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Kristen Johnston

Ethical Storytelling, Fundraising ,and Marketing

Black Urbanism TO •

Five Years Forward: BUTO and the Little Jamaica Community Land Trust

The Little Jamaica neighbourhood, nestled on Eglinton Avenue West in Toronto, is seen as a cultural cornerstone and a powerful symbol of Black resilience. Caribbean immigration grew rapidly throughout the decades following the reforms to Canada’s immigration policy in the 1960s which aimed to end explicit racial discrimination. These reforms came as a result of political organizing and advocacy on the part of Canada’s Black communities and laid the foundation for Toronto’s thriving Caribbean com...
Canadian Feed The Children •

Transforming African Agriculture Through Mentorship and Innovation

Agriculture is the backbone of various African economies, providing sustainable and long-term employment, especially for women.

Farmer Abigaba from Uganda
Agriculture and agribusiness account for nearly half of Africa’s GDP. Agricultural production remains the most important sector across much of the continent, averaging 33 percent of GDP for the region.¹ With growing incomes and urbanization driving the commercialization of agriculture, agribusiness activities are poised for rapid growth.
In...
Canadian Feed The Children •

Small-Scale Businesses Lead to Community-Driven Development

Boosting local economies and supporting small businesses is essential for sustainable community development, community capacity strengthening, and poverty reduction. Small businesses are the backbone of a community’s economy, especially in rural areas, ensuring that wealth stays within the community.  
Across the globe, communities are developing innovative income-generating methods to support livelihoods and, most importantly, break the cycle of poverty for their families. THRIVING BUSINESSES I...
Kinvia •

Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future: Indigenous Knowledge Exchange

In Canada, Indigenous Nations are reclaiming their traditions through songs, dances, and practices to resurge in a post-colonial world. For decades, they have faced ongoing health crises, interruptions to their way of life, and restrictions on their identity. Communities are now reasserting their rightful positions as First Peoples of the land through various modes of knowledge transmission, leading their way back to the spirits of their ancestors' dreams and aspirations. They are the rightful o...
Kinvia •

Youth as Future Leaders: The Land as Their Classroom

“Youth are the future.” This enduring belief underscores the transformative impact of investing in the next generation. By nurturing young people today, we unlock their potential to address the pressing challenges of tomorrow.
In today’s world, where climate change and food insecurity pose growing threats, connecting youth to the land is more crucial than ever. By engaging with the land, they gain insights into growing healthy foods and practicing stewardship, which not only supports their menta...
Kinvia •

Tips to Start the Planned Giving Conversation with Loved Ones

Here are some of our tips to have thoughtful conversations with your loved ones about charitable Will gifts:Writing a Will and planning your estate can be challenging topics, especially when discussing them with loved ones. Contemplating mortality is often uncomfortable, but taking a proactive and loving approach ensures that your family is aligned with your wishes and that your intentions are honoured after you pass.Find a comfortable place and time where you can talk without interruptions. Avo...
Kinvia •

Beyond the Workforce: Youth Skills Instill Self-Esteem and Confidence

According to the UN, there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 percent of the global population. By 2030, this number is projected to grow by 7 percent, to nearly 1.3 billion.
Youth skills training is crucial to ensure that the next generation is equipped with the tools and education necessary to join the workforce and contribute to the overall economy, while ensuring that their own families are cared for. Additionally, skills development plays a role in enhancing...
Kinvia •

“Psychologists are doctors for your soul"

“Psychologists are doctors for your soul,” Andrea tells us. Working as a psychologist in Sucre, Bolivia, she specializes in counseling women and youth on topics like domestic violence and self-esteem.
She strives to break down stigmas regarding mental health counseling and improve the holistic health of the community. Andrea’s passion for psychology stems from her ability to support entire families, from children and youth to parents, on their health and work towards strengthening family relatio...
Kinvia •

Kids in the Kitchen

Around the world, children face many challenges when it comes to proper nutrition. People often consider factors such as food availability, food costs, and cultural appropriateness as key determinants of whether a child experiences malnutrition.
One factor that is often overlooked is nutrition and food literacy. Food literacy encompasses the “knowledge, skills, and actions [needed] to determine, manage, pick up, prepare, and consume food”. This is different from nutrition literacy, which is “the...
Kinvia •

The Roots of Resilience: Women Uplifting Women

Menstruation is one of the biggest barriers worldwide for girls receiving a quality education. If a girl is menstruating and does not have proper menstrual care products, she is forced to miss school, which stunts her educational journey immensely.
Hellen in Uganda is a teacher who coordinates a menstrual care program in her school where she ensures that girls receive menstrual products so they can remain in class.

Seventy-two girls benefit from this program in Hellen’s school, and since the i...
Kinvia •

A PEERS led approach to girls' rights

BY KRISTEN JOHNSTON, CANADIAN FEED THE CHILDREN
FEBRUARY 2021
Millions of girls worldwide are at risk because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls and women are bearing the brunt of household work and caring for family members at this time (UN). This is exacerbated by school closures in many countries globally. 
All children face risks to their education and mental health from being out of school. However, young girls are in the most danger. As we’ve previously mentioned, schools provide a safe place...
Kinvia •

We need to talk about nutrition transition

Most of us now know that diet is intrinsically linked to the risk of developing diabetes. However, you might not know much about nutrition transition. To mark Diabetes Awareness Month this November, learn how the global phenomenon of nutrition transition is increasing rates of diabetes, obesity and malnourishment here in Canada – and what one community is doing to reverse it.
Nutrition transition is a shift in diet that is commonly seen when low and middle-income countries or regions transition...
Kinvia •

Does Canada's new Food Guide address the needs of Indigenous communities?

Nutrition, or the lack thereof, has been a painful history for Indigenous Nations and still continues today. Traditional diets and Indigenous ways of eating were colonized through residential schools, with an emphasis on colonial foods that lacked nutritional quality and quantity. Dr. Ian Mosby and Dr. Tracy Galloway, in their study for the University of Toronto on the effects of residential school diets, determined that the malnourishment prevalent in residential schools leads to height and gro...