Cause
Artists for Peace and Justice
Since 2008, this solution-oriented charity—headed by co-chairs Susan Sarandon and Ben Stiller as well as their Canadian counterparts Suzanne Boyd, Shantelle and Yannick Bisson and George Stroumboulopoulos among others—has aimed to end the cycle of poverty by empowering communities in Haiti and worldwide through partnerships on the ground. Every penny donated by the public to this charity, of which Natasha is the president of the Canadian board and sits on US board, goes directly to bolstering their life-changing educational and creative teaching programs which steer in-need societies towards equality. Their successes have included building Haiti’s first free high school, which recently celebrated its fourth graduating class.
Black Women In Motion
Black Women in Motion is a Toronto-based, youth-led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of black womxn and survivors of sexual violence. We work within an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, trauma-informed and survivor-centred framework to create culturally-relevant content, educational tools, healing spaces and economic opportunities for black womxn.
Best Buddies
Best Buddies Canada creates one-to-one friendships between people with intellectual disabilities and students. The Buddy pair spends time going for pizza, shooting hoops or simply enjoying the company of a friend. Our goal is to break down the social barriers that exist for people with intellectual disabilities in order for them to lead productive lives as part of the fabric of community. Today there are 500 chapters in elementary, high schools, universities and colleges across the country – since its inception 25 years ago, almost 200,000 people have participated in the Best Buddies programs.
G(irls)20
Spurring the next generation of female leaders is G(irls)20, a charitable movement that harnesses young women’s innate power through their potential-building initiatives. By making strategic economic investments in girls as well as offering developmental and networking opportunities, their goal is to put more women at decision-making tables around the world.
Lifeline
Since 2014, Lifeline – a Lifetime Charitable Foundation – has worked toward the goal of providing aid and support to Toronto’s vulnerable and at-risk communities. Lifeline is dedicated to making a lasting difference by continuing to raise awareness and funds, facilitating hands-on initiatives and creating an on-the-street presence to help improve the lives of those in need. The foundation rallies together those in the real estate industry and beyond to raise funds for programs and initiatives that bring about positive change, with a focus on homelessness, health and social services, and youth development. From local food and toy drives to major fundraising events, Lifeline strives to help create healthy and vibrant urban communities.
Save Our Scruff
St. Felix Centre
Compassionate care lies at the heart of this Toronto-based non-profit centre which serves to lift up the community’s most marginalized members. Every month, St. Felix Centre provides more than 20,000 meals, 4000 respite spaces and countless public programs, all while delivering on its decades-long commitment to preserving human dignity.
