Share your love, hope and optimism: Broadbent Institute launches 'Dear Jack' initiative
BY RABBLE STAFF | JULY 25, 2012
Hard to believe, but it's already been almost a year since Jack Layton passed away. His death and his powerful last letter to Canadians impacted the whole country, and people responded spontaneously, sharing their memories and their 'love, hope and optimism' on social media and with messages in chalk that repeatedly covered Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.
This week, the Broadbent Institute has launched a new initiative called 'Dear Jack,' encouraging people to share messages about how they are contributing to advancing social justice. Sarah Layton, Jack's daughter, explains the new campaign in an article in yesterday'sToronto Star:
My father's best talent and pleasure was to empower people around him. Growing up, he'd push me and my brother Mike to open our hearts to become the best we could be. I know his colleagues in politics experienced that as well. And in his final days, he embodied that essence of his in an open letter to Canadians. A love letter, really, ending with his famous challenge: “Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world...
If my dad’s message has moved you, write him back. Let others know how you’re renewing your own love, hope and optimism in this country of ours.
You can add your message here.
A year later
by Aaron Wherry on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 8:00am
The Broadbent Institute has launched a memorial campaign at DearJack.ca, which Sarah Layton introduces in an op-ed for the Star.
Since then, many people have told me how my dad’s message has moved them to action in their own lives. That’s the best tribute anyone could ever pay him. I know how much he’d love to see those personal stories shared. And I’d like to invite you to do just that — between now and Aug. 22, the anniversary of his death.
If my dad’s message has moved you, write him back. Let others know how you’re renewing your own love, hope and optimism in this country of ours. You can do that by visiting http://dearjack.ca. Created by the Broadbent Institute, this is an online space where you can express yourself in whatever way feels right — in text or in images. I’ll be visiting the website and I’d be honoured if you’d join me.
Canadians to share how Jack Layton's vision lives on
OTTAWA- A new social media initiative provides a forum for Canadians to share how Jack Layton's message of love, hope, and optimism lives on.
Spearheaded by the Broadbent Institute, the Dear Jack initiative is supported by the Layton family and people across the country.
"Jack showed us that being compassionate and loving in politics can and will lead to success. I've seen Canadians across the country embrace Jack's message. I'm excited to see his legacy recognized through DearJack.ca," said Olivia Chow, Layton's widow.
Jack Layton stepped down as Leader of the Official Opposition one year ago today. His remarkable career, determined battle with cancer, and powerful parting letter inspired Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
"This is an inspiring way for Canadians to come together to express how Jack's work lives on," said Kathleen Monk, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute.
Expressions in words, pictures, and video can be posted at DearJack.ca. Tweets featuring the hashtags #dearjack and #cherjack will also appear on the site; a Dear Jack Facebook page supplements the campaign.
"My family has been deeply touched by the support of Canadians over the past year. Every day, people strive to make this country even better, just as my dad encouraged us all to do in his last letter. DearJack.ca is a powerful platform for expressing how we're affecting change and for inspiring one another", said Mike Layton.
On August 22, family and friends of Jack Layton will commemorate the one year anniversary of Jack Layton's passing in Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square where multimedia highlights from the Dear Jack initiative will be screened. Other commemorative grassroots events are expected to take place across Canada the same day.
Love, hope, optimism: Think tank wants Canadians’ views on Jack Layton’s final message
24 July 2012, Globe & Mail
A think tank founded to advance Jack Layton’s social-democratic ideals is asking Canadians to share their thoughts about how the former NDP leader’s final message of love, hope and optimism has affected their lives.
