5 min read
30 November 2021

Humanizing Toronto’s social issues with portraits of some of the city’s most vulnerable

Jennifer Mayville, Senior Manager, Communications

It’s been said many times before that a picture is worth a thousand words.

And we wholeheartedly agree. So much so, that this holiday season we’ve partnered with Canadian photographer Leah den Bok for The Human-Kind-ness Campaign, an initiative that brings focus to Toronto’s most vulnerable, aimed at raising awareness and funds for essential community services. The digital campaign, which launched today across WoodGreen’s digital channels, is anchored by Leah den Bok’s powerful and provocative portraits.

Show your Human-Kind-ness. Please give today.

 

The Human-Kind-ness Campaign aims to highlight six of the city’s most staggering social issues while humanizing those in the community who are most affected by them. Leah’s powerful images evoke emotion as she attempts to exhibit the social crisis through her provocative photography.

“Leah’s portraits help to humanize the people and issues we walk by every day,” said Anne Babcock, President & CEO, WoodGreen Community Services. “By partnering with WoodGreen, Leah is lending her lens to help us visualize the human side of the topics we hear about but rarely see. WoodGreen offers innovative and integrated approaches that support many of our city’s greatest unmet needs - these portraits will encourage people to look at the realities within Toronto, and consider supporting WoodGreen’s work in providing sustainable solutions to some of the city’s biggest challenges.”

The campaign focuses on six top chronic social issues in Toronto:

  • Housing
  • Mental health
  • Marginalized youth
  • Unemployment
  • Newcomer settlement
  • Vulnerable seniors

 

“Change requires a disruptive mindset, innovative thinking and a philosophy driven by creativity, and that’s why this partnership with WoodGreen is so important to me,” said Leah den Bok, 21-year-old Canadian photographer and author. “I have met the people displaced and disheartened, my hope is through my photography I can help humanize the issues in our city, and help WoodGreen continue to offer sustainable and effective services for the most vulnerable.”

Every donation contributes to The Human-Kind-ness Campaign and supports WoodGreen’s efforts to address the city’s chronic issues by providing tangible hope for Toronto residents that need it most.

The Human-Kind-ness Campaign is anchored on our Instagram page and will be amplified across all of our social channels. To learn more about the initiative and donate, visit https://www.woodgreen.org/humankindness.

More Blogs

Equity in the everyday; WoodGreen’s approach to diversity

It’s not enough to just talk about the importance of diversity. Learn what WoodGreen's DIBE committee is doing to turn the organization into a centre of equity.

Read

Ask Our Experts: How youth can find their first jobs

Getting your first job can be tough. We asked two of WoodGreen’s job coaches for their top tips to help young people find their first jobs.

Read

Helping youth navigate a way out of homelessness

Years spent couch-surfing, in shelters or on the street had Zak facing a lifetime of homelessness.A WoodGreen program is now giving him hope.

Read

WoodGreen’s Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship program helps participants change their careers and futures

WoodGreen and George Brown College are helping to address labour shortages in the skilled trades by offering a free pre-apprenticeship plumbing program. Learn more.

Read

WoodGreen’s Industry Council lifts Toronto women to personal and professional success

WoodGreen's Industry Council supports Homeward Bound participants to successfully transition from school into the workforce. Learn more about the council and the important role it has in the Homeward Bound program.

Read