Open Wide TO

OpenWideTO

Open Wide TO is a community project in the City of Toronto that aims to share the experiences of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (QTBIPOC) youth in navigating the City's sexual health and wellness resources. Through storytelling and dialogue, this podcast hopes to highlight the lack of information, the barriers to accessibility, and the lack of representation of QTBIPOC communities in our mainstream healthcare system.

Episodes

  1. 03/11/2021

    Open Wide TO Episode 7: Building Community and Transforming Sexual Health Care with Eugenia Ochoa and Antu Hossain

    TW: This podcast episode includes discussions about sexual health. Welcome Eugenia Ochoa (she/her) and Antu Hossain (she/her) to the podcast! In our season finale, Eugenia and Antu introduce us to their innovation project: Spectrum, a holistic virtual space for sexual health and wellness that is built using a community-based approach. We discuss the gaps in sexual health and wellness and how Eugenia and Antu plan to transform sexual health care to include diverse community experiences. Eugenia Ochoa (@ochoaeu) and Antu Hossain (@antuhossain1) met while working in a gender equality space. Eugenia has a background in community engagement and Antu in global health. Together, they co-founded Spectrum, a holistic virtual space for sexual wellness. They are working to connect multi-allied sexual health providers with diverse communities, mobilize resources, and co-create healthcare that is inclusive and transparent for all. They are also the winners of the Best Social-Economic Impact Solution and Public Choice Awards at Cooperathon 2020 - the largest social innovation competition in Canada. Follow these two ladies on their LinkedIn or their Twitter.  Stay connected with us @openwideTO on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you enjoyed the music, listen to more of Sofia Fly's work @djsofiafly. Podcast transcriptions available here: tinyurl.com/OWTOEP7Text

    59 min
  2. 01/26/2021

    Open Wide TO Episode 4 with Maame De-Heer: Domestic Violence, Seeking Support, and COVID-19's Role

    TW: This podcast episode includes discussions about domestic violence, sexual violence, sex, and trauma. We are pleased to welcome Maame De-Heer (she/her) to the podcast! In this episode, we speak with Maame about domestic and sexual violence among immigrant women here in the GTA. We talk about how loved ones can offer support, the resources that are available to victims, and the role COVID-19 has had on victims. Maame is a Policy Analyst with the Mental Health of Black Canadians team at the Government of Canada. Additionally, she is also a Clinical Research Analyst at Toronto General Hospital, where she investigating the barriers associated with ACB (African, Caribbean and Black) communities in undergoing kidney transplants and living organ donations. She is also a Board of Director member with the Mental Health Without Borders team. Maame is the Founder of the Power of Love Foundation Canada, a not for profit organization that provides resources and services to Black people in Ontario. You can connect further with Maame on LinkedIn, Twitter (@Maame_DeHeer), and Instagram (@Maame.DeHeer). Stay connected with @openwideTO on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you enjoyed the music, catch more of Sofia Fly's work @djsofiafly! Podcast transcriptions available here: https://bit.ly/3a0SU8E Basic and Immediate Sexual Violence Resources (for Somali Canadians): https://bit.ly/2YelDkH

    37 min

About

Open Wide TO is a community project in the City of Toronto that aims to share the experiences of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (QTBIPOC) youth in navigating the City's sexual health and wellness resources. Through storytelling and dialogue, this podcast hopes to highlight the lack of information, the barriers to accessibility, and the lack of representation of QTBIPOC communities in our mainstream healthcare system.