Did you know that there is an incredible community of deafblind neighbours here in Willowdale? The Canadian Helen Keller Centre provides training, events, community and resources to individuals who are deaf and blind. We spoke with Executive Director Jennifer Robbins and Consumer Relations Coordinator Elio Riggillo about the organization. We were joined by Elio's intervenor Amy Lawson and Interpreter Monique LeDrew. It's a great conversation to learn about the experiences of the deafblind community in our neighbourhood and how you can connect with them!

Meet Susan Goldenberg, the Membership Director of the North York Historical Society! Her team helps to preserve our neighbourhood's history! She joined us to talk about the North York Centennial! That's right, our suburb turned 100 this year! She provides us with plenty of interesting facts and even takes us through a Willowdale Hall of Fame! It's a great conversation, take a listen!  Check out this 2015 article Susan wrote which provides information about Earl Bales Park HERE

Take a listen and meet a very active member of our community! Gail is a master gardener so if you're in need of some gardening advice, she provides plenty of tips in this informative conversation!   Gail has served as the President of the Bayview Village Neighbourhood Association and as President of the North York Garden Club. The club is a volunteer organization that promotes the love of gardening and is open to all!

You'll meet Fiona Su, a latin dance champion who runs Star Dance Centre at 4750 Yonge St! Learn about the dance classes available for all ages! Then you'll hear from high school student Elisa about her passion for film.

Lily and special guest co-host Howie Kluger spoke with Alana Doria, a member of the family behind the infamous Golden Star Restaurant!  Then we hear from local post-secondary student Ella about why she believes young people should be more involved in politics! These are two incredibly hard working neighbours we can't wait for you to meet!

Lily spoke with Claire and Haedong, a wonderful Willowdale couple about raising their family AND running two businesses in the neighbourhood. Claire is a florist who operates Alisera Design and Haedong is a Hearing Instrument Specialist with his own practice, the Better Hearing Clinic! There are such a sweet couple! Take a listen!

Lily speaks with award-winning illusionist and pastor at Bayview Glen Church, Sawyer Bullock! It's a great conversation about his worlds and how they compliment each other! He tells about his trucks and how he proposed to his wife! Then Mahdis speak with superstar student volunteer Aksaya who has logged over 170 hours with NeighbourLink! She tells about what motivates her to volunteer and what she's gained from it!  You can volunteer with us by signing up here

On this special edition of the podcast we introduce you to the neighbours courageously running to represent Willowdale at Queen's Park. This roundtable is a chance to get to know the candidates as people, and not a policy debate! Candidates spoke about what inspired them to run, challenges they've faced, favourite restaurants in the neighbourhood and more!    Those in attendance were Liberal Candidate Paul Saguil, NDP Candidate Hal Berman, Green Party Candidate Monica Henriques, Ontario Party Candidate Gian Arella and New Blue Party Candidate Joanne Csillag Watch the video HERE 

The NeighbourLink North York team has two impressive community members for your to meet! Lily speaks with Dave Slonim the Mentor Coordinator at Community Head Injury Resource Services (CHIRS) and illuminates the incredible work happening at this local organization and how we can support our neighbours living with acquired brain injuries. Mahdis speaks with Juslin a Grade 11 student and clothing designer who started a local clothing brand 98 Apparel, now Ayodeji Apparel with his friends.

Lily spoke with Bruce Anderson, Howie Kluger and Kirsten Ness, the founders of the Facebook group Willowdale in the '70s, a thriving online community of 19K members!  The three haven't been together since 1976 but despite the physical distance between them, their friendship is stronger than ever. They relive memories of growing up in Willowdale in the 1970s, how the group came to be and what reconnecting with old friends has meant to them! It's a great conversation about the power of reconnection and the bonds we form as children! You can join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/252011225475454