Spotlight
Champions of Lotherton Pathway: Vivienne Smith
Champions of Lotherton Pathway is a series of stories told by community leaders and residents from the Lotherton neighborhood. These dedicated community leaders and residents have been working tirelessly in the Lotherton neighbourhood, building a community where all belong and thrive.
I am Vivienne Smith, a mother of five children, three girls and two boys. I was born in Jamaica, I immigrated to Canada in 1990. Initially, I settled in Scarborough, I stayed with my family there. When I arrived in Canada, I immediately started working, and I eventually moved on my own. Around those times, I was earning $2.50 an hour working as a caregiver.
In 1997, I moved to Lotherton. I mainly kept to myself, I barely spoke to my neighbors, as I was always working. Eventually, I came out of my comfort zone, I started to volunteer with North York Community House. I noticed that a lot of people were isolated in the community, and I wanted to fill the gap.
I was involved in the breakfast club program for the children in the community. Eventually, I noticed that a lot of seniors were experiencing isolation, so I started the seniors group. We hosted workshops on healthy living, had thanksgiving dinners, mother’s day events, and also celebrated birthday parties for over 35 seniors in the group. We have also done nature walks, and for most of Canada Day, we go to High Park for barbeque. I have also supported the seniors with their gardens, and even with their application for their wheel transit.
I find one of the biggest barriers for some residents to participate has been the language barrier, particularly, speaking English. But that has not stopped me from reaching out and connecting to other residents. I love and care for everyone, it never mattered to me what nationality people are. Creating our community festivals has allowed us to break some of these language barriers, as we worked together to organize this event for the community.
We need more programs in the community, and for more residents to be involved in meetings, town halls, events, festivals, so we can have a collective voice to advocate for the needs of the Lotherton. I think it is important to nurture the youth to take leadership of the community.
I am motivated to support seniors to reduce isolation. I want to help seniors come out more often, engage in activities, go for walks in the neighborhood, go on nature trails, and participate in what is also happening in their communities.
“I think helping seniors to be more active gives them a greater sense of self, so they can feel appreciated and loved.”
I am really rooting for the seniors to the point that I cannot say no when they need help. I think it is also a healing process for me, to be able to support so many of them and to bring them together, I am creating an impact. I love my community in a very special way, and helping people is my way of embracing everyone.
