projects.
The Willowdale Interfaith Council was formed in the Autumn of 2019. Faith leaders in the WIC are motivated to address bigotry, hate, and prejudice in all forms.
The WIC's faith leaders have also advocated for continued housing options such as modular housing, rapid housing, and housing for those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
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The following are projects that the WIC have advocated for and played key roles in helping address.
Refugee Housing
Yonge Street Tragedy Commemoration
In the wake of the Yonge Street Tragedy (Van Attack) in 2018, a diverse group of faith leaders united to promote peace and healing.
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Each year afterwards a commemoration has taken place, led largely by members of the Willowdale Interfaith Council. During the lockdowns from the Covid-19 pandemic the WIC members used a number of centres of faith across Willowdale to produce virtual commemoration ceremonies.
The majority of the executive team also serve as members of the Yonge Street Tragedy Commemoration Committee.
Modular Housing at 175 Cummer Avenue
Support for Community Groups & Initiatives
Throughout 2021 and 2022 the WIC have advocated for the Modular Housing project at 175 Cummer Ave.
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Faith leaders agree that providing permanent apartments for Willowdale's vulnerable neighbours is an incredibly important part of being a welcoming and hospitable community.
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Once the City has selected the provider we will enthusiastically partner with them to support the 59 incoming residents. More on this to come!
The WIC are faith leaders from a variety of faith-based groups that represent a diversity of faiths and ethnicities.
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Together the WIC are supporting initiatives that care for vulnerable residents, that engage with systemic issues like food security and racism/prejudice, and advocate for wholistic solutions.
about.
About a dozen faith leaders in Willowdale communicate together regularly. The executive of the Willowdale Interfaith Council (WIC) is comprised of seven local faith communities:
Coordinator (since autumn 2021):
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Senior Imam Hany Hamid (North York Muslim Association)
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Members-at-Large:
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Rabbi Alisa Zilbershtein and Senior Rabbi Jarrod Grover (Beth Tikvah Synagogue)
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Monsignor Pat O'Dea and Jasmine Carvalho (St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church)
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Coordinator Lina Wang (Tzu Chi Foundation of Eastern Canada)
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Reverend Sean Huh (Faith Church)
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Pastor Justin Laughridge and Jesse James (St. Luke Lutheran Church Toronto)
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Reverend Matthew Sams (Willowdale Presbyterian Church)
The WIC is an interfaith organization based in the Willowdale Community of North York. Council members are leaders from different faith communities located in the neighbourhood of Willowdale. The WIC serves Willowdale by focusing on the shared faith tenets of charity and compassion.
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The Council’s stated goals are to meet periodically to:
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Identify and discuss issues that effect the community especially neighbors in need
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Propose actions and implement them in the respective faith groups
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Work with elected officials when needed to discuss such issues and take the needed actions
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Propose actions that can be offered to the community at large
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Have a newsletter and website to offer news and action items
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Members of the Willowdale Interfaith Council will commit to:
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Participating in a 10-month season of meetings and initiatives of WIC (September to June)
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Meetings every 6-8 weeks
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Support no toleration of religious bigotry, prejudice, or hate among members
Future action items could include creating:
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A pool of volunteers to actively support community-based actions
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A fund to help with financing the implementation of the agreed actions.
