Originally from Jamaica, our family immigrated to Hull, Quebec in 1974 where I became fluent in French. I was five-and-a-half years old. Three years later we moved, and I grew up in our nation’s capital, Ottawa and lived there until I left for university in the summer of 1989. I added to the attrition rate in 1993 when I left university with my second child on the way and never looked back until early 2011 when I applied to Second Career for the second time. This time was different however, because ever since deliberately moving to my Colonial/ Collegeway neighbourhood in 2007 I realized I had found my passion: the service of the people.
In the summer of 2006, I was pregnant with my fourth of five children and after leaving my well-paying job in the auto industry I found myself homeless, jobless and penniless. By re-entering the shelter system I was able to identify the gaps in service which further marginalized people in my position and decided I would not only advocate on my behalf, but on the behalf of every woman who may find themselves at a crossroad such as I did.
I lived in a transitional occupancy for one year and moved to my Colonial/ Collegeway neighbourhood in the summer of 2007. I was not happy nor satisfied with the way my new neighbourhood was (dys)functioning and I decided if not me, then who was going to bring about the change I wanted to see for my family. I did my ad hoc grassroots outreach and engagement and even created a documentary calling those in power to order and accountability.
Instead of working from a deficit approach, I spearheaded asset-based initiatives which built community harmony and synergy. I got to know my neighbours and my neighbourhood and allowed them to get to know me too. I stayed consistent and I can say with pride that neighbourhood transformed into a vibrant, livable and connected place to call home. I realized I had found my calling and that I need to find a way to make it my paying job. I applied for a job as an engagement officer and was told although I had proven success in the area of outreach and development, I was lacking the credentials associated with post-secondary training.
No one had to tell me twice, because for the first time in 19 years I had a reason to go back to school. I was terrified but I was more afraid of continuing a cycle where post-secondary was a nice-to-have rather than a need-to-have. I knew about the program at Sheridan because a colleague recommended I look into it if I wanted to continue what I was doing while being fairly compensated. The more I researched the Community Worker – Outreach and Development program at Sheridan, the more convinced I was that I was on the right path. It took me two months to hunt down my archived high school transcript and it was time well spent.
In June 2013, I graduated my program with high honours and the privilege of Valedictorian of my Faculty of Applied Health and Community Service. I left with more than I bargained for. I walked out of Sheridan College with a purpose and a means to achieve it. Regarding my concern about getting a job that aligned with my passion, I am proud to advise that I accepted the role as the Project Coordinator for the Setting the Stage (STS) Project at Peel Children and Youth Initiative (PCYI). It is a federally funded grant from the Status of Women which PCYI is delivering to marginalized and racialized 16-24 years old girls in the Colonial/ Collegeway neighbourhood.
I am proud to say 10 of the young ladies whom I mentored through our Participatory Action Research project became Change Ready, have successfully completed post-secondary, and are gainfully employed and positive contributors to our ever-changing communities.