DIGIN to DOCS - Through a Blue Lens

The next edition of DIGIN to DOCS is tonight (Monday April 14) at 7:00 PM. Please come to Bloor Collegiate, 1141 Bloor St West, to watch the next film in our film series, Through a Blue Lens. In this documentary, addicts talk openly about how they ended up on the streets. Through their participation in this film, they want to stop others from joining their nightmare. Michael's Bloor-Lansdowne Blog has a nice write up on the film. We hope to see you out tonight.

DIG IN to DOCS: Mark your Calendars!!

DIGIN TO DOCS Film Screening Series
Monthly screenings of award-winning films. Join us as we delve into worlds rarely seen; and celebrate how courageous people are daring to make a difference.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Bloor Collegiate
1141 Bloor St west
Pay What You Can - suggested donations: $4 per person, $8 per family

Mar 17th 7pm CHEATING DEATH

Cheating Death takes us inside the mind of a man still struggling with the temptations of the street, while at the same time trying to serve God. This documentary is a journey into the world of drugs, gangs and guns - a world much talked about and feared but rarely understood.

Confirmed guests include Gyasi Ferdinand, subject of Cheating Death; Karim Ismaili, Associate Professor & Interim Chair, Dept of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Ryerson University; Staff Sergeant Frank Besenthal, Toronto Police Services (14 Division)

April 14th 7pm THROUGH A BLUE LENS

Through a Blue Lens tells a moving and compassionate story. In this documentary, addicts talk openly about how they ended up on the streets. Through their participation in this film, they want to stop others from joining their nightmare.

Confirmed guests include Peter Markwell, John Howard Society; Susan Shepherd, Manager, Toronto Drug Strategy Secretariat; Staff Sergeant Frank Besenthal, Toronto Police Services (14 Division).

May 12th 7pm STREET HEALTH STORIES and THE INTERVENTIONISTS

STREET HEALTH STORIES

Street Health Stories gives a human face and voice to the statistics in the Street Health 2007 Report. Four photographers who have experienced homelessness document the stories of 28 homeless men and women through audio recordings and portrait photography.

THE INTERVENTIONISTS

A unique crisis team works their cases in downtown Toronto - a mental health nurse and a police officer. Together, they ride the streets of the inner city in an unmarked police car, responding to 911 calls involving what are officially called "emotionally disturbed persons" (EDP). Their mandate is not only to de-escalate crises, but to avoid unnecessary arrests and emergency room visits.

Confirmed guests Kate Mason, Street Health; Kat Cizek, filmmaker; Anne Longair, Director of Hostel Services, City of Toronto; Frank Besenthal, Toronto Police Services (14 Division).

Following each screening, join discussions with experts. Have your say.

Brought to you by DIG IN.

Sponsored by Councillor Adam Giambrone, Toronto District School Board
Trustee Maria Rodrigues, Long & McQuade and the Toronto Police Service (14 Division).
Graphic design services provided by Antoine Moonen.

More faces from last Friday's night out

There were two Jennifers at last Friday's night out. Jennifer and Vic (see below) have come out for DIG IN events in the past. Vic, who has his own website, was one of the cyclists who rode around promoting Bloor NIGHTLIGHT last September. You can see some of Vic's Bloor NIGHTLIGHT pictures here. Vic also took pictures of last year's July 5 Bloor Splash Party.

Jennifer

Vic

DIG IN night out on Bloor

Jennifer and Doug
Last Friday a small group from DIG IN met at the recently-opened Kung Po Chicken at 1196 Bloor St. W (on the north side of Bloor between Brock and Pauline) for a meal and some friendly conversation. Afterwards we went over to Stella's at St. Clarens and Bloor for drinks and more talk. Jennifer and Doug, who are in the picture, were two of the people who joined us.

There are some problems on Bloor between and Lansdowne and Dufferin. DIG IN believes one way to address those problems is to encourage positive activities on the strip. Some of those activities are big events like the Splash Party and Bloor NIGHTLIGHT as well as this year's BIG on Bloor festival. (Mark your calendars for June 21). Other activities are simple things like supporting local businesses by using their services. Last year, some DIG IN members started going as a group to the various restaurants on the street. We are doing the same this year. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Over the next few days we will be posting more pictures from Friday's event.