Awareness Days

In April, we acknowledge Eid-al-Fitr, Vaisakhi, Tamil New Year and Pesach/Passover. Read more about each holiday/celebration below, written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

April 10 or 11: Eid al-Fitr

Often known simply as Eid, it marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. It is a time of joy, gratitude and community. The day begins with a special communal prayer, signifying unity and offering thanks. Following the prayer, it’s traditional for Muslims to visit friends and family, share meals, and give generously to those in need, embodying the spirit of community and compassion.

Eid al-Fitr is not just a time for celebration, but also a moment for reflection, forgiveness and renewal. Importantly, after Ramadan, Muslims strive to live by the virtues they’ve cultivated during the holy month, such as abstaining from negative habits and practicing the good values and teachings of Islam. This period of reflection and commitment helps reinforce a lifestyle centred around kindness, patience, and generosity.

We at Grandview recognize the importance of this day for our Muslim staff and extend our best wishes for a joyful Eid celebration. To those celebrating, Eid Mubarak. May this Eid bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the diverse tapestries of traditions and cultures that enrich our workplace.

April 13 or 14: Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi is a significant day in the Sikh calendar. Vaisakhi is a spring festival which occurs on April 13 or 14 every year. It is a day to celebrate 1699, which is the year when Sikhism was born as a collective faith. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh chose the festival as the moment to establish the Khalsa – that’s the collective name given to Sikhs who’ve been baptized. To celebrate Vaisakhi, Sikhs will visit places of worship called Gurdwaras. These will also be specially decorated for the occasion. Many people enjoy parades and special processions through the streets. Farmers in the Punjab will also use Vaisakhi as an opportunity to give thanks for a plentiful harvest and pray for a good one in the year to come.

April 14: Tamil New Year

Tamil New Year, or Puthandu, is the first day of the Tamil calendar. It is celebrated by Tamils living in many parts of the world on the first month of the lunar-solar Hindu calendar. This year, Tamils around the world will usher in the New Year on April 14. In the days leading up to the Tamil New Year, people will clean their homes to declutter with the belief that getting rid of old and insignificant items will remove any negative energy from the previous year. On the day of Tamil New Year, the Sun’s position would be midway across the earth between the southern and northern hemispheres. This symbolizes the balance between people and nature. Considering the auspiciousness of the day, many will start new endeavours on this day.

Many Tamils mark the day by preparing Pongal (a sweet rice dish), preparing a plate full of fruits and flowers, lighting lamps at their home prayer altar, and visiting a temple. While Tamils across the world celebrate Puthandu, many other South Asian communities celebrate their new year on the same day — it is Vishu in Kerala, Bihu in Assam, and Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal.

April 22 to 30: Pesach/Passover

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar. The eight-day holiday is celebrated each spring, usually in March or April. It’s a time when Jewish people remember the deliverance of the Israelites from enslavement in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago and their subsequent freedom as a people under the leadership of Moses. The Passover story is told in the Torah (the Jewish Bible) in Chapter 12 of the Book of Exodus. 

The central ritual, the seder, involves storytelling, song, and the consumption of symbolic foods like matzah and maror. Dietary changes, including the avoidance of leavened foods and, for Ashkenazi Jews, kitniyot (a category of food that includes legumes), are observed. The recitation of psalms and the beginning of the Omer, a 49-day period leading to the holiday of Shavuot, are integral to Passover practices.

In celebration of Nutrition Month, we are diving into frequently asked questions about vitamin D answered by our Registered Dietitian, Heather-Ann B.

Why do I need vitamin D? Vitamin D is needed for healthy bones, muscles, and immune systems.

Where can I get vitamin D? Vitamin D is made by your body when exposed to sunshine. It can also be found in foods such as egg yolks, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, rainbow trout), and fortified milk products or formulas. However, many Canadians are unable to get adequate vitamin D through diet and sun exposure alone. This means that many may require vitamin D supplementation to meet their needs.

How much Vitamin D do I need each day? The amount of vitamin D required daily depends on age and other health condition considerations.

Speak with your Dietitian or health care provider about the amount of vitamin D required for you or your family members. Consider reading the labels of multivitamins or supplements already being consumed, as these often contain vitamin D. Remember, there is such thing as too much of a good thing! Vitamin D consumed in excess amounts can lead to negative effects.

On behalf of our IDEA committee at Grandview Kids, for Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-24), we reached out to Grandview Kids staff who were all part of the Neurodiversity panel planned by Taryn E., our Executive Lead for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Mobilization, and moderated by Adrian P., our Marketing and Communication Manager, for #TeamGrandview last year.

We asked our panellists, “What does celebrating neurodiversity mean to you?” and here are their answers:

“March 18 to 24 marks this year’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week. This provides us with an opportunity to celebrate individuals who identify as neurodiverse. As the Grandview Kids Ability Acceptance Presenter, being neurodiverse is a trait that I celebrate and embrace in everything that I do. As someone on the Autism Spectrum and someone who identifies as neurodiverse, I have dedicated my life to promoting the ideas around neurodiversity.

I believe that neurodiversity means that all individuals are equal and that everyone is capable of great things. We need to move away from the idea of thinking that just because someone identifies as having a disability or is neurodiverse doesn’t mean that they can’t achieve great things. Though neurodivergent individuals often see the world slightly differently from others, it is this uniqueness and special mindset that allows for these individuals to thrive and find solutions to problems that most people never thought possible, creating a truly unique and exciting present and future.”

Mitchell D., Ability Acceptance Presenter and Archivist

“I believe that celebrating neurodiversity means celebrating everyone’s authentic self and highlighting the individual’s right to autonomy and self-determination. It means recognizing the value in differences and respecting individual strengths, challenges, and perspectives. Different ways of looking at problems and solutions yield varied and creative solutions and accommodations. Celebrating different ideas, needs, perspectives, learning styles, and modes of communication benefits everyone!”

Alishia C., Speech-Language Pathologist

“My family celebrates neurodiversity for several reasons. I’m an autistic woman and I am proud of my neurodiverse family. I wasn’t diagnosed until my 40’s and I spent most of my life feeling different. I was weird and quirky and didn’t really fit in anywhere. My memere would always say, “Dare to be different!”. She would be proud of the woman and advocate that I am now. I owe it to myself and my autistic children to celebrate who we are and to make sure the spaces we take up are as valid as anyone else in the room. 

I fidget and prefer to look away when talking to someone. I either go all-in, get very personal and don’t know when to stop talking, or I become non-speaking and don’t talk at all. I am different, weird, and quirky and often don’t fit in, and I’m finally okay with that! 

By celebrating our neurodivergence, we challenge the prejudices we face and promote a shift in perspective. Let’s change the conversation away from perceived weaknesses to the many strengths and advantages of being neurodivergent. Neurodiversity celebrations also provide opportunities for education and acceptance. This can lead to more accommodating environments and better support systems for neurodiverse individuals to thrive.

In essence, celebrating neurodiversity is about embracing and promoting a society where everyone, regardless of their neurotype, is accepted, supported, and valued for who they are. Celebrating ourselves and our loved ones who “dare to be different” is a step towards a more inclusive and compassionate world for everyone.”

Natasha M., Program Coordinator – Family Engagement Team

“Celebrating neurodiversity as a clinician and someone who is neurotypical means that I am looking to the neurodiverse individuals in my life and the neurodiverse community on social media to guide me on how the community wishes to be celebrated. My job as an advocate is not to be the voice of the celebration, but rather amplify the voices of the community who is celebrating.”

Samantha M., Occupational Therapist

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements and calling for action to accelerate women’s equality.

The 2024 campaign theme for International Women’s Day is Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. 

The Government of Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 is Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. It’s a call to action and a reminder that gender equality is one of the most effective ways to build healthier, more prosperous, and more inclusive communities.  We all have a role to play in building a future where everyone can reach their full potential.

On an organizational or group basis, there are many ways to ensure the needs, interests and aspirations of women and girls are valued and included.  

Organizations and groups can #InspireInclusion and #AccelerateProgress through actions such as recruiting, retaining and developing female talent. We benefit from a dynamic, diverse workforce at Grandview Kids. Based on results from our Fall 2023 Diversity and Inclusion Survey, 95% of Grandview Kids staff identify as women.  

Another way to #InspireInclusion and #AccelerateProgress is by supporting women and girls in leadership, decision-making, business, and STEM. Grandview Kids’ senior leadership team is two-thirds women, and our broader leadership team is 70% women. We are also fortunate to benefit from the time and expertise of six women on our Board of Trustees and an all-female physician group.

Here’s what some of them have to say about International Women’s Day: 

“Women worldwide contribute to the rich tapestry of diversity that defines us as Canadians, and I am incredibly proud to highlight my heritage from the Philippines. In Filipino culture, women hold a special place of honour and strength, from the fearless leaders who fought for our independence, to the nurturing caregivers who shape our families.  As Filipinx/a/os, they display resilience, grace, and unwavering courage in the diaspora. This International Women’s Day is not solely about recognizing women’s achievements but acknowledging each woman’s diversity and strength in our lives and communities. It’s about commemorating the unique perspectives, talents and experiences that enrich our world daily. In a world where obstacles still exist, and challenges persist, Grandview Kids has promoted solidarity to support gender equality and inclusion. Together, let us build a world that is more inclusive, more equitable, and more just for everyone. Maligayang Araw ng mga Kababaihan (Happy International Women’s Day)!” – Dr. Siapno, Physician  

“Grandview exemplifies a predominately female workforce making an incredible impact in the lives of families. It is my privilege to support the collective efforts of our team. Women belong where decisions are made, and the collective intelligence of our contributions will redefine our world. Celebrate the women in your life.” – Erin, Board Member and Chair of Governance Excellence Committee 

“I have been fortunate to have had many incredible women leaders to learn from and be inspired by, including here at Grandview! I strive to learn from them and share those learnings with others.” – Marika, Clinical Manager 

“When I joined the Grandview Kids Board, it was somewhat unique at the time in that there were many females participating on the Board. These women had cultivated leadership roles in both their professional and personal lives. I spoke with one of these women in my interview for the Board and feel very fortunate to have volunteered alongside many accomplished women at Grandview Kids. 

In my daily life, I am a Special Education Resource Teacher in the Durham District School Board. Equality, inclusion and diversity have long been passions of mine. When I was volunteering with Girls Inc of Durham I was asked if I was a feminist – I replied yes. This led to being asked ‘what does feminism mean to me?’ My response came easily – ‘having a choice.’ We quickly see those choices disappearing in our society today. Feminism is not only about equal rights, but also about inclusion, diversity, knowledge, understanding and respect.” – Catherine Switzer, Board Member and Chair of Priorities and Performance Committee 

“Inclusion means everyone belongs. There is power among womxn when everyone has a seat at the table.” – Taryn Eickmeier, Executive Lead, Research, Innovation and Knowledge Mobilization  

“I have been supported for years by strong, determined, and influential women in my career. I am honoured to have been recognized as a Durham Region Woman of Impact for 2024, but I share this honour with the amazing women at Grandview Kids who have mentored, supported and empowered me in the last 12 years.” – Andrea Belanger, Family Engagement Program Manager 

“I’ve been lucky to learn from many inspiring, talented, strong women leaders throughout my career. Seeing women in leadership has steadily reinforced my own trajectory toward these roles. Especially as a young woman in leadership, I have faced many obstacles in my journey, from people questioning my capabilities, to discounting my perspectives. I have transcended these barriers to establish a meaningful career, rooted in integrity and compassion. It can be tiring, but it’s necessary to drown out self-doubt, know one’s worth and self-advocate. More recently, I have had a unique experience as a woman in leadership and mother to young children – a time when balance for any working parent becomes a struggle, but with the added pressure of executive accountabilities. With the support of a caring network of family and colleagues, I have settled into a flow where home and work priorities can co-exist and evolve. Often, I have mapped my own path, but hopefully, it can serve as a blueprint to inspire others. To me, Inspiring Inclusion starts with valuing, listening to and respecting women. It means making space, challenging norms and speaking up. This is complex work. But it’s worthwhile and necessary work. It’s something I am deeply committed to as I raise my own two daughters.” – Avori Cheyne, Chief Communications Officer and Executive Lead, Strategic Communications, Partnerships and Engagement 

Here are other ways you may be able to make a difference and #InspireInclusion for women in your own life or organization: 

• designing and building infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls 
• helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health 
• involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security 
• providing women and girls with access to quality education and training 
• elevating women and girl’s participation and achievement in sport 
• promoting creative and artistic talent of women and girls 
• addressing further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls 

Where are you going to start? Let’s continue to learn from, listen to, and celebrate women. Together, we can champion a community that supports gender inclusion and is free of bias and discrimination. 

Happy International Women’s Day!