Before Covid, part of The Dale’s weekly schedule, was an Art and Breakfast program that happened inside the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. It was a time filled with pancakes, bacon, colouring, clay, beading, and acoustic guitar music. It was a great way to connect with the staff in the health centre, so that if anyone from our group wanted medical care they could easily get connected. Also, the opposite, someone might be able to discover us at the health centre while there for an appointment.
It was really sweet to start the day surrounded with community, and unfortunately we haven’t been able to go back since early 2020.
Fast forward to now! Starting at the end of this February, we finally have had permission to be back inside! Since it is a medical centre, we have to be careful and therefore cannot cook and eat breakfast. Instead, we use the space for just an art-drop at the moment and continue to serve our breakfast in to-go bags outside the church in the morning.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going back. I was surprised, the space felt so peaceful and refreshing. Some people chose to colour and while others knitted, all with quiet conversations and soft acoustic music playing in the background.
I love that Thursdays have become a cozy space to chat if you want, but if you don’t then you are welcome to just do your own thing. It’s been sweet to meet new people and see how everyone’s creativity is so different. Not everyone has access to a peaceful space, so it’s cool to see the way each person in the room plays a role into making it so welcoming.
I continue to learn about peace and the beauty of being together through this community- and sometimes that just looks like colouring quietly. And now I really look forward to Thursdays!
oliviaatthedale 