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SB Mowing

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

The Dogist

Samuel Weidenhofer

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Peter Bond

That Good News Girl

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

Flavor Flav

Ask Uncle Jack

Amy Jandrisevits

FowlMouthFarmer

Tess Bohne

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

John Wolfe

Khloe

<div>My names Babie Blue and Ive been living on and off the Street since I was a kid. I lived in subsidised housing for three years and have learned that its just as dangerous as sleeping outside was. Im at a safe house for the next 3 days. I recently started two jobs but wont be paid for at least a few weeks. I have a long term housing opportunity and need first last and damage deposit. PLEASE HELP.
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I DONT WANT TO BE HOMELESS AGAIN

<div>Hi my name is Tanya Cheex aka Contessa Cintra. Since 2016 I’ve been running a small Holistic Spa business in Midtown Toronto. It was my goal to create a safe and harmonious work environment for my staff who tread the margins, be it appearance or disabilities either physical or mental, which may prevent them working in other spas. The result is Toronto’s first Alternative style spa.
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<div>As at many massage parlours in Toronto, I am frequently harassed, and dare I say bullied, by Toronto City Bylaw officers. We struggled through the pandemic lockdown where we had to remain closed for a very long time. I used our Twitter account to help promote my staff and to remain on our client’s minds until we could safely open again. We were never open during the mandated lockdowns. Instead, I’d promote the staff’s OF accounts since not everyone was eligible to receive government benefits, or were struggling with high costs of living. In 2022 Bylaw decided this was a breach of their guidelines and decided to penalize us and put us on probation for 5 years!
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<div>In the meantime the city has made it increasingly difficult to get a Holistic license. It’s expensive, and with bureaucratic roadblocks, it can take months! (One of my staff has been waiting since June 6th!) We are unable to work without a license, but hiring marginalized persons, sometimes I have to let them work to make money for the licence. Well, we got caught and threatened with closure. The tickets arrived at the wrong address and postmarked incorrectly so unless I was a time traveller, there’s no way I could appear in court! Since my business licence is up for renewal, my lawyer advised me just to suck it up and pay it - it’s actually $5000 since we are high on their radar! (I successfully got an officer removed in 2018 for sexual harassment caught on film.)
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<div>My business partner can pay his half but with me struggling to keep my head above water, it’s a little harder for me. Anything you can contribute no matter how small can help me keep this safe, sane and consensual business open. My thanks to you all who support independent small SW business!
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<div>Testimonials
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<div>Bliss Wellness is a really special place to work. Cintra encourages a supportive environment, where we all look out for each other. Our clients often comment on how positive a space this is. Because of this job, I’m able to pay my bills despite a chronic health condition — Scarlet current employee
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<div>There was a time in my life where I was going through so much that it was hard for me to hold down a regular job due to mental health problems. During this time I was hired at bliss where I worked for 4 years. I can honestly say that working at the spa saved my life in many ways but the main one being able to remain employed in a flexible and family like environment while I dealt with the things that I had going on in my personal life. If it weren’t for the support and flexibility of Cintra being there for me and keeping me employed I can’t say I’d still be here. It would be heart breaking for them to get shut down considering they employ so many people who are not only disabled and marginalized but people who are struggling with their mental health like myself. They deserve to stay opened. -Lex Lucifer former employee
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<div>I am a former staff member and long-standing friend of Bliss Wellness. I can attest from my personal experience that the spa is run with integrity and care. Cintra is an experienced and empathetic leader who provides a safe space for providers to spend their time and make a living. My experience at the spa and with Cintra touched me forever. I was always impressed by the attention and commitment to following city bylaws - which often seemed problematic and confusing. - Saige former employee
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<div>Working at Bliss has been a gamechanger for me. The calm and restorative atmosphere and the collegiality of the staff is a welcome change from the cut-throat, relentlessly fast paced conditions in other workplaces that overwhelmed and overstimulated me and led to burnout.
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<div>I credit Cintra with creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment that allows us to thrive. I’m proud to work here. - Kiki current employee
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<div>Working at Bliss Wellness literally changed my life for the better, and I don’t say that lightly.
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<div>I was drowning in debt and student loans and felt hopeless, and I’m so lucky I found Bliss. It not only allowed me to get out of my debt fast, but I felt completely safe, protected and autonomous the entire time. It was my first experience at a job like this, and I feel so grateful. I ended up working there over 5 years and made a community of friends, as well as gaining confidence in my body and boundaries.
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<div>We absolutely need safe spaces like this that protect and empower the staff who work there, while also actively work to de-stigmatize the work.
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<div>Please help if you can!
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<div>Eden
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<div>Former Employee at Bliss
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<div>Bliss has been more than a lifeline, this place has saved my life - i've never worked in a more supportive, safe, caring, and accommodating environment. This is the first job where i don't feel exploited, and that's probably why it's the longest job i've ever kept. There is almost no workplace that would accommodate and respect my disabilities, my economic status, my needs and feelings as a human opposed to an employee - Bliss has become my family and they look out for me like family. It’s become my home away from home, and somewhere i can count on to be looked after both emotionally, physically, and financially. This place is a monumental part of my life, and any help to keep us afloat doesnt just keep the spa running, it keeps my livelihood, OUR livelihoods, from ending.—Maddy current employee
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Help Bliss Wellness

<font color="#333333">Hi y’all, <br /><br />The folks at No Class, Trash Unreal, and Black Mass are coordinating a fundraising effort to help our friend JV (The House of Wills) raise money to cover costs of end of life needs for their brother. Please donate what you can to help out a friend and beloved member of our community.<br /><br />UPDATE: We have increased our goal to help JV’s family with additional expenses, as Stephen was the primary provider for multiple members of the family. Any help is appreciated. <br /><br />We will be hosting a fundraising open stage event at No Class on April 23rd.<br /></font>

Help JV Cover End of Life Expenses for Family

Meet Gatsby, our beautiful 4 year old french bulldog. Gatsby loves to stand at windows, watching and smelling the world and looking for squirrels. She loves to snuggle, give kisses and stick her butt in the air and dance. <br /><br />Like a lot of frenchies, Gatsby has had some ongoing issues with her back, making her suffer extreme pain, and giving her difficulty walking. But after a vet visit, some pain meds and anti inflammatories, each of these episodes has passed after a few days to a week. <br /><br />On March 29th, Gatsby had another flare up, but this time it didn't get better. After two trips to her regular vet and one to the emergency, her pain just seemed to worsen and her hind legs became weak and unstable. She wouldn't eat or sleep, and became incontinent. Her vet then said that we had a difficult choice to make - she could have an extremely expensive surgery that *might* help, but also may do nothing, and  could also paralyze or kill her OR we would have to euthanize her. <br /><br />On March 31st we brought her to the Mississauga Oakville Emergency Veterinary Hospital, where they gave us a quote of $8310.06 for the surgery. I immediately made this account, and thankfully a family member was able to allow us to put the 75% down payment on their credit card. <br /><br />Gatsby underwent the spinal surgery on the evening of April 1st. The vet seems to think she has a good chance of at least partial recovery, but it could take months to know for sure how much, if any, of her mobility she regains. <br /><br />We owe the remainder of the bill upon picking her up (hopefully tomorrow, April 4th), and then we are faced with the daunting task of paying off this $8310.06 debt. Not to mention all of the diapers, laundry, and possible wheelchair costs during and after her recovery. <br /><br />We're thrilled that our little bean has made it through  her surgery, but we are far from out of the woods. It's all so overwhelming. <br /><br />Our hearts are so very heavy, but we are so grateful for all of the generous donations and support we have received so far. Please, keep sharing Gatsby's story! <br /><br />Thank you, so very much <br />-Bethany, Brendan, Sherman and Gatsby xo<br /><br /><img class="not-resizeable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/3967459_1427809004.4436_funddescription.jpg" width="100%" />

Save Gatsby 

Laura Iaccino

Laura Iaccino

Laura Iaccino

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