As 2021 draws to a close, we asked our staff to share some thoughts on their personal journeys with NeighbourLink North York this past year. First, thank you for joining us on this adventure of building a hyper local community development organization. It’s not too late to contribute to NeighbourLink North York and get a tax receipt for 2021. We are not fully funded for all of 2022 - so every dollar helps us continue this important work into the new year. You can contribute to our End of Year Giving Campaign at www.neighbourlink.org/donate
This Q&A comes from Sebastian, NeighbourLink's Marketing & Event Manager!
What interested you in joining NeighbourLink North York?
I wanted to work at NeighbourLink North York because I wanted to get to know my neighbours and connect with the neighbourhood that has been my home my entire life in a more meaningful way! As the Event Coordinator and now the Marketing & Event Manager I have been able to work with this incredible team and the community to create events that have safely brought us together and helped alleviate the social isolation we've all experienced during the pandemic!
What is your most memorable moment at NeighbourLink so far?
That's so hard to pick! From reconnecting with my pre-school teacher at the Christmas Hamper distribution event, to selling donuts on Yonge St with my grandfather, there have been so many incredible memories made since I started at NeighbourLink in May! I think one of the most memorable moments for me was when I had the honour of MCing our Christmas Parade & Market and I looked out from our stage tent to see the crowd for the first time! Seeing the sun set as the lights twinkled, neighbours sipping on cocoa, local artisans selling their treasures and kids making crafts together; It was such a contrast to last Christmas. It was a truly beautiful sight!
What is your goal for NeighbourLink in 2022?
Through this journey I've heard the stories of neighbours who are slipping through the cracks and seen the willingness of our community to care for them! That's why each of our events not only help to build a more connected community but help to support the work that
NeighbourLink does behind the scenes. From driving seniors to medical appointments to having phone calls with mothers in crisis, connecting individuals to social services to mentoring youth, my goal is to keep getting the word out about the amazing work our Community Care team does.
Whether you bought a box of donuts on Donut Day, ran in our Let's Move Willowdale Event or walked in our Christmas Parade, thank you for joining us this year and I hope we'll meet again at our next event in 2022!
Check out our Social Media pages for other staff reflections including facebook.com/neighbourlinkny or Instagram @neighbourlinkny