Graffiti is a meaningful form of artistic protest that can reach a populous audience who might not otherwise be aware of an issue. But when your issue is the environment, using chemical spray paints as a medium can defeat the message. For many activists, sustainable street art is the answer.

Moss art

To make moss art, get a blender set up and ready to go. Pour 700ml of lukewarm water into the blender, then Crumble three handfuls of moss (can be found between the cracks in pavement, on drainpipe covers, urban backyards, anywhere it's damp and shady) in the water.

Allies are amazing resources for activists - but they are often afraid of misrepresenting an issue they don't know enough about. But fear no more! This 32 page guide produced by the Portland Intersex Initiative  on how to be an ally to intersex activists has everything allies could want to know about the intersex movement and how to represent it. It's a collection of advice and essays written by intersex people. The guide includes:

Intersex basics, including history and FAQs

This workshop outline created by the change agency covers how to get activists participating in self-care to avoid burn out by using the workshop as a microcosm. The workshop can range from 60 to 90 minutes with room for plenty of discussion. This questionnaire is a good way to begin to gauge the level of burnout people are experiencing.

Any community near a mine should have this 116 page community centred health assessment toolkit on hand. Created by Mining Watch Canada, the guide is extremely detailed. By encouraging communities to define and measure their own health throughout the mining process, the toolkit empowers communities. The toolkit goes tackles eight steps in the process, each with its own linked resources and suggested tools for the community.

The eight steps highlighted are:

Getting started: basic organizing of meetings, decision making, researching

This trainer's guide from Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Diversion Association goes through three different workshop outlines: the basics of communication, the basics of facilitation and troubleshooting restorative justice. Restorative justice means that the person who committed a crime can be held accountable by their victims in a safe and supportive environment with a trained facilitator.

This 236 page trainer's manual on homelessness and traumatic stress is an extensive outline that covers everything needed to run at least three different workshops. The workshops are divided up into understanding the traumatic stress in experiencing homelessness, creating trauma informed services and incorporation into daily life. Each section should last about three hours. This workshop includes

a full trainer's guide to facilitation

tips for working with different groups

evaluations and checklists

agendas, sample slides, handouts and more!

Nobody expects to be raped but one in three women will experience sexual assault.

It is important that as friends and family members we know how to respond to friends who have experienced violence.

These are skills that we learn hoping that we will never have to use them.

All community members who are interested in learning new skills are invited to this informational workshop.

Cost: Free

One in three Canadian women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime.

Most survivors of sexual violence never seek professional help. It is important that as service providers we know how to respond.

Participants in this workshop will learn:
• The myths that exist about rape, abuse, incest and sexual assault.
• Canadian sexual assault laws.
• Non-judgmental ways to respond to disclosures of violence.
• Active listening skills.
• Resources for survivors in the Hamilton community.

Cost: $15

PLEASE REGISTER by May 24th by phone, 905.525.4573 x231, or email, erin@sacha.ca. Space is limited.

Who is invited: Helping professionals and volunteers who would like to gain new skills.

Take Back the Night is an annual event organized by SACHA - Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton & Area). It is an opportunity for women identified folks to gather together, reclaim our right to walk at night and speak out against sexualized violence in our community.

6:30 p.m. - We Gather
7:30 p.m. - We Rally
8:00 p.m. - We March

Come and participate in fun activities like laughter yoga, henna tattoos and face painting. Make your own sign to carry or noise maker to shake. After the march join us for food donated by Hamilton businesses.

Please see and distribute the attached poster.

Men-identified allies are welcome to a speaker and discussion - 6:30 p.m., at Skydragon, 75 King William Street.