Labour Community Services

May is Jewish Heritage Month

Julius was a friend, mentor, inspiration, and trusted advisor to all of his many colleagues in the labour movement and in struggles for social, economic and environmental justice. As a dedicated electoral organizer, he worked on countless federal, provincial and municipal campaigns on behalf of the labour movement and the New Democratic Party.

Julius was a particularly dedicated mentor to young people across Toronto and Ontario, always available to offer advice or assistance to an emerging community leader.

Julius served as the Executive Assistant to the President of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council for 10 years. He formerly served as Chief of Staff to the Ontario Minister of Citizenship from 1990 to 1995. For decades, Julius was a fixture in campaign offices across Toronto whenever a writ was dropped, and on doorsteps anywhere a battle for the hearts and minds of the electorate was being waged. He emerged as a champion for green jobs, bringing together environmentalists, the labour movement, community groups and young people from across the City to work towards a greener and more equitable future for all.

Credit: City of Toronto

May is Asian Heritage Month.

“Bayanihan” is a core Filipino value of service to others.

As a Labour activist, Jinkie has seen firsthand how collective action shapes a better future for all Canadians. Jinkie is a proud member of the Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union - CUPE 4948. Her union activism started as a Strike Co-Chair in 2009, and has since, consistently stepped up to represent her colleagues. Jinkie has held multiple elected positions within her local, and is currently serving as a Steward.

In addition to Jinkie’s work with CUPE 4948, she was elected to the Toronto & York Region Labour Council’s Executive Board in 2018, and continues to serve as Treasurer. Bridging Labour and community engagement, Jinkie plays an integral role in helping raise awareness about the Labour & United Way partnership, as well as fundraises for United Way’s annual campaign, by being a United Way Greater Toronto Campaign Cabinet Labour Co-Chair.

Embracing her Filipino culture, Jinkie practices the timeless tradition of bayanihan. Bayanihan is the core Filipino value of service to others, communal unity, collective action, and mutual aid - where people work together to achieve a common goal without expecting anything in return. Because of this, Jinkie believes Filipinos are the heartbeat of every community.

Deeply thankful to all who have helped shaped her on her journey, she is committed to lifting the next generation of activists up, just as others have done for her.

Labour Cares! A Labour of love, friendship, and solidarity for United Way Greater Toronto

Today we held our first Labour Cares spring care kit drive together with the generosity of volunteers and donors from the Labour community and United Way Greater Toronto. We initially had a goal of putting together 50 kits, and by the end of this afternoon - we had more than 64 (and still more on the way) that will be going to Blue Door, a United Way-funded agency and unionized by SEIU Healthcare.

Done in record speed, we then ended the drive by taking the time to connect with one another, make keychains with positive words of affirmation, and bookmarks for those receiving the care kits.

Thank you Marie, Judith, Dillon, Marcia, Jackie, Faduma, Richelle, Sarah, Raymond, SEIU Healthcare, donors from the USW Mary Spratt International Women's Day Breakfast, and to IBEW 353 +crew for their help and allowing us to use their space.

Stay tuned for the next LCS Labour Cares summer bulletin with news and opportunities to get engaged with Labour & United Way.

If you missed our first edition, you can check it out here: https://mailchi.mp/labourcommunityservices/labourcaresbulletin2026spring?fbclid=IwY2xjawROTyNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFHZGp1eHRsdEVCMllWMURQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpbCZLa0Pb9rvLarSuW3dImB1vXhwRaiqczRZtmN4-6-snoYE7WUsSFcmTCU_aem__irEge_xyShZUhv71IE-Uw

With gratitude and appreciation - again, thank you!

- From your friends at LCS

Deadline extended to April 29. Join us in celebrating the work being done by Labour for human rights, Indigenous rights, equity and social justice: https://labourcommunityservices.ca/bromleygala2026

Join us on May 26! With guest speakers - York University Professor Asmita Bhutani and Toronto & York Region Labour Council President Andria Babbington on "Human Powered: The Future of Labour," + United Way Greater Toronto President & CEO Heather McDonald. RSVP: https://mailchi.mp/labourcommunityservices/2026bespring-9304390

*NEW* Check out our Labour & United Way quarterly bulletin, Labour Cares! Take a break and catch up with this feel-good dose of caring and positivity! https://mailchi.mp/labourcommunityservices/labourcaresbulletin2026spring

Wishing the Islamic community a joyful and blessed Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid Mubarak!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! With its rich history from Ireland, Irish immigrants have made it to the celebration people from all over the world know, embrace and enjoy. https://britannica.com/topic/Why-Is-St-Patricks-Day-Celebrated-on-March-17th