The writing below are the bios of the S.H.O.W staff, in their own words. This crew is amazing because they are the first ones to break ground and establish the beautiful new Lillie St Urban Garden - taking a blank slate and making a vibrant piece of productive land.
Their writing is a reflection of their experience in the community, where they come from and a little bit of the pieces that have contributed to the story of who they are. It's not an easy thing, writing about yourself, and the different sides of yourself, and then sharing that with the world. But each of these individuals have done so, in a way that is heartfelt and sincere. We thank them for their insights and for the privilege of learning more about their stories. Please read with care and understanding.
Their writing is a reflection of their experience in the community, where they come from and a little bit of the pieces that have contributed to the story of who they are. It's not an easy thing, writing about yourself, and the different sides of yourself, and then sharing that with the world. But each of these individuals have done so, in a way that is heartfelt and sincere. We thank them for their insights and for the privilege of learning more about their stories. Please read with care and understanding.
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ChristineHi my name is Christine McCormack. I am 35 years old, I was born and raised in Thunder Bay ON. I am very family orientated and love being around positive and influential people. Through most of my teen years from the age of 16-30 I battled a disease called addiction. I have come a long way since then, I have learned so much about myself through the years. I was a sick person for years it took me a long time to realize I am worth a lot more in life and that I could be a better person for myself and my family. I got into trouble with the law which ended up with me going to jail, And I have to say I am forever thankful for that because it saved my life. I have faced a lot of obstacles in my life but it made me who I am today. I am grateful I got the opportunity to work with Roots to Harvest I have learned so much about seeding, planting, weeding and harvesting I really enjoy going out to different local farms and working with all different kinds of animals and taking selfies every chance I had. The crew I work with are amazing I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share this experience with, and the staff are super incredible and are really fun to work with. I will truly miss everybody when this job is over, I hope we can all keep in touch. Once I am finished this work with Roots to Harvest I plan on going back to school and look into social work for addictions I know I can really relate to that so hopefully my experience will help others who are struggling. I really enjoy spending time with my family and willing to try new things.
Anything is possible in life. Just never give up! |
JordanMy name is Jordan Lees, I’m 28 years old. This is my first season with Roots to Harvest, and the experience has been amazing. The people are awesome and so supportive to work with, I’ve never been part of a crew that seems to work together so seamlessly. There is never a shortage of good vibes and laughs to go around. I’ve gained many news skills and learned a lot about producing food and maintaining a garden, the weeding NEVER ends! One of my favourite things about working with Roots to Harvest has been our off site trips to farms in the surrounding areas, especially the ones that have animals. It has always been a struggle for me to find my way in many aspects of life - here I have fallen into my element. My experiences have helped to teach me that some things in life require the most hard work, patience and care. And the rewards that come from that kind of dedication far outweigh any form of instant gratification, the best is always yet to come.
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KimMy name is Kimberley Harper! Aka Kim. I am 28 years old with a handsome, smart, talented, 5 years old son named Maisun! Maisun is my world and I want to give him a world of opportunities. ☺ Maisun just started JK last year and it opened my curiosity and availability to rejoin school and the work force. I signed up for LAEC to finish my high school and I was introduced to Bailey Giroux (an employee for Roots to Harvest.). She was coming from class to class looking for volunteers to help cook lunch for the students! I raised my hand and we instantly connected. After volunteering to cook a few times, Bailey suggested for me to sign up for the S.H.O.W program through Roots to Harvest. She boasted that it would be such a great fit for me, and boy was she right! My eagerness and willingness to learn new things was a great pair up for the program, not to mention it has helped me gain two co-op credits. So here I am creating my bio for you to read, sitting at the Roots to Harvest office enjoying the company of my amazing team! Since I have started it has been such an invigorating and thrilling experience. The group we have this year has been nothing but supportive and understanding, (as we all are growing through trials and tribulations) we accept each other for who we are and I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to seeing this through and taking my skills and experiences into the next level of mine and Maisun’s life ☺
Some skills I have acquired through my journey through the S.H.O.W program have included: -cultivating an entire garden of fresh organic produce from the ground up (prepping garden beds, planting seeds, harvesting and the sale of our most rewarding vegetables!) -cooking -bee keeping -how a single seed and a lot of TLC can show such amazing growth -wealth of knowledge in surrounding farms and agriculture ALL of which I’m excited to teach Maisun! Roots to Harvest is like a big family and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it! CHEERS ☺ |
LoganHi, my name is Logan Matthews. A 20 year old from Sandy Lake, ON but who has lived in Thunder Bay for 10 years now. I was hired by Roots in the past and worked in the UYFP program 2 years ago. I have overcome a lot of issues I was dealing with through the help and support from Roots.
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MarilyneI am a Canadian, Quebecan or Quebecoise, and I travel for work to enjoy the countryside of Canada's national parks and the Northern Territories. Working towards a college education, I am interested in exploring career opportunities in Horticulture and visiting Iceland.
My thoughts on Roots to Harvest; I recommend Roots to Harvest to everyone who looks interested whenever I can. Because, energy saving is a common interest of all the Ontarians I meet. The work I learn to do gives me skills growing living plants, and edible fruits and vegetables. The staff team of growers I work with, and I, harvest the food we grow. We learn from Ontario’s organic farming and agricultural professionals the ways Ontario farmers have been farming for over 100 years. The farmers are always ready to teach how the successful farms have been growing food and caring for farm animals for generations. At the least, you might find new ideas with the organization programs for energy saving, and delight with healthy and home grown treats. Thunder Bay community citizens crowd around our fruit and vegetable market with joy!! We have a lot to offer this summer!! |
RobTo come
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SabrinaHi welcome to my page about myself. My name is Sabrina Bottle. I’m from Thunder Bay and Ottawa. My school put on a presentation and that’s how I first heard of the SHOW program. I love my tan and job. I made friends and completely get along with our crew because they’re more than just great people, they’re fun and entertaining. Our garden started as just dirt and soil. We planted seeds and watched them grow. Besides that, we go to local farmers and help them do what they need done.
After Roots of Harvest I plan to go back to school. Another good thing is that Roots of Harvest kept me awake every morning, so I’ll be awake for school. I love music because it just sounds awesome. Music kept me sober and helps with tough time that are present, past, and future. I graduated from grade 12 this year. My fellow comrades at the garden have given me the opportunity to step out my comfort zone. I love my family and I’m very close to them. Lastly, I’m slowly learning to like myself but have very high expectations for my future. |
Seth
Boozhoo, Sabourin Seth ndishnikaaz. I was born in Thunder Bay on October 17th, 2000 and raised in between the city and my reservation of Pic Mobert. I never was staying in one place for very long. I suppose I never got a connection with a friend because of it. Not that I found it hard to get friends. I just didn’t make meaningful connections. For a long time, it didn’t bother me, it was just my life, friends came and went, or more like I came and went.
It was no problem for me, until we stopped moving all over the place, and I stopped going to my Reservation. At the time it was just me slowing down, then the change and depression came to me when we moved away from all my family. That was never a problem for me. There was always family somewhere. An aunt, uncle, or cousin I could go visit, a grandparent nearby I could go to for supper. Moving to Ottawa was not great. I didn’t last long without the rest of my family around, so I moved back to town without my mother. It was still hard, without my mom around, but it was better than being away from everyone.
I spent two years with my grandparents before moving away from them after an argument. A disagreement on something personal, but I was planning on moving for a long time before that, I love them, but it’s just hard living with them.
It was here when I found Roots to Harvest, I was living with one of my aunts, and a teacher asked if I was interested in a job. I was never against getting a job, but it was something I wasn’t thinking about. So I said sure.
I had begun to deal with my depression before that, but Roots really did help me in those endeavors. I met many good people, then two years after working with them, I’m back. I hope to help out with whatever I can, and I hope and know I’ll also get help with the still bit of problems I have.
It was no problem for me, until we stopped moving all over the place, and I stopped going to my Reservation. At the time it was just me slowing down, then the change and depression came to me when we moved away from all my family. That was never a problem for me. There was always family somewhere. An aunt, uncle, or cousin I could go visit, a grandparent nearby I could go to for supper. Moving to Ottawa was not great. I didn’t last long without the rest of my family around, so I moved back to town without my mother. It was still hard, without my mom around, but it was better than being away from everyone.
I spent two years with my grandparents before moving away from them after an argument. A disagreement on something personal, but I was planning on moving for a long time before that, I love them, but it’s just hard living with them.
It was here when I found Roots to Harvest, I was living with one of my aunts, and a teacher asked if I was interested in a job. I was never against getting a job, but it was something I wasn’t thinking about. So I said sure.
I had begun to deal with my depression before that, but Roots really did help me in those endeavors. I met many good people, then two years after working with them, I’m back. I hope to help out with whatever I can, and I hope and know I’ll also get help with the still bit of problems I have.
Shaneek
Hello, my name is Shaneek Mc Donald, I am 26 years old. I was born in St. Catherine, Jamaica. I am the oldest of eight children for my parents. At a tender age I developed a liking for farming and gardening. I pretty much planted everything from: corn, banana, plantain, yam, cassava, okra, scotch bonnet peppers, tomatoes among many other tropical ground provisions and vegetables. After leaving high school I went towards the trade sector where I acquired a certification in Plumbing at a recognized tertiary institution in 2012. A few years later I got the opportunity to move to Trinidad & Tobago where I lived and worked for two years, prior to resettling to Canada in 2018 and becoming a permanent resident.
I would consider myself to be honest, hard-working and humble individual who’s determined to become successful in all my future endeavours. I am passionate about helping the less fortunate, activism, singing and being a positive role model in my community. While attaining my equivalency at Lakehead Adult Educational Centre I heard about this amazing seasonal horticultural outdoor program with Roots to Harvest. I immediately updated my resume and applied for the internship.
It is such a wonderful experience to be one of the extraordinary punks growing foods this year at Lillie Street. I had the privilege of working with such an incredible team of supervisors, I also built an awesome relationship with my co-workers. But the thing I enjoyed the most was our trips to the different farms that we volunteered at because I got a chance to see the beauty of the province, identify various plants, operate different machinery and cultivate foods.
I would consider myself to be honest, hard-working and humble individual who’s determined to become successful in all my future endeavours. I am passionate about helping the less fortunate, activism, singing and being a positive role model in my community. While attaining my equivalency at Lakehead Adult Educational Centre I heard about this amazing seasonal horticultural outdoor program with Roots to Harvest. I immediately updated my resume and applied for the internship.
It is such a wonderful experience to be one of the extraordinary punks growing foods this year at Lillie Street. I had the privilege of working with such an incredible team of supervisors, I also built an awesome relationship with my co-workers. But the thing I enjoyed the most was our trips to the different farms that we volunteered at because I got a chance to see the beauty of the province, identify various plants, operate different machinery and cultivate foods.
Walter
My name is Walter Lewis, I’m 29 years old and I’m an Ojibwe native. I’m a very passionate about maintaining a sober lifestyle, whilst having a good go of it. My spirit animal is laughing otter, I’m a very traditional person and want to be an audio engineer, I also play music as a form of release. If I couldn’t sing or play an instrument, I’d explode. Being a self-taught musician, I find my learning process to be a hands-on one. I enjoy Sci-Fi, cats and RPG’s, my favorite band is Green Day. I want my life to reflect the values and beliefs I was taught growing up. I want to be the good I see in people.