Join us for an informative and engaging afternoon focused on preventing falls and promoting safety for older adults. Learn how to fall safely, how to get up if you fall, and exercises to help prevent falls and increase balance.

Event Details:

Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 at 12:30 PM
80 Mill Street, 2nd Floor Community Room, Buzzer Code 1145

A light lunch will be served.

Please register here by Thursday, November 13 - https://forms.gle/w3XHmjwMDfMMTqft8

Feel free to reach out to llid@gwna.ca if you have any questions.

If you're on Facebook, stay up to date by joining the Living Long in the Distillery Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/livinglonginthedistillery

Join us for an informative and engaging afternoon focused on nutrition and simple meal prep ideas.

Event Details:

Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 at 12:30 PM
33 Mill Street, 6th Floor – Party room

Light refreshments, coffee, and tea will be served.

Please register here by Thursday, October 30 - https://forms.gle/utNGTdjaEHxQDxXKA

GWNA’s Living Long in the Distillery and the Canary District Neighbourhood Association (CDNA) are partnering with the local No Frills Pharmacy, Soulpepper Theatre Company and Rocco’s No Frills to host a Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. 

Event Details:

Sunday, November 2, 2025 

11:00 am to 4:00 pm 

Soulpepper Theatre Co - 50 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON

Please register here by Sunday, October 26 http://bit.ly/46PzuRg

Vaccine Eligibility:

Flu Vaccine - ages 2 and up

COVID-19 Vaccine - ages 12 and up

Vaccine Clinic Volunteers

We’re looking for Distillery and Canary District residents to volunteer at the vaccine clinic. There are 3 roles – greeters, registration desk, refreshment stand – and 90 minute volunteer slots, beginning at 10:30 am through 4:30 pm. If you’d like to volunteer, please sign up here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xGLop6QMvA3rr9ItR0WjT-rF9R5spLsw7m1igxftUd0/edit?usp=sharing

Feel free to reach out to llid@gwna.ca if you have any questions.

If you're on Facebook, stay up to date by joining the Living Long in the Distillery Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/livinglonginthedistillery

Join your neighbours for a night of fun and friendship at GWNA's Halloween Neighbours Night out this Monday night. 

We'll be projecting the Blue Jays in Game 3 of the World Series. 

Plus GWNA members get their first Old Flame Brewing Co. beer, or soft drink, for free. 

Costumes are encouraged. We saw some fun ones last year and look forward to again awarding a best costume prize. 

Any new or renewing memberships will now be valid through December 31, 2026. It's easy to sign up and e-transfer the $15 annual fee online at https://www.gwna.ca/become-a-member 

See you Monday night!

Join us for an informative session on diabetes prevention and management.

This session in helpful if you are:

- at high risk for diabetes

- living with type 2 diabetes

- caring for someone with diabetes

Event Details: 

Tuesday, October 21st from 12:30 – 2:30 pm
70 Mill Street, Community Room (Main Floor)

Light refreshments will be provided.

Please register here by Thursday, October 16 - https://forms.gle/nqCRkRF1MsL6LURr5

Feel free to reach out to llid@gwna.ca if you have any questions. 

If you're on Facebook, stay up to date by joining the Living Long in the Distillery Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/livinglonginthedistillery

New: Hearing Health

Join us for an informative session on hearing health and receive an optional hearing screening from a Baycrest audiologist.

Event Details:

Tuesday, October 7th from 12:30 – 2:30 pm
33 Mill Street, 6th Floor Party Room

Bring your own lunch. Light refreshments will be provided.

Please register here by Thursday, October 2 - https://forms.gle/8yLHkvu4RFcp4TuCA

Join us for an informative session on living with osteoarthritis presented by the Arthritis Society.

Event Details:

Friday, September 26th from 12:30 – 2:30 pm
70 Mill Street, 2nd Floor Party Room

Bring your own lunch. Light refreshments will be provided.

Please register here by Monday, September 22 - https://forms.gle/siVrHDGYbHfHnVgF6

Community Engagement Meeting

Join us for Living Long in the Distillery updates, provide feedback on current programs and help design future programs.

Event Details:

Tuesday, September 23rd from 1 - 3 pm
80 Mill Street, 2nd Floor Party Room

Light refreshments will be provided.

Please register here by Friday, September 19 -https://forms.gle/JqM2bMvW3qGSZRMj9

Feel free to reach out to llid@gwna.ca if you have any questions.

If you're on Facebook, stay up to date by joining the Living Long in the Distillery Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/livinglonginthedistillery  

Medication Management Live and Learn Session

As part of Stand Tall, our Falls Prevention program, join us for an informative session led by a local pharmacist who will help you:

• Understand your medications

• Identify medications that increase fall risk

• Avoid harmful drug interactions

• Organize your daily doses

• Get answers to your medication-related questions

Event Details:

Tuesday, September 16th from 12 - 2 pm
70 Mill Street – Community Room (Main Floor)

Bring your own lunch. We’ll provide light snacks, coffee & tea

Please register here by Friday, September 12 - https://forms.gle/LSaCuaQVxSnzLAoe6

Feel free to reach out to llid@gwna.ca if you have any questions.

Introduction to Zoom

The next digital literacy workshop will be an Introduction to Zoom presented by Connected Canadians.

• Learn the basis of Zoom, including what Zoom is, and how to access and use it

Event Details:

Wednesday, September 17th at 2 pm

Online - Click here to register

Give Us Strength Report

Between March and July, Living Long in the Distillery successfully executed our first grant project, Give Us Strength, funded by WoodGreen Community Services. Please see the report we submitted here - GWNA+LLID+Give+Us+Strength+Final+Report+Website+Version.pdf

The Digital Literacy Project is kicking off with a virtual Introductory session on August 28th, followed by the first two digital literacy workshops on September 17th and September 25th at 2PM via Zoom (see attached poster for details)! Join us on August 28th at 2:30PM via Zoom to learn more about Connected Canadians, the Toronto Council on Aging, and this project (Intro session will be recorded). 

Workshops Registration: To register for the introductory session and all upcoming digital literacy workshops, click here, or scan the QR code on the attached poster. You only need to register once; this will ensure that you receive email invitations and reminders of all upcoming workshop sessions. Do you know anyone who might be interested in registering but is not online? Please submit the form on their behalf, and Connected Canadians will be in touch. 

TIP: If you need help to set up Zoom for the first time, please contact Connected Canadians toll-free at 1(877) 304-5813 OR Email them at  info@connectedcanadians.ca, and indicate that you are part of the Digital Literacy Project at the Distillery.

The Mentor Introductory Session will be held on September 3rd via Zoom, and all interested Mentors have been contacted. There is still time to join us as a Mentor - All Ages are welcome! Reply to llid@gwna.ca if you are interested.

Next Week

Watch for information about regular learning sessions that will begin in September.

LLID Facebook Group

If you're on Facebook, stay up to date by joining the Living Long in the Distillery Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/livinglonginthedistillery  

Summer Social

As we wrap up Give Us Strength, funded by WoodGreen Community Service's Enhancing Seniors Inclusion in Communities grant, we invite you to a summer social - an afternoon of lunch, laughter, and connection with your neighbours.

Come enjoy a delicious lunch, share stories, and get to know people in our community. Whether you're new to the Distillery District or a longtime resident, this is a great chance to meet, mingle, and make friends.

Details:

Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 12 - 2 pm

39 Parliament Street, 11th Floor Collins Room

Lunch will be served

Please RSVP by July 25 here summer_social

Feel free to email with any questions - llid@gwna.ca

Gentle Exercise Classes – Few Spots Available

The Distillery and Canary Districts have been provided with an opportunity to host free exercise classes funded by Ontario Health Toronto for their older adult community members. The program is designed to help seniors stay healthy, active, and mobile.

The funding is held by Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association, a community support organization since 1976. Since the inception of these provincially funded classes in 2013, Carefirst has partnered with Mobility Matters to deliver these classes across Downtown Toronto, Scarborough, and York Region. We are fortunate to be working with these organizations.

Classes involve a gentle, full-body routine combining aerobic movement, stretching, strength training, balance with both seated and standing segments — and plenty of good-humoured fun. Participants use small weights and therapy bands.

There are a few spots left on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9 – 9:45 am, from July 22 – October 2, at 80 Mill Street, excluding statutory holidays.

Please contact llid@gwna.ca if you wish to sign up for the exercise classes as above. As space is limited for the exercise classes, they will be filled on a first come first served basis.

Digital Literacy Project – Upcoming Information Sessions

GWNA’s Living Long in the Distillery (LLID) has been selected as one of five participating Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in Toronto Council on Aging’s (TCA) digital literacy project. The project is a one-year program to improve the quality of older adult residents’ lives by offering a series of online workshops on various topics, to help build on residents' digital literacy skills and confidence.

Online Workshops

-   Connected Canadians will host a total of 18 virtual workshops between September 2025 - March 2026 (1 hour each)

- Registration is now open for the online workshops. To receive email reminders, register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNSDtTV3rqohZVqNHAOXnnu3Xo1kQu1dELXmllnE9vy_2uYA/viewform

- Attendance is at your leisure and assistance will be provided for anyone not comfortable with joining a Zoom call

Volunteer to be a Technology Mentor

Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in volunteering as a Technology Mentor! We still have spots. Technology Mentors will take part in Connected Canadians’ mentor training program (5-6 hours commitment in total) and will obtain skills necessary to help other community residents who need technology support. If you are interested and for more information, please email llid@gwna.ca. 

Falls Prevention Fair

Join us for an informative and participatory event hosted in partnership with the NORC Innovation Centre.

Drop in and visit different stations:

·         Self-assess for your risk of falls

·         Participate in a mobility assessment

·         Learn about falls prevention strategies and the importance of exercise

·         Sign-up for exercise and falls prevention classes starting on July 21

·         Receive information about Living Long in the Distillery projects  

Event Details:

Date and Time: Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 1 – 4 pm

Location: 33 Mill Street, 6th Floor Party Room

RSVP by Monday, June 23 to llid@gwna.ca

Learn about the Photovoice Project!

Living Long in the Distillery is getting ready to launch a Photovoice Research Study of community belonging in the Distillery District. Researchers and LLID project members will be at the Falls Prevention Fair on June 26 at 33 Mill Street between 1 and 4 pm. Register and discover more about:

·         the “photovoice” tradition

·         the goals of this project

·         the opportunities and commitments of participation

·         the fall schedule of photography classes

·         ideas for an end-of-project photography exhibit

New Digital Literacy Project – Call for Working Group Members

Thanks to those who have expressed interest in joining a working group to support LLID’s participation in a new digital literacy project. We have successfully recruited a few older adults and are still seeking 1 or 2 younger people to help design, implement and evaluate this project in the Distillery District. Volunteers can expect to spend about 2 hours per month between July and March 2026.

If you are interested, please email llid@gwna.ca and come see us at our LLID booth at the Falls Prevention Fair on Thursday, June 26 from 1 - 4 pm at 33 Mill Street to learn more. This is a great initiative for both older adults and community members interested in helping others!

Preparing for Retirement – Call for Working Group Members

Thanks to those who have expressed interest in joining a working group to help plan an interactive, engaging event for anyone preparing for retirement as part of our Autumn programming. 

We are looking for a few more volunteers to join the working group who have approximately 2 hours per month between now and November. If you have expertise or just plain interest in this topic, please contact us at llid@gwna.ca before June 30.

Next Week

Watch for more details on upcoming exercise classes and how to register. 

Join us for our summer BBQ on the Pure Spirits restaurant patio.

Lunch and Learn: Celebrate Fathers and the Power of Community

Come spend a meaningful afternoon with us, enjoying delicious food, great company, and an inspiring presentation from a special guest with The Men’s Shed.

The Men’s Shed is changing lives by creating a space for connection, sharing common interests, and support. Learn how sharing skills, stories, and time can strengthen both individuals and the community, for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Date and Time: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Location: 39 Parliament Street

Lunch will be served.

Register by May 29, 2025, by emailing llid@gwna.ca

Hold the Date

Falls Prevention Fair

Thursday, June 26, 2025

More details to be shared soon

Come enjoy lunch with your neighbours, followed by an eye-opening and helpful presentation on Scam & Fraud Prevention — led by a member of the Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes Unit.

All are welcome to attend this event!

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Location: 70 Mill Street

Register by May 15, 2025, by emailing llid@gwna.ca 

Join us for our May board meeting at Soulpepper Theatre. Once our business is concluded there will be a backstage tour and social gathering in the atrium.

Join us for GWNA’s AGM on Monday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m. at Old Flame Brewing Co. on Tank House Lane. After brief updates from the current Board and election of Directors to fill open seats, there will be plenty of time for socializing with neighbours.

If you are interested in serving the community as a Director, please reach out to the Nominating Committee at membership@gwna.ca

Lunch will be provided. Space is limited to 20 participants. Please register by emailing llid@gwna.ca

Click here for the event flier.

Come out and celebrate a night out with your friends and neighbours and enjoy some brews and more at Old Flame Brewing Co. 43 Tank House Lane.

GWNA Members will receive a free first drink!

Click her for the event flyer