The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (MNjcc) is pleased to announce its inaugural Citizenship and Advocacy Project, an all-new learning series aimed at inspiring and empowering young adults with disabilities to take active roles in their communities. The seven-part series will encompass education, experiential workshops, expert talks with mentors from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, and expressive arts sessions led by award-winning international dance collective, Ahuri Theatre. Registration is open to young adults ages 18-30 with developmental and intellectual disabilities who want to learn more about advocacy, city issues, and how to get involved in government and their community.
“The citizenship project is important to me because I get to share my stories and opinions on city issues,” says participant Ben Clement.
“Too often, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are left out of civics education and face barriers to participation in civic life, especially young people. As a result, they vote in low numbers, and are not heard in key policy conversations,” says Liviya Mendelsohn, Artistic Director of ReelAbilities Toronto Film Festival. “In the spirit of ‘Nothing About Us Without Us,’ this project seeks to help young adults with disabilities develop not only the skills they need to participate in city-building and be heard, but to become active leaders in the community.”
The Citizenship and Advocacy Project will take place every Wednesday through to November 21 (with the exception of Oct. 31), from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The Project was developed out of the Young Adult Accessibility Advisory Committee at the Miles Nadal JCC. For more information, go to mnjcc.org.
UPCOMING PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE
October 17: IDENTIFYING BARRIERS AND CONCERNS
Special Guest: Jay Pitter, Placemaker
October 24: COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND SUCCESSFUL CASE STUDIES IN ADVOCACY
Special Guests: Members of Community Living Toronto
November 7: ADVOCACY AND THE ADO, ROLE OF THE PROVINCE
Special Guest: Alf Spencer, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO)
November 14: HOUSING ADVOCACY
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Special Guest: Bryan Keshen, REENA
November 21: TRANSIT ADVOCACY
Special Guest: David Lepofsky, Accessibility4Ontarians
About Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre strives to be an inclusive and welcoming hub for healthy community, anchored in Jewish values, where all downtown Toronto feel they belong.
For more information, visit mnjcc.org.
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