I am full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve our community for over six years! During this holiday season, I am reminded of incredible moments I've shared with so many of you. We have also faced challenges along our journey towards building the community we all deserve. As the new year approaches and our heartwork continues, Aisha and I (mom and our cats!) wish you good health, peace and compassion.

This will be the year's final newsletter, and my community office will be closed from Tuesday, December 24th, until Thursday, January 2nd. If you have any concerns during the winter closure, please email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 416-656-0943, and we will respond in the New Year. 

Tis the season of many invites! Should you have a last minute one, feel free to dm us at @JILLSLASTWORD on X or IG. 

Jill in Community

Big Sing at St. Michael and All Angels

There's nothing better than singing your favourite holiday tunes with community! Thank you St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church for hosting such an amazing event were we can sing our hearts out!

Winter Solstice Celebration

It was wonderful spending my Sunday afternoon celebrating Winter Solstice at St. Matthews United Church! Thank you to Elder Catherine for leading us in ceremony as we acknowledged the shortest day of the year. And it was wonderful to have a few laughs with all of you...  Robin, Betsey and friends at Le Bleu café. Happy Winter Solstice to all who celebrates!

Comedy Cabernet at Bloom Bar

Had a BLAST on Friday at Kelly's Comedy Cabernet at Bloom Bar Studio! Despite it being their last show of the year, the stand up comics featured were HILARIOUS (fun fact, laughing this much is good for your health). Speaking of health, I also had the opportunity to grab wonderful self-affirmation cards by listenb.tch!

From wine, sweat treats, warm beverages, flowers, greeting cards and more, Bloom's got you covered!

Jill at Pukka

Spent some time with a local constituent at Toronto-St. Paul's very own Pukka on St. Clair West! The butter chicken and garlic naan were to L.I.V.E for! Go check them out!

Playful Minds and Wychwood Barns Farmers Market

This weekend I had the opportunity to donate to Playful Mind's toy drive for those in need this holiday season! Highly recommend stopping by to support them! I also visited the Barns to do some last minute holiday shopping before Christmas!

Jill at Gerry's!

Check out Gerry's for the best black cake in town! However, if you did not place your order already, you're out of luck (maybe you could get a slice lol).

Jill at the Lion King

Grateful to spend the afternoon with my mom and my partner at Mirvish production's Lion King! Wonderful to see a bit of our St. Paul's community on the pages of Mirvish's Lion King program guide! Thank you Mr. George. L for your decades of volunteering. Christie Gardens is luck to have you!

New Year's Check-in

On January 23rd, 2025 from 7:00-8:30pm join me over Zoom for a New Year's check-in! To RSVP, click here!

Community Resources

Toronto-St.Paul's Food Banks

The Beeton Cupboard Community Food Bank 
Address: 611 St. Clair Avenue West, M6C 1A3
Phone number: 416-653-3593 
Website: www.stmichaelonstclair.com/outreach 
Hours: Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Churches On-The-Hill Food Bank
Address: 230 St. Clair Avenue West (Dunvegan Street entrance) M4V 1R5
Phone number: 416-967-3842
Website: cothfoodbank.ca
Hours: Mondays 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hillcrest Community Food Bank
Address: 2 Vaughan Road, M6G 2N1
Phone number: 416 433-7997
Hours: Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Wychwood Open Door
Address: 729 St. Clair Avenue West, M6G 3J4
Website: www.stmattsunited.com/copy-of-coffee-hour
Hours: Takeaway breakfast and lunch are on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m. Takeaway dinner are on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Out of the Cold Shelters

Holy Blossom Temple
Address: 1950 Bathurst Street (South of Eglinton), M5P 3K9
Website: www.holyblossom.org/out-of-the-cold/
Holy Blossom's Out of the Cold program will run from Thursday, November 7 to Thursday March 27 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Full dinner programs will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Holy Rosary Church Parish Hall
Address: 356 St. Clair Avenue West, M5P 1N4
Phone number: 416-923-8471
Website: www.holyrosary.ca/ministries/service-outreach/
Holy Rosary Church Parish Hall's Saturday program runs Nov. 9, 2024 to April 5, 2025. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for a light breakfast and full lunch is served from 12 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

First Interfaith at St. Matthews
Address: 729 St. Clair Avenue West (West of Christie), M6C 1B3
Website: www.stmattsunited.com/copy-of-wychwood-open-door
From November 12, 2024 to April 30th, 2025, First Interfaith at St. Matthews will offer overnight shelter for up to 35 people. Breakfast available at the church at 9:00 a.m. provided by another program. First Interfaith at St. Matthews will also provide weekly lunches to the mobile outreach programs of The Common Table at Church of the Redeemer and Seeds of Hope.

Yorkminster Park Baptist
Address: 1585 Yonge Street (North of St. Clair), M4T 1Z9
Website: www.yorkminsterpark.com/page/125/out-of-the-cold-ootc/
Yorkminster Park Baptist is providing indoor hot dinner service from November 1st to early April 2025. Other supports include take-away lunches, basic clothing and toiletries, TTC tickets, occasional gift cards, general information on navigating the system. 

City of Toronto Warming Centres

The City of Toronto operates warming centres for people experiencing homelessness. Centres are activated when temperatures reach minus five degrees Celsius and/or when Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a winter weather event warning. To learn more about the City of Toronto's warming centre's, click here!