On Saturday, May 4, at 12:30 PM we invite you to join John along with members of the North York Historical Society and Heritage Toronto at the North York Central Library Main Floor Atrium (5120 Yonge Street) for the unveiling of a historical plaque commemorating the Golden Lion Hotel.

The Golden Lion Hotel was a landmark on Yonge Street at Sheppard Avenue for over a century.  A popular way station and social centre in its time, the Golden Lion Hotel played an important role in the 1837 Rebellion. Rebels rallied there before heading south and later …

Almost one year ago, the Willowdale neighbourhood was struck by a horrible tragedy.  Within hours Willowdale residents mobilized to help turn our collective cries of sorrow into songs of healing.  We are engaging with that tragedy again, and we all hope that our community continues to mend collective wounds.

How do we process grief and tragedy?  This is a difficult question both for individuals and for an entire community, even a year later.  This question is made more complex by the plurality of Willowdale’s residents where …

Community safety is a top of mind issue for many Willowdale residents.  Everyone should feel safe in their homes, on their neighbourhood streets, in their parks and in other green spaces.  To engage with the community and share some best practices and tips, John has partnered with the Toronto Police Service 32 Division, the West Willowdale Neighbourhood Association and the Edithvale-Yonge Community Association to organize a town hall on community safety:

Monday, April 1, 2019, 6 PM – 8 PM
The People’s Church (374 Sheppard Avenue East)

Bring your questions or concerns.  Topics …

Willowdale has responded to the horrific attack of April 23 with an outpouring of grief, sympathy, kindness and generosity. This is reflected in the memorial sites which residents have created at Olive Square Parkand Mel Lastman Square.

This weekend, 40 days after the attack, we mark another step on the road to recovery. A special ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 3, beginning at 2 PM at Olive Square (near the southeast corner of Yonge and Finch) and then moving to Mel Lastman Square. We will remember the victims once again and respectfully gather the …

Join Councillor John Filion, the We Love Willowdale coalition and your friends and neighbours from the local community for a very special picnic event in Mel Lastman Square.

Monday, May 21 – 11-2 PM

This picnic will bring to a close the 26 Days of Music on Yonge, one day of music for every person injured or killed on April 23rd.

Though we continue to mourn those that were lost, let us also celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness and love in the wake of this tragedy, and remember …

In the aftermath of last week’s attack, the City of Toronto’s Community Crisis Response Program and Toronto Police Services invites residents and business owners or staff to an interactive dialogue about community safety in Willowdale.  Topics will include how to support your neighbours and available community resources during a time of crisis.

Please join us Sunday, May 6, from 6 – 8 PM at Willowdale Baptist Church (15 Olive Ave).  Refreshments and child care will be provided.  For more information, contact Rose-Ann Bailey by e-mail or 647-217-4368.  You can also pre-register here.

A very large word of thanks to the City of Toronto staff, countless members of the Toronto Police Service, members of Faith in the City and the Toronto Area Interfaith Council for their tireless work in pulling together last Sunday’s #TorontoStrong Vigil in Mel Lastman Square. It was an opportunity for members of the Willowdale community, and for residents from literally across the GTA and beyond to gather in support and solidarity with the victims of the attack. We hope that it brought a small amount of comfort and healing to those who …