Can you believe it's already September? The summer seems to have flown by and now we're getting ready for the start of another academic year.

For some, this means attending university or college for the first time. The transition from high school or work to the college/university environment can be exciting--but it can also bring about a number of stressful experiences.

In a recent article, Dr. David Wolfe at the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (see link below) has identified a number of stressors that impact youth during the transition to university:

It never ceases to amaze me how many positive things surround us. If you are online, you have a wealth of material that can inspire you to do something. While there are thousands of people every day who watch an inspirational a TED video or listen to a motivational speaker like Craig Keilberger talking to youth, there are far fewer people who take that to the next step.

Guest Blogger: Xuan-Yen, Project Coordinator, Green Thumbs Growing Kids

You are invited to the Food4Health Equity Youth Navigator Event on August 25th, 2010 between 5:30 – 9:00 pm at 225 Wellesley St. East in storefront 4B. This event is a food and health celebration where 11 youth from St. James Town will share food and health stories gathered through gardening, photography, video and blogging.

The event will showcase photographs, videos, and a website that the youth have created to share information and resources on food and health in St. James Town. For more information please see video invite created by youth that can be viewed through the link below.

Have you heard about our Youth Navigator Event yet? If not, here is some important information for you!

You are invited to the Food4Health Equity Youth Navigator Event on August 25th, 2010 between 5:30 - 9:00 pm at 225 Wellesley St. East in storefront 4B. This event is a food and health celebration where 11 youth from St. James Town will share food and health stories gathered through gardening, photography, video and blogging.

As we've been researching food security and health equity issues in St. James Town it has become apparent that there are many experiences in this neighourhood that demonstrate the power of community. By the 'power of community' we have witnessed many examples of 'community knowledge', 'community strength' and 'community wisdom'. Check out the two blogs below by our youth researchers Sarah H. and Abie Q. that speak to the 'power of community':

Community Knowledge
By: Sarah H.

“...The great firms of the 21st century will be those that recognize the goal isn't to supplement analytics with design; it is all about integrating design and management."
- Roger Martin

What is Design?
The words design or design thinking are more popular than ever before. But, much like “meta” or “grok”, they're commonly used out of context. I should know, as I fall prey to this more often than I care to admit. With this in mind, don’t expect to find definitive answers below. I would, however, like to explore the concept with you.

No Design Without Thinking..

Here is the status of our event:

You are invited to the Food4Health Equity Youth Navigator Event on August 25th, 2010 between 5:30 – 9:00 pm at 225 Wellesley St. East in storefront 4B. This event is a food and health celebration where 11 youth from St. James Town will share food and health stories gathered through gardening, photography, video and blogging.

Over the past few months I have been noticing a new trend in front page news: technology and medicine. I cannot say that I am surprised. With the new iphone 4 coming out and numerous applications being developed, scientists have ventured into the open-ended possibilities of digital technology and virtual worlds as a form of support for their patients. As a science nerd I get super excited when I see innovative projects meshing the virtual world with medicine. I'd like to share some of these cool projects I have come across!

On July 26 2010, team members from Youth Voices Research Group (Charlotte Lombardo, Andrea Yip and Sam Saad) prepared and facilitated a PhotoVoice workshop for the Food4Health Equity Project Youth Research Consultants (YRCs). As PhotoVoice is the methodology that the YRCs are working with, the afternoon was both information and inspiring. Following the workshop, the YRCs prepared the following reflection as a group:

Reflections on Photovoice
By the Food4Health Equity Research Participants