Report for Affirm United – May 2025
The Affirming Committee has been busy throughout the year. Here are some of the highlights.
In June we were invited to be part of Sheridan College’s Pride Event. Our table attracted many students and we were able to talk about the work we do and the safe space we offer for events. We also attended the raising of the Pride Flag at City Hall and at Peel Police Headquarters.
In July we were present at the Rainbow Sauga Alliance BBQ at the Unitarian Church. This was a great event with entertainment, presentations and information sharing.
In September some members of the committee joined a march in support of Grassy Narrows as they continue to bring attention to the mercury poisoning which has affected their community for so long.
In October we were invited to attend the Rainbow Sauga Alliance Mix and Mingle evening. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with that group and also other allies. The relationship continues to develop.
November saw us hosting the first of two workshops focussing on our theme of Allyship in Action. This topic was on the issues which currently face the 2SLGBTQ+ community and how we, as allies (accomplices) can provide support.
Several committee members were invited by East Mississauga Community Health Centre to attend an Indigenous Network evening where awards were presented to community organizations for their support throughout the year.
We again hosted a group from East Mississauga Community Health Centre for their Christmas dinner at Applewood. The committee provided dinner and hosted the group who were very appreciative of the safe space to celebrate.
In February some committee members attended a Peel Police Presentation on Countering Hate which was very informative in identifying what hate crimes are, how under-reported they are, as well as how they are followed up.
In March we hosted PIE Sunday when we sold pieces of pie to raise money which was donated to Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto. The second of our workshops was held at the end of the month, this time focussing particularly on seniors. We collected 28 signatures on Kairos Canada’s Turn Debt Into Hope campaign petition.
On May 4th Applewood celebrated our 11th anniversary of becoming Affirming. Tom Lebour and Ron Cameron-Lewis from RainbowSauga Alliance were our guest speakers. We continue to hear that the work we do is very much appreciated in the wider community.
During the year we highlight news articles in the AppleLog to help us stay informed about what is happening in our community, across Canada, and around the world. We also highlight the special days of remembrance and celebration each month. We have shared information with our congregation about various workshops and/or issues, including the ongoing wars on both Gaza and Ukraine.
Thank you to the committee for all the hard work they have done this year. The members are: Sophie Cook, Christina Miller, Peggy Grozelle and Brian McIntosh.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Moore and Joan Marshall, Co-chairs
