How I Found Community 30 Minutes Away From Home at Studio.89’s Summer Block Party
Hey there, welcome to Studio.89!
I’m so glad you made it to our Summer Block Party!
Come take a stroll with me through the lovely vendor market on our patio. The warmth of the sun seeps into our skin as we flow from table to table, taking our time smelling the candles and admiring the jewels of the hairpins glinting in the light. As we approach the doors, they magically open (with the help of a most courteous volunteer) and we’re drawn in to the even warmer and lively fair-trade youth-run non-profit cafe of Studio.89. The chords of a guitar accompanied with singing reaches our ears over the hum of happy conversations. We turn to see passionate singers singing nostalgic and upbeat summer tunes, a gallery displaying the art of local Mississauga artists, a table set up with crafting materials galore, a henna artist spreading creativity through intricate swirls and patterns, and kind youth volunteers offering lemonade and mushroom risotto balls.
This is only a glimpse into the Summer Block Party at Studio.89 on May 30th, 2026–an afternoon of bravery, introductions, and conversation-starters. It was also an afternoon of smiles, connection-building, and friendship-making. I had the pleasure of meeting people as soon as I stepped foot on the patio–such as the hardworking photographers, cafe workers, vendors, and volunteers. Once the party began, I really had the opportunity to get to know the diverse Mississauga community–artists of wonderfully different mediums, leaders of eco-friendly workshops, and lovers of perspective-changing books (which I’ve now added to my unending “to be read” list).
This is where spaces like Studio.89 are essential. Welcoming spaces that “empower youth to engage in social impact dialogues through art and culture” connects us with others who strive to create positive change. Powerful, changemaking ideas can be daunting tasks when they’re shouldered by one person. Studio.89 provides volunteers like my wonderful team and I with a platform to highlight social impact activities. It’s very encouraging to be surrounded by dedicated and friendly people–so much so that our ideas become actionable goals.
The Power of Our Community
As mentioned by our lovely Operations Manager, Aryanna, and Program Coordinator, Christina during their speeches, our “youth-run, fair trade café and community hub” empowered youth, provided leadership opportunities, encouraged collaboration with community partners, and have always advocated for humans, animals, and the planet.”
“Back in 2006, Youth Troopers for Global Awareness — YTGA — was born right here in this city through our founder, Zehra Abbas, her younger siblings and their friends as an organic, grassroots, youth-led non-profit.”
Aryanna, Operations Manager at Studio.89
As of 2014, when Studio.89 “launched our revenue generating arm, we’ve been a free physical community space for everyone advancing community good.” For example, “tackling trauma through the arts, using neuroscience principles to build empathy and fight hate, tackling senior isolation, opening doors for neurodivergent youth, newcomers, refugees, and any young person facing a barrier : social, economic, or otherwise.”
“Before COVID, in our old location, we were running over 650 events a year, multiple events a day, because we had full access to that unit, which really speaks to the demand in our community.
Today, we are at 250 events here as this space is only available when it is not in use as a sales centre in the evenings. Imagine what an incredible full-time community hub we could build here.”
Aryanna, Operations Manager at Studio.89
Through The Daniels Corporation, Studio.89 was able to reopen in our current location.
“The challenge before us is that Daniel’s Corporation is leaving this unit in a few months. If we want to preserve this community hub and expand it into a full-time arts and culture hub, we will need our community’s help.”
Aryanna, Operations Manager at Studio.89
Our community is strong and dedicated to positive change. There’s no doubt that we can do so much more with your help. We’re happy to have you!
How Can You Join?
(Information presented by our lovely Instagram team @studiooo89)
Become a Monthly Donor!
Studio.89 became a charity as Kind World Charity is officially becoming our parent organization. Get a charitable tax receipt when you donate $15 or more every month. Start today at studio.89.org/donate/
You’re donation will go towards tackling senior isolation, training neurodivergent youth with important job skills, and empowering newcomers, refugees and marginalized youth.
Climate anxiety in Peel starts the same way as any other place: with constant doomscrolling. The region’s climate records are annually broken each winter and summer. Climate change, for many young people, feels personal, urgent, and constant.
This growing sense of concern has a name: climate anxiety, and sometimes called ‘eco-dread’. It’s the fear or helplessness people feel as they become more aware of the environmental collapse, their role in the climate crisis and fear for a future that feels uncertain.
Climate Anxiety on Local Minds Local youth, newcomers and residents all report feeling some version of that distress. Results from the 2023 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey showed that nearly half of the students studied said they felt depressed about the future because of climate change. ScienDirect shows a high share of young Canadians who claim that climate change affects their mental well-being, including fear and lack of control.
But while climate anxiety is real and rising, it can be turned into positive climate action.
Collective action can play a role in coping. Talking about climate crises with peers and taking part in local initiatives can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of purpose.
Peel Takes Climate Action Seriously
At the regional level, Peel has announced a climate emergency and developed a Climate Change Master Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain stability in extreme weather. However, for many Peel residents, caring about the environment can often feel exhausting, especially when the problems seem too big for any one person to solve.
Local governments are also investing in environmental initiatives. A recent federal funding announcement supports green infrastructure projects in Peel that will add thousands of trees, bioretention gardens, and stormwater management features in municipal spaces.
Grassroots Groups Make Space for Connection and Action
Beyond government measures, grassroots organizations across Peel are presenting residents with tangible ways to act.
Community spaces like Studio.89 are helping transform that concern into action. Through programs like Rising Leaders for Climate Action, young people learn about sustainability to build local climate leadership. Meanwhile, initiatives like the Studio’s Patio Sprouts urban garden invite community members to get their hands dirty in the soil and grow community connections.
The Community Climate Council is a youth-founded, volunteer-run group in Peel focused on climate literacy and locally led action, creating spaces for people of all ages. Their Climate Hub helps residents understand how climate change affects the region and connects people with local initiatives.
The Sierra Club Peel Group connects volunteers for tree plantings, conservation campaigns and clean-up drives across the Peel area. These actions provide environmental benefits and chances to build communities.
Community Events That Grow Hope
Annual local events such as the Brampton Grow Green Festival bring together hundreds of visitors and partners to celebrate environmental stewardship, share resources, and connect neighbours through outdoor activities.
For many residents, these kinds of gatherings turn climate care into community care, where local action is seen as a shared response to a global problem.
Small Steps That Build Agency
Individual action doesn’t have to mean grand gestures. Simple steps like volunteering, attending community clean-ups, supporting local tree plantings or joining your local environmental group can provide a sense of meaning and connection.
For youth in particular, connecting emotion with purpose through local climate events or advocacy can transform anxiety into sustained connection.
Peel Region’s evolving approach to climate change, from policy to grassroots action, emphasizes that residents don’t need to face eco-dread alone. By participating in local networks and initiatives, many in the region are discovering that community-rooted climate action helps the environment and eases the emotional burden of worrying about its future.
Ever since I was little, I would always see my mom working passionately in the kitchen to create a unique dish that always was a source of comfort, no matter what the food was.
During the pandemic, I never truly understood how special that comfort was, at least not until I found myself in the kitchen at least thrice a week trying to recreate that same comfort in my own special way. Looking back, I feel like recreating that sense of comfort I found in my mother’s cooking was my way of detaching from my problems and stress created by the pandemic, by indulging in the quiet peace that came along with baking.
As time passed, baking had turned into my coping mechanism. On days when school would be too much, or when things felt too out-of-control, I just happened to find myself in the kitchen making a dessert with anything I had on hand. It soon became clear to me that the structure and organization of the recipe brought me comfort; I thought that so long as I followed the recipe, nothing could go wrong; It helped me regain my sense of control when I felt I didn’t have any. The slow and methodical process of measuring ingredients, mixing them in the perfect order, then getting to watch it all slowly come together in the oven felt so comforting to me; it was almost similar to watching my mom make her iconic dishes in the kitchen.
Additionally, baking taught me the art of patience. I feel like patience is often overlooked in the healing journey of one’s mental health, as that was one of the things I overlooked almost constantly. However, I noticed that the whole process of baking mirrors the healing process: starting from scratch and carefully measuring each ingredient with care and intention, mixing all the components together, personalizing the flavours, then finally putting it in the oven for it to be ready to enjoy. This mirrors the idea that healing shouldn’t be rushed; it takes care, time, and consideration, all in a way that is catered to oneself.
One of my favourite aspects of baking is the idea of when a dessert is “ready” can be entirely objective depending on your desired taste or texture. This is similar to how the healing process will never take the same time as it does for other people, as two people’s idea of “ready” is almost never the same. Once I realized this, it helped me understand that I should be patient and open minded with not only other people, but myself. Before baking, I would often push myself to constantly do better, but never let myself catch a break. Similar to how you make bread, I needed to let myself rest in between the process before pushing myself to the extreme.
As I shared my baked goods with others, it helped me realize the deep connection between food and mental health. People weren’t just enjoying the taste, they were finding comfort in the familiarity of the flavours and warmth. Once I realized this, it changed my perspective on food and its extraordinary ability to connect with people. This motivated me to share my desserts with as many people as I could, which led me into making my own business: Minchu’s Munchies. My business soon became my way of creating new connections, and expressing my creativity into making new flavours that my customers would enjoy. Though it wasn’t always successful, the occasional comment about how amazing my desserts made my customers feel was more than enough.
Studio.89 is a reflection of everything I’ve learned about food, as it acts as a unique centrepoint for the community to enjoy food that not only generates real impact, but helps create connections with people. I’m so grateful that I was given the opportunity to use the skills I’ve gained from owning my business to help develop fun and creative drinks that helped contribute to a larger purpose.
I hope hearing about my journey inspired you to try out a new hobby, especially if you’re struggling right now. You never truly know the impact of something as simple as baking until you try it out!!”
Youth in Action: Hanna R. Shares Insights from our Patio Sprouts Series
‘You have a right to healthy food systems:’ Studio.89 opens its Urban garden to the City of Mississauga
Food sovereignty is just an arm’s length away as Studio.89 opens its new vegetable and herb garden to its surrounding community. The non-profit café launched this urban agricultural initiative on May 23rd under the program name Patio Sprouts.
The concept behind Patio Sprouts took root in January—the café’s first attempt to tackle rising grocery prices and boost community engagement. The Social Impact Committee (SIC) led the charge—a volunteer youth group dedicated to developing initiatives that amplify sustainability and foster community. SIC has spearheaded several Studio.89 events, such as art showcases, park cleanups, and a Family Feud Fundraiser, where contestants were tested on issues regarding animal welfare, human rights, and the environment.
“We are showing community members that, yes, we might be struggling with our economy. But if we team up together and grow these things together, then we are able to reduce that stress [of grocery prices] at least slightly,” explained Operations Manager Aryanna Alikhan, who drafted the budget proposal to the City of Mississauga.
Patio Sprouts refers to the garden of basil, spinach, rosemary, pepper, and parsley that the SIC and high school co-op volunteers built and planted on Studio.89’s patio. The café encourages its community to come in and nurture its array of goods, connect with their neighbours, and/or share agricultural knowledge—with the promise that the garden is open for foraging.
“You have to put in that effort to take care of nature in order for nature’s benefits to take care of your body and your health,” Alikhan said, referring to the single requirement needed to pick from the café’s patio.
Alikhan also helped evolve Patio Sprouts into a series of monthly workshops, set to resume on June 14 with a beginner-friendly painting and planting session. Besides promoting community engagement and offering grocery alternatives to the surrounding area, the SIC hopes to teach café-goers about food sovereignty and encourage them to cultivate their own gardens.
“You have a right to healthy food systems, and the need to produce, distribute, and consume your food should be accessible and inclusive,” she said. “Everyone should also have access to a free community space and these programs that help develop them, personally and professionally. So, it goes hand-in-hand with food sovereignty, but also just being part of a community.”
Tea has always been my little ritual, my thing… a warm hug, a moment of comfort, a reason to pause. But now, when I take a sip, I think about the people behind the leaves, the hands that picked them, the lands they grew from. I think about sustainability, culture, and the stories steeped into every cup.
I recently attended the Toronto Tea Festival and to my surprise my placement at Studio.89 gave me a whole new perspective. As I happily wandered from booth to booth, sipping and savoring (and trust me, I did plenty of that). I found myself drawn into conversations about fair trade, ethical sourcing, and the impact of conscious consumerism.
Instead of just appreciating a good brew I wanted to know: Where, how, and who grew these leaves? Were they paid fairly? How does this tea honor tradition and sustainability?
Turns out, Studio.89 had quietly trained me to ask these questions to look beyond the product and see the bigger picture, to look beyond the branding (the visual) to uncover the brand (the story). Working here has shown me that every choice we make even something as simple as choosing tea can be an act of awareness, a step toward something better.
This isn’t just a place that serves ethically sourced drinks; it’s a space that encourages dialogue, creativity, and action in ways that matter.
Being part of this mission has inspired me to engage with the world more thoughtfully, to recognize the interconnectedness of what’s in my cup with the hands that picked the leaves, the land that nourished them, and the systems that bring them to us.
Experiences like these have taught me that leadership isn’t about standing at a podium. It’s in the conversations we have, the choices we make, and the communities we build. It’s about being aware, being engaged, sharing our awareness and letting that guide how we move through the world.
At the festival, I wasn’t just enjoying tea; I was experiencing the cultures, histories, and labor behind every steeped leaf. I left with a deeper respect for the industry and a sense of responsibility that I hope to share with other. So here’s my takeaway… Enjoy your tea. Savor it.
But next time, let it stir up some questions too. Because true enjoyment requires true equity, and deeper structural (dare I say systemic) change.
