Tropicana Insider Newsletter Summer 2015

SUMMER 2015
Anansi Tek Club takes over The Lab
Tropicana’s own cameal Johnson
-an official aT The pan am Games
Throughout the month of August; WoodGreen Community Services’
Rites of Passage youth program set-up shop at Tropicana’s The Lab
where they are learning to develop an African history app. The group
have dubbed themselves the Anansi Tek Club and this boot camp
style program will teach them the intricacies for designing, developing
and marketing an app for mobile devices. The app will be designed
in the form of a game where users will be able to learn African history
through various challenges. This pilot program will be the launch pad
for future projects by Anansi Tek Club.
Upcoming...
Increase Your Success Tutorial Program
For students in grades 1 – 12, program runs every Saturday
from October – May.
Start: October 17, 2015
Time: 10am – 1pm
Steel Pan Lessons
Classes are open to youth 9 years and up as well as adults.
Lessons are every Saturday from October – May.
Start: October 17, 2015
Time: Beginners: 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Intermediate and Advanced: 2.30pm – 4:00pm
Chess Lessons
Open to youth and adults; classes are every Saturday.
Start: October 17, 2015
Time: 1:15pm – 2.30pm
Defy Your Label Girls’ Group
This program promotes healthy self-esteem and self-respect
for girls 8 – 13 years old; every Wednesday.
Start: September 23, 2015
Time: 5pm – 7pm
YouthSTART
This program addresses root causes of young people’s (913 years old) aggression and helps improve their social and
communication skills.
Start: September 15, 2015
Time: 5pm – 7pm
START for Life
Learn skills to manage difficult situations and develop anger
control strategies.
Start: October 1, 2015
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Tropicana Community Services Centre of Excellence
1385 Huntingwood Dr.Scarborough,ON M1S 3J1
T: 416-439-9009 / F: 416-439-2414E: info@tropicanacommunity.org
Tropicana’s Manager, Youth and Recreation, Cameal Johnson was selected earlier this year
by Athletics Ontario to be a National Technical Official (NTO) at the Pan Am and Parapan
Am games. Cameal who has been an Athletics Ontario official since 2005 has judged track
and field competitions all over Ontario. In addition to judging track and field events, officials
are the eyes and ears for referees when needed. As an NTO, Cameal was up close and
personal with the likes of Canadian gold medal winner Andre De Grasse and other international athletes at Pan Am as they crossed the finish line. For both games, she was the time
keeper for many of the sprints and relay races. Between the two games Cameal shared
that the Parapan Am games are more rigorous at judging as athletes are differently abled
and judges must use additional criteria when evaluating athletes. A highlight for Cameal at
the games was working with high level officials from outside of the Greater Toronto Area.
Her experience at Pan Am is a career milestone that mirrors her time at the 2013 Canada
Summer games in Sherbrooke, QC. Fortunately for Cameal, she will be able to continue her partnership with Athletics Ontario
and Pan Am as Tropicana will be introducing Run, Jump, Throw, Wheel (RJTW) into our fall programming. RJTW is a structured
fitness program that teaches children 6 – 11 years old the fundamental movement skills and develops physical literacy. This program was designed by Athletics Canada and is promoted through Athletics Ontario. As a legacy project from Pan Am the Pan
Am/Parapan Am Kids activity kit will also be incorporated into the Run, Jump, Throw, Wheel program.
Give A Monthly Gift to
!
Your monthly donation will make a difference in the lives Simply let us know the amount that you would like to give,
of youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean and where you would like to designate your gift. Informaheritage and others in need.
tion about your monthly donation can be provided to us by
You can donate monthly through pre-authorized gifts by fax, mail, phone, or online through canadahelps.org.
credit card (Visa, MasterCard and Amex) or by submitting a Be sure to include your name, address and telephone
void cheque for pre-authorized payments through your number so that we may properly acknowledge your gift and
bank account.
provide you with a charitable tax receipt.
Tropicana parTners wiTh pan am
for Torch relay evenT
Tropicana Partners with Pan Am for Torch Relay Event
As a community partner of the Pan Am/Parapan Am games, Tropicana was invited to produce musical entertainment for the last community event, July 9, 2015, that the torch relay would stop at before
the opening ceremonies. The musical line-up for the day including
one dance performance was comprised of Amai Kuda and Y
Josephine, Nichelle Bernard, The Steady Rebels and the Children
& Youth Dance Centre. Pachi also made an appearance and
warmed the audience up with the “Pachi Wiggle”.
Attendees at Christie Pitts Park welcomed Michael “Pinball”
Clemons as he ran through the crowd with the torch to light the cauldron on stage. The youth from Camp Tropicana also made an appearance for the festivities and a small group from the camp sang
the national anthem in both official languages.
what’s
happening at
“Tropicana
employment Centre” (formerly known as AYCE)
Please note that our name has now changed to Altogether this was a good choice.” Congratulations Graduates!
Tropicana Employment Centre, we also have a new We wish you the best of luck in your future career!
Our Summer Jobs Service is wrapping up another successful sealogo (as shown above).
We are excited to announce the upcoming graduation of the 2015
class of our Pre-apprenticeship Training for Auto Body and Collision and Damage Repairer program. The Graduation Gala will
take place at Tropicana’s head office on August 28, 2015 and will
include dinner and an awards ceremony. This is our 6th year facilitating this program and during that time we have launched more
than 50 young men and women into this industry. In the words of
one of our participants, “This program has opened me up to new
opportunities. It’s amazing to compare what I knew and know now.
This past June supporters of Tropicana enjoyed themselves at
Uplifting Spirits, our inaugural fundraising event to support our
groundbreaking youth programming. Guests were greeted on a
warm June evening to a host of savoury Caribbean treats and a
selection of rums, rum punches and signature cocktails. Those
in attendance also feasted on an array of silent auction items
and art prints for sale. Over 200 guests strolled through the hallways of Tropicana’s Centre of Excellence where they mingled,
ate and feted the evening which raised $27,000.
Throughout the evening guests were entertained by the Queen
of Emcees, Itah Sadu and Gordon Cressy lent his auctioneering
skills for the Item of Greatest Need live auction. Through a video
presentation, supporters heard about the impact of Tropicana’s
programming such as YouthSTART, Defy Your Label and counselling services from three alumni youth. The evening concluded
with Tropicana Steel Orchestra serenading attendees.
Tropicana would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor, TD
Canada Trust and our Event Sponsors Lyon & Butler Insurance
Brokers, DASD Contracting, the co-operators and Caribbean Airlines. We’d also like to thank all of our in-kind donors, beverage
and food hosts. The success of Uplifting Spirits could not have
been accomplished without the assistance from our dedicated
volunteers. Save the date for next year’s exquisite tasting event
to be held on Friday June 3, 2016.
Onika Robinson-Brown
son with more than 700 students placed and having completed
several successful job fairs including Astro, Ciniplex, and the CNE.
We have a variety of ongoing workshops for job seekers happening
at our Centre including Pre-Employment Essential Skills, and the
Job Search and Canadian Labour Market Workshop for Newcomers. In addition, job seekers can receive individual assistance with
their resumes and interview skills by appointment at our Resource
and Information Centre.
Stay tuned for details on our Community Open House which will
be taking place in the Fall.
2015 RobeRT K. bRown
SChoLARShIP ReCIPIenT
AwARDeD AT AnnuAL
GeneRAL MeeTInG
The Robert K. Brown scholarship committee received an overwhelming
amount of submissions for the 2015 award. The array of applicants passionate to serve in the social services field left the committee with some
tough decisions to make in whittling down the list to one successful applicant. Through lengthy reviews the committee selected Onika RobinsonBrown as the 2015 recipient.
Onika will be attending York University in September to pursue her studies
in Psychology, specializing in Child and Youth Counselling. Her passion
for psychology and the state of mental health in our community comes from
a personal loss suffered by her family. She has used this tragedy as a cat-
alyst to help those in need. She has further demonstrated her desire to
help children and youth by volunteering in her church’s nursery where she
has developed lesson plans that are specific to the learning needs of those
in attendance. She has also worked at a summer camp targeted at youth
from priority neighbourhoods and gained insight into the mental health of
children from these communities. Through her continued drive and dedication, this scholarship will allow her to achieve her goals of making a
marked impact in the community.
Tropicana congratulates Onika and we look forward to learning of her
progress in the upcoming academic year.
Tropicana parTners wiTh pan am
for Torch relay evenT
Tropicana Partners with Pan Am for Torch Relay Event
As a community partner of the Pan Am/Parapan Am games, Tropicana was invited to produce musical entertainment for the last community event, July 9, 2015, that the torch relay would stop at before
the opening ceremonies. The musical line-up for the day including
one dance performance was comprised of Amai Kuda and Y
Josephine, Nichelle Bernard, The Steady Rebels and the Children
& Youth Dance Centre. Pachi also made an appearance and
warmed the audience up with the “Pachi Wiggle”.
Attendees at Christie Pitts Park welcomed Michael “Pinball”
Clemons as he ran through the crowd with the torch to light the cauldron on stage. The youth from Camp Tropicana also made an appearance for the festivities and a small group from the camp sang
the national anthem in both official languages.
what’s
happening at
“Tropicana
employment Centre” (formerly known as AYCE)
Please note that our name has now changed to Altogether this was a good choice.” Congratulations Graduates!
Tropicana Employment Centre, we also have a new We wish you the best of luck in your future career!
Our Summer Jobs Service is wrapping up another successful sealogo (as shown above).
We are excited to announce the upcoming graduation of the 2015
class of our Pre-apprenticeship Training for Auto Body and Collision and Damage Repairer program. The Graduation Gala will
take place at Tropicana’s head office on August 28, 2015 and will
include dinner and an awards ceremony. This is our 6th year facilitating this program and during that time we have launched more
than 50 young men and women into this industry. In the words of
one of our participants, “This program has opened me up to new
opportunities. It’s amazing to compare what I knew and know now.
This past June supporters of Tropicana enjoyed themselves at
Uplifting Spirits, our inaugural fundraising event to support our
groundbreaking youth programming. Guests were greeted on a
warm June evening to a host of savoury Caribbean treats and a
selection of rums, rum punches and signature cocktails. Those
in attendance also feasted on an array of silent auction items
and art prints for sale. Over 200 guests strolled through the hallways of Tropicana’s Centre of Excellence where they mingled,
ate and feted the evening which raised $27,000.
Throughout the evening guests were entertained by the Queen
of Emcees, Itah Sadu and Gordon Cressy lent his auctioneering
skills for the Item of Greatest Need live auction. Through a video
presentation, supporters heard about the impact of Tropicana’s
programming such as YouthSTART, Defy Your Label and counselling services from three alumni youth. The evening concluded
with Tropicana Steel Orchestra serenading attendees.
Tropicana would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor, TD
Canada Trust and our Event Sponsors Lyon & Butler Insurance
Brokers, DASD Contracting, the co-operators and Caribbean Airlines. We’d also like to thank all of our in-kind donors, beverage
and food hosts. The success of Uplifting Spirits could not have
been accomplished without the assistance from our dedicated
volunteers. Save the date for next year’s exquisite tasting event
to be held on Friday June 3, 2016.
Onika Robinson-Brown
son with more than 700 students placed and having completed
several successful job fairs including Astro, Ciniplex, and the CNE.
We have a variety of ongoing workshops for job seekers happening
at our Centre including Pre-Employment Essential Skills, and the
Job Search and Canadian Labour Market Workshop for Newcomers. In addition, job seekers can receive individual assistance with
their resumes and interview skills by appointment at our Resource
and Information Centre.
Stay tuned for details on our Community Open House which will
be taking place in the Fall.
2015 RobeRT K. bRown
SChoLARShIP ReCIPIenT
AwARDeD AT AnnuAL
GeneRAL MeeTInG
The Robert K. Brown scholarship committee received an overwhelming
amount of submissions for the 2015 award. The array of applicants passionate to serve in the social services field left the committee with some
tough decisions to make in whittling down the list to one successful applicant. Through lengthy reviews the committee selected Onika RobinsonBrown as the 2015 recipient.
Onika will be attending York University in September to pursue her studies
in Psychology, specializing in Child and Youth Counselling. Her passion
for psychology and the state of mental health in our community comes from
a personal loss suffered by her family. She has used this tragedy as a cat-
alyst to help those in need. She has further demonstrated her desire to
help children and youth by volunteering in her church’s nursery where she
has developed lesson plans that are specific to the learning needs of those
in attendance. She has also worked at a summer camp targeted at youth
from priority neighbourhoods and gained insight into the mental health of
children from these communities. Through her continued drive and dedication, this scholarship will allow her to achieve her goals of making a
marked impact in the community.
Tropicana congratulates Onika and we look forward to learning of her
progress in the upcoming academic year.
SUMMER 2015
Anansi Tek Club takes over The Lab
Tropicana’s own cameal Johnson
-an official aT The pan am Games
Throughout the month of August; WoodGreen Community Services’
Rites of Passage youth program set-up shop at Tropicana’s The Lab
where they are learning to develop an African history app. The group
have dubbed themselves the Anansi Tek Club and this boot camp
style program will teach them the intricacies for designing, developing
and marketing an app for mobile devices. The app will be designed
in the form of a game where users will be able to learn African history
through various challenges. This pilot program will be the launch pad
for future projects by Anansi Tek Club.
Upcoming...
Increase Your Success Tutorial Program
For students in grades 1 – 12, program runs every Saturday
from October – May.
Start: October 17, 2015
Time: 10am – 1pm
Steel Pan Lessons
Classes are open to youth 9 years and up as well as adults.
Lessons are every Saturday from October – May.
Start: October 17, 2015
Time: Beginners: 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Intermediate and Advanced: 2.30pm – 4:00pm
Chess Lessons
Open to youth and adults; classes are every Saturday.
Start: October 17, 2015
Time: 1:15pm – 2.30pm
Defy Your Label Girls’ Group
This program promotes healthy self-esteem and self-respect
for girls 8 – 13 years old; every Wednesday.
Start: September 23, 2015
Time: 5pm – 7pm
YouthSTART
This program addresses root causes of young people’s (913 years old) aggression and helps improve their social and
communication skills.
Start: September 15, 2015
Time: 5pm – 7pm
START for Life
Learn skills to manage difficult situations and develop anger
control strategies.
Start: October 1, 2015
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Tropicana Community Services Centre of Excellence
1385 Huntingwood Dr.Scarborough,ON M1S 3J1
T: 416-439-9009 / F: 416-439-2414E: info@tropicanacommunity.org
Tropicana’s Manager, Youth and Recreation, Cameal Johnson was selected earlier this year
by Athletics Ontario to be a National Technical Official (NTO) at the Pan Am and Parapan
Am games. Cameal who has been an Athletics Ontario official since 2005 has judged track
and field competitions all over Ontario. In addition to judging track and field events, officials
are the eyes and ears for referees when needed. As an NTO, Cameal was up close and
personal with the likes of Canadian gold medal winner Andre De Grasse and other international athletes at Pan Am as they crossed the finish line. For both games, she was the time
keeper for many of the sprints and relay races. Between the two games Cameal shared
that the Parapan Am games are more rigorous at judging as athletes are differently abled
and judges must use additional criteria when evaluating athletes. A highlight for Cameal at
the games was working with high level officials from outside of the Greater Toronto Area.
Her experience at Pan Am is a career milestone that mirrors her time at the 2013 Canada
Summer games in Sherbrooke, QC. Fortunately for Cameal, she will be able to continue her partnership with Athletics Ontario
and Pan Am as Tropicana will be introducing Run, Jump, Throw, Wheel (RJTW) into our fall programming. RJTW is a structured
fitness program that teaches children 6 – 11 years old the fundamental movement skills and develops physical literacy. This program was designed by Athletics Canada and is promoted through Athletics Ontario. As a legacy project from Pan Am the Pan
Am/Parapan Am Kids activity kit will also be incorporated into the Run, Jump, Throw, Wheel program.
Give A Monthly Gift to
!
Your monthly donation will make a difference in the lives Simply let us know the amount that you would like to give,
of youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean and where you would like to designate your gift. Informaheritage and others in need.
tion about your monthly donation can be provided to us by
You can donate monthly through pre-authorized gifts by fax, mail, phone, or online through canadahelps.org.
credit card (Visa, MasterCard and Amex) or by submitting a Be sure to include your name, address and telephone
void cheque for pre-authorized payments through your number so that we may properly acknowledge your gift and
bank account.
provide you with a charitable tax receipt.