Ferreira Fest 184

The goal is to raise money to support our safe, inclusive online communities.
We welcome young people with disabilities and health challenges to connect with others, create positive friendships, and develop life skills.
Thanks to friends like you – our supporters, donors, and sponsors – it’s free to join.
Check the official weekly schedule here!

It’s Official: Haven Toronto Joins SMHTO

On April 1, 2025, Haven Toronto officially joined Substance Use Mental Health Services Toronto (SMHTO), merging with St. Michael’s Homes and Our Place as a member agency.
Please note that this merger does not impact Haven Toronto’s programs or services. We continue to operate at our 170 Jarvis Street location, providing essential supports to elder, homeless, and marginally housed men 50 and over.

Library & Quiet Area – A peaceful space to read, reflect, or rest.
Pool Table & Games Area – Build friendships, pass time, and just enjoy the moment.

Whether you’re here for a quick visit or staying for the day, Haven Toronto is a safe, welcoming space built on respect and support.

More Than a Drop-In Center – It’s a Haven.

For World Book Day (April 23) we are highlighting our children’s book Something In Common which is in partnership with The Wiggles. This is a free e-book that showcases no matter where you come from or where you are, we all have something in common.
Yellow Wiggle Tsehay is a camp counsellor at Camp Wiggles, when she meets a lonely camper Leo. Tsehay introduces Leo to other campers who all have something in common — they’ve all experienced child welfare. Learn more about Leo’s story in our new e-book Something in Common!
Get your free copy here!

We have been showcasing our Corsage Project as the school year begins to wind down which supports youth in care as they celebrate the milestone of graduating high school. Only 46% of youth in care graduate from high school compared to 83% of youth not in care. The Corsage Project levels the playing field for financially deserving students to celebrate their high school graduation with pride and in style at prom and convocation celebrations. Through our annual event, the ‘Boutique Ball’, the Corsage Project provides an authentic shopping experience with brand new formal attire and accessories provided to keep free of charge.

Although Louis is billed as a guest star for the first episode The Gospel of Kenny Sharp of the new series Government Cheese, he only appears in a small cameo role about 27 minutes into the episode. You can see him leaning against the door frame drinking a can of beer.
Further episodes are not expected as Louis’ filming schedule for House of David prevented him from more work on the Apple TV show.
You can find some screen caps of the episode The Gospel of Kenny Sharp here.

Having Spivey popping back up for the last episodes would bring the saga full circle. He can aid with information on a case or perhaps take up a new position in the LAPD. As SWAT started with Spivey, having it end with him only makes sense.”

In the episode “Stigma” Hondo and the SWAT team race to save Buck (Louis Ferreira), their former unit leader, when he goes off grid and they fear he plans to harm himself.
Flashbacks reveal the search for Buck, which coincides with one of the team’s most brutal missions, as each team member receives counseling and discusses the untold mental and emotional difficulties inherent to working in SWAT.

A Role That Left a Lasting Impact

Stargate Universe, which aired from 2009 to 2011, followed a group of scientists, soldiers, and civilians stranded on the ancient spaceship Destiny, struggling to survive while exploring uncharted galaxies.
Among them was Lt. Vanessa James, a determined and highly capable military officer played by Julia Benson.

Some funny animals ran out next.
Everyone guessed them at once.
How funny they looked!

Blue Monkey wanted to sing.

“I’m a monkey
In the zoo,
In the zoo,
In the zoo,
I like it
When my ears are blue.
I like it.
Yes, I do!”

Blue Monkey and
Green Tiger did a dance.
They were funny.

Mrs. Day’s class liked
the Guess Who Zoo.
They were happy
to have come.

It’s an honor and privilege to support the world premiere of The Meeting by Catherine Gautier as the production’s Mental Health Coordinator/ Intimacy Director. This bold, 85-minute piece offers a raw and unflinching look into a support group for love and sex addicts—grappling with themes of addiction, infidelity, vulnerability, and the complicated paths we take to find connection and healing. Being able to explore and examine these complex truths through performance is powerful. And doing so with care, support, and compassion from the first rehearsal to the final bow? That’s where the real transformation happens. Deep gratitude to this team for valuing the mental and emotional well-being of those bringing this story to life.

There’s something so special about being back in a rehearsal hall. I’ve been working in theatre since I was five years old, and even then, I knew the arts would be my life path. Getting to collaborate on the English adaptation of this powerful production of Home Deliveries with Ruby Slippers and United Players has been an absolute delight. This is a story rooted in autonomy—and within that, there are rich moments of intimate growth between characters. I had the chance to meet with Diane, our brilliant director, to hear her vision of musical tableaux with quick transitions and strong, snapshot-style poses. From there, I met with each performer one-on-one before coming in to do our first pass of the intimacy choreography. There were three key scenes that required this nuanced staging. Offering distinct positions for each moment, tailored to define the evolving dynamics, is one of my favorite parts of this work. Being in the room from the early stages meant more time for collaboration, reflection, and alignment—something I deeply value. You do your prep, bring your ideas, and then you meet the humans in front of you. That’s where the real choreography happens. I came back in for another pass once the music was finalized—realigning and refining the movement with the rhythm and pace. Each performance is supported by an intimacy call, facilitated by the wonderful Intimacy Captain, ensuring everyone steps into the work grounded and safe. Watching the show fully up on its feet—seeing these phenomenal performers own their characters’ journeys—is an honor I don’t take for granted.

Feeling incredibly grateful to share that I joined Fire Country in the latter half of Season 3, diving into the Renaissance fair arc and a beautifully crafted queer storyline between characters played by Jules Latimer, and Katie Finlay’s characters. That day marked my very first on set — and from the start, it was clear I’d stepped into something special. The energy, creativity, and commitment to authentic storytelling made it feel like I was exactly where I was meant to be. I was privileged to continue fostering that connection by being brought on as the Intimacy Coordinator for the remainder of the season, supporting two additional relationship arcs with equal care and intention. Working alongside this talented cast and crew — whose embodied artistry and generous spirit elevate every scene — has been nothing short of transformative. There’s something truly unique about the Vancouver film community, where every project is a blend of familiar faces, new collaborators, and a shared commitment to storytelling rooted in care.
As a Intimacy Coordinator, being invited into Fire Country’s world has been an honor. To also then have the opportunity to uplift a queer storyline deeply meaningful .I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to support this remarkable team as we move forward together.

I’m thrilled to share my experience as the Intimacy Coordinator for the upcoming short film Ramen Boys, a heartfelt queer Asian rom-com directed and written by the talented Jason Sakaki. Working alongside the incredible cast, including Johnny Wu, Brendan Koyanagi, and Marianna Zouzoulas, was an absolute joy.
Navigating intimacy scenes is always a nuanced process, but it becomes especially intriguing when performers have a deep, pre-existing bond. In Ramen Boys, we explored the subtle yet profound differences between a first kiss filled with anticipation and the familiar, comforting peck shared daily. Our bodies and emotions respond uniquely in these moments, reflecting our varying levels of comfort and connection.
Collaborating with Jason and the entire team was a dream. Their kindness, support, and commitment to authentic storytelling made the set a space of true artistic exploration. This project beautifully highlights the artistry involved in portraying intimate moments on screen, emphasizing the importance of consent, communication, and the celebration of diverse narratives.

I had the privilege of working on Easybake as both the Mental Health and Intimacy Coordinator. From the start, Sasha was intentional about creating a space where the emotional impact of themes like body image could be held with care — not just in performance, but throughout the process.
As a Mental Health Coordinator, my role was to support the cast and crew’s well-being through long shoot days, emotionally charged content, and the challenges of filming in today’s climate. That meant everything from checking in with performers before and after scenes, to offering tools for regulation, to simply being a grounded presence when things felt heavy.
This work is about more than safety — it’s about honoring the humans behind the art.

Working as a Mental Health Coordinator on We Will Not Die is a powerful experience. And work as an MHC this kind of work can take many forms—sometimes it looks like behind-the-scenes conversations with cast, crew, or creatives about sensitive content. Sometimes it’s about offering resources, developing container practices, or helping folks create individualized tools for emotional safety and regulation.
It can mean supporting the writer and director in the emotional arc of the story or in helping shape characters in a way that’s both ethically responsible and deeply human. It might look like offering content and audience care tools, or group bracketing rituals before and after a performance.
The unique thing about Mental Health Coordinators is that we come not just as practitioners, but as artists too. That means I’m able to fluidly adapt to the needs of each company or team—supporting their process without ever taking from it. This work is about care, collaboration, and honoring the full depth of storytelling—from creation to performance to witnessing.

Working as a Mental Health Coordinator on Our Monsters has been an absolute privilege. From day one, I’ve had the opportunity to witness the care, dedication, and artistry that Mia brought to this deeply impactful and touching script—not just in the story itself, but in how she held space for her cast, crew, and herself throughout the process. Coming on board during auditions and getting to support two incredible performers, Zander and Azi, from the very start was a rare gift. They both brought such depth and nuance to their characters, and getting to explore their journeys together during rehearsals only added to the richness of the storytelling—a luxury that isn’t always possible in productions. Building trust with performers is something I feel deeply honored to do. When actors know they have someone in their corner, they can dive deeper into their work, knowing their well-being is just as valued as the performance itself. Setting up shop on-site and being a constant, available presence for cast and crew was not only fulfilling—it was essential.
Sitting beside everyone at the premiere was a full-circle moment. It’s a reminder that mental health support uplifts stories, while also taking care of the human beings telling them. Our bodies don’t know the difference between reality and pretend, and as we’ve seen from some devastating conversations in the media, this is especially important when working with young performers.
Mental health matters. The way we tell stories matters. And I’m beyond grateful to do this work.

The Brothers write:

“We are extremely humbled to have ALTONA nominated for Best Editing in a Feature Documentary at the prestigious Canadian Screen Awards. Thank you so much to the Canadian Academy and its members for honoring Tyler Pelke and the courageous community of Altona’s incredible story!”

Congrats to the whole team!

Eugene Lipinski

Eugene posted a lovely “Then and Now” comparison on his Instagram feed.

Eugene is one of Louis’ closest friends. His career spans many decades, and he has worked with Louis several times on various shows.

Fun fact: Despite often being cast as a Russian, he was born and raised in England before moving to Canada.

Sawyer Ferreira

Sawyer performed in the play I Have Something To Say at the Youth Infringement Festival, March 27-29.
“I was stuck on the same question for about three hours today… What do I want to say?”

She writes:

“Shoutout to CBC radio for the interview! Shoutout to my incredibly thoughtful friends! Passion: strong and barely controllable emotion. Just pure passion from the team who brought my words to life. Thank you! Whatever it takes I know we can make it through.”

Big changes start with a bold move. Check out this powerful transformation—where a simple paint job turned a tired space into a showstopper. If you’re ready to upgrade your home or workspace, we’re the crew to get it done. Let’s make it happen.

Before & After Magic! Check out this transformation! From taped-up prep to sleek, modern perfection — this home just got the ultimate glow-up thanks to our expert team at Even Better Painting. The new color combo brought serious style and curb appeal to this exterior!

Rob is upping the ante on his fitness routine!

“So 4 weeks ago I started a new program – and I can say that in the 4 weeks – there have been some great changes.
One thing that hasn’t changed is how much I hate running. If you know what a 1/2 Murph is – it’s my worst nightmare. 1/2 Mile run. 50 weighted vest pull ups. 100 weighted vest push ups. 150 weighted vest squats… and then, yup – another half mile run.

Good times. But gains are gains.”

ED, EDD N EDDY FANS — DON’T MISS THIS!
Join us Sunday, May 18 at the Grand Prairie Convention Center for the next Spinny Brand Gifted & Disabled Market, featuring the biggest Ed, Edd n Eddy cast reunion!
Guest Lineup: Sam Vincent (Edd), Matt Hill (Ed), Erin Fitzgerald (Nazz/ May Kanker), Peter Kelamis (Rolf), Daevyd Avalon (Jonny 2×4), Terry Klassen (Eddy’s Brother & Voice Director)
Tickets: Just $5 online and at the Door— Kids under 12 FREE!
VIP & photo ops available!
Event Info: 11 AM – 5 PM (VIP entry at 10:30 AM)
Grand Prairie Convention Center
2925 S State Hwy 161, Grand Prairie, TX
Indoor Expo with vendors, food, cosplay, trivia & more
This event supports and celebrates disabled, neurodivergent, and gifted creatives in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space.