The death of one of the few appetizing grocery stores along the unlovely and unloved Greenwood-to-Woodbine strip … helped galvanize area residents, and prompted a desperate search to revitalize their community.

Dozens turned up at a community meeting at the local library last week seeking inspiration from a group of Ryerson University urban-planning students who have dedicated part of their third year to a project on the area. They also went to the meeting hoping for a kick-start from a "community animator" from a grassroots organizing body, the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition.

Day care, family counselling, exercise clubs, social clubs, leisure activities, etc., can all enhance health. … The obvious prescription here is to invest in community social and cultural connections, to hire more social workers and community animators, and to build sports arenas and community centres where people can meet and socialize.

Just looking over this woman's curriculum vitae I am overwhelmed. Dorothy [Rosenberg] has been active and remains active with women's and environmental groups, in many capacities. As instructor, film consultant, lecturer, and community animator on energy issues, the environment and women and peace, Dorothy sees feminism as having significant roles within a range of social issues.