THE ARTWORK FOR THE COVER WAS CREATED BY. ANGELA M. ... signature roles of Jean Valjean in Les ... venture from rock and
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SHEENA’S PLACE TH
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
20
SHEENA’S PLACE TH
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH
ROBERT PILON AND
FRIENDS
GAY WILLIS DR. DRAW JENNIFER STRYPE ALANA EVERS MARLEY BROWN THE LAURA SECORD CONCERT CHOIR and
ARTIST BOB ARRIGO MUSIC PROVIDED BY: Musical Director & Viola: Claudio Vena* Piano & Arrangements: David Atkinson Bass: Pat Kilbride Woodwinds: John Johnson *Gemini Award Winner A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS WHOSE GENEROSITY HELPED SHEENA’S PLACE BRING THIS CELEBRATION TO LIFE. THE ARTWORK FOR THE COVER WAS CREATED BY ANGELA M. HER BEAUTIFUL PIECE WAS NOT ONLY THE INSPIRATION FOR THE PROGRAMME BUT FOR THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN AS A WHOLE.
Dear Friends, Everyone reading this programme and attending tonight knows someone touched by an eating disorder. Sheena’s Place provides help to those suffering from eating disorders and their families, a place to seek help and therapy to avoid being crushed. Sheena’s Place creates futures and saves lives. We do it together. We do it with our staff of paid professionals. We do it with our volunteers. We do it with our parent groups who come to learn to cope with a family member’s illness. We do it with you. In fact, we can’t do it without you. Tonight is a celebration of Sheena’s Place, a miracle made thanks to your generosity and that of many others who have given to allow Sheena’s Place to provide free, life-changing services for twenty years. Please think of Sheena’s Place when you give. Thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy the show.
James Jewett Chair Board of Directors
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ROBERT PILON
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ueen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient Robert Pilon played the signature roles of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera in the Toronto Productions and across Canada. His award-winning television specials and 2 CD’s have made him a global ambassador for Canada. Robert has performed for 7 of the anniversaries of 9/11 in Toronto, New York City, Ottawa and, most recently, the 15th in Gander, Newfoundland honouring the Canadians who lost their lives. Robert has had the pleasure of singing for dignitaries throughout his career including Prime Ministers, Governors General and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He is delighted to be here this evening to be a part of this 20th Anniversary of Sheena’s Place.
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GAY WILLIS
Gay is an award-winning soprano who has starred in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Phantom of the Opera, and Showboat. She has performed to sold-out houses in six countries including Radio City Music Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Dr. Draw is known as the first ever violinist to venture from rock and classical into electronic club culture. He has opened for Cyndi Lauper and has performed around the world in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and New York.
DR. DRAW
JENNIFER STRYPE
Jennifer has been the lead singer of the band Ariel’s Worm since its creation in 1998 with her brother Mike Strype. The band had songs licensed to the tv shows, Dawson’s Creek, Joan of Arcadia, Beautiful People, and Party of Five. Mike and Jennifer recently released a new Ariel’s Worm album titled ‘Be Where You Are’.
Alana is a former Sheena’s Place client, and this concert marks her stage debut. More often, she can be found working as a landscape architect or planning her next painting. “A heartfelt thanks to Deb, Robert and Patti for their faith and encouragement. To family and dear ones - thank you for your love and support.”
ALANA EVERS
MARLEY BROWN
LAURA SECORD CONCERT CHOIR
Marley is an exuberant 11-year-old who began singing at the age of two and hasn’t stopped since. She now lives in Westport, Connecticut after spending the last six years in London, England. This is her first public concert.
Laura Secord Secondary School’s music department promotes student talent and fosters extra-curricular involvement with the production of professional calibre musicals, choir and bands. The choir has been fortunate to work with many professional musicians including country music legend Kenny Rogers, Take 6, Molly Johnson, Lorraine Segato, Robert Pilon, Classic Albums Live, The Niagara Symphony, and legendary choral conductor and composer John Rutter. Choir Director: Mr. David Sisler 3
Dear Guests, We are delighted you have joined us tonight to mark this very special occasion. Since 1996, Sheena’s Place has remained true to its original mission of providing hope and support to those affected by eating disorders. The years have passed, the programs have changed, but the need has never diminished. The house at 87 Spadina Road has remained a warm and comforting place, a safe haven for those seeking the support and help they need. We have welcomed individuals, men, women, families and friends to join together on this journey to recovery. There are many who have brought us to this day. Our community is grateful for the vision and foresight of Sheena’s mother, Lynn Carpenter and her dear friends, Trudy Eagan and Jane Fenton, the founders of Sheena’s Place, and the original team and board who launched the organization. Each chapter along the way has introduced us to dedicated and committed individuals who have contributed their time, talent and treasure to ensure we continue to provide for our clients. It has been my honour to be a part of Sheena’s since the beginning, first on the active board, now on the honorary board and as your chair this evening. The financial support of our generous patrons for this event is truly appreciated. You have made this evening possible and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We extend to you, our guests, our sincere gratitude for being here to share in this celebration with Robert Pilon and Friends. It is that; a celebration of hope, a celebration of perseverance and a celebration of courage. Enjoy the evening, and know what a difference you are making in the lives of those who come to Sheena’s Place.
Patti Pilon Chair 4
THIS EVENING’S DONORS AMJ Campbell - Bruce Bowser Arrow Capital Management - Sylvia and Jim McGovern Mary and Harry Carmichael Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited - Catherine Deluce Annemarie and Walter Cimowsky Ann Clavelle Concierge Insurance Services - Scott Creighton Sue and Frederick Dalley Peter Devine Donald F. Hunter Charitable Foundation DPB Insurance and Financial Services - Denis Bujega Evald Torokvei Foundation Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Eileen Farrow Hull Life Insurance Agencies Limited - Lindsay and Toby Hull Anna and Don Johnson Ted Macklin George Macri Nancy and John McFadyen The Nadir and Shabin Mohamed Foundation Lucie and Joseph Pal Lois Rice Roger Rowan Stuart Waugh We wish to thank the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for generously providing accommodations.
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I have developed a growing sense of self worth, and started to value qualities other than thinness and perfection.
“HEALING HANDS” BY LORETTA ROGERS
HISTORY OF SHEENA’S PLACE At the young age of 22, a woman named Sheena Carpenter tragically lost her life as a result of an eating disorder.
Sheena’s mother, Lynn Carpenter, worked side by side with co-founders, Trudy Eagan and Jane Fenton, to create Sheena’s Place and ensure others would not have to face such a terrible and all-consuming illness alone. Since her doors opened in 1996, Sheena’s Place has worked tirelessly to provide free of charge support services to all individuals affected by eating disorders, including those who struggle themselves, as well as their 6
social circle of friends, family, and partners.
Lynn, Trudy, and Jane knew the importance of removing barriers to accessing care, and with this in mind, Sheena’s Place operates on a free of charge, self-referral basis, proudly guaranteeing enrollment in a support group within 72 hours of first contact.
WHAT MAKES SHEENA’S PLACE SO SPECIAL Located in an old, Annex character home, Sheena’s Place strives to create a warm, welcoming, non-institutional environment for members, where people can come ‘as they are’ to gain support, judgment-free. For many, Sheena’s Place is the first step in their recovery journey.
We are proud to offer over 20 different therapeutic groups under the four main categories of support, body image, expressive arts, and skill-building, as well as one-time workshops on specific topics that assist over 1,000 clients annually. Sheena’s Place has never received any government funding and relies solely on the kindness, compassion and generosity of donors to keep her doors open.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT EATING DISORDERS Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Between 600,000 and 990,000 Canadians suffer from eating disorders. . Yet they remain among the most neglected and misunderstood of all health conditions. More locally, the GTA has a population of over 6 million people. Yet the area has only two Eating Disorder Programs accommodating only 14 adult inpatient beds. The waiting lists for OHIP-covered beds are months long. Current intensive treatment in hospitals focuses on medical stabilization and refeeding. This “one size fits all” approach is successful in only 25% of eating disorder cases. Eating disorders do not discriminate. Sheena’s Place works with clients of various genders, ages, races, sexual orientations, ethnicities and sizes. Up to 25% of people living with eating disorders are male. Eating disorders are not choices or about vanity, but are serious, biologicallyinfluenced illnesses.
FROM OUR CLIENTS
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The sense of not being alone is remarkable.”
“I am welcomed and supported, even when I am in a ‘bad place.” “Sheena’s Place gives me a reason to get up in the morning.”
“I love feeling that I am always welcome at Sheena’s when I need support.”
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“All I needed to find the strength to begin my journey was hope.” “Sheena’s Place saved my life.
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Message from the Mayor It is my pleasure to extend warmest congratulations to Sheena's Place on its 20th anniversary of offering hope and support to those affected by eating disorders. Since opening its doors on Spadina Road in 1996, it has provided thousands of clients with crucial support that is free of charge. For two decades, Sheena's Place has provided a space to share experiences, support techniques and coping strategies. Amongst offering critical services, the organization has played an essential role in reducing the stigma associated with eating disorders and has enhanced public dialogue on this important issue. Twenty years later, Sheena's Place continues to provide support to those touched by this disorder. Above all, Sheena Carpenter's story lives on through the organization's extensive commitment to providing a safe, non-judgmental and supportive space. On behalf of Toronto City Council, I wish to congratulate and thank Sheena's Place for twenty years of providing community support. Yours truly,
Mayor John Tory City of Toronto
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR 100 QUEEN STREET WEST, TORONTO, ONTARIO, M5H 2N2
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Thank you for caring to ask how I feel, for answering so many questions about the disease, and for bringing resources and experience and patience and a smile to every encounter. BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD CHAIR James Jewett VICE CHAIR Susan Walker TREASURER Gavin Swartzman SECRETARY Ian Bies
DIRECTORS Inka Bari Patricia Colton, M.D. Leeanne Comish Marisa Fabiano Dr. Arthur Haberman Janine Hopkins Debra Katzman, M.D. Nikki Moffat Rose Savage Krista Webster
FOUNDERS
Trudy Eagan Lynn Carpenter Jane Fenton
STAFF
Deborah Berlin-Romalis Executive Director Florence Chan Development and Database Officer John Donnelly Operations Manager Lauren Drouillard Program Manager Ryann Girard Registrar & Program Administrator Sara Robb Manager of Outreach, Research, & Special Projects
Sheena’s Place recognizes and thanks Eric Gerard for his thoughtful and creative design of the 20th Anniversary theme and programme.
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I learned we are all worthy, our feelings are worthy, and we do not need to apologize for having a voice.
87 Spadina Road Toronto, ON. M5R 2T1 416 927 8900
[email protected] 