2020 HIGHLIGHTS
2020 presented new challenges for the project with the COVID-19 pandemic. The GARDENS was able to adapt and continue with various sites in a reduced capacity.
9 POD SITES:
Organizational pod site providers across Ward 3:
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Birds and Beans Cafe
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Storefront Humber
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Lakeshore Environmental Gardening Society at the Daily Bread Food Bank
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LAMP Community Health Centre
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Barsa Kelly Cari-Can Cooperative
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Humber College - Lakeshore Campus
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Father John Redmond Catholic School
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Toronto Public Library - Long Branch
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James S. Bell Junior Middle School
OVER 150KG HARVESTED:
153kg of harvest between the 9 sites producing various fruits and vegetables. All produce harvested was donated back into the community of South Etobicoke through the Daily Bread Food Bank and LAMP CHC's Good Food Market.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP LEARNING:
Over the course of the summer, new educational programming was offered. It included:
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7 interactive Zoom workshops: four GARDENS-led workshops - 2 as a guest speaker at a virtual summer camp held by the Jean Augustine Centre), 1 workshop held in collaboration with the Early ON Centre
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4 Facebook live streams
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1 Instagram live stream
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10 pre-recorded videos posted on social media: 6 of which featured volunteers and placement students from Humber College
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2 online contests
SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
4 seasonal employment opportunities created, including 3 Project Coordinators and 1 Educational Coordinator with the support of Canada Summer Jobs and Humber College.
10 WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
10 work-integrated learning opportunities for Humber College students in positions like Project Coordinators, Operations Coordinators and Documentary Film Creators.
OVER 3100 PROJECT HOURS CONTRIBUTED:
3133 hours have been contributed to the project in 2020 in positions like Project Coordinators, Operations Coordinators, Documentary Film Creators, Volunteers, Humber Employees, LAMP CHC Health Promoter and workshop facilitators.
INCREASED SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE:
More attention was given to social media platforms. In 2020,
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Instagram followers increased by 47.4% from May 2020 – October 2020
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Facebook followers increased by 40.9% from May 2020 – October 2020