Birth Parents

St. Timothy's is excited to offer support to newcomers in Canada. Our goal is to provide conversational language practice through informal instruction and feedback in a welcoming and diverse community. We invite all new immigrants, English language students, visitors to Canada, parents of children temporarily attending schools in Toronto, foreign university students, and anyone looking to enhance their language skills. We aim to build community where friendships can flourish, in order to help participants establish meaningful connections, learn about life in Toronto, and access practical resources as you settle in to this new city and country. We begin every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. with a time to socialize and connect. Our formal program begins at 10:30 a.m., and each week we will have different activities and topics, including practicing English conversation, reading short articles, learning about common pronunciation and grammar mistakes made by ESL speakers, etc. Our volunteers would love to get to know you and offer gentle and constructive feedback to help you improve your English! We also offer Individual career mentoring, including job search, mock job interviews, and helping you improve your resumes and cover letters.

Our families, or lack thereof, are one of the first things we become aware of. For better or worse, as children, most of us rely on family to meet our needs and help us learn how to exist in the world. Their presence or absence shapes our behaviours and affects how others treat us. We may be judged by what our parents do for work, how our children behave, whether we have strong or weak family values and ties, or our ability to fulfill familial obligations. ‘Family’ shapes how we come to learn about the world, how we relate to one another and to ourselves, and the goals we set. Through our lived experience, the stories we’re told, and the cultural values many of us have inherited, ‘family’ has become a relational category whose existence we assume is natural; that is, family units have always existed and always will. But could a world without families exist? Statistically, families are the epicentre for cases of violence and abuse, and perpetuating economic inequality. Given this, would we be *better off* in a world without family as we know it? Join co-moderators Fallon Taylor-Kanary and Sophia Whicher at our next Curiosity Café, where we’ll explore the following questions: * Who do you consider to be family? Why? * How do you feel when you think about family? * What function does family play in our lives? * Why are families sites of so much violence? * How is contemporary infrastructure (architecture, policies, institutions, etc) designed around families? * How would our relations be different if our material and economic conditions weren’t shaped or mediated by the family? * Would a world without families *necessarily* be a world with less love and care? **Space is limited!** **Please obtain a “Pay-What-You-Can” ticket from Curiosity Café at [this link (click here)](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/curiosity-cafe-ethics-of-the-family-tickets-1987289282741) to attend this event. You need a ticket to be admitted.** See the above link for more info about tickets and other options including a limited number of free tickets. Come and hang out with us, grab food, and read through our handout from 6-6:30pm. Our structured discussion will run from 6:30-8:30pm with a 10 minute break in the middle. Hope to see you there! ***__________________________________________________________________*** This event is brought to you by [Being and Becoming](https://beingnbecoming.org/), a Toronto based non-profit. We aim to create community around exploring everyday concepts and experiences so that we may live more intentional, thoughtful, and meaningful lives. We use philosophy as a tool with which we can come to a richer understanding of the world around us. By offering activities, spaces, and other opportunities for conversation and co-exploration, we hope to enable the meeting and fusion of individuals and their ideas. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background: indeed, we believe the journey is best undertaken alongside explorers from a variety of disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Find out more about Being and Becoming [here](https://beingnbecoming.org/). About the Curiosity Café Series: For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to join us at our Curiosity Cafés and are wondering what they’re all about: every two weeks, we invite members of our community to come out to the Madison Avenue Pub to engage in a collaborative exploration of our chosen topic. Through these events, we aim to build our community of people who like to think deeply about life’s big questions, and provide each other with some philosophical tools to dig deeper into whatever it is we are most curious about.

**Registration only** [here](https://luma.com/xxuglfzm) **https://luma.com/xxuglfzm** **Interview, FAQ+discussion, and a free haircut** **This isn’t a joke** **This isn’t an integration circle** **This hasn’t been written with AI** **This isn’t a screening of** ***Everything Everywhere All At Once*** **(though that would be cool, too)** **This is a talk about the similarities of working as a 5-MeO guide and working in a hair salon or barbershop. Seriously.** **(image taken with my iPhone 8)** **What do you know about 5-MeO-DMT?** **The narratives surrounding 5-MeO-DMT are as varied as they are striking: hyperbolic, fascinating, dismissive, and often bewildering.** **Expect an irreverent, playful, metaphorical ride that ranges from critiques on psychonautic culture to serious nondual talk. There’ll probably be some poetry also. 🗣️And maybe a fundraiser for my book writing venture. 🔌** **Whether you’re an enlightened human being or just learning about healing, join me as I field questions about the extraordinary and sublime experiences that can occur with this poorly understood substance.** **Interviewer TBA.** **Example questions:** ***- DMT and 5-MeO-DMT: What’s the difference?*** ***- Is a therapist suggesting “Low 5” for you?*** ***- “I had a blackout and don’t remember anything”! WTF?*** ***- What’s the difference between ceremonial and therapy contexts? Which one is right for me?*** ***- What’s an ‘ego death’, really?*** ***- I have my own vape pen. Now what?*** **Who is this guy? (A self-written bio but written in the 3rd-person)** **From the early-2010’s, 5-MeO-DMT has been the ‘pointer’ towards the One that has become chad’s craft and vocation. Since 2016, his full-time work has been to offer 5 experiences to ~1000 individuals in a variety of ways, in a variety of contexts, and in a variety of locations. He has contributed to the unregulated (read: underground) field’s efforts to establish and safeguard best practices and codes of ethics via facilitator gatherings, media, as well as mentoring and training other guides. He has also contributed to the regulated field’s efforts to better understand this substance, having facilitated two naturalistic (field) research studies with Dr. Malin Uthaug, a leading 5-MeO-DMT researcher, and** [speaking at conferences](https://youtu.be/itFwlDwEavY?si=X_2Ohxdu6aoO_ibT) **. chad has become a well-respected member of the global 5 community of practice to which he has consistently contributed his voice, his perspectives, and his example.** **Registration only** [here](https://luma.com/xxuglfzm)

A newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, embarks on a remarkable search for a family secret that leads him to a terminally ill painter living out her final days in the Brooklyn Museum. Electrifying, funny, and wholly original, *Martyr!* heralds the arrival of an essential new voice in contemporary fiction. Cyrus Shams is a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss: his mother’s plane was shot down over the skies of the Persian Gulf in a senseless accident; and his father’s life in America was circumscribed by his work killing chickens at a factory farm in the Midwest. Cyrus is a drunk, an addict, and a poet, whose obsession with martyrs leads him to examine the mysteries of his past—toward an uncle who rode through Iranian battlefields dressed as the angel of death to inspire and comfort the dying, and toward his mother, through a painting discovered in a Brooklyn art gallery that suggests she may not have been who or what she seemed. Kaveh Akbar’s *Martyr!* is a paean to how we spend our lives seeking meaning—in faith, art, ourselves, others.

**😂 Tuesday Night Laughs at Yuk Yuk’s – Just $5! 😂** Looking for a fun, easy, and *ridiculously affordable* night out? Join us for an evening of laughs at Yuk Yuk’s Toronto on **Tuesday, April 21**! 🎤 **Showtime:** 7:30 PM 💸 **Tickets:** Just **$5 (!!)** — yes, seriously. That’s less than a fancy coffee for a full night of live comedy. Incredible value! Nick will be there a bit earlier (he’s a front-row kind of guy 😄), so come say hi, grab a seat, and get settled before the laughs begin. Whether you're a comedy regular or just looking for something different on a Tuesday night, this is the perfect low-commitment outing. And remember — **you can just show up if you're unsure of your schedule**. No pressure, just good vibes and big laughs. Expect a lineup of talented comedians bringing everything from clever observations to totally off-the-wall humour. You never know who might drop in! 👉 Check out details and grab tickets here: [https://www.yukyuks.com/toronto?month=04&year=2026](https://www.yukyuks.com/toronto?month=04&year=2026) **Regretfully, we’re not wheelchair accessible as we’re in an older building.** Bring a friend (or make some new ones), enjoy some drinks, and let’s laugh the night away — all for five bucks. Honestly, you can’t beat this deal! 😆

A gentle, guided forest bathing experience centred on surrender inviting you to soften, release, and reconnect with nature. SURRENDER Brokenhearted? Feel deeply, maybe more than others? Having a hard time letting go? Struggle with anger or intensity? Have walls up that just won’t come down? This walk is for you. Join us for our next forest bathing experience where we will explore the practice of surrender gently releasing control, softening resistance, and learning to be present with what is. Through a series of guided. invitations, we will explore: • Connecting with the present moment • Allowing grief and emotion to move through • Reframing inner challenges • Releasing expectations and control This is a space to open your heart not by force, but by allowing. You’ll be guided through an embodied experience to connect with your heart space and move through feelings of hurt, dissatisfaction, perfectionism, heartbreak, or sadness… at your own pace. We will begin with a grounding practice and crystal energy clearing to settle the nervous system and open the space. This is not a hike it’s a slow, mindful wander into the forest. 🕊 Duration: \~2 hours 🌿 No experience necessary — beginners welcome 🤍 Come exactly as you are 🪶 Bring something to sit on if you’d like This walk will be rain or shine. Dress for the weather. We will meet in front of the High Park Forest School 📍375 Colborne Lodge Dr There is no car access into the park on the weekends. There is paid parking options on surrounding streets be mindful of parking. The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the door. 💫 ⸻ Disclaimer: I am a certified forest therapy guide, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. This experience is not therapy or a substitute for professional care. Please participate in a way that feels safe and supportive for you.

Did you know that there's a Farmers' Market at Allan Gardens every Saturday? Let's meet for Matcha at 11:00 am at 407 Church St. Then, let's head to the Market (approx. six minute walk) around 12:00 pm. I'll monitor the app for a couple of minutes at the beginning of the event but, after that, I'll be focussed on the attendees :) [Matcha Matcha](https://matchamatcha.ca/) Drinks are around $10 but well worth it! "We believe in the transformative power of this vibrant green tea...Packed with chlorophyll, antioxidants, and the calming properties of L-Theanine, our matcha is more than a beverage; it's a gateway to tranquility." The desserts also look yummy (and, of course, healthy ;) [Allan Gardens Farmers' Market](https://www.friendsofallangardens.ca/saturday-farmers-market) Entrance is free "every Saturday 10am-2pm, year-round. Located in the beautiful [Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory](https://maps.app.goo.gl/kTV3B2uMjLWBjZkq5) & Teaching Garden. Celebrate local food, community, and sustainable agriculture." \*Please see my comments for updates, as this event is weather and TTC dependent. \*Please update your RSVP if you are no longer able to attend so that others can. Waitlisters, please monitor the page in case you are moved to attending! \*A reminder will be sent a couple of days before the event so that you can confirm your attendance. Members with multiple no-shows or late-cancellations will not be allowed to attend this or my future events.

**💕 Ottawa Speed Dating – Personality Matched & Hosted on Zoom** A hosted online speed dating experience for Ottawa locals. Each round is a brief one-on-one Zoom chat with a Ottawa local paired by age and personality. A host keeps the pace comfortable. **Pick your age group and sign up:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=431.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Ottawa&groupurlname=local-singles-journey-toward-new-sparks&ar=18-32&face_v=8.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=431.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Ottawa&groupurlname=local-singles-journey-toward-new-sparks&ar=30-46&face_v=8.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=431.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Ottawa&groupurlname=local-singles-journey-toward-new-sparks&ar=40-58&face_v=8.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=431.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Ottawa&groupurlname=local-singles-journey-toward-new-sparks&ar=55+&face_v=8.0) **⚠️ RSVP alone won't secure your spot.** You need to register through your age group link below and complete the personality quiz. Places are limited. --- 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Introverts who shine in one-on-one conversations - People re-entering the dating scene after a break - Ottawa locals after personality-matched dates - People fed up with swiping who want actual conversation - Singles who prefer a hosted, structured experience **How It Works** 1. **Pick your age group** – Register through your link above. 2. **Complete the quiz** – Short personality quiz so we can match you well. 3. **Hop on Zoom** – Join the call and your host will walk you through it. 4. **Meet your matches** – Cycle through short chats with compatible Ottawa singles. 5. **Get matches** – Mutual matches shared after the event. **Event Details** - **Format:** Live on Zoom – guided rounds from your home - **Location:** From home – all you need is Wi-Fi and a webcam - **Host:** Experienced host steering the session - **Vibe:** Great energy, real people, authentic conversation 💡 **Tip:** Good lighting and a clean background make a big difference. **Frequently Asked Questions** **Do I need experience?** Not at all. The host walks you through everything. **What's the personality quiz for?** It helps us match you with compatible people. **How long are the chats?** A few minutes each — just enough to get a sense of someone. **What happens after?** Mutual matches are sent out after the event. --- ✨ Register, take the quiz, and connect with Ottawa locals tonight. 💞 ✨

An exclusive evening for couples who value meaningful connections, refined ambiance, and elevated social experiences. This is a **private, curated gathering** — designed to bring together a select group of like-minded couples in an intimate setting. **$25 per couple (mandatory)** E-transfer to: **circlexclub@gmail.com** Add your name + “Couples Dinner” **Entry confirmed upon payment** Food & drinks are ordered and paid separately at the venue

Hello everyone, I'd like to invite you out for fabulous Sunday afternoon; with our beloved party game, **Family Feud! (The Best Social Party Game in Town!)** It's going to be a total blast with a game designed to keep us laughing and interacting all afternoon! \*Super easy to learn, play and have fun! *\*Joined by my other social groups too so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out!* **Date:** Sunday April 26th, 2026 **Arrival Time:** Please arrive between 4:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m. **Where to Meet us?** **Location:** La Carnita - (Main Floor) **Address:** 130 Eglinton Ave. Toronto, ON M4P 2X9 **Free Parking:** in Residential area and on Eglinton on the north side-just east of the restaurant **Yonge and Eglinton Subway:** (Very close, 3 minute walking distance) Event Details Below: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host) https://www.meetup.com/soulcity/ **Details of Event:** **\*\*FAMILY FEUD\*\* (The Best Social Party Game in Town) (Sunday April 26th)** -Lots of laughs in store as we have a great evening making new friends and playing **Family Feud** hosted in a unique group vs group format -Groups will be divided into groups of 4-5 players, with multiple rounds played \*Treats handed out to the winning teams after each round we play \*\* Invite your friends or come on your own; either way we can anticipate a great time! ***It's all about having fun and laughing out loud!*** \-\-\-\- **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (cash only please) (HST included) or in advance by e transfer to **steveflemming11@gmail.com** \-\-\-\-\- \*Plan to come for dinner (one beverage or appetizer minimum to support this wonderful restaurant) (The food is fresh and really good!) \*Includes reserved seating for the group \*Beverage and/or appetizer minimum to support the staff and venue \*Dinner Party after Family Feud at no extra charge :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

Join us for **& Juliet**, a hilarious new musical that flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as Juliet ditches her famous ending! Critics and audiences alike are raving about this show! Check out the **[AUDIENCE VIDEO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgjYUm8w7EE)**. Click on "Read more" below for full details. ***Our group has an early bird discount price of $64 (all fees included) in Balcony Rows C, D and E (including centre seats) and $87 (all fees included) in Orchestra Rows Q and R. Upgrades also available at early bird discount prices.*** **The Show:** Created by the Emmy® Award–winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek”, this hit musical asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Join on the ride as Juliet leaves her famous ending behind for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.  Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name – all from the genius songwriter-producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it. Created by the Emmy® Award–winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek." *** **OUR DISCOUNT TICKETS** **Group Tickets:** * **$53** (regular $69 for Balcony Rows C, D and E) * **$76** (regular $99 In Orch Rows Q and R) **Other Discount Tickets:** * **$53** (regular $69 in Dress Circle Rows J and K) * **$76** (regular $99 for Dress Circle Rows G and H, and Balcony Rows A and B) * **$91** (regular $119 for Orchestra Rows L to P, Dress Circle Rows E and F) * **$113** (regular $149 for Orchestra Rows BB to DD and Rows E to K, Dress Circle Rows A to D) * **$199 Premium** (no discount in Orchestra Rows A to D centre and Dress Circle Row A centre) **Service Fee:** $11 per ticket ***No Meetup Fee*** *** **HOW TO PAY** 1\. Sign up on this event page 2\. Send an email to **belindameetup@gmail** to request the payment instructions 3\. Specify you are inquiring about **& Juliet** 4\. Include the name you use on this Thumbs Up Theatre website\. 5\. Indicate how many tickets you need\. 6\. Belinda will email you the payment instructions 7\. If you don't receive the instructions in your inbox\, check your junk box in case it has gone there Members must pay for their tickets in advance. Pick up your prepaid ticket(s) from Belinda at the meetup spot. \*\*\* **OVERVIEW** **Date:** Thursday April 23, 2026 **Time:** Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Meet Belinda between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the theatre. **Where:** Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King Street West, Toronto, Ont. **Show Length:** 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission *** **ACCESSIBILITY** The Royal Alexandra Theatre is an old theatre and does **NOT** have an elevator to take you upstairs to the Dress Circle or Balcony. Our group discount tickets are in Balcony, but you can purchase upgraded discount tickets in Orchestra if you have difficulty climbing stairs. *** **MEETUP ARRANGEMENTS** Meet Belinda any time between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the left side of the lobby (as you enter the first set of doors) **inside** the theatre.She is very short and will be wearing a bright pink hat and bright pink glasses. Cell # (416) 879-7575 for use on day/time of show ONLY. **INTERMISSION MEETUP SPOT:** On the aisle beside Orchestra L27 and Balcony C30. **DINNER BEFORE SHOW:** Join other members at 5 p.m. at **[Lee Chen Asian Bistro](https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleechenbistro.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C9717b412e1784d12b0b208db4e7b1fc3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638190062940403133%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7W3lGI7WduPzs72q4ITnGG0HdQwnP4s8WyQ516xaeBU%3D&reserved=0)**, a restaurant featuring authentic Chinese food at 214 King Street West, Toronto. The restaurant is located about a block from the theatre. Members will receive their theatre ticket(s) at the restaurant if they dine there. Please message Belinda if you want to be included in the reservation. **[PLEASE NOTE OUR ZERO-TOLERANCE CELLPHONE POLICY](https://www.meetup.com/thumbs-up-theatre-toronto/events/243426512/)**

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.