Windrush Foundation Helps Empower Kids
In 2017, JC Pennie and Marilyn Field created Windrush Estate Winery in Hockley Valley. Already, their all-VQA wines have won Gold, Silver and Bronze awards at international wine competitions. In 2021, they founded Windrush Foundation, funded in part by the winery, to help empower children from all walks of life to LEAD our world into a better future. Click here for an example of how your Windrush wine purchases are helping empower underserved kids!
Starting out in the ‘80s as a teacher in tough neighborhoods in Toronto, Marilyn Field developed an innovative teaching method that uses values and all the arts to reach young people at-risk of not reaching their potential. From that beginning 40 years ago to creating and building educational charities continuing today, Marilyn has empowered over 220,000 kids across Canada and internationally.
Meet three young people:
- Shamin has co-founded a billion dollar company and is now a partner in the winery.
- Eko, a young immigrant, has become a doctor.
- Butterfly, a young Indigenous student has found her voice, “I am a warrior.” See her video ‘Translucence’ at www.youthLEADarts.com
Now, Windrush Foundation carries on that legacy and empowers even more children through LEAD. As Marilyn’s latest education program with youngsters, artists and educators across Canada, LEAD encourages all children to become true leaders when they: Listen. Empathize. Act. Drive.
Every bottle you buy and every donation you make helps empower a young person to LEAD the future.
Marilyn Field, MSM, Arts Education Visionary
- Marilyn Field is recognized internationally for pioneering innovative arts education. A teacher, education visionary, executive and volunteer, Marilyn has empowered over 220,000 children to be leaders.
- Internationally, she conducted a children’s choir at the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize, singing with Paul McCartney.
- Since retiring in 2019 from DAREarts (now called Thrive), the charity she founded in 1994 and led as President until 2019, she now advises internationally through her new program called LEAD – Listen, Empathize. Act. Drive. Visit www.youthLEADarts.com
- Her vision proves that the arts help children see themselves with promise and purpose to lead change. Marginalized kids find their voice. They stay in school and have hope. “I got hope wakin’ up every day,” wrote Leroy, 16, from Webequie FN.
- She has volunteered with many cultural organizations, including Opera Atelier, Toronto Senior Strings, Theatre Orangeville; Esprit Orchestra (board president), the Canadian Opera Company and Stratford Festival.
- She was awarded Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) as well as the Queen’s Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and the Women of Courage Award. She is the 2013 inductee of the Caledon Walk of Fame, on the Trans Canada Trail.
J.C. (John) Pennie, Creative Entrepreneur
- From computer graphics and gas platforms to wind power and wines, J. C. Pennie is an eclectic entrepreneur.
- Cofounder of ‘Image West’ in Hollywood, John and his team created the historic first use of computer graphics in motion pictures. (‘Logan’s Run’). He then founded ‘Omnibus Computer Graphics’ with facilities in Hollywood, New York and Toronto which pioneered some of the most advanced techniques for CGI. The Omnibus software was licensed in Japan and England with further ground-breaking developments such as reflectance mapping used for the first time in a motion picture (Flight of the Navigator).
- He also created Windrush Energy to develop 30 MW of wind energy in Dufferin County, subsequently building positive partnerships with the councils of the Six Nations and the Haudenosaunee.
Photo by: Alan Dunlop
