On June 25, 2020, at our first virtual Annual General Meeting, Executive Director Maureen Fair and Older Adult Centre Director Isabel Palmar presented the Sir James Woods Award to Mary Khin and Margaret Pereira.
Mary Khin
Mary, who moved to Canada from Myanmar in 1998, is a reliable source of support and connection to her neighbours in Parkdale. She helps her neighbours in the Chinese community and beyond navigate the health-care system, find support, and advocate for themselves. She leads by example and motivates other seniors to get regular exercise and to keep a positive attitude. She often leads dance and exercise workshops!
Mary has worked with Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre’s Chinese Support Group, Parkdale Golden Age Foundation, Working Women Community Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital, the Roncesvalles Neighbourhood Care Team and West Neighbourhood House.
Margaret Pereira
Margaret has been involved with West Neighbourhood House for many years. She is a very familiar and friendly face in the halls of 248 Ossington. Margaret is always busy volunteering with our Older Adult Members Council and particularly as a leader in Portuguese Women 55+, which merged into the House in 2014.
Margaret is also a long-standing member of our Health Action Theatre by Seniors (HATS). The troupe of actors that has performed before hundreds of diverse audiences, from other immigrant seniors groups to medical students. Margaret has also represented the House at the City of Toronto’s Seniors Forum.
Margaret served on West Neighbourhood House Board of Directors from 2014-2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Margaret has taken on the responsibility of checking on fellow seniors every single day, making sure they have all the resources they need, are safe, and are being supported during this time of social isolation.
