Toronto needs more LOVE. Now.
Donation protected
I am Kerry Riordan and I have been working as LOVE's Development Manager for the past 3 years. I have seen first hand the incredible impact our programs have on youth. The recent eruption of violence in our communities has our youth feeling the effects of the cycle of violence and the culture of fear it brings.
We need your help. Let’s come together to help make #Torontostronger.
It takes a village. Changing gun laws and adding more police and security is not the only answer.
How can I help?
In 2017 alone we served 1506 youth, in 14 communities, and 21 schools.
Help us reach another 1500 youth in the 2018-2019 school year.
-Across 5 local communities
-In 25 schools across the GTA
Our goal is to raise $90,000. Every bit helps.
$90,000 will give 1500 youth in the GTA access to:
- Violence prevention education
- Leadership opportunities
- Positive mentors
- Safe spaces
- Employment experiences
- Creative outlets - media arts equipment and materials to share their stories and ideas
- Healthy snacks and refreshments
- Safe transportation to programs
Tax receipts will be issued to donations greater than $20 upon confirmation of donor contact details.
The Cost Break Down
-$650 enables a young person to benefit from LOVE anti-violence education in schools across the GTA
-$550 engages a young person in the Media Arts Program
-$1500 supports a youth in the Leadership Program and annual leadership camp
COMMIT to building stronger communities. Donate now.
PLEDGE to break the cycle of violence.
SHARE this page. Spread the love. #leaveoutviolence
SEE what youth can do with their voices.
LEARN more about LOVE Ontario programs.
STAY INFORMED on the positive impact of youth voices. Sign up for our newsletter.
Thank you in advance for your dedication and support.
Leave Out Violence is a registered national charity: 84792 1301 RR0001
Our youth’s reality is ripped from the headlines.
Brazen’ shootings opening city’s eyes to the daily reality of many communities, experts say – the Toronto Star
As gun violence spikes, Toronto faces a reckoning on the root causes of tragedy – The Globe and Mail
More police are not the solution to Toronto’s gun violence – The Globe and Mail
-Gun violence up 167% in Toronto 2018.
-Toronto has seen 228 shootings in 2018 already, vs. 84 at this time last year.
-Ontario has highest number of gangs in Canada: there are 216 youth gangs and 3,320 youth gang members.
-21% of Ontario students [grade 7-12] report being cyber-bullied.
-70% of ETFO [Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario) members have personally experienced violence and witnessed violence against another staff person.
From LOVE Youth
“We shouldn’t be shooting young kids or even using guns to solve a problem. Violence is never the solution and it’s wrong how all these kids are dying because of guns. We think guns will save us or protect us but they won’t. I’m scared to walk out of my house because I might get hurt and end up in the hospital.” – Current LOVE Youth Leader
“My community isn't portrayed well in the media all too often but speaking as a member of the Lawrence Heights community, I know it’s pretty bad. Case after case, people continue to display violence to the media. This leaves a bad reputation for the community and those living in it. It makes people scared to even go near the neighbourhood. Whenever this community is displayed in the media, it's usually never a good story. The good parts of this community are never shown, like our Walk of Hope for Peace, or our community fairs. It’s not fair.” - Current LOVE Youth, Age 15
“I think that youth should get more involved in preventing the issue, or going out of their way to help solve the issue. Some barriers to getting there are lack of opportunities, lack of accessibility to resources and probably just reputation in general. There are some genuinely good people in the world but sometimes their opportunities are taken away because of what their reputation is.” - Current LOVE Youth Leader, Age 15
“ [Violence] is a growing epidemic. Our youth are just accepting the fact that there's violence in the community...that just leads them to think that violence is normal, and continues the cycle.” - Current LOVE Youth Leader
About LOVE - Why It Works
Leave Out Violence (LOVE) is a Canadian national not-for-profit focused on youth:
-Who have experienced any form of violence
-Are at-risk of becoming in conflict with the law
-Interested in community building and social justice
-Have a passion for the arts and self-expression
-Looking for employment networks and opportunities.
LOVE knows that youth are the key to ending youth violence in our communities. LOVE programs have made a difference in thousands of youth lives across Canada. Building stronger and safer communities, neighbourhoods and public spaces. Nurturing healthy, well-educated, and engaged youth leaders for the last 22 years. LOVE believes in youth and the power of their voice.
LOVE is proven. It makes a positive impact. It works.
“LOVE gave me a chance to end the violence in my life and then showed me how to use my voice and my story to help other kids like me.” - A.M., 17
The key to crime prevention is pro-social development, creative outlets & community building.
By addressing the root causes of the issues marginalized youth face, we support youth in developing resilience, positive behaviours and setting future goals. LOVE programs help youth overcome the various risk factors they encounter in their daily lives and move toward a more positive and constructive life path.
"When I was fourteen/fifteen, I was very angry. I was never really able to deal with it, I would just let my anger get the best of me... LOVE changed how I express my anger [...]: I no longer express it physically, but channel it into my writing. "– Anonymous
In a national LOVE study:
-80% say that their violent behaviour had decreased after participation in LOVE
-80% stated they were more likely to stay in school after participation in LOVE
-Participants had more more ‘pro-social’ and ‘anti-violence’ views then when they first entered the program
-65% believe LOVE helped them break the cycle of violence
-65% say LOVE had an impact on their education
"LOVE had an impact on many aspects of my life. I started doing performance arts through LOVE. At fifteen I started writing poetry, and did my first open mic with LOVE. This started my performance career: from that night I performed at LOVE, I was hired by CBC for the national poetry slam. I have been performing ever since: twelve years." - Kyra
LOVE programs are hands-on, interactive, in local communities and schools. Using tools like photography, writing, video, and spoken word, youth access, analyze and document the causes and impact of violence and learn reality-based solutions.
Our curriculum was developed with input from leading educators, social workers, youth workers and Psychologists. Our staff are expert, with the specialized skills to develop and deliver neighbourhood specific and culturally relevant content. Our facilitators act as mentors and create safe spaces, helping youth build healthy relationships and trust, develop emotional intelligence, seek supports and find their voices.
We need your help. Let’s come together to help make #Torontostronger.
It takes a village. Changing gun laws and adding more police and security is not the only answer.
How can I help?
In 2017 alone we served 1506 youth, in 14 communities, and 21 schools.
Help us reach another 1500 youth in the 2018-2019 school year.
-Across 5 local communities
-In 25 schools across the GTA
Our goal is to raise $90,000. Every bit helps.
$90,000 will give 1500 youth in the GTA access to:
- Violence prevention education
- Leadership opportunities
- Positive mentors
- Safe spaces
- Employment experiences
- Creative outlets - media arts equipment and materials to share their stories and ideas
- Healthy snacks and refreshments
- Safe transportation to programs
Tax receipts will be issued to donations greater than $20 upon confirmation of donor contact details.
The Cost Break Down
-$650 enables a young person to benefit from LOVE anti-violence education in schools across the GTA
-$550 engages a young person in the Media Arts Program
-$1500 supports a youth in the Leadership Program and annual leadership camp
COMMIT to building stronger communities. Donate now.
PLEDGE to break the cycle of violence.
SHARE this page. Spread the love. #leaveoutviolence
SEE what youth can do with their voices.
LEARN more about LOVE Ontario programs.
STAY INFORMED on the positive impact of youth voices. Sign up for our newsletter.
Thank you in advance for your dedication and support.
Leave Out Violence is a registered national charity: 84792 1301 RR0001
Our youth’s reality is ripped from the headlines.
Brazen’ shootings opening city’s eyes to the daily reality of many communities, experts say – the Toronto Star
As gun violence spikes, Toronto faces a reckoning on the root causes of tragedy – The Globe and Mail
More police are not the solution to Toronto’s gun violence – The Globe and Mail
-Gun violence up 167% in Toronto 2018.
-Toronto has seen 228 shootings in 2018 already, vs. 84 at this time last year.
-Ontario has highest number of gangs in Canada: there are 216 youth gangs and 3,320 youth gang members.
-21% of Ontario students [grade 7-12] report being cyber-bullied.
-70% of ETFO [Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario) members have personally experienced violence and witnessed violence against another staff person.
From LOVE Youth
“We shouldn’t be shooting young kids or even using guns to solve a problem. Violence is never the solution and it’s wrong how all these kids are dying because of guns. We think guns will save us or protect us but they won’t. I’m scared to walk out of my house because I might get hurt and end up in the hospital.” – Current LOVE Youth Leader
“My community isn't portrayed well in the media all too often but speaking as a member of the Lawrence Heights community, I know it’s pretty bad. Case after case, people continue to display violence to the media. This leaves a bad reputation for the community and those living in it. It makes people scared to even go near the neighbourhood. Whenever this community is displayed in the media, it's usually never a good story. The good parts of this community are never shown, like our Walk of Hope for Peace, or our community fairs. It’s not fair.” - Current LOVE Youth, Age 15
“I think that youth should get more involved in preventing the issue, or going out of their way to help solve the issue. Some barriers to getting there are lack of opportunities, lack of accessibility to resources and probably just reputation in general. There are some genuinely good people in the world but sometimes their opportunities are taken away because of what their reputation is.” - Current LOVE Youth Leader, Age 15
“ [Violence] is a growing epidemic. Our youth are just accepting the fact that there's violence in the community...that just leads them to think that violence is normal, and continues the cycle.” - Current LOVE Youth Leader
About LOVE - Why It Works
Leave Out Violence (LOVE) is a Canadian national not-for-profit focused on youth:
-Who have experienced any form of violence
-Are at-risk of becoming in conflict with the law
-Interested in community building and social justice
-Have a passion for the arts and self-expression
-Looking for employment networks and opportunities.
LOVE knows that youth are the key to ending youth violence in our communities. LOVE programs have made a difference in thousands of youth lives across Canada. Building stronger and safer communities, neighbourhoods and public spaces. Nurturing healthy, well-educated, and engaged youth leaders for the last 22 years. LOVE believes in youth and the power of their voice.
LOVE is proven. It makes a positive impact. It works.
“LOVE gave me a chance to end the violence in my life and then showed me how to use my voice and my story to help other kids like me.” - A.M., 17
The key to crime prevention is pro-social development, creative outlets & community building.
By addressing the root causes of the issues marginalized youth face, we support youth in developing resilience, positive behaviours and setting future goals. LOVE programs help youth overcome the various risk factors they encounter in their daily lives and move toward a more positive and constructive life path.
"When I was fourteen/fifteen, I was very angry. I was never really able to deal with it, I would just let my anger get the best of me... LOVE changed how I express my anger [...]: I no longer express it physically, but channel it into my writing. "– Anonymous
In a national LOVE study:
-80% say that their violent behaviour had decreased after participation in LOVE
-80% stated they were more likely to stay in school after participation in LOVE
-Participants had more more ‘pro-social’ and ‘anti-violence’ views then when they first entered the program
-65% believe LOVE helped them break the cycle of violence
-65% say LOVE had an impact on their education
"LOVE had an impact on many aspects of my life. I started doing performance arts through LOVE. At fifteen I started writing poetry, and did my first open mic with LOVE. This started my performance career: from that night I performed at LOVE, I was hired by CBC for the national poetry slam. I have been performing ever since: twelve years." - Kyra
LOVE programs are hands-on, interactive, in local communities and schools. Using tools like photography, writing, video, and spoken word, youth access, analyze and document the causes and impact of violence and learn reality-based solutions.
Our curriculum was developed with input from leading educators, social workers, youth workers and Psychologists. Our staff are expert, with the specialized skills to develop and deliver neighbourhood specific and culturally relevant content. Our facilitators act as mentors and create safe spaces, helping youth build healthy relationships and trust, develop emotional intelligence, seek supports and find their voices.
Fundraising team (2)
Tamara Haberman
Organizer
Raised $940 from 14 donations
North York, ON
Anat Wertheim
Team member
This team raised $3,097 from 27 other donations.
