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Inspiring Others ata
One Star Time
NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY! Nominations are now being accepted for the
Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards
The strength of our community lies in solid citizens. Staff file photo/Dan Pearce
Louis March and community members at the launch of the Zero Gun Violence Movement in June at Redemption and Reintegration Services. The final event of the campaign is Saturday.
Zero Gun Violence Movement campaign preps for closing event Mike Adler madler@insidetoronto.com
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are “truly committed” to zero gun violence and there’s no need to pick up a gun. For members of the Zero “They had difficulty coming up with that picture,” Gun Violence Movement, March conceded, speculating a summer spent bringing their message to schools and in many cases those youth community events across have seen violence in their own lives. Toronto has been an eyeopener. “They don’t know what “We’re closer, but we’re a gun-free society looks far, also,” Louis March of the like.” African Canadian Heritage He hopes the conversation Association said. continues at the summer Volunteers from ACHA campaign’s closing event, the and other groups were part seventh annual Manifesto festival of community and of a 90-day campaign visiting city neighbourhoods – culture this Saturday at places such as Jane-Finch, the George Brown College Lawrence Heights, Alexandra Waterfront Campus on Park, Malvern, Dockside Drive. KingstonThe movement Be a part of the G a l l ow a y a n d will take part in discussion. Visit Parma Court – to the Painting A this story on our talk about vioDifferent Picture website and share panel discussion lence. your thoughts in The first half at Manifesto, as the comments well as a concert, of the summer section. Manifesto Live, looked a little on the following more peaceful than in past years, insidetoronto.com day at Yongesaid March, noting Dundas Square. the homicide rate in Toronto People working to reduce was down by double digits Toronto gun violence to compared to 2012. zero are “close” in that they Then came a string of know what needs to be done, March said, which includes deadly shootings around Jane and Finch. breaking down the “silos” of At summer camps and different groups competing community organizations, for funds, often for similar movement volunteers asked community programs. People providing proyoung people what a society would look like in which we grams need to assess what’s
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If you know a young person, aged 6 to 17, who is involved in worthwhile community service; a special person who is contributing while living with a limitation; a youth who has performed an act of heroism; or a ‘good kid’ who shows a commitment to making life better for others, doing more than is normally expected of someone their age – help us recognize their contribution – nominate them today!
Every time there’s a bullet fired, there’s a story. Are we ready to listen to that story? – Louis March
working and work better together, said March, who is concerned about the young people he said remain on the outside, looking in, even where help is offered. “The people that need the help sometimes don’t go for it,” he said, arguing it’s important to find out why so they can be reached too. “Ever y time there’s a bullet fired, there’s a story. Are we ready to listen to that story?” Part of the campaign was a recognition and celebration of what’s working, said March, who was in Malvern last week on Monday for a regular spoken word event of RISE Edutainment, at which he counted 75 youth and saw “a very positive vibe.” The movement, with its number of supporting partner groups rising from 15 to 40, will continue its work after the campaign ends, he said.
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For more information about the Saturday event, visit www.themanifesto.ca
Nominations will be accepted until November 30 Contact this newspaper or the Ontario Community Newspapers Association at www.ocna.org/juniorcitizen or 905.639.8720 ext. 221 Sponsored by:
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| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Thursday, September 19, 2013
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