiance, and functional coziness—a simple yet chic way to enhance your landscaping. Complemented by a glass of wine (or hot beverage), your favourite sweater, and a knitted throw blanket, a firescape is the perfect addition for those who want to keep on hosting in the great outdoors and make the most of their space through the seasons.

Autumn’s gorgeous changing colours and cooler weather make for ideal outdoor lounging conditions, and its darker nights make it an intuitive time to seek out warmth and comfort.

It’s the perfect opportunity to linger a little longer and a little later with close friends and great conversations around a firescape. Instinctually, many of us are drawn to a hearth—there’s a good reason why they’re a focal point of living rooms everywhere. Including one as part of your outdoor décor is a clever way to ensure your outdoor space is warm and inviting, even after the last throes of summer have left us.

Well-designed landscaping is the key to enjoying our yards beyond just summer months, and transitioning outdoor spaces for multi-season use begins with selecting the right features— from the perspective of both fashion and function.

The heat of summer may be behind us, but there’s no reason for us to be heading inside and away from our favourite backyard hangout.

FIRESCAPES: The Hottest, Coolest Landscaping Feature By: Katrina Manzocco

Firescapes in various sizes by Plank & Hide Co., available from Landscape FX Supply Centre

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Exchange balmy summer nights for crisp autumn evenings — the al fresco fun continues around the fire

STUDENT DRIVE The Drive magazine in partnership with Libro Credit Union is challenging high school students taking grade 12 English to write an essay focused on their day-to-day lives. Once a school is selected, the top five articles chosen by the teacher are further reviewed by our editorial team and the winner receives a $500 RESP from Libro Credit Union, along with publication of the essay in our issue. Congratulations to Madeline Mastronardi from Cardinal Carter Secondary School for being our September winner!

We are proud of all the participants and will continue to support our community through continued literacy and a path to higher education.

A UTOPIAN FUTURE

By Madeline Mastronardi

Windsor-Essex County is the southernmost point of Canada and borders the United States. The county was built by the dreams and destinies of immigrants who came to Canada many years ago to start a new life, start a career, get better opportunities, or to seek refuge. If one were to look around Windsor-Essex county, a broad variety of cultural backgrounds can be seen. These cultural backgrounds originated from many countries, including Italy, Portugal, Lebanon, and Mexico, whose ancestors have put down roots here for numerous generations. People from Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq have moved here more recently due to recent political conflict. These cultures and various traditions have been passed down from generation to generation and shaped the county to become what it is today.

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STUDENT DRIVE Examples of cultures and traditions that can be found in the county today include food from various cultural restaurants and community centres (for instance, the Roma Club of Leamington or Polish Club of Windsor), cultural observances and celebrations within the community (for instance, the Festival of Saint Michael the Archangel), and through various beliefs and customs. With these traditions having exposure to the community, a sense of unity, family, and understanding is created; as there is a mutual understanding of the importance of tradition and various beliefs. This sense of unity has helped the community to work together and support others in times of need.

In the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 impacted the world, as the number of diagnoses rose day by day. When the virus came to Canada, Canadians were severely affected. As of July 2020, the average rate was 301 diagnoses per day in Canada. Due to the high volume of diagnoses within the country, Canada had no choice but to lock down in order to “flatten the curve.” Thousands of businesses had to close, and millions of Canadians had to “quarantine” in their homes and/or self-isolate. With this closure, a significant economic decline occurred, and many businesses were unable to offer their services. During Stage 1, people (including small business owners) had to quickly adapt their business to a new reality, and alter the way things were done, such as online ordering and contactless pickup. And the community reciprocated by supporting these businesses whenever possible. Thus the phrase “Buy Local” could be seen all over social media.

When it was time to move into Stage 2, Windsor-Essex County was the last region in Canada to progress. However, this did not stop the community from supporting one another and working together. As a community, there was a mutual understanding of the struggle and situation that was being faced, as there was a stronger desire to progress into Stage 2.

With this, the community still “bought local” and ensured to follow COVID-19 regulations (for instance, wearing a medical mask and practicing social distancing) in order to lower the rate of diagnoses. This was very successful, as the county ended up spending only two weeks without progressing into Stage 2.

People say that every coin has two sides.

One side features various positives about Windsor-Essex county, including its people, unity, and culture. On the other side of the coin is a harsh fact to face—hunger still exists.

THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

According to statistics from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, one in ten households is moderately or severely food insecure, and one in four low income households is moderately or severely food insecure. With these facts, it is evident to see that hunger is an issue in Windsor-Essex County. On June 27, the June 27th Miracle food donation fundraiser occurred. This fundraiser allowed the people of Windsor-Essex County to donate non-perishable food items and hygiene products to the local food banks by placing their donations at their doorstep or by taking them to a local donation centre, like the South Essex Community Council centres. A total of 10,000 volunteers assisted in this effort across eight towns and forty drop-off locations. In just one day alone, the fundraiser collected over two million pounds of food and hygiene product donations. Between the amount of volunteers and donations, this shows that there is a mutual drive to donate, give back to those in the community, and help out those who are in need.

With these points of evidence in mind, the sense of unity, understanding, and mutual support are helpful now, and can be beneficial in the future; helping to create a balanced utopia. A utopia is a state of society that can be deemed as perfection, as every aspect of society is balanced. This perfection can exist in politics, overall living conditions, and with society in interactions. In regards to politics and the idea of perfection, the mayors and other municipal officials in our communities are connected and communicate often.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the mayors of the county’s communities banded together and worked together to cohesively bring this area through some of the lowest stages of this pandemic. For the future, it is important to keep this connection and communication in order to keep the area thriving. The desire to help others and support the needy can also be beneficial in creating a utopia. If this desire is consistent in Windsor-Essex County, the level of community need will eventually decrease.

For instance, if people continue to consistently donate non-perishable food items in large volumes, there will eventually be no people who go hungry. In order to work towards this ideal state and make it a reality, the people of Windsor-Essex County must continue to be unified to work towards common causes and be understanding of the attributes (for example, cultural background) that make people unique individuals.

However, thanks to the sense of unity and understanding that can be found within the community paired with the drive to support others and succeed collectively, I feel that the area of Windsor-Essex County could one day become a utopia. The people of the county supported those with small businesses at a time of unknowns and supported those in need through a fundraiser that had unprecedented results. Through the community’s unified understanding and beliefs, various current issues have been combated, and the beliefs can help to create a more balanced and unified future.

PARTNER with success To advertise in The Drive magazine, contact us Ken Stewart kstewart@thedrivemagazine.com

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Can a utopia exist? We really don’t know.

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STUDENT DRIVE

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STUDENT DRIVE

LEARNING FROM THE FRONT LINES The University of Windsor and St. Clair College make adjustments on the fly for their fall semesters

By Devan Mighton

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages around the world, in Canada we sit in the uneasy calm of a downslope of active cases, impatiently waiting to see if the reopening of our society will lead to the tsunami of rising numbers that our neighbours in the United States are experiencing. In the meantime, Windsor’s educational establishments are preparing to conduct their business in ways that, they hope, will be both worthwhile and safe for their students.

delivery. “What I’m doing and what some of my colleagues are doing is delivering our courses through what’s called a hybrid approach between synchronous and asynchronous learning,” explains Ziter.

He says that synchronous learning will consist of live online lectures broadcast through the Blackboard platform’s virtual classroom. Professors will be able to record themselves on webcams, provide PowerPoint presentations, and allow students to follow along live and ask questions. Asynchronous learning will consist of pre-recorded lectures and activities in which students can participate at their own pace, as their schedule allows.

“These are unprecedented times, as we’ve heard many times, and it’s true,” says University of Windsor technical communications lecturer Jesse Ziter. “The fall semester is going to be delivered primarily online. For the vast majority “We’re aware of that and we’re trying to of our students at the University of Windsor, accommodate students as best we can,” says they will be essentially studying online rather Ziter. “Our goal is that about an hour a week, than in person. That’s the big change.” we’ll be together in person, which still allows He says the semester will not be delayed students to have that interaction that is an or end late but there will be substantial important part of the university experience, changes to the way courses will be taught. but the majority of the content will be pre-reZiter explains that he has been busy teaching corded and created ahead of time so students summer intersession courses and there was a can engage with it as their schedule allows on delay with those, but the faculty and students their own time.” have been adjusting to their new reality.

Veronique Mandal, the coordinator “From my perspective, the university administration has been pretty proactive and has handled the situation about as well as they possibly could,” he states. “As for fall, everything’s been in place for quite a while, for a number of weeks, if not months now, so faculty have had a fair amount of time to prepare. Perhaps not as much time as we all would have liked in an ideal situation, but this is obviously not an ideal situation.”

He says that not all classes will look identical and that each member of the faculty will have the latitude to run their classes in what they see as the most effective means of THEDRIVEMAGAZINE.COM

of journalism, public relations, and media convergence at St. Clair College, says they will have some in-class activities in the fall. “We have only two classes running in the Mediaplex and we made sure that we could do that safely with limited sections of students,” she says. “We assessed every single one of the classrooms for the labs to make sure there were no issues about social distancing. The absolute goal is that the students and the faculty can safely be in the building. I think the plan we’ve put in place is foolproof. We are very, very rigorous about making sure that we have very few students and profs in the building at one

time. The rest of our classes will be online.”

Mandal says that the school has suspended two of their programs for the fall. “We didn’t feel they could begin to learn adequately online and our goal is to always make sure we make the best decisions for the students,” she explains. “We’re evaluating whether or not those would run in January, but we’re not certain of any of that yet.”

She says the faculty are not nervous about returning to work and the college has done everything within their power, based on the data that has been provided to them by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, to stay safe and proceed. “I don’t know what else the college could have done in terms of assessing every angle of every room and corridor in our college,” says Mandal. “We did risk assessments on every tiny room, every big room, and those were some of the most thorough risk assessments I’ve ever been through. In that regard, I can say the college has really done due diligence and I know, looking at the Mediaplex, how that’s going to work in September and I personally have no worries at all.”

She says the fall classes will be limited in size with strictly enforced social distancing, face masks, and deep cleaning between classes.

She also believes there is a good chance there will be medical assessments of attendees and a possibility of temperature checks.

“You have to do this until everybody feels safe not doing it and until the medical people say there is a high degree of safety [without these measures],” states Mandal. “I know that our senior team will take every precaution possible and they’ve made it clear they’re going to make sure we’re safe in those buildings—and there won’t be a lot of us in those buildings.” D 51

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PROFILE

CAN-AM Recycling Inc. Pazner Environmental Ltd.

One man’s trash is another man’s gold

Growing up working in their father’s scrap metal business, Lawrence Pazner and Barbara Cheifetz learned a thing or two about recycling. Their father would say, “one man’s trash is another man’s gold.”

Lawrence and Barbara decided to open their first business, Pazner Environmental Ltd., in 1996. Initially the business was set up to help companies manage their waste streams. Their customers, primarily automotive suppliers, found it useful to have Pazner handling their waste and recyclables. After a few years Lawrence and Barbara noticed the plastic part of the business was growing at a much higher rate than the metals, so they switched their focus to recycling plastic. They would buy plastic scrap and sell it to companies that would reuse, reprocess, or compound it into a product that other companies could reuse. In 2002 CAN-AM Recycling Inc. was incorporated and they went from not only buying and selling the plastic but processing the plastic into regrind.

Truckloads of plastic come in daily, and is all separated and ground by specific polymers, grades, and colours. One of the services that CANAM offers is a closed-loop program, where scrap plastic is sorted, ground, reprocessed, and returned to the same supplier for reuse.

This needs to be managed carefully, so the many varieties of plastic are properly identified and sorted to avoid cross contamination.

As CAN-AM has grown, Lawrence and Barbara have added employee initiatives like benefits, appropriate workplace clothing, and gift cards for birthdays. They try to help employees through personal situations and work to make their employees feel supported in the workplace. Employee retention is important to them.

“Longevity says more about a company than profit or balance sheets,” Lawrence says.

Long-term employee retention means that CAN-AM has built a team of experts in the plastic recycling industry who are willing to go the extra mile for the company.

Fostering their current employees’ skillsets, challenging them, and believing that they can move up within the company are just a few ways Lawrence and Barbara take care of their team. Their approach is to promote from within. Their plant managers both started on the plant floor separating plastic and learned from the ground up.

Carrying on a tradition from their father, employees are given gift cards at Christmas. Lawrence and Barbara have taken the tradition one step further by purchasing extras and donating them to local food banks. The two have always maintained a strong sense of community by supporting local sports teams and doing Earth Day initiatives. Over the years Lawrence and Barbara have both gone into schools to talk about the importance of recycling.

Can-Am Recycling

This year CAN-AM is presenting Earth Day Recycling Recognition Awards to select plastic suppliers that have improved their recycling programs by implementing better sorting or transportation initiatives.

165 Queen St N Tilbury, ON N0P 2L0 519.682.9942 pazner.com/Can-Am-Recycling/

Lawrence and Barbara strongly believe in providing great service to their customers. They make themselves available to their customers and employees to ensure that they feel valued in knowing the integral role they play in CAN-AM’s continued growth and success.

One man’s garbage is another man’s gold – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Sponsored by Pazner Environmental Ltd.

50/50 Grand Prize Winner Candice Conkey, Med Lab Technologist

“

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When I realized it was real, I started crying, screaming and the lab was screaming.

THIS COULD BE YOU! Stay tuned for future lotteries!

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HISTORY DRIVE

VANITY THEATRE

1940

Vanity Theatre, 671 Ouellette, Designed by Windsor architect Albert McPhail, the Vanity opened as a premiere movie house in 1936. The Vanity was modern and ahead of its time in design when it opened. Albert McPhail also designed The Canada Building, the former Windsor Star building, Riverside Brewery, and Victoria and Prince Edward schools, city heritage landmarks. The hottest blockbusters were shown at the Vanity.

Shuttered in 1987 due to competition, the building changed hands several times, resurrected as various nightclubs over the years, before a fire dealt it a fatal blow in 2011. The floor had been doused with accelerant but no charges were laid. The Vanity was demolished in 2016 by developers who announced plans for a hotel, but as of 2019, the location remained a vacant lot.

1967

From Windsor Before and After: a new book from Walkerville Publishing Inc., 2019. WPI is owned by Chris Edwards and Elaine Weeks.

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Urban Living

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INVENTION DRIVE

HAWAIIAN PIZZA A local invention that had everyone talking

By Lina Dimopoulos

Sotirios “Sam” Panopoulos was a Greek-Canadian restaurateur from Southern Ontario. He co-owned and operated The Satellite in Chatham, Ontario, where he famously invented the Hawaiian pizza and ultimately sparked one of the most divisive food conversations of our generation.

concluded that the pie was lacklustre. He was particularly unimpressed with the limited selection of pizza toppings, the quality of the ingredients, and the unsuitable ovens that were used to cook the pies. Panopoulos closely observed how Windsor chefs were making pizza and decided to experiment back at his Panopoulos left Greece on a boat heading restaurant. to Canada in 1954 when he was 20 years He adapted what was then considered old. It was when the boat briefly docked in an unconventional approach to pizza by Naples that he sampled pizza for the first time, blending in unique ingredients that he hoped instantly becoming a fan. Upon arriving in might appeal to his customers, such as salty Canada, he settled in Ontario and opened topping combinations like olives and anchoThe Satellite restaurant with his brothers (now vies. He was particularly drawn to the sweet under different ownership), recalling that pizza and sour flavours of Asian dishes like Chinese wasn’t well-known at this time and the only pork, which was already on the menu at The place you could have it was across the border Satellite. In 1962, an enthusiastic Panopoulos in Detroit. created his masterpiece when he opened a can

tionally Italian dish. In 2017, Iceland’s President Gudni Johannesson caused an online frenzy when he told a group of children that pineapple on pizza ought to be banned. In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged allegiance to Team Pineapple, tweeting, “I have a pineapple. I have a pizza.

And I stand behind this delicious Southwestern Ontario creation.”

Certainly, the pineapple controversy enraged pizza purists, but the polarizing dish also attracted many fans and, in turn, inspired future hybrid favourites such as buffalo chicken and barbecue pizzas. The widespread success of Hawaiian pizza can also be attributed to the rising popularity of Polynesian culture, and specifically the tiki trend that was sweeping across mid-century “The pizza in Canada in those days was of pineapple, drained it, and baked the pieces North America. primitive, you know? In the States and Detroit, of fruit on a pizza. He called his invention the In 2017, Sam Panopoulos died at the age of it wasn’t bad, but it was nothing special,” Hawaiian after the label on the can.

83 but remained proud of his pineapple-laden explained Panopoulos.

Although the Hawaiian pizza became a creation his entire life. Indeed, when a The dish gained popularity, however, and hit with local customers, it went on to trigger reporter in 2015 asked him if he still orders pizza re-entered Sam’s life on a trip to Windsor. heated debates internationally, questioning Hawaiian pizza to this day, he replied that he There he tasted a very simplistic pizza and whether pineapple was acceptable on a tradi- does and still enjoys it. D 58

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