ALT Text reading "Flaunt it Fridays" in a semi-circle above the logo which features a human outline holding a heart. Below it text reads "Flaunt it Movement- Catalyst Grant Recipient"

ALT Text reading: Jane-Finch’s Grassroots Youth-Led Artist Collective known as the “Flaunt It Movement” presents a weekly event series called "Flaunt It Fridays" for aspiring/emerging Jane-Finch-based artists to explore the arts, activism and entrepreneurship. The resident-led collective creates inclusive, safe spaces for LGBTQ+ racialized women and gender-diverse residents to convene, skill-build, pursue artmaking and engage without barriers. Question: How did your personal background or experiences influence your passion for your project? Answer: Due to our socioeconomic barriers, we share tireless experiences of traveling to Downtown Toronto to access any programs, or we cannot afford the resources needed for our creative pursuits. [...] When the local library only reopened recently, schools close at 3:30 PM, community centres are barely running programming, and our homes may not always be the most nurturing or productive spaces — it all causes our youth to be in increased conflict

ALT Text reads: Question: How has this project helped you better understand the challenges faced by your community? Answer: Many youth passionate about the arts cannot pursue artistic careers because they cannot travel, afford or participate in the necessary training to develop their talents. [...] Through our programming, we are building relationships with more youth through the outreach support of our community partners/organizations. While our attendance is steadily growing, many of our participants expressed the same experiences of being unable to access or afford the resources for their work with an added excitement for how the Studio can support their journeys. Question: What are your future aspirations for your project? Answer: We dream Flaunt It Studio will become the leading creative co-working space in Toronto's York University Heights area that serves the 2SLGBTQ+ BIPOC emerging creatives and entrepreneurs. We aspire for Flaunt It Fridays to become a consistent, sustainabl

ALT Light blue background, in the centre there are puzzle pieces and individuals reaching across the pieces. Text reads "Random Acts of Kindness- Abena McRae, Catalyst Grant Recipient"

ALT Text reads: The "Random Acts of Kindness" project provides workshops for schools in the Jane and Finch area. These workshops will create a space for youth to openly discuss mental health, get connected to resources, and break down the stigma of mental health in the black community. Question. How did your personal background or experiences influence your passion for your project? Answer: I have struggled with my mental health for a long time, but not until recently did I realize how important it is to prioritize it.

ALT Text reads: Question: How has your project benefited the community? Answer: My project benefits the community because it addresses a topic so important that is often overlooked in the black community. It helps students understand the importance of mental health and get connected with resources. Question: What are your future aspirations for your project? Answer: I hope to continue this project and offer it to summer schools in the Jane and Finch community.

ALT Red background with painted image of Malala Yousafzai and the quote "Let us pick up our books and our pens; they are the most powerful weapons." At the top of the image there is large white text reading: Banned Books Bastion. At the bottom of the image a text box reading: Catalyst Grant Recipients- Davina Hanoman & Leah Sim with David Shultz."

ALT Text reading: The "Banned Books Bastion" project aims to educate our community about banned and challenged books, censorship, and freedom of expression. We are building a diverse collection of books that have been threatened in North America and protecting them in our school-based "bastion." Question: How did your personal background or experiences influence your passion for your project? Answer: We're all passionate about freedom of expression and draw inspiration from heroes like Malala Yousafzai and Frederick Douglass. We're all driven by social justice and have a desire to protect marginalized voices from the forces that seek to suppress them.

ALT ext reading: Question: How has this project helped you better understand the challenges faced by your community? Answer: Through our research, we've seen trends in books being banned or challenged in North America, such as books on LGBTQ+ people and books bringing opinions on disputed issues. This has helped us better understand how our community's access to ideas is being shaped, by whom, and by what administrative processes. Question: What are your future aspirations for your project? Answer: Our future aspirations include a social media presence, guided tours of our exhibit, free copies of banned books, and sustainability through sponsorship. Bottom right of the page includes York U-TD CEC logo, and bottom left includes image of books.

ALT Poster with red and white background announcing event details. In the bottom left corner, image of two women looking at a clipboard. Text reads: EMPLOYMENT AT YORK UNIVERSITY: Information Session for the Jane Finch/Black Creek Community. February 29, 2024 at 10:30-12:00 on Zoom. Register here: https://t.ly/JW7GV An exclusive information session for Jane Finch/Black Creek residents and community employment agencies. The session includes: Recruitment at York University Position Types Employee Advantages Current opportunities York University Temporary Agency (YUTA) Navigating the job board Application tips Opportunity to ask questions to HR Representatives

ALT Text reading "Inspiring Community Dance Connections- Abigail Dunbar, Catalyst Grant Recipient". The centre of the image is the logo which features white outlines of dancing figures on a light pink background.

ALT Text slide: Inspiring Community Dance Connections is a dance program in the Jane and Finch community for kids and youth, to provide them the opportunity to experience and embrace the art form of dance. This program is a fun/engaging way to help them learn about the power of confidence, self expression, discipline and grow their voice in the world. Question: How did your personal background or experiences influence your passion for your project? Answer: Since dancing at a local studio in Jane and Finch at age 5, then through high school and now university. I have trained in multiple different styles, the main lesson it taught me was discipline and a freedom of self expression through movement. As I continued to dive deeper into this passion I noticed that the opportunity for such programs were very limited and blocked by stereotyped barriers.

ALT Text slide: Question: How has your project benefited the community? Answer: In an effort to change these barriers my program has helped young youth to learn a new skill, provide them with a second family/support system, helped them to find a voice within the community and helped them to experience an art form without any limitations due to the inaccessible aspect that dance may imply. Question: Q. What are your future aspirations for your project? Answer: My future aspirations are to form a yearly non-for-profit organization. A dance show at the end of each year to showcase the growth and development these talented kids have made. In the future my hope is the program will help provide many opportunities for kids schooling. Gifting them the experience to sign up for art schools providing a feeling of familiarity and safety at school.

ALT Flyer featuring the same images as the logo and announcing Free Dance Classes. Every Saturday at 308 B Grandravine Dr. Ages 4-7 at 9am-10am. Ages 8-15 at 10am-11am. E-mail: [email protected]. Phone: 416 636 6650 or 519 901 0959. Instagram: @icdc_dance.