Event - Help the Homeless - Sandwich Run / Socks donation - 

Saturday, Dec. 17th, 6:30pm Toronto

Please join The MeetUp volunteer group: "Help the Homeless with Project417", in a sandwich run and /or socks donation for the homeless. They will be delivering bagged lunches and socks to some of the city's homeless.

YOUR CHOICE: You can either prepare a minimum of 10 bagged lunches or provide 10 pairs of socks for distribution, or both! Please feel free to also bring hats and gloves.

A Sandwich Run involves delivering nutritious bagged lunches to the homeless by walking well travelled routes in downtown Toronto where street people live. You will be delivering the lunches with an experienced team leader, who will guide you every step of the way.

more about the meetup... 

This group heads out on the streets a couple of times a month. There are usually about 10 to 15 volunteers - mostly young professionals -  and a rewarding (and fun!) time is had by all. ~ Andy Twitter @canayjun

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Knox Toronto Youth Dinner and FoodBank Re-Opens Nov 1st

This volunteer run program provides a hot meal, activities, conversation and some extra groceries to inner-City youth, every Tuesday, November through April. This program is the 2nd phase of what used to be the Knox Out of the Cold youth shelter. We've been cooking for street youth since 1996--how crazy is that??? Volunteers, guests, donors and friends are welcome to join to stay in touch. Visit the Facebook group

For more, see the previous article over at my Wordpress blog The MissionLog, from a couple years back - Knox is still a fun place for the street youth who frequent it. Many have grown up there. In Toronto? Come out and volunteer!

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TEDxToronto 2011 Opening Video - Toronto

This is the video for the opening of this year's TEDx Toronto. TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. The TEDx program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. At TEDx events, a screening of TEDTalks videos -- or a combination of live presenters and TEDTalks videos -- sparks deep conversation and connections. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis.

This video is like a short personal opus for every Torontonian - the city should adopt it as it's "official" City of Toronto video:

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InvisiblePeople Interview: Aboriginal - First Nations Homelessness in Canada

The following is an interview by Mark Horvath, founder of InvisiblePeople.tv and WeAreVisible.com, outspoken advocate for the homeless. Mark, who lives and works in L.A.,  was invited to Canada to extend his annual InvisiblePeople.TV roadtrip meeting with and interviewing people who are experiencing homelessness. Helping them get the story told. Helping them gain the visibility they sorely need. Mark was invited by the Calgary Homeless Foundation and Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. Mark was hosted by homeless service organizations right across Canada from Victoria to St. Johns. One of the main characteristics of Canadian homelessness Mark quickly discovered was the high percentage of aboriginal peoples who are homeless here. Other studies have shown that although First Nations people are only 3% of Canada's population, more than 25% of the street homeless are aboriginal and make up 50% of the Canadian prison population. Here Mark interviews David Ward of Edmonton (via YouTube).


You can follow Mark on Twitter at @hardlynormal and @invisiblepeople

shared by Andy Coats - @canayjun
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Using Social Media to Find a Better Job - Continued

or, People Say the Nicest Things Department – Part III

Andy is an unsung hero in our community.... His selflessness, compassion and commitment to his outreach work are truly inspirational... Andy is a man of great character with incredible passion for social justice... Andy successfully inspired broad spectrum community participation... He brings many years of experience and knowledge to any organization...

Some of you have been following my ongoing job search efforts over on Twitter and LinkedIn et al. (You can connect with me on Twitter @canayjun). I'm searching for a career with a non-profit engaged in homeless services and helping to end homelessness. I’ve been making a concerted effort to improve the usual round of submitting resumes and cover letters to promising organizations, by using the various social networks and apps that I have access to. Here's the latest via YouTube, LinkedIn and GoogleDocs.  LinkedIn has a nice feature that let's you embed various applications to deliver multimedia content right on your LinkedIn profile - in this case I've used their Google Docs app to add a presentation with an embedded Youtube video.

Check out the video - see me and my colleagues at work:

The video was produced with the help of TurnHere.com while I was the Community Development Coordinator for Project417 and I highly recommend the TurnHere service for anyone, non-profit or private business alike, to jump into video marketing for your cause or company. TurnHere's customer service was superb and the videographer was the best. We filmed out on the streets of Toronto (at Yonge Dundas Square), because that is where the outreach to people experiencing homelessness takes place year round. 


You can reach me on Twitter @canayjun and sharing the link to this blog post on Twitter Google+, Facebook and others would be a big boost to my networking efforts and much appreciated.


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Read the Helping Hands Daily - And Submit your Articles to Canayjun on Twitter

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BREAKING - Upgraded, AAA Rating Re-instated? What does it mean?

BREAKING: Major rating services announced today, after protracted deliberations, to upgrade and re-instate the AAA credit rating for the United States. In concurrent press releases it was also announced that most of the other G8 sovereign states - Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom - would consequently be upgraded to the newly introduced AAAA Platinum Plus rating standard. France announced that it would unilaterally migrate over to the more desirable Michelin Guide service after learning that they qualified for 5 Stars. The AAAA Platinum Plus rating means, for the upgraded Group of Six, access to reduced monthly fees and one million free air-miles, which should substantially reduce costs of travelling to the next G8 meeting, (although it is unlikely it will be held in France due to accommodation price increases related to their 5 Star status). Warren Buffet is quoted as saying the US deserves a AAAA rating because it's, well, because it's still the USA ...OK? Insiders though insist that Buffet's AAAA lobbying are more probably linked to his current efforts to corner the world air-mile futures market.

In related news, China announced that it would divest itself of $1.2 trillion dollars in U.S. government notes and quickly transition to Venezuelan Bolivars (VEB) as it lobbied amongst other Group of Five and G20 members to establish the Bolivar as the new standard for international currency trading. A spokesperson for the Chinese government, who can not be identified for fear of torture and lifelong house arrest, revealed that China will replace gold as a hedge against currency fluctuations by taking a more profitable, "organic and vegan" approach by aggressively seeking to wrest control of the world opium market from other south east Asian regimes combined with the armed occupation of Afghanistan following the NATO withdrawal of troops in the region.

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Dogs vs Cats - The Diaries

From a Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favourite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favourite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!

From a Cat's Diary

Day 983 of my captivity.  My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.  In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet.  I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of.  However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.  Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.  I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.  However, I could hear the noises and smell the food.  I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of ‘allergies'.  I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.  I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.  The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return.  He is obviously mentally challenged.

The bird has got to be an informant.  I observe him communicating with the guards regularly.  I am certain that he reports my every move.  My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.  For now... Will keep you posted.

[via email author unknown]

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Playing for Change - Sittin on The Dock of the Bay

Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay from Playing For Change on Vimeo.

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(Sittin' on) The Dock of The Bay - Otis Redding, Steve Cropper - 1967

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My Job Search Launch on Twitter

OK, 140 or less: Launching my job search here. Social networks should make this easier right? http://linkd.in/Andy-Works

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via HardlyNormal: Help Homeless Mom (@CareyFuller) Travel to Speak at 140 Conf in NYC

Help Homeless Mom Travel to Speak at 140 Conf in NYC

Post update 7/9/11 - the conference is over, but you can still visit with Carey on Twitter @Wearevisible

or http://wearevisible.com/

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Manitoba farmers fear controlled dike breach - Manitoba - CBC News

Assiniboine River - Red River flood levels alarming. Canadian Forces called in to help:

It looks to be even worse than 2009 when I posted about the Red River flooding looking more like the Red Sea. Visit the CBC for latest updates -
Manitoba farmers fear controlled dike breach - Manitoba - CBC News
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You have a choice

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Together. We. Can. Do. This!

Change is Possible.

Vote NDP - tell @JackLayton

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Japan Earthquake - Red Cross Relief

p-JPN0046, originally uploaded by IFRC.

International relief organizations, including the Red Cross, responded quickly to the devastating earthquakes yesterday. Give generously to your favorite organization.

In Canada - To donate $10 to 2011 Japan Disaster Earthquake relief fund text “QUAKE” to 45678 or go to www.Salvationarmy.ca/Japan or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY

via @canayjun on Twitter
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Aerial view of flooding - Queensland Australia

Aerial view of flooding, originally uploaded by Salvation Army IHQ.

The Salvation Army is responding to the devastating floods in Queensland, Australia.

Support their emergency relief efforts and the long term re-construction.

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via @MeteorTel on Twitter

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