Community Groups Toronto

Friends Like Family: Games, Laughs & Real Connections ( Not A Dating Event )

### 🎟️ Registration Required To attend, please create your free account and register through - https://famelee.ai/signup **Limited spots available. Come solo, leave with new friends, memories, and your new social circle.** We Need atleast 50 registeration to run this, Please register and we will email you once we get 50 people. Location will be emailed separately who signed up Update - We are trying to find out the right venue as we have more then 50 people to accommodate Tired of small talk and endless scrolling? Join us for an evening designed to help you build genuine friendships that feel like family. Whether you're new to the city, looking to expand your social circle, or simply want to meet amazing people, this event is all about fun, connection, and creating lasting memories. No networking. No awkward speeches. Just real people, exciting games, great conversations, and a welcoming community. ### 🎉 What to Expect ✅ Icebreaker Challenges Fun activities that make meeting new people easy and natural. ✅ Flip the Cup Tournament Team up, compete, and share plenty of laughs. ✅ Speed Friending Sessions Meet multiple people in a relaxed and fun environment. ✅ Human Bingo Challenge Find people with unique experiences and win prizes. ✅ Team Building Games Work together, solve challenges, and create instant connections. ✅ Mystery Partner Challenge Get paired with someone new and complete fun mini-missions. ✅ Friendship Trivia Battle Test your knowledge and compete for bragging rights. ✅ Group Social Mixer Enjoy music, snacks, and meaningful conversations. ✅ "Find Your Tribe" Activity Connect with people who share your interests, hobbies, and lifestyle. ### 🎁 Bonus * Meet people who are looking for genuine friendships. * Fun prizes and giveaways. * Photos and memories you'll want to keep. * Opportunity to join future community gatherings. ### Who Should Attend? * Newcomers to the city * Professionals looking for a social life * Remote workers * Students and graduates * Anyone wanting to make real friends and meaningful connections ### Our Mission We believe friends can become family. This event is designed to bring together positive, welcoming people who want to build authentic relationships beyond social media. ### 🎟️ Registration Required To attend, please create your free account and register through https://famelee.ai/signup **Limited spots available. Come solo, leave with new friends, memories, and your new social circle.**

Bible & Beer Series!

**Bible & Beer Series!** Ignite! Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–39) **Tuesday, Oct 13** \| 7:00 p\.m\. – 9:30 p\.m\. **St. Patrick’s Church – 137 McCaul Street** (Enter through the front Church doors) **Followed by a social at Sin & Redemption Pub** Come be a part of Bible and Beer, a monthly conversation series for young adults (18 – 39) diving into scripture, life, and the real questions that shape our faith journey. This month, we welcome **Fr. David Louch, C.Ss.R.** as our guest speaker, offering a reflection on the upcoming Sunday Readings. Expect thought-provoking insights, small group conversations, and plenty of time to unwind with others over a pint (or your choice of drink – mine is tea) at **Sin & Redemption Pub** just across the street. **Click here to register and get your ticket:** [https://bit.ly/Bible_and_Beer_Oct13](https://bit.ly/Bible_and_Beer_Oct13) Hosted by St. Patrick’s Ignite Young Adult Ministry

Thursday 10AM Morning Feather Birdies Badminton Meetup

**Cost :** **$9** per person, **included 1 new standard feather** **birdie** or **$6 + 1 new standard feather birdie** from the player. **Racquets :** Bring your own racquet. Rentals are available at the club if needed. **Shoes :** Please bring indoor gym shoes and change into them at the club before entering the courts. **Join us for some weekday 2 hours morning badminton fun at Tiger Badminton (one of the courts can play to 12:30pm). Whether you're looking to get some exercise, meet new people, or just have a good time, come swing by and get in a game or two. Free sign up and all levels are welcome!!**

Pub Night

# Pub Night: Creation at the Margins – Catholic Social Teaching and Ecological Justice With Brex Arevalo **Ignite! Young Adult Ministry (age 18-39)** *What can Catholic Social Teaching teach us about our relationship with Creation and the struggle for ecological justice? Drawing on his work with communities experiencing environmental and social injustice, Brex explores how those at the margins are often already showing us pathways toward a more just and sustainable future. The talk invites young Catholics to consider what ecological justice looks like in practice, and how their faith can shape the way they respond.* Brex Arevalo is an environmental planner, climate justice advocate, and researcher who has dedicated his career to promoting environmental and social justice in the Asia-Pacificregion. Brex has more than nine years of experience working on climate change, pollution, air quality, and sustainable development. He collaborates with marginalized communities, civil society organizations, and policymakers to promote equitable and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. Snacks provided. Drinks and other food available for purchase. Space is limited. Reserve your place now. **Click here to register and get your ticket:** [https://bit.ly/Ignite_Pub_Night_Oct_27](https://ignite-canada.ca/event/pub-night-oct-27/) *Join us for an evening At Sin & Redemption PUB* ***Location:*** *136 McCaul Street* **Date & Time:** Tuesday\, October 27\, 2026 \| 7 – 9 pm In partnership with Canadian Jesuits International. ***Registration is required to reserve your spot.*** Hosted by St. Patrick’s Ignite Young Adult Ministry

Hallowe'en Party with a Twist...

**Ignite Ministry Presents...** Hallowe'en Party with a Twist Dress as Your Favourite Saint **GAMES** **CANDY** **PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST** Ignite! Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–39) **Friday\, October 30 \| 7:00 \- 9:00 PM** **Registration: $5 per person** @ 131 McCaul St **Click here to register and get your ticket:** [https://bit.ly/Ignite_Halloween_Party_Oct_30_2026](https://ignite-canada.ca/event/halloweeen-party/) ***Please note:*** *Due to event planning and preparation costs, registration fees cannot be refunded.* *Bring a friend.* ***Registration is required to reserve your spot.*** Hosted by St. Patrick’s Ignite Young Adult Ministry

From hello to connection at TPL

Belong TO: Taste of Home

***\*Please complete the [form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdA3hMQUxJLSE_qC1jV4oPREiJxjqXS3cTCpVfxLlmTY7c34w/viewform?usp=header) so we can prepare well for you. If you're on the waitlist, come anyway — we'll make room.*** **Belong TO: Taste of Home** Taste of Home, with a little Thanksgiving mixed in. 🍂✨ Got a snack or dish that tells a story about where you're from? Bring it! We wanna see (and taste) a little bit of your culture. Don't have anything to bring? Come anyway, zero pressure, you're welcome either way. We'll have food ready too, and this time we're adding a little Thanksgiving to the mix, good food, good people, and a lot to be grateful for. Come hungry, come curious, come as you are! Belong TO is a regular social gathering for people in their 20s and 30s navigating life after uni, work life, job hunting, moving to Toronto, or simply looking to meet new people and build genuine friendships. Come alone, bring a friend, or invite someone who's missing a taste of home. **What to Expect** * Bring a snack or food you'd like to share from home * We'll prepare the drinks * Storytelling around what "home" tastes like * Casual conversations * Friendly people * A welcoming space to connect without pressure **Who This Is For** This gathering is especially for people in their 20s and 30s who are: * Navigating life after university * Job hunting or starting a career * New to Toronto * Looking for friendship and community * Wanting to meet people in a relaxed, welcoming space **Date & Time** Saturday, October 10 6:00–9:00 PM **Location** 333 Queen Street E https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Ak9K23iDfpF3FNeA **Ticket** $5 ticket — helps cover snacks and supplies for the night. E-Transfer: belongto2026@gmail.com If cost is a barrier, please DM us. We still want you to be able to come. **Register** [Registration Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdA3hMQUxJLSE_qC1jV4oPREiJxjqXS3cTCpVfxLlmTY7c34w/viewform?usp=header) Please complete the form so we can prepare well for you. If you're on the waitlist, come anyway — we'll make room. **Stay Connected** Follow us on Instagram for updates and future gatherings: https://www.instagram.com/belongto2026 Come hang out. Find your people. Belong TO.

Ecstatic Celebration 'Hearth Prayer' (Kirtan,Soul Music,Kundalini,Dance)

**Overview** ​Connect, Network & Build w/ Mature Spiritual Community while having fun & communing in kundalini kriya's, medicine music, kirtan, dance etc ​**✧ You Are Invited ✧** ​**Step into a space where your heart, spirit, and soul are nourished, inspired, and celebrated!** ​Join us on **Thursday, Nov 5th** for ***Meditation Meets Ecstatic Celebration "Hearth Prayer"***—a high-vibe, heart-centered event hosted by **The Soul Guided Network**. This is your chance to connect deeply with yourself, others, and a higher sense of belonging. ​ The **Soul Guided Community Empowerment Network** provides a safe space for spiritual seekers to connect, share resources, and elevate their collective vibration. We believe in the power of community to heal and awaken, align with our purpose and highest potential, and deepen our spiritual practice. **Soul Guided** helps individuals do just that. Whether you're new or have been with us for a while, this evening is a chance to celebrate how far you've come on your journey. ​More than just a dance party, this is an opportunity to build community, network, and meet like-minded individuals whose visions align with yours. It’s an intimate gathering to connect on a deeper level and create lasting bonds. ​ **Chris, Jennifer, and the Soul Guided Community** are excited to welcome you to an evening of connection, fun, and honoring of your growth. Experience a nourishing blend of ice breakers, meditation, kundalini yoga, kirtan, community sharing, and live medicine music. Be fully present with like-minded souls and leave feeling inspired and rejuvenated. ​ This gathering is for those who are ready to step into a space where you are seen, heard, and valued for who you truly are—no pretenses, no judgment. It’s an invitation to celebrate the collective energy of a conscious tribe, and to co-create an experience that lifts us all. ​\*\*This is a sober, family friendly & substance-free event\* ​**𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖** * ​**5:30 PM** – Eat Dinner, Chill, Mingle & Check out our Amazing Vendors * ​**6:30 PM** – Welcome & Grounding Meditation, Warm-Up, Kundalini Kriya's, Ice Breakers * ​**7:20 PM** – Community Connection & Sharing Circle * ​**7:40 PM** – Kirtan w/ Velvet Om * ​**8:40 PM** – Ecstatic Dance w/ Marcos * ​**9:15 PM** – Jeremy Legault Medicine Music * ​**9:45 PM** – Closing Soundbath & Gratitudes * ​**10:00 PM** – Departure ​*Timing is estimated and subject to change* ​**𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐒** ​From massage to energy healing to healthy delicious meals, snacks & drinks to body sprays, lotions and potions there will be plenty of goodness to be experienced from our community vendors. ​ ​**𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍** w/ Authentic Indian Dinner Ticket (Vegan & Gluten Free) ​*Thai Red Curry (Tofu & Vegetables) + Rice or Daal + Rice* * ​\*\*$49\*\* – Super Early Bird (Until October 9th) * ​\*\*$54\*\* – Early Bird (Until October 29th) * ​\*\*$59\*\* – Regular (Until Nov 5th @ 5pm) * ​\*\*$70\*\* – At the Door ​**𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍** w/ Meal Not Included * ​\*\*$37\*\* – Super Early Bird (Until October 9th) * ​\*\*$42\*\* – Early Bird (Until October 29th) * ​\*\*$47\*\* – Regular (Until Nov 5th @ 5pm) * ​\*\*$55\*\* – At the Door ​ ​\*If finances are an issue, please reach out to us via the email below and let us know what you can contribute. ​**𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞** ​Want to be more infused in the creation of conscious community with those who feel like soul tribe? To volunteer, contribute or learn more about being on the Soul Guided Team, please reach out to us at: **soulguided@soulguidednetwork.com**. ​We can’t wait to connect and co-create with you! ​**𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒** ​**Velvet Om:** is a transformative kirtan and medicine music band from the GTA in Toronto. Comprised of Madison Ryley on harmonium and vocals, VJ Bala on guitar and vocals, while often featuring multiple percussionists and other musical highlights like cello and flute. Velvet Om weaves together soulful sounds and healing vibrations. ​Over the past three years, they have graced festivals like Earthbeat (Previously Coming Home Festival) and Bumi festival. They have hosted kirtans across Toronto and its northern regions, creating a vibrant community around their music. ​ As a newly formed band, Velvet Om is driven by a passion for medicine music and the belief that all music is healing. Their eclectic repertoire includes everything from the timeless melodies of The Beatles and the ethereal sounds of Enya to Spanish medicine music and the even ceremonial music. Velvet Om’s kirtans are unique in that they are also song ceremonies, offering a deeper, transformative experience. ​ ​**Jeremy Legault:** A medicine music musician & professional music producer and mulit instrumentalist. Jeremy brings so much joy and class to the stage, in the way he invites everyone to sing and be apart of the incredible vibrations! ​ ​**𝐃𝐉** ​**Marcos Mendosa:** As a DJ, Marcos creates immersive musical experiences that move people emotionally, physically, and energetically. Blending Afro House, melodic rhythms, and cinematic storytelling, he reads the room with precision and crafts journeys that transform a gathering into a shared experience. With a deep understanding of human emotion, performance, and connection, his sets are designed not just to entertain, but to inspire, elevate, and bring people together through music. ​ ​**𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐒, 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒 & 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒** ​**Chris Dub**: An intuitive healer, kundalini yogi, and space holder, Chris guides people to live their best and most authentic lives through self-inquiry, plant medicine ceremonies, kundalini yoga, intuitive healing sessions & through intimate conscious gatherings. Having spent over 15 years on his spiritual path, honing his gifts and personal practice, Chris helps others align with their highest potential. Soul Guided is a vision he’s held for many years, and through his dedication to community building, it’s now coming to fruition. ​**Jennifer Mya Polansky**: A medicine woman walking a tantric shamanic path, Jennifer holds space for women to reconnect with their true selves, embody their feminine essence, and feel at home in their bodies. Her deepest desire is to see a world of humans more connected to their truth, with greater self-love and compassion, working together toward a more harmonious future. With her sacred drum and angelic voice, she’ll take you on a journey deep into your soul, where you will meet the truth of who you are. ​ ​We’re excited to gather with you in celebration, co-creation, and spiritual growth! ✨

✨ Volunteering: Food Bank

We’re hosting a volunteer event with the Daily Bread Food Bank 💛, one of **Toronto’s largest charities**, which supports people facing difficult circumstances every day. We’ll be **sorting food** 🥕🥫📦 and, if needed, helping to prepare it for distribution. This is hands-on help that directly impacts someone’s daily life. **No special experience or skills are required.** All that matters is your willingness to get involved and donate a few hours of your time. ⏰ **Time:** 9:50 AM to 12:00 PM 💬 **Coordinator:** Kate 💜 **Participation is free** ⚠ Age requirement: 15 and older ❗ Before participating, you must **review the mandatory form from Daily Bread.** You can sign it on-site, but it’s important to read the document in advance. We’ll send the link via the bot after registration. **Register on [TryToronto website](https://trytoronto.org/events/food-bank-sep)** **Our Instagram: [@try_toronto_](https://www.instagram.com/try_toronto_)**

Community Meal Service at Good Shepherd (Toronto)

✨ **Community Meal Service at Good Shepherd** Hi everyone, We're heading back to Good Shepherd to serve meals for people experiencing homelessness and those at risk. Last time we served meals, chopped veggies, made sandwiches, and helped prep pasta. ✦ **Saturday, October 10, 1:30pm to 4pm** ✦ **Please arrive between 1:30 and 1:40pm** so we can assign roles ✦ Good Shepherd Ministries, 412 Queen St E, Toronto ✦ Only 6 spots **How to sign up** 1. Create your Toronto Joy account. It's one time only and takes about 3 minutes. We ask for an emergency contact and a safety agreement so everyone's looked after. [https://torontojoy.org/register/](https://torontojoy.org/register/) 2\. Go to the event page and click "Register\." [https://torontojoy.org/event/community-meal-service-at-good-shepherd-toronto-2/](https://torontojoy.org/event/community-meal-service-at-good-shepherd-toronto-2/) Already have an account? Skip to step 2. *Only people registered on our website can take a spot. If you sign up, please plan to be there. Good Shepherd counts on our numbers.* **When you arrive** Check in at Reception. Staff will take you to the volunteer room, where you can leave your things in a locker and meet the group. **Good to know** ✦ Closed-toe shoes required ✦ Tie back long hair, keep jewelry minimal ✦ Water is available, just ask Reception ✦ Can't make it? Message me as soon as you can 🙏 Full guidelines on what to wear and safety: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1piAyloECv9YUDkPJuoJBdCmh3x8n1un1rGvJSFIkbs4/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1piAyloECv9YUDkPJuoJBdCmh3x8n1un1rGvJSFIkbs4/edit?usp=sharing) Grateful to serve alongside you. Amar and Team

The Future of Wellbeing: AI, Community & Social Impact

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-future-of-wellbeing-ai-community-social-impact-tickets-1997859089317?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAad9JE43Cv4asJwzLwmAkV5UH94sl9eJwjPGVPLPRLCUuBLTGMNoB7aCPW61-A_aem_eqTb0M6UTv4G97JZPcFxPw **Overview** What does it mean to build AI in service of wellbeing? A one-day forum on tech, climate, mental health, community & social impact. *A Community Panel & Networking* An evening forum on what it means to build technology in service of wellbeing. As AI reshapes how we live, work, and care for one another, one question matters more than ever: what does it mean to build and adopt technology in service of holistic wellbeing — human, community, and societal — in the Canadian context? The Mindful Impact Forum brings together nonprofit leaders, founders, technologists, youth, and changemakers for a focused day of conversation and practice. We move deliberately from the human to the technical: first setting the foundation of what wellbeing truly means, then turning to how we build and adopt AI responsibly in service of it. After launching our forum series in Vancouver this past March, we're bringing it to Toronto for a single, focused edition — in partnership with Google Developer Groups and The Dais, TMU. ### **What you'll experience** * A flagship day of remarks, a keynote, and an opening panel on wellbeing * A creatively facilitated community forum — real cross-sector dialogue * A hands-on AI & technology for social impact workshop * Practical tools for leadership, resilience, and innovation you can use the next morning * A genuinely cross-sector room: founders, youth leaders, community builders, and changemakers ### **The program** Session 1 — Framing & Community Panel: What Wellbeing Means Session 2 — AI and Responsible Innovation: From Principles to Practice Session 3 — Finding our Wisdom Way Forward: Future Community Wellbeing & Leadership ## Event Details **📍 Location:** The Sandbox, TMU (341 Yonge St 3rd floor, Toronto, ON M5B 1S1) **📅 Date:** Oct 14, Wednesday 2026 **⏰ Time:** 6 PM - 9:00 PM (Door open 5:30 PM) **🎫 Ticket — FREE -$50** All proceeds support Wisdomway Impact’s mental wellbeing initiatives. Student & Youth (under 25, limited spots) FREE **Speakers** 1. **AJ Kim** is a social entrepreneur, global impact practitioner, dedicated to building spaces where inner development and collective change meet. Her work spans leadership development, youth empowerment, and community wellbeing initiatives in Asia, Africa, and Canada, grounded in field experiences, dialogue, and systems thinking. Through forums, education programs, and partnerships, she explores how mental wellbeing can become a foundation for stronger communities, sustainable leadership, and long-term social impact. 2. **Alejandro Castellanos** Toronto-based AI Systems Architect, Alejandro builds trustworthy AI technologies for community resilience, public-interest intelligence, and human-centred care. His work emphasizes evidence, human oversight, and technology that strengthens—not replaces—human judgment. 3. **Camara Chambers** (*Director of Learning and Events, The Dais at TMU)* Named one of 100 Black Women in Canada to Watch and a national leader by The Philanthropist Journal, Camara has spent her career where equity meets civic engagement — leading a national policy program for Europe's largest LGBTQ charity, and serving as Executive Director of Volunteer Toronto, Canada's largest volunteer centre. At the Dais she builds community partnerships and designs leadership programs for Canada's next generation of leaders, and she founded Let's Hike T.O., which has introduced over 1,300 people to the trails. She brings the question that keeps the whole session honest: responsible *for whom?* 4. **Carolyn Shaw** is the Co-Founder, President and Chief Creative Officer of Humanity, an independent, Black-owned and female-led agency built for changemakers. With more than 20 years of experience in marketing, branding and design, she helps purpose-driven organizations turn bold ambitions into ideas, experiences and campaigns that move people. Carolyn believes the strongest organizations are built by keeping people—their needs, dignity and lived experiences—at the centre of how we lead, communicate and create change. Her work spans health, education, culture, sustainability and the nonprofit sector, bringing strategy and creativity together to make complex issues more human and meaningful. A lifelong learner and advocate for purpose-led leadership, Carolyn is especially interested in how organizations can pursue progress without losing sight of the people that progress is meant to serve. 5. **Danielle (dane) Cadhit** is an experience designer, story weaver, facilitator, and lifelong observer of patterns. At Coralus, she crafts experiences that invite people to connect more deeply, see and do things differently, and (re)imagine new possibilities.Her curiosity tends to live in the spaces between things: between people and ideas, work and life, structure and emergence, the inner world and the communities we build around us. Lately, she has been especially interested in what happens when we stop treating ourselves like something to optimize, and instead pay more attention to the rhythms, seasons, relationships, and conditions that shape how we actually live, work, gather, and create. 6. **Hilary Van Welter** is CEO (Chief Exploration Officer) at Ascentia, Coralus Transformation Architect, and Associate Steward at Bounce Beyond. She has spent a lifetime exploring how life, people, organizations, communities and nature flourish, evolve and bring new possibilities into being. Her perspective has been shaped by decades of looking at these questions from many angles, across government, business, social innovation, community and systems transformation. Her work lives at the intersection of strategy, imagination and living systems, with a particular curiosity about the relationships and conditions that reimagine even the term wellbeing beyond the individual into community and society. She brings the wisdom of a long trajectory, a deep trust in life’s intelligence, and an ability to sense patterns and possibilities while they are still emerging. 7. **Jake Hirsch-Allen** (*Director of Partnerships, The Dais at TMU)* Jake works at the intersection of inclusive technology, ethical data, and responsible AI. He built public-private partnerships in workforce development and higher education at LinkedIn, co-founded Lighthouse Labs, and advises impact investors, public-sector leaders, and startups on responsible tech and AI governance. A former intellectual property and international criminal lawyer who clerked at the Supreme Court of Israel, he can speak to the ethics, the policy, and the build of AI all at once — and here, he opens the questions the demos will have to answer. 8. **Katie Choi (she/her)** is the Lead of Community Education at HF Care and a registered social worker with experience supporting diverse communities across the mental health, developmental services, and settlement sectors. Drawing on both her professional background and her lived experience as an immigrant and the daughter of immigrant parents, Katie is passionate about exploring how culture, migration, and family dynamics shape holistic wellness. Through her work, she supports front-line workers in building culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches to service delivery. 9. **Kritima Kukreja** Technology professional and mobile developer, Founder of Synk Tech AI. Specialized in creating smart agents, chatbots and automations that scales for the client’s needs. A former experienced developer in well-known companies such as IBM, MicroSoft, Bank of America, and Google. Kritima builds user-focused digital experiences and explores the intersection of AI, mobile technology, and emerging digital tools. She is also an active member of Toronto’s tech community, supporting and mentoring fellow builders. 10. **Swelen Andari** is the Director of Strategy, Climate Resilience & Youth Mental Health at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She leads a research and systems change initiative to address climate distress, climate action, and active hope for youth. Swelen leads the CAMH Mental Health & Climate Response Initiative, an organization-wide effort addressing climate-related mental health impacts. Trained as a Creative Arts Therapist and with a background in systems thinking, and implementation science, she has over a decade of experience in system-level initiatives to improve access, service design, prevention, and youth leadership in Ontario’s child/youth mental health system. For several years, Swelen was involved in local and national climate justice organizing, including collaborating with Climate Justice Toronto, supporting the 350’s Our Time Campaign, and co-designing a social movement organization committed to advancing equitable climate solution, good work and dignity for all. ## Organizer & Sponsors **Wisdomway Impact** connects mental wellbeing with community, social, and environmental resilience. We support leadership programs, community wellbeing strategies, and cross-sector impact projects that strengthen trust and collective care. We believe community wellbeing begins with inner wellbeing. Your ticket directly supports ongoing community initiatives and leadership development programs. **The Dais, Toronto Metropolitan University** is a public policy and leadership think tank, working at the intersection of technology, education and democracy to build shared prosperity and citizenship for Canada. With over 20 research reports exploring how AI is reshaping work, public policy, education and the nonprofit sector, the Dais has helped organizations build the knowledge and practical skills needed to adopt AI responsibly and effectively through the RAISE initiative which saw 550+ nonprofit professionals across Canada access practical training on AI governance and adoption. **GDG Toronto** is a chapter of Google Developer Groups, a global network of local, community-run developer groups. We bring people together around Google technologies through talks, hands-on workshops, and hackathons to be the technology literacy bridge for our community.

Communication Salon: (Dis)Connection

Do you ever find having trouble understanding why others do what they do? Or sharing what feels important? Do you sometimes feel alone? This event may be for you. We’re having an afternoon of organized discussion about what it means to be human and to communicate with others, followed by a few exercises to practice verbal and non-verbal communication. The theme this time is "Connection (and Disconnection)". We'll delve into topics like: What helps us feel connected with others? What makes us feel disconnected or alone? How can we connect better? The discussion part of the salon will include opportunities to share feelings in groups of different sizes. It’s a chance to feel heard and connected, and to practice openness, listening, compassion, and empathy. The quick communication exercises, following the discussion part, will provide an opportunity to practice some communication skills to help with connection, and to have some fun. Some of these will involve verbal communication, and others may include some non-verbal communication. (Think hand signals or gestures.) All exercises will be at choice: participants are free to participate in them, or observe, or step away. Please wear comfortable, casual clothing, to allow some movement. Date and Time : Saturday Oct. 17 at 1:30 pm. Location: Private house in Christie Pits, near Christie and Ossington subway stations, close to Bloor. Address will be provided to registered guests ahead of the event. Duration: the salon itself is planned for around 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and you can linger after for a while. A snack will be provided after the salon, and we'll put on some music, and you can hang out and chat. Cost: There's no cost, but a donation jar will be available in case you found the workshop helpful and you'd like to offer a contribution towards the cost of hosting it. Suggested donation is $10 to cover a part of the food and supplies. Note: This is a Level 1 event. There will be no exercises involving touch (other than possibly hugging) and it will be fully clothed. There will be a chance to meet some members of the open relating community, as well as others who are only interested in authentic communications. The focus of the event will not be open relating per se, but rather communications.