Poverty Awareness in York Region

PACC has agreed in principle thus far regarding a possible conference on poverty - on condition that the conference lead to action. The conference has also been agreed to in principle thus far by Belinda Stronach, whom also stressed wanting a structure to our conference that would result in action.


We have thus far agreed to go forward to form a wish list of possible participants for the "square-table" symposium/conference which will be complete with opportunity for some marginalized members' plights to be heard first-hand.

PACC has also just attended as guests at the the Pan Canadian Evaluation in Montreal in Jan 2007. This evaluation is an annual in the 20th year of the International Eradication of Poverty Days worldwide.

PACC Itinerary for Thursday, June 1st

Location: GOODTIME Cafe 17080 Bathurst St, Newmarket, Press call 289-221-0928

7:30 pm- 7:50 pm light refreshments,
Music by Youth performing trio, Killing Independent George

7:50 pm greetings by Host/Chair Tom Pearson, welcome and brief intro to PACC
Accolades given to book storytellers followed by 1st book excerpt reading by Miss York Region, Lorraine Hanoun

8:05 pm
African Drums & Dancing group, featuring Producer/Drummer
Giles Collins of The Chaos System

8:20 pm
2nd book excerpt reading

8:25 pm
Entertainment: Newmarket Music Festival of Arts winner Sean Stephens, vocals, guitar, didgeridoo, bongos

8:50 pm
Logo winner Carly Fraser introduced, awarded, and she to make a statement

Ms. Fraser to receive $50 prize from PACC and congratulations letter signed from Aurora/Newmarket member of Parliament Belinda Stronach. She will address any Press questions at this time only.

9:10 PM
Thank – You ’s and last excerpt reading

9:15 pm- 10 pm
Open Stage Musical entertainment featuring Hurricane Mike Thompson, who’ s original song about being homeless, “Colder Days” was recently featured by Toronto newspaper Columnist, Mark Bonokoski

Special Note: Recipient award winner Carly Fraser, age 13, is the eldest of 3 sisters, a student with over a 90% average whom attends school at Park Ave Public. Carly entered through her St. James Anglican Church in Sharon, a staunch PACC supporter. PACC sees Ms. Stronach’s letter to Ms. Fraser as an admission of a poverty issue in the region and as a positive, small step, towards attending to and amending the problem. PACC looks forward to meeting with Ms. Stronach in the future to help accomplish this goal.

FOLLOW UP: This event was a resounding success. Special thanks to all the volunteers who made this event possible, and of course the talent. Special thanks to PACC Youth member Andrew for his hard pre-event work, to Caroline who's talented caricature drawings brought us much needed revenue, to Anne and Judy who(wo)manned the book sales and to Lorraine Hanoun, Miss York Region, who also read a story from our book , VOICES FROM THE EDGE;living in poverty(in York Region), aloud onstage and to Stronach representative Holly Piotrowski who paid more than lip service by not only attending but staying through the evening.I think we really opened some eyes this night. A full house, a mixture of PACCers, musicians friends and locals, greeted the hosts GOODTIME Cafe for most of the evening and so we can say all round it was a great night. Liberal/Era Banner writer Angelica Blenich was also in attendance so watch for her article on poverty in an upcoming issue!Thanks to all those who came out in support and to those who didn't your loss as you missed a great show and a great opportunity to show your support for the cause!