FST Gears Up for Family Day 2010
Celebrating the bonds of family once again
January 14, 2010
Between the sub-zero temperatures, shortened days and grappling with everything from frozen water manes to salt-stained boots, the three-month stretch between New Year’s Day and Easter weekend often felt like an eternity for Ontarians. In 2008, that all changed when the provincial government instituted Family Day, a civic holiday in that falls on the third Monday in February.
Since then, Family Day has become more than just a day off from work for many. It is a time to cherish with family. Family Service Toronto supports and celebrates families. We think all families are important and that strong families create healthy communities and happy individuals. Our services help families deal with a range of issues to make them stronger.
Throughout the year we celebrate the diversity of traditional and non-traditional families in our city and on Family Day we do so even more proudly and loudly. Below are some of the activities and events we are organizing to celebrate Family Day 2010.
- Endorse our definition of family – Family Service Toronto believes that a family is two or more people, related by blood, marriage, adoption or commitment to care for one another. If you support our inclusive definition of family, let us know! Join the hundreds of people who have endorsed our definition on the Family Day website.
- Family Photo Gallery – Back by popular demand, you can post a favourite photo of you and your family and share your story of what family means to you on our online gallery. Visit the gallery to see the pictures and add your own at our Family Day website.
- “I’m Listening: Conversations for Keeps” – In the evenings from February 8 to February 12, Family Service Toronto will be hosting families in our “studios” at 355 Church Street. “I’m Listening” is an opportunity for family members to share and record their memories with each other. The 40-minute conversations will be recorded and burned on a CD for participants to keep, and serve as a lasting record of their family memories. Participants will also receive a portrait taken after their recording, as a keepsake of the event. To find out more and to register for “I’m Listening: Conversations for Keeps” visit our Family Day Website.
- Photo Squad – In support of our photo gallery, FST’s intrepid Roving Volunteer Photo Squad is available to take photos at family-oriented events around the city. Families will get a copy of their picture on the spot and can have it posted in our online gallery as well. If your organization has an event coming up that will include many families, let us know!
Every family is unique. Every family has stories worth sharing. Share your family with us at www.familydaytoronto.org
