Stories from a Distance encourages students to find community through conversation. Students can expect to be welcome into a virtual space (over Zoom) created by and for students looking to invest in meaningful connections within their campus community over the Summer.
Here’s what this coming week will look like: 
ResourceXchange: IHUB x HartHouse: Let’s talk about books!
Monday, July 6 at 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Hosted by Psalm, Gillian, & Hart House Ambassadors Chantelle & Varsha
This week, we’re inviting students from Hart House to chat about our favourite books. George R. R. Martin once said, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” Are you an avid reader or trying to get into reading this summer? Do you have some life-changing books that you would like to share with people or hoping to discover some exciting reads? The iHub invites to a safe space to hang out with other U of T students and share our favourite books and the fantastic stories in them!
Join us here on Zoom (Password: 608182)
Virtual Fireside Chats: Canada Day Bonfire
Tuesday, July 7 at 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Hosted by Vatsal & Psalm
Join the I-Hub student team for a virtual fireside chat in celebration and reflection of Canada Day. From our favourite things about the true North, to reflections on settlership on these unceded Indigenous lands, our Canada Day bonfire hopes to bring students together for a wholesome fireside chat without the hard work of actually setting up a bonfire. The I-Hub student team invites everyone from the U of T community to sit back and gather around our virtual bonfire every Tuesday for meaningful conversations, interactive virtual activities, and connection building. Bring your favourite summer drink, snacks, or lunch to these casual, 1-hour virtual hangouts and share your stories with both new and old friends.
Join us here on Zoom (Password: 608182)
Virtual Cafe: Show & Tell!
Wednesday, July 8 at 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Hosted by Vatsal & Carly
The I-Hub’s Virtual Cafes are run by and for students looking to invest in creating a virtual judgement-free and inclusive space for the U of T community to continue to gather, connect, and unwind in. If you’ve missed the opportunities our on-campus cafes provided you in unwinding and expanding your campus social circle, these student-led drop-ins are for you. This week, in addition to an openness for finding community and your favourite bevarage, we’re asking students to bring items from their covid survival kit: be it a favourite face mask, the book your currently reading, or your favourite quarantine snack – we’re breaking the ice by talking about the items that have supported us these past couple of months.
Join us here on Zoom (Password: 608182)
Peer Support: Let’s Talk About: Virtual Peer Support & Supporting One Another from a Distance
Thursday, July 9 at 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Hosted by Gillian & Psalm
This week, we’re talking about how covid-19 has shifted how we support one another. What peer-support mechanisms have been effective to you in these times? How have your needs changed? How can the U of T be more accommodating to those needs? Held every Thursday for one hour, these student-led zoom calls prove that social distancing does not have to feel too lonely. You can expect anything from a casual virtual hangout, guided discussions, or carefree socializing activities. You’ll be welcomed into a virtual space that is inclusive, empathetic, and empowering. These zoom sessions are safe spaces for U of T community members looking for confidential and non-judgmental peer support. Sessions will be moderated and guided by I-Hub staff, and students trained in active-listening and group facilitation. In all of our sessions, participation is encouraged but never required!
Join us here on Zoom (Password: 608182)
FreestyleFriday: Virtual Escape Room
Friday, July 10 at 4:00 – 5:00 PM, Hosted by Carly & Psalm
Welcome to our virtual escape room! Come apply all your U of T intelligence to attempting to escape from Hogwarts in this Harry Potter-themed digital escape room. Members will be broken in to breakout rooms and compete against one another to see who can get through the escape room as quickly as possible. FreeStyle Fridays are one-hour sessions every Friday to bring the U of T community together for casual conversation and themed, carefree activities. These student-led spaces are opportunities to have fun and take a break from school or work with other U of T community members amidst a summer affected by COVID-19.
Join us here on Zoom (Password: 277479)
Be sure to join the conversation on our Facebook group and let us know on the Facebook event if you can make it. See you all soon, and have a great week!
For more information, please visit: http://blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca/innovationhub/stories-from-a-distance/
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