Gun violence in Jane and Finch: Unpacking the Systemic Factors that Perpetuate Violence

Summer 2023 student led project by Enoch McAtee Abstract More than a disheartening statistic and stereotype – gun violence is a palpable force, and its repercussions reverberate, etching deep scars on the psyche of the Jane-Finch community. My Prophetic Voices— Reverend Sky Starr and Benjamin Osei—are indispensable in understanding the layered dimensions of gun violence. Their steady commitment to addressing violent crime through the lens … Continue reading Gun violence in Jane and Finch: Unpacking the Systemic Factors that Perpetuate Violence

2SLGBTQ+ Folks & Faith in Canada

Summer 2023 student led project by Nicholas Damiano Abstract Queerphobia and 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination have been issues that have been present in religious communities for a long time leading to exclusion and hatred of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals from these communities that has runoff into other aspects of the world. It is important to understand how religious communities have contributed to difficulties faced by the queer community and … Continue reading 2SLGBTQ+ Folks & Faith in Canada

Poverty and Homelessness in Toronto​

Summer 2023 student led project by Reanne Kurien In the bustling metropolis of Toronto, where the allure of prosperity meets the stark contrast of economic disparities, a pressing and multifaceted issue persists- poverty and homelessness. My project delves into this issue, focusing on the intersection of social justice and faith. The Prophetic Voice I explored was Rick Tobias, a renowned advocate for the homeless and … Continue reading Poverty and Homelessness in Toronto​

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 projects published below include a … Continue reading Summer 2023 Student Led Projects

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

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

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

Marcus Borg: The Battle Over Jesus Today

Marcus Borg asks, “What Jesus was killed for?” Borg states: “We have to remember that Jesus didn’t simply give his life but that he was killed, and he was killed because he was a social prophet who challenged the domination system. If we only recall the idea of Jesus offering up his life for the sins of the world, we lose track of what Jesus … Continue reading Marcus Borg: The Battle Over Jesus Today