Happy Summer Revolutionaries!! As I sit down to write this today, I am reflecting on the importance of both rest and community. Rest is something that many on our team find hard to fully do. We are action oriented people who see so much that needs to get done in the world and we find joy in doing. This past month we got a lot done. We donated scholarships to Four Point basketball so that young girls could experience basketball camp in honour of Maya Spence. We spoke at the York Regional Police Pride brunch where they donated to us $10,000 to be put towards our 2024 Rainbow Awards for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. We participated in York Pride and made meaningful connections with many people and organizations in our community, including CAYR Community Connections who we look forward to collaborating more with in the future. We also awarded our 3rd annual Black Excellence Scholarship at the Alliance of Educators For Black Students celebration. It has been a busy time that has filled our hearts.
As we head into the summer months our team consciously takes a slower pace to recharge ourselves, enjoy time with our loved ones and to plan for what is coming next. I stress to our team, and share with all of you too, the importance of carving out time for rest. There is a part of me that feels like rest equals complacency and I am coming to understand that this is not the case. Rest is what gives us the ability to go full steam ahead and to feel full in who we are so that we can share our spirit, energy and purpose with the world. Rest is a recharging and ought not be confused with idling. If it sounds like I’m trying to convince myself, you may not be too far off but I laugh writing this and encourage all of you to feel comfortable in finding some time to rest. You are worth it!!
The other thing this makes me reflect on is a lyric from the band The War and Treaty. This is a band I have fallen in love with and had the privilege of seeing recently. In one of their songs they sing “Can’t say I’m tired, when I don’t ask for help.” One of the parts I love about Revolution Now is how there are SO many amazing people that are eager to help in spreading the word and taking actions to really grow this movement of love. I was so grateful for two high school students from the Huron Heights community who volunteered to run a Revolution Now awareness booth at their school’s spirit night. I was also so touched to see the advocacy of our newest artist, Avani Dennie, and our Director of Youth Engagement, Megan DeCaire, at various events in June where they spoke and presented on stages on behalf of our team. These young people are so selfless and energetic and eager to support and give to others. It fills my heart to see the ways they are growing in their leadership and helping others.
As for planning for the future, we are hoping you can book October 16th from 6:00-8:00pm in your calendars as this will be the date of our 2nd Annual Rainbow Awards. If you know young 2SLGBTQ+ musicians, spoken word poets or performers who would like to be featured that night, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at info@revolution-now.ca Additionally, if you or your organization would like to donate funds to help support this awards night, you can do so through the donate now button on our website. We would like to formally thank Ward 7 Councilwoman Christina Bisanz for her continued allyship and for helping us to secure the New Roads Performing Arts Center as the venue for this year’s awards ceremony.
As always, I encourage you to keep using your life, your interactions and your energy to change the world in positive ways. This is our time – enjoy every minute of it!!
With Gratitude,
Megan