LATEST – GOOD TO BE GOOD

We have an exciting one-time workshop happening th

We have an exciting one-time workshop happening this summer: Goodies Cooking Class! 🌽

The 2-hour class will be led by an expert nutritionist with a passion for food and will guide participants with 3 simple recipes and exchange culturally appropriate knowledge and ideas as they cook. The basic yet holistic food skills education our facilitator will provide allows participants to tap into their ingenuity and make the best possible use of their food resources. This workshop aims to empower our community with the confidence and creativity needed to buy, cook, and eat good food every day in a fun and budget-friendly way! Join us as we learn how to create recipes using simple and nutritious ingredients.

The workshop will be led by Kate McMurray (she/her) who is a certified nutritionist and healthy food systems advocate. For 10 years her work at The Big Carrot has focused on championing organic agriculture, building better food literacy, and fostering creative partnerships in the community. Kate is passionate about food education and cooking.

What participants will learn:
💜 3 easy recipes that can turn into a week's worth of meals
💜 Basic culinary techniques
💜 tips on healthier eating habits
Number of available slots: 8
Participants will receive a pantry box of ingredients and a Visa gift card for personal use. If the class is in-person, local transportation is available. If the class is virtual, technology assistance is available.

Eligibility to participate:
Must identify as a woman, gender-diverse or non-binary person
Must be able to attend in-person in Toronto (adhering to COVID-19 protocols) or live virtual class on Zoom (to be confirmed)
Must be 18 years and older
We welcome women and gender-diverse people who identify as experiencing marginalization and barriers to income, improved food security, and access. All teaching is in the English language. Accessibility options can be discussed with our Program Manager. Goodies Cooking Class supports our vision to create more gender equity and equal access.

For more details:
Contact: Jenny Hong
E-mail: jh@goodtobegood.ca

We are devastated and concerned by the news regard

We are devastated and concerned by the news regarding Roe v Wade today. We stand in solidarity with women and gender-diverse people in the US and know that a threat to rights anywhere is a threat to rights everywhere. As a gender equity organization, we are enraged by the horrific impact this will have on low-income, rural, remote, racialized and POC women, gender non-conforming and trans folks.

To our Canadian communities: we are not immune to the forces that limit or restrict a person's right to access safe and dignified abortion and SRHR services. It is vital that we continue protecting women's and gender-diverse peoples' right to autonomy and care and working toward removing restrictive barriers to access.

Let us urge leaders to strengthen the enforcement and accountability of The Canada Health Act and develop the promised Health Canada web portal that promotes accurate, evidence and science-based information on sexual and reproductive health and rights and provides links to free comprehensive support and services such as abortion, contraception, gender-affirming care, sexuality education, family planning, maternal health, GBV, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and STI, and counselling and care for sexual health and well-being.

Access to abortion is healthcare. Reproductive rights are disability and racial justice. Reproductive rights are human rights. Full stop.

👉🏾 👉🏽👉🏿👉🏼Take action with us. Swipe to take two steps today. Donate to local abortion funds. Amplify. Organize. READ and SIGN @abortionrightscoalitioncan’s petition here: https://bit.ly/3nlf9gg

#abortionishealthcare #srhr #abortionrights #takeaction #reproductiverightsforall #feministpolicies #reproductivejustice #canadahealthact #incomeequality #racialjustice #equity

Aid alone will not be enough to effect real change

Aid alone will not be enough to effect real change. Investing in women and girls matters now more than ever!

What happens when you invest in women and girls? It's simple: we all win.

Evidence shows that supporting women and girls (through education, health, agency, and economic opportunities) is essential to accelerate equitable and sustainable changes and spur development that ensures safety, inclusiveness, and resilience.

There is tremendous potential for positive change when we all work together in tandem. Investing in women and girls leads to more lives saved and more robust societies. With every step we take in this direction, we build toward a brighter future.

Swipe left to learn more or share this post with a friend. 💜

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*We use the word women to reference an inclusive term that includes and encompasses Two-Spirit, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, trans, cis, femmes, non-binary people, gender-diverse people, and people of marginalized genders who identify with the term. We recognize and believe that gender is not defined by biology. #goodtobegood #investinwomen #genderequity #equality #systemschange

Our Peer Support Workers are here to offer non-cri

Our Peer Support Workers are here to offer non-crisis-related and non-clinical peer support. They are trained to high standards to provide the proper support and services in a non-judgemental, anti-oppressive, and compassionate way. With lived/shared experience, our Peer Support Workers + facilitators understand the challenges and complexities of mental health and care, and walk alongside peers and support them in their journey.

Our Peer Support Workers are here at no cost to give you the space to breathe, decompress, and be seen and heard in a confidential and empathetic environment.

All of our free groups are available for those who require emotional support or experiencing mental health concerns or healing from trauma, aged 18 and above and identify as women, non-binary, and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, diverse gender identities and gender expression.

For more information or are interested in registering for a drop-in session, please connect with Mecca at mo@goodtobegood.ca.

#peersupport #goodtobegood #community #nonprofit #programming #mentalhealth #equity #traumainformed #genderinclusivity #socialwork #peertopeer #healing #mentalhealthrecovery #connection #support

Have you downloaded and read our latest program im

Have you downloaded and read our latest program impact report for Change Make-Her? Swipe left to view key highlights. 📌 Change Make-Her is our free entrepreneurial community support program that provides low-barrier, inclusive, and foundational mentorship training for women and gender-diverse people with entrepreneurial spirits from underserved and underrepresented communities.

The full report highlights the impact the program had on this year's incredible cohort and how we can improve/enhance our service by centering their voices. Please take a moment to read the stories inside this report describing the program delivery, objectives, findings, testimonials, and recommendations.

Special thank you to our mentors (Marsha, Abby, Maggie, Nadège, Opal, and Temi), partners-in-solidarity (Meridian Credit Union, Cascades, McColl Early Foundation), volunteers, and community supporters for helping us serve participants through this program. We are grateful to do this work alongside you. 💜

🔗 LINK TO FULL REPORT:
https://lnkd.in/dfYrr2ev

Our Impact Report for "The Change Make-Her Program

Our Impact Report for "The Change Make-Her Program" is now live online and available for download!

We are thrilled to share the impacts of our free, community-led entrepreneurial support program, particularly the progress of cohort participants, what the program meant for the women and gender-diverse people we served, and how we will improve/enhance our service and commitment by centring their voices.

Your donations have helped create and sustain a program our team is honoured to bring to our communities and grateful to be a part of the participants' journeys this year.

Thank you to @meridiancreditunion, @cascadesinc, and McColl Early Foundation for funding and supporting the program as our “Partners-In-Solidarity.”

🔗 Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3P7W7qB 💜

It's National Volunteer Week! There is no better t

It's National Volunteer Week! There is no better time than now to shine a light on the instrumental role volunteers play in GOOD TO BE GOOD. We're always celebrating the volunteers on our team and many volunteers who have generously contributed to programs like Change Make-Her!

We want to take this opportunity to thank Janice—our first workshop support facilitator for Change Make-Her. As a volunteer, Janice helped participants navigate the challenges of participating in virtual platforms, facilitated safe learning environments, and captured meaningful activities and engagement points for mentors. THANK YOU, JANICE! 💜

Here is what Janice had to say about her experience and the program:

"It's so nice to see the work in action and see Change Make-Her accomplish what it set out to do. The feedback of hearing the womxn who participated speak on how they felt their stories were recognized, how they felt inspired and empowered to make the changes for themselves they've always wanted - that was exactly what the program hoped to service!"

This program is supported by @meridiancreditunion #goodtobegood #programming #nationalvolunteerweek #supporters

Human-induced climate change is a global issue con

We're excited to announce that the Change Make-Her

We're excited to announce that the Change Make-Her workshops have wrapped up for the second cohort! We want to thank all of our guest mentors, including Opal, who concluded the series with Marsha for our participants.

In the closing session, participants had the opportunity to ask questions about their learnings, share goals and ideas, and explore Opal's "best practices," business experiences, and invaluable advice for the entrepreneurship journey. 💙

Learn more about our guest mentor, Opal.

BIO: Everyone who knows Opal knows her passion for food; her friends have been describing her as a foodie, long before the word had been acclaimed. Like most Jamaicans, Jamaican patties is one of her favourite food. A few years ago, Opal found herself craving patties, and despite the abundance of patties in Toronto, she was unable to find a wholesome patty, that she could enjoy as a meal with a glass of wine. After an exhaustible search, she concluded that there is clearly a gap in the market because "getting good patties should not be so difficult." A few months later, Opal began developing and testing recipes for patties, and after a successful pilot, Stush patties was launched in 2021.

Before @stushpatty, Opal owned and operated a home care company, Nowhere Like Home, which later operated under the umbrella of Living Assistance Services. In 2015, her company won an award for Best Small Business, Richmond Hill.

To Opal, service is a way of life and is a major theme in her off-hours. Despite the hectic demands of operating a company, she is an active Rotarian, and Opal currently sits on a Rotary Club of Etobicoke club.

In the past, she has also served on the following boards: Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) - Markham Chapter, Richmond Hill Board of Trade (Past President), Shadowpath Theater and West Toronto Senior Services (Treasurer). Opal recently also served on the Mayor of Richmond Hill Business Advisory Committee.

She has volunteered for the Canadian Cancer Society, Meals and Wheels and has actively engaged in fundraising for McKenzie Health Hospital and Evergreen Hospice.

#changemakeher #goodtobegood #program #genderequality #mentorship

Today marks Equal Pay Day. According to the Worl

Today marks Equal Pay Day.

According to the World Economic Forum, it will take 268 years to close the economic gender gap. This disparity was already increasing due to a lack of progress in closing the Economic Participation and Opportunity gap. Crises like the pandemic and its associated responses have also exacerbated gender parity.

Sobering data on [gender] pay gaps and disparities are widely available, and the data on the systemic benefits and impacts of parity and economic justice is that of equal accessibility. But statistics alone won't move the needle. We need #EqualPayDay to be more than a day of awareness and symbolism—but a day calling for immediate action and real, long-term commitments from government, employers, and societies.

While we are seeing more women in leadership positions and senior roles, we cannot truly celebrate progress if we leave people behind. And we are. The gender pay gap remains worse for women, girls, and gender-diverse people who face mounting inequities and barriers such as ableism, racism, poverty, immigration, exclusion, substance use, colonialism, homophobia, mental health challenges, different cognitive abilities, and care responsibilities.

Here are some actions we can take as a community:

- Raise awareness by informing at least one or two friends and co-workers about Equal Pay Day
- Support #PayTranparency measures and pay equity efforts in your workplace
- Share campaign materials from @equalpaycoalition on social media
- Write to your elected officials to fund public services and raise the minimum wage to a living wage
- Encourage your HR and leaders to audit salary data and pay practices to assess and ensure gender pay equity
- Be an ally to the women and gender-diverse people in your organization
- Promote leadership and opportunities for BIPOC women and gender-diverse people

What are some of the ways you will champion #EqualPayDay today, and in the future? 💜

#genderequality #economicjustice #genderparity #intersectionality #equalpayday

GOOD TO BE GOOD is excited to announce that the Ca

GOOD TO BE GOOD is excited to announce that the Call for Nominations to the Board of Directors is now open!

We are looking for people interested in helping to guide and shape the future and place of our work by joining our (volunteer) Board of Directors.

We strive to take a transformational approach as a nonprofit + community organization. We don't want to be "just another provider of services" because that's "the way things have been done" in the role and sphere of nonprofits—we are committed to doing things differently, in a way radically, at GOOD TO BE GOOD.

Many nonprofit functions have been adopted from places of power and privilege and often imitate the cause of the very social problems they seek to change. But Audre Lorde once said, "the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house." So we see this as an opportunity in our work to not fix or adjust what is wrong or status quo—instead, meaningfully create what is possible. Our Board of Directors should resemble the diverse communities we serve alongside and commit to a shared vision to reflect the world we wish to see—including ensuring access to leadership spaces to people most affected by gender inequities. As part of our efforts, we are prioritizing applications from women and gender-diverse folks and youth with lived and active experiences.

While “professional” experience is traditionally acknowledged as an integral aspect of leadership, we believe anyone can be a leader with sufficient tools, guidance, and opportunity. The qualifications/roles stated in our board member description are merely guidelines, not static rules, to help us become conscious of the how, what, when, and why of joining GOOD TO BE GOOD as a Board Member.

We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion within the community and encourage applications from candidates including Persons with Disabilities, Youth over 18 years of age, Persons of Colour, Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIAP+ community members and those from equity-deserving groups.

For more information about the role, please get in touch by emailing together@goodtobegood.ca. 💜
#goodtobegood #boardmembers #volunteering

Our Change Make-Her Program winter cohort is comin

International Women's History Month invites us to

International Women's History Month invites us to think about the significance of seeing all women's issues, not just some. In our IWD advocacy campaign, "Let's Get Intersectional," we urge communities to grasp the seriousness of women's intersectional experiences in the domains of everyday life.

Intersectionality is not a trend, one-time event, or fleeting theory for us and the communities we serve. It is real—it is our life.

The concept of intersectionality is not new either. Black and Brown leaders, activists, and thinkers throughout the 20th century provided the historical and social context for a substantial part of women of colour's lives. Kimberlé Crenshaw, a Black critical race theory and law professor, coined the term intersectionality more than 30 years ago. In Professor Crenshaw's article Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex she writes, "Because the intersectional experience is greater than the sum of racism and sex-ism, any analysis that does not take intersectionality into account cannot sufficiently address the particular manner in which Black women are subordinated. Thus, for feminist theory and antiracist policy discourse to embrace the experiences and concerns of Black women, the entire framework that has been used as a basis for translating "women's experience" or "the Black experience" into concrete policy demands must be rethought and recast."

We invite you to #getintersectional today and every day so that we can truly build a world that leaves no one behind. ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

#intersectionality #letsgetintersectional #kimberlecrenshaw #iwd #womenshistorymonth #genderequality #genderjustice #advocacy #goodtobegood
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Source: http://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf/vol1989/iss1/8 A

We are pleased to share that we are launching a F

We are pleased to share that we are launching a FREE monthly Peer Support Group starting Thursday, April 7th from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST. Groups will take place virtually through Zoom.

This group is open to women and gender-diverse community members who identify as living with disabilities, experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation, interpersonal violence, or marginalization and barriers in their day-to-day life and would like to connect with others who share similar experiences. The group is designed to provide support through peer-driven discussion and foster healing discussions with one another.

Please join us for an information session and discussion on what you want to gain from peer support on Thursday, April 7th. Community members are welcome to join any future “drop-in” groups. To help us keep our services safe, comfortable, and confidential spaces for everyone, we kindly ask those who visit to review our Code of Conduct before joining a group.

To register for the first session, please email Lindsay at lvd@goodtobegood.ca by Monday, April 4th. 💙

#peersupport #community #goodtobegood #mentalhealthmatters #healing #peertopeer

Our #IWD2022 "Let's Get Intersectional" campaign f

Our #IWD2022 "Let's Get Intersectional" campaign featured incredible community members and leaders who understand the need for intersectionality now in addressing the systemic challenges facing BIPOC women and their communities.

Meet Nadia George. In the video, Nadia called on "all levels of education" to get intersectional. ✊🏽 We are inspired by her powerful commitment to causes such as public education, youth safety, creative arts, and the protection of water rights for Indigenous communities.

Learn more about Nadia (she/her): 💜

BIO: Nadia Thunder Woman George, is of Mi'kmaw First Nation and Canadian descent. Nadia is an award winning actor and public educator, and media personality based in Toronto; with over a decade of professional experience in social services specializing in trauma informed care.

Gaining international recognition for her advocacy work on mental health and environmental inequity, she continues to use her voice and platform to empower individuals, address stigmas, and advocate for the equity of Indigenous people in Canada.

—
Photo of Nadia George by @natalijasphotos for GOOD TO BE GOOD 💙

#letsgetintersectional #getintersectional #goodtobegood #advocacy #campaign #iwd #womenshistorymonth #internationalwomensday

Our #InternationalWomensDay "Let's Get Intersectio

Our #InternationalWomensDay "Let's Get Intersectional" campaign featured some incredible community members and leaders who understand the ways that intersectionality can be understood, intertwined in their own lives, and an essential praxis in advancing gender rights and addressing social inequalities.

We asked @jillslastword what intersectionality means to her and how we can #getintersectional. Swipe left to read a snippet from the video! 👉🏿

Learn more about Dr. Jill Andrew (she/her): 💜

Dr. Jill Andrew is a Member of the Provincial Parliament for Toronto-St. Paul's. She is an award-winning equity educator, body-image advocate, speaker and writer. As the co-founder of Body Confidence Canada, #SizeismSUCKS and Body Confidence Awareness Week, Jill advocates ending size and appearance-based discrimination, harassment and bullying.

She is a community co-owner of Glad Day Bookshop – the world's oldest LGBT bookstore. She has been an avid volunteer and donor to organizations across the GTA supporting Black and racialized communities, youth, women, chronic health and queer rights through community engagement, education, employment, healthcare, housing and the arts.

She holds a Master's degree in women and gender studies from the University of Toronto New College and a Ph.D. at York University's Faculty of Education. Jill is also a graduate of the Women Win TO political training series. Jill is an animal fanatic – especially cats – and she credits arts education in her youth for helping her to find her voice.

Photo ID: Photo of Dr Jill Andrew standing in front of a white wall by: @natalijasphotos for GOOD TO BE GOOD.

#letsgetintersectional #goodtobegood #intersectionality #kimberlecrenshaw #communityleader #iwd2022 #womenshistorymonth #inclusivity #breakthebias #iwd

Today is #InternationalWomensDay. And we have some

Today is #InternationalWomensDay. And we have something to say.

We invite you to get intersectional today—and every day—so that no woman and gender-diverse person gets left behind.

The full transcription can be found here: https://bit.ly/3sQ6zde

Sarah Barzak @sarah.barzak
Debbie King @supafitmama
Shreya Patel @imshreyapatel
Nneka MacGregor @womenatthecentre
Jenn Harper @jennlharper
MPP Bhutila Karpoche @bhutilakarpoche
MPP Dr. Jill Andrew @jillslastword
Char San Pedro @sanpedrochar
Karyn Inder @karyninderr
Nadia George @nadiageorgeofficial

Directed & Edited by: Shreya Patel (@windowdreamsproductions)
Editor: Mark Guido @markaguido
Produced by: Char San Pedro & GOOD TO BE GOOD
DOP: Westin Nguyen
Assistant: Anna Vagabova
Location: @lovtstudio
Jewelry provided by @bluboho
Music: Slow Motion - Bensound
Support by RFM - NCM

A special thank you to Find Your Stride, Mecca Ongy, @tess_morgann, Amanda and Zach, @smythebrand, Spencer Julien, and Nancy Robb.

To learn more about Intersectionality, we encourage you to read the work of Kimberle Crenshaw:
https://time.com/5786710/kimberle-cre...

To learn more about GOOD TO BE GOOD, visit:
www.goodtobegood.ca

#iwd2022 #goodtobegood #letsgetintersectional #intersectionality #kimberlecrenshaw #genderequity

International Women’s History Month means not on

International Women’s History Month means not only learning about the extraordinary contributions women have made over time but also recognizing that we still have a long way to go together. This week, we are spotlighting #InternationalWomensDay advocates and those who are —and continue to be—champions of gender equity and radical inclusivity.

Meet Bhutila Karpoche (she/her)! 💜 @bhutilakarpoche

Bhutila Karpoche is the Member of Provincial Parliament for Parkdale—High Park.

First elected in 2018, she is a principled and fierce advocate for stronger public health care, universal child care, affordable housing, workers’ rights, and a greener future for Ontario.

An epidemiologist by training, Bhutila is a public health researcher and community organizer with deep roots in Parkdale—High Park. She has been named Toronto’s Best MPP three times in Now Magazine.

Keep an eye out for our IWD message tomorrow featuring Bhutila! 💙

Photo by @natalijasphotos for GOOD TO BE GOOD.

#goodtobegood #parkdalehighpark #iwd2022 #breakthebias #intersectionality #letsgetintersectional #campaign #genderequity #advocates #womenshistorymonth

It’s International Women’s History Month! We’ll spend the next week spotlighting #InternationalWomensDay advocates and champions of gender equity all year round.

Meet Sarah Barzak (she/they)! 💜 @sarah.barzak

Born in Milwaukee, raised in London ONT, Sarah is an eldest immigrant daughter of Malay-Palestinian descent. She is a neurodivergent polyglot who's lived experience as a mixed race diasporic woman fosters her passion for cross-cultural exchange, intersectional storytelling, and culture critiques. Inspired by her participation in Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (@reelasian) community, Sarah founded The London School of Racialized Leaders (@racializedleaders ) in response to the domestic terrorism tragedy in her hometown of London in June 2021. Her equity advocacy and written work have been featured in CBC London ( @cbclondonont), CTV (@ctv), and TVO The Agenda (@theagendatvo).

We can’t wait to share what Sarah has to say for IWD tomorrow! 💙 Stay tuned.

Photo by @natalijasphotos for GOOD TO BE GOOD. #iwd2022 #womenshistorymonth #genderequity #intersectionalitymatters #goodtobegood #letsgetintersectional #advocates

International Women’s Day is an important day fo

International Women’s Day is an important day for our organization. 💙

We take this time to reflect on the advances that have been made for some women and urgently galvanize for progress that can deliver true equality, dignity, and justice for our sisters who have been left behind.

And we know so many others feel the same!

For us, working with incredible people like @karyninder means we can galvanize as a unified collective force in the patriarchal and racist struggles that face women and gender diverse folks.

How will you be observing IWD this year?

#iwd2022 #goodtobegood #campaign #comingsoon #internationalwomensmonth #intersectionality #radical #feminists #genderequity #womensrights #behindthescenes

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