GREEN SPACES MAKE HAPPY FACES: WFWP TORONTO CLEANS A PARK

Together with their teenage children, more than 12 members of the WFWP Toronto chapter gathered for a park clean up on April 27th, 2019. When we arrived at the Jean Augustine Park that Saturday morning, the weather was very cold and windy, but that did not deter us. Greeting us all with a warm hug and a smile was a very special person, the namesake of the park we were going to clean. The Honorable Jean Augustine was impressed to see us there on such a crisp and gusty morning.
Hon. Jean Augustine is a Grenadian-Canadian who became the first Black Canadian female member of parliament and cabinet minister.

She was a trailblazing politician and social activist, as well as a teacher and high school principal. Her hard work and dedication have been recognized through numerous honors and awards, including having this park named in her honor.

For this clean-up project, WFWP partnered with the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment, an organization that offers educational programs to build the self-worth of young women and girls (read more about them here).

Joined by participants from the center, we were provided with the necessary cleaning supplies and happily went on park grounds to pick up all the trash that had accumulated during the long winter months. Children ran and competed with each other so they could receive a prize for their valuable work.

Once the park had been restored to its natural beauty, Hon. Augustine treated everyone with some refreshments and warm drinks. She also took time to talk with us individually.

WFWP Toronto will further collaborate with the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment on service projects this summer.