Name: Jesse Vacarciuc
Occupation: Project Manager of SOTAC (Stories Of The Alphabet Community) at Shadowpath Theatre and Peer Outreach Worker/Project Lead at 360°kids
How long have you lived in YR? I have been residing and frequenting the York Region since 2017, so 5 years now!
Why did you make YR home? There is something charming about the quiet residential area of York Region. It is nice to see so many people from a vast array of cultures, making it a melting pot of cultural diversity. I have always preferred quieter areas and all the parks and ponds make it a lovely scenery to discover during all seasons.
What do you do for fun in YR? I like to visit malls during winter months, as there are so many malls in the York Region. During warmer months, I like to go to parks and hang out with my group of friends. Picnics are also lovely during summer!
What is one summer/winter event that you never miss in YR? I personally never miss Pride month, which is in June. There are always great events during that time, and the York Regional Police actually raises the Pride flag at most of their districts and headquarters in support of our Queer community.
What are your favourite restaurants in YR? Il Fornello is definitely one of my favourites because of their delicious food and adorable decor. Turtle Jacks is also a great late night bar & grill for outings with friends. When it comes to cheaper alternatives, Coffee Times has always been a haunting ground of choice for me.
What YR attractions/events/happenings would you recommend to friends who visit YR? I would recommend any Pride events in the York Region during June and any events planned by the York Region Arts Council. Another great event that runs on a regular basis is the Open Mic with York Region Open Mics. The host is a lovely individual and the talent you may witness can astound you!
Bio: Jesse Vacarciuc is a Peer Outreach Worker at 360°kids, but they wear many professional hats. They are a professional artist and musician, a Child and Youth worker in training, a person with lived experience in areas such as homelessness and addiction and a peer mentor to many youth in the community. After leading many activism based events, such as the “York Regional Police Youth Engagement Series” and “Operation : Break The Stigma”, they were awarded Youth Recognition in the framework of the Public Heroes Program. They have since developed an LGBTQ+ centred program at 360°kids to offer education and support to youth and professionals in the community. They are currently working on a 2SLGBTQ+ event at Shadowpath Theatre called Stories Of The Alphabet Community where youth from the York Region can come together on June 11th & 12th and share their stories through a collection of multidisciplinary rooms that will be located in multiple venues situated in Newmarket.
