Latest from Taylor Simmons
Love Box Project aims to boost the confidence of vulnerable, isolated women amid the pandemic
When the pandemic hit — along with a surge in domestic violence cases — Toronto resident Mary Hawk wanted to show women in shelters someone was thinking about them. She created the Love Box Project, dropping off more than 3,000 boxes full of self-care items to more than 50 shelters across the GTA.
These Stouffville sisters are helping to keep homeless youth and their pets together
In May of this year, Stouffville sisters Anya and Shania Bhopa launched the Canadian Courage Project, a non-profit organization aimed at keeping pets and their owners together. They’ve run several successful fundraisers to help buy care kits — filled with pet food, hygiene products and blankets — for shelters across the province.
Tired, frustrated, but hopeful: A check-in with CBC Toronto's Front-line Heroes
When the pandemic began, CBC Toronto started a series called Front-line Heroes. It featured some of the brave people fighting COVID-19 head-on, from hospital cleaning staff to convenience stores owners to family physicians. Now almost a year into this pandemic, we're checking back in with three of our heroes featured earlier this year.
Regent Park residents want to know why their community garden hasn't opened all summer
In previous summers, dozens of volunteers would tend to ‘The Big Park Garden’ in Regent Park, just off Sackville St. and Dundas St. E., harvesting fresh produce for local organizations and their community. None of these activities went forward this summer — and it’s still unclear why.
Fires up more than 13% in Toronto amid COVID-19 pandemic, firefighters union warns
The union representing Toronto’s firefighters says it's seen a 13.4 per cent increase in fire calls since this time last year, something it says is the result of more people staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bar accused of withholding wages, tips partially pays up — after CBC tells servers' stories
Employees with a North York sports bar who said they haven't been paid since it shut down in March now say they've received some of their money via e-transfer. The three women say the payments came after CBC News published their story Friday morning, but they say they're still waiting for their tips.
How Black-led shelters are battling racism against women seeking refuge from violence
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a spike in domestic violence and more women seeking shelter. But racism can make escaping abuse even more complicated, and that's why Lisa Ogbole says Black-led organizations are important in helping some women get back on their feet.
After beating COVID-19, long-term care resident battles city's heat wave
Tracey Saunders says her 90-year-old mother beat COVID-19 in April, but now she’s fighting a new battle against the city’s heat wave. Premier Doug Ford says he wants to 'rapidly' mandate air conditioning in long-term care residents' bedrooms.
'Countless instances' of anti-Black racism in Ontario Public Service, lawyers allege
Forty-five lawyers working in the civil law division of the Ministry of the Attorney General are speaking out against what they describe as “countless instances” of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism on the job.
How to prevent aches and pains caused by makeshift home offices
Some registered physiotherapists in the city say they’ve seen a spike in clients seeking treatment for aches and pains caused by makeshift home workstations, and they've got some advice on how to make working at home easier on your body.