At Systems With Intelligence, we believe that building smarter systems goes hand in hand with the communities we are part of. Recently, a group of SWI team members and their families, rolled up their sleeves and spent a Friday evening volunteering at the Toronto Out of the Cold program, hosted at Danforth Multifaith Commons in the east end of the city. It was an evening that reminded all of us what community truly means.. The evening was organized and inspired by Rafael Losinski, who has volunteered with the program for over a decade.
What Is Out of the Cold?
The Out of the Cold program runs every Friday evening, welcoming guests for a warm, nutritious sit-down dinner, access to a clothing room, and overnight accommodation. The program relies on the ongoing support of volunteers and donors to meet the growing needs of those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity across Toronto. It is a deeply human effort, built on the belief that every person deserves warmth, dignity, and a hot meal, no matter the circumstances that brought them to the door.
A Team Effort
The SWI volunteers split into two teams based on where they were needed most. In the dining room, team members Angelo Rizzo, Brad Bowness, Fausto Della Rovere, George Couto, Richard Harada, John Nam, and James Li took orders, served meals, cleared tables, and kept the dining room running smoothly to ensure every guest was fed.
Meanwhile, in the clothing room, partners and family members Lubelia Rizzo, Elizabeth Della Rovere, Vanessa Couto, June Harada, Erica Shin, and Shirley Li sorted through clothing donations and helped guests find items suited for them.
Rafael moved between both teams throughout the night, keeping an eye on operations and ensuring that everything ran on schedule. His experience as a Lead volunteer was invaluable, and his passion for the program was evident to everyone who worked alongside him.
More Than Just Volunteering
What made the evening special was the spirit in which it was done. The volunteers came as colleagues and left as something more.
For some, it was their first time volunteering at a program like this. For others, it was a chance to reconnect with something important, the reminder that the people we serve in our professional lives are not the only ones who deserve our time and energy. Community service puts things into perspective in a way that is hard to replicate anywhere else.
Looking Ahead
The SWI team is proud to have played a small part in supporting such a meaningful program, and we hope this is just the beginning. Events like this strengthen our team, deepen our connection to the community we call home, and reflect the kind of company we aspire to be.
If you would like to learn more about the Out of the Cold program or get involved yourself, visit eastendunited.ca or outofthecold.org. Volunteers are always needed, and every hour of time given makes a real difference to those who need it most.
From all of us at SWI, thank you to Rafael for organizing this, and to every volunteer who gave their Friday night to make someone else’s a little warmer.