Helping people feel seen, heard, and hopeful, one conversation at a time.
How did you first become part of SRCHC, and what have been some of the chapters in your journey here?
I’ve been with SRCHC for three years. I started as a Community Health Worker at KeepSIX, a consumption and treatment services program, and today I’m part of the East Toronto HART Hub. My background is in nursing, and I went back to school to study mental health and addiction because I knew this was where I wanted to make a difference. My calling has always been to serve people.
What first inspired you to work in community health care?
I think it started with my grandmother. She was a midwife, and as a little girl I would go with her to villages where health care was hard to reach. I helped prepare homes for births and watched her care for people with kindness and respect. Those experiences stayed with me. They taught me that being there for someone can change their life.
How has your own journey shaped the way you care for others?
When I came to Canada, I was a pregnant, adjusting to a new culture, and trying to find my way. I know what it feels like to feel lost and unsure where to turn. That experience helps me understand what many people are going through. I try to be the person I needed back then — someone who listens, supports, and helps people find hope.
Over the course of your journey, what moments or relationships have stayed with you the most?
One person came to the East Toronto HART Hub after being sent to Toronto for addiction treatment. Together we worked through housing, appointments, recovery supports, and even attending their first support group together because they were afraid to go alone. Today they’re continuing their recovery and building a future they feel hopeful about. Watching someone believe in themselves again is something I’ll never forget.
What experiences from your earlier work at KeepSIX continue to shape how you show up for people today at the East Toronto HART Hub?
People come to programs like these at different points in their lives, but one thing never changes: they deserve respect. I’ve learned to meet people where they are and support the goals they choose for themselves — not the goals we think they should have. We work together, one step at a time.
Having worked in both settings, what has that experience taught you about the different kinds of support people need?
Every person’s journey is different. Some people need a safe place to reduce harm. Others are ready for recovery-focused supports. Both kinds of care matter because people deserve help wherever they are in their journey. That’s why it was so difficult to see KeepSIX close. Those supports filled an important need that still exists.
When you think about the people who come to SRCHC, what do you hope they feel when they walk through the door?
I hope they feel seen, heard, and welcomed. I never want anyone to feel like they’re just another number. Every person has their own story, and every person deserves care without judgment. If someone leaves feeling hopeful enough to come back when they need support, then we’ve done something meaningful.
As SRCHC dreams forward into its next 50 years, what is your hope for the future?
I hope we continue to see the value in every person who comes through our doors and keep meeting people where they are with compassion and consistency. I also hope the programs our communities rely on receive the stable support they need to continue. I’m proud to be part of SRCHC, and I hope we keep helping people navigate a system that isn’t always easy, while reminding them they don’t have to do it alone.