Summer 2023 Student Led Projects This summer, The Awakening Project had the opportunity to work with three very talented and social justice driven students on their own independent projects. These student-led projects combined social justice, faith, and advocacy on different topics in the Canadian context. These projects are the result of months of hard work, collaboration, and critical thinking from our Student Project Developers. The … Continue reading
Author: The Awakening Project
The Awakening Project is a youth-led initiative that bridges interfaith dialogue and social justice activism. The goal of the Project is to encourage a community of individuals who are aware of how we are all interconnected with each other and with the earth, and how our faiths motivate us to have compassion for the most vulnerable.
Deep Inequalities in our Treatment of Migrant Workers – Inequalities in our immigration system
27,000 migrants were invited to apply for permanent residency (PR) through the Express Entry system in March 2021. That’s a 440% increase from the previous round. Some of our members and friends can hope to qualify for PR now. Clearly, our calls for full and permanent immigration status are being heard. But this is not a simple good news story. Canada’s Express Entry system assigns … Continue reading Deep Inequalities in our Treatment of Migrant Workers – Inequalities in our immigration system
Matthew House: Case Studies in Faith-Based Social Service
About Matthew House OttawaMatthew House Ottawa was founded in 2010. The organization provides services to refugee claimants, offering them a temporary place to live in Ottawa, Ontario, and access to an established support network as they start their new life in Canada. Matthew House Ottawa also operates a Furniture Bank, from which marginalized households can furnish their homes for free with gently used items donated … Continue reading Matthew House: Case Studies in Faith-Based Social Service
The Rebirthing of God – John Phillip Newell & Rob Nell in conversation
“… John Philip Newell and Rob Bell have been in conversation together. The result is three wonderful podcasts in which Rob interviews John Philip about his teachings. As always, in the company of Rob Bell, the conversations are both inspiring and fun.” (Earth and Soul on Podcasts with Rob Nell) Conversation 1 (Hollywood, CA, 2016): Conversation 2 (Richmond, VA, 2017): Conversation 3 (Hollywood, CA, 2018): … Continue reading The Rebirthing of God – John Phillip Newell & Rob Nell in conversation
Desmond Tutu and the prophetic 2002 – South Africa & Israel
Desmond Tutu was the former Archbishop of Cape Town and chairman of South Africa’s truth and reconciliation commission. This address was given at a conference on Ending the Occupation held in Boston, Massachusetts in 2002 There were few Christian clergyman like Desmond Tutu. He knew his Bible and embraced the Jewish prophetic which originated in Israel from approximately 1000 to 500 BCE. Israel’s leaders, radically secular and … Continue reading Desmond Tutu and the prophetic 2002 – South Africa & Israel
African American Spirituality & Song – I’m on my way to freedom land
In prayer we trust / By hope we live / On truth we stand / From our heart we give / Love. —Sweet Honey in the Rock Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon founded the iconic African American a cappella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock, which has been performing for over forty years. In her book If You Don’t Go, Don’t Hinder Me, Dr. Reagon recounts … Continue reading African American Spirituality & Song – I’m on my way to freedom land
“The Challenge of Our Time” – Speaking on youth suicide & self-determination
“Natan Obed is the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national voice of Canada’s 60,000 Inuit. He is originally from Nain, the northernmost community in Labrador’s Nunatsiavut region, and now lives in Ottawa. For ten years he lived in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and worked as the director of social and cultural development for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the organization that represents the rights of Nunavut Inuit. He … Continue reading “The Challenge of Our Time” – Speaking on youth suicide & self-determination
Feeling Anxious About the Future? You’re Not Alone
This article was originally posted here. St. Mike’s alumnus Dr. Simon Appolloni is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s School of the Environment. His current research interest lies in understanding and utilizing pedagogies of hope that build resilience within students as they navigate paths toward sustainability. Simon has maintained his pre-doctoral volunteer work within the environmental-social justice not-for-profit sector. You’ve been hearing and … Continue reading Feeling Anxious About the Future? You’re Not Alone
One Child – Children & Youth Preventing Child Sex Slavery
This talk was part of a series of presentations on Feb 24, 2021 at ‘Extending Our Embrace’ – an event sponsored by the Office of Interreligious Dialogue for the Archdiocese of Toronto. Cheryl’s talk is at the 33:45 minute mark of the video. One Child website: https://www.onechild.ca/ Continue reading One Child – Children & Youth Preventing Child Sex Slavery
Seeing Beyond a Person’s Disabilities
Christopher Duffley, who is both blind and autistic, performs “Open the Eyes of My Heart” at the age of 10. Continue reading Seeing Beyond a Person’s Disabilities