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The Italian Fallen Workers Memorial — A History Uncovered
The Italian Fallen Workers’ Memorial Wall Project started with one man’s dream; a man who had seen more than his share of fallen workers during his tenure as labour leader during the late 1950s and early 1960s in Toronto’s busy residential construction industry.
Never Given the Chance to Miss Him
When I was four years old, my father died while at his workplace. He was a field engineer on a construction site.
Turning “What If” into “What Would”
My story begins on July 13, 2009 with my mom picking me up from summer camp that afternoon. Just like any other day we were picked up, my brother and I would ask the same questions repeatedly, “what is for dinner? And when will daddy be home?” Unfortunately for us, one of those questions would never be answered.
My hero, my Dad
It’s so very dark out. I can hear sirens; there are so many people in my house. What is going on? A priest enters the back door with a couple of men; my mother falls to the floor. She is inconsolable. Who are these men? Who are all of these people? Family members start to arrive. There is a lot of chaos and confusion. My Uncle Johnnie sits us down and tells us that my father was in an explosion in the pit; he was hurt really bad and it wasn’t looking good. Wasn’t looking good? Was I supposed to understand this? I am 12 years old, I am the oldest of three girls. My sister Georgina is 11 and Holly is only four years old. Such a dark day in my childhood. The flash backs are hazy. I often wonder if they are real memories or nightmares. This day is forever etched in my mind. It is the beginning of a journey which has forever changed our lives.
Steps for Life teams meet the Challenge
Steps for Life teams made huge strides this year, setting new markers for funds raised and levels of excitement.
Burton’s Garden
Our family cottage is located in a remote area of Ontario and has been in our family for the past 77 years. When my grandfather originally built the cottage it was during wartime and it was built out of whatever materials were available at the time. Since then, a second cottage was added by my father to accommodate his growing family. That was 32 years ago, and a lot has changed since then.
Thriving through change and loss
What prepares us for change and loss? How can we move on from change? How to develop resilience? What are healthy responses? How can we encompass all of the mind, body and spirit moving forward?
Steps for Life: Inspired commitment and support
You showed up ready to walk the talk. Wearing bright yellow T-shirts, you shared your commitment to workplace health and safety — and your reasons to walk. Your shared stories brought Steps for Life — and the devastating reality of workplace injury, illness, and death — into the light in your community.
A Gentle Mother’s Day Thought
Grief is not something people get over, but they do learn ways to live with it. Over time it changes and we find ways to incorporate grief with compassion and meaning. Mother’s Day is celebrated by many cultures and in many parts of the world. It is usually a time when families get together to celebrate and honour motherly bonds, but for the grieving it can take on an entirely different meaning.
5 Ways to Make Your Walk Day Shine
It’s finally here, friends — it’s Steps for Life weekend! Let’s show our support for families affected by a workplace tragedy, all while walking forward together in prevention. Here are some last-minute tips to help make your Steps for Life walk the best yet.
Day of Mourning: Action, Remembrance, Awareness
Every April 28, Canadians mark the National Day of Mourning. Ceremonies will take place coast to coast, remembering lives needlessly lost or changed irrevocably.
A truly international Day of Mourning
It is time for a vacation. For several years we have discussed going on a cruise with our close friends. We finally made that happen. The decision to take a Panama Canal cruise seemed like a good idea and we investigated options and made our choices. There were several ports in different countries and we had to sort through options for day tours. They all sounded so exciting, with new things to see and do.
