Champions of Lotherton Pathway: Andrew Campbell

I am Andrew Campbell. I moved to Lotherton when I was just two years old. I would say I was the youngest person at that time period. I have lived in Lotherton since 1981 and now I feel like one of the oldest people in my community. Lotherton used to be seen as an unsafe community but that perception has changed over time.

I would say back then, the townhouses and condos were very affordable. It was easy to become a homeowner, and many people did in Lotherton at that time. But now, seeing how the housing market is in Toronto, homeownership is extremely expensive. My mom was always clear about me getting a job and so I have always been working. However, at one point, I got into trouble, and I ended up in jail for about 3 and a half years. When I came back, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for myself, and for my son. I partnered with my friend Pawn, and we opened a restaurant. For the first two years of operating,  I was in the restaurant everyday until we were able to hire for support. Starting a new business has its many challenges, especially in the restaurant industry. But our families supported us to launch the businesses, and continue to do so.

My son and daughter are my driving force. I work hard everyday to ensure that they do not have to go through what I did as a youth. I grew up in a time where I witnessed a lot of children sleeping outside, and youth running away from home. I am setting them up financially, I want to be able to build something for them. My mother is incredible and she has proceeded to set up an education fund for my children.

Growing up, on Saturday mornings, I remember there being two party speakers beside the grocery store with music playing, a picnic like setting, and families would come out, get together, and have BBQ. But now, that kind of connection is lost.

I always wanted them to build a bridge over the train track so that people do not have to climb the fence to get to the grocery store. I remember that back in the day, the city of Toronto and Via Rail came to Lotherton, and asked the community to pay for half of the building of the bridge and they would pay for the other half. But it never happened, I think it was inappropriate to ask for the community to pay for half of the construction of the bridge. In any case, the city of Toronto really needs to build this long overdue bridge over the train track so that seniors do not have to cross the fence. It is not safe at all.

The construction of a bridge over the train track would give everyone, especially seniors, easier access to Keele, to get their groceries, and other necessities. Instead, people have to walk on Caledonia all the way to Lawrence, and then make a right to the intersection of Keele and Lawrence, which is quite a distance from our community.

I am involved with the Green Champions, it’s a program that engages and supports residents to conserve energy. We provide forms for residents to complete, power bars, and the blue tabs to help them know if their toilet is leaking. I support whatever needs might arise from the community, and more recently, I supported the deliveries of the GoodFood Boxes.

We really need younger people on the condo board so decision making can reflect the needs of children and youth in the community. We do not have a space for kids to do homework, or any children’s activities. Many of the children stay indoors, and the youth hang out in the hallway, around the stairs because there aren’t many outdoor activities for them. The daycare has been closed for the past four years, that space could have been used as a learning centre for children and youth.

When I was younger, there used to be parks and recreation in one of the buildings, but now those services are not provided anymore. I would love to start a bike club and to also have rollerblades as well. So I bought a whole bunch of roller blades and gave them out to the kids. I am really invested in making sure that the children here have activities they can engage in.