April 23rd is the anniversary of the tragic 2018 Toronto Yonge Street Van Attack, an act of gender-based violence which took 11 lives, injured 15 people, and impacted countless more. At North York Women’s Shelter, more than just a reminder of what was taken that day, April 23rd is a day celebrating what has been built, with thanks to our incredible supporter the Anne Marie D’Amico Foundation. Dubbed by the Foundation as the ‘Anne Marie D’Amico Day of Kindness and Love’, our residents spent yesterday honouring connections, and reflecting on what kindness means, through a day of supportive and creative activities.

Blooming Kindness Reflection 

The day started out with a women’s sharing circle to facilitate healing through remembering the importance of self-kindness. Through violent situations, especially abusive relationships, survivors can develop the habit of ‘People Pleasing’ as a survival instinct in response to threat. This often results in victims neglecting their own needs in order to appease their abusers and prevent further escalating a situation. 

“We all have different stories, but one thing we have in common is strength.” 

Facilitated by Francesca Zoia, professional coach and ex-therapist, the workshop invited the women to reflect on their own experiences and share messages of kindness for themselves, their family and their community. The women were able to acknowledge people pleasing as an instinct that often grows out of survival and care for others, and hold less blame to their own behaviours in their past violent relationships.  

“To  all the amazing women who are still healing, your time will come. You will bloom gracefully. You will prosper and grow. Our time here is to stabilize and grow. The community here is very supportive in doing that.” 

Garden of Kindness

The children residing at North York Women’s Shelter participated in a separate afternoon session supported by our Child and Youth Programmers. They explored kindness in age‑appropriate and expressive ways, and it created a safe space for them to explore their ideas and feelings.  

Each child decorated paper butterflies and flowers, reflecting on kind words for themselves, acts of kindness for others, and hopeful wishes for the world. Sharing was always optional, allowing children to engage at their own comfort level. They also completed a mindful colouring activity, using colouring sheets with messages of kindness and respect. 

Both sessions culminated in the creation of a shared Garden of Kindness displayed inside the shelter, featuring messages of love from our residents of all ages. 

Anne Marie’s name and legacy of kindness and love glows throughout our shelter every day, but especially in moments like this, where kindness can take root, bloom into action, and support survivors as they rebuild their lives. April 23rd, a day marked by profound loss and tragedy, gave a beautiful opportunity for our shelter residents to connect as a compassionate and kind community.  

In honour of the 2026 Anne Marie D’Amico Day of Kindness and Love, we invite everyone to celebrate by extending compassion and care to those around them. 

North York Women’s Shelter gives its heartfelt gratitude to our staff, facilitators, and our loyal supporters the Anne Marie D’Amico Foundation, who helped make this special day possible.