Teddy’s journey – from volunteer to Executive Director of Kits House – is a testament to the long-lasting impact of community involvement. His relationship with neighbourhood houses began when he was only in high school, seeking volunteer opportunities to fulfill school requirements.
“I have a pretty long history with the organization, as well as with ANHBC. My first touch point with the neighbourhood houses was actually Kits House,” he recalls.
“That was during my Grade 10 year. I engaged with the neighbourhood house for volunteer opportunities to complete my volunteer hours. Subsequently, I also participated in leadership programs. In my graduating year, I actually got my first job here, running summer camps for Kits House.”
After his initial experiences, Teddy’s involvement with community-based work deepened. While attending university, he expanded his work with Little Mountain Neighbourhood House before embarking on a two-decade career in social services. In 2020, he reconnected with neighbourhood houses, this time through Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House, where he served on the Community Board.
When reflecting on his favourite activity during his early years of Kits House, Teddy speaks highly of the leadership program that initially got him involved.
“It is something we are trying to get going again. It allows high school students to connect with like-minded people their age across many high schools. The leadership program is quite a fond memory.”
Teddy emphasizes how his early involvement with Kits House and Little Mountain Neighbourhood House continued to influence his professional life and values, even as he pursued other opportunities.
“The piece that sticks with me is how the early involvement with both Kits House and Little Mountain continued to shape the trajectory of my career. Maybe not always at the forefront, but definitely from a values standpoint. So, it feels full circle,” he says.
Over the years, Teddy has witnessed firsthand the breadth of impact Kits House has had on the community.
“We have a pretty significant number of members. We’ve seen the house grow and diversify in terms of service delivery: 200 childcare spaces, 45 units of housing that would otherwise not be there, more than 60 individuals served each week for food provision, and 60 hot meals served with social engagement for seniors,” he says.
“There are some very tangible impacts that we’re seeing day-to-day and week-to-week. For a lot of that work to succeed — and what a lot of people don’t see — is that it is on the back of 350 volunteers.”
Looking ahead, Teddy would like to see Kits House to build on its strong foundation.
“I hope we continue to be at the forefront of community needs,” he says.
“And, in order to do that, I hope we are able to sustain this level of trust and relationships with the community. That’s the piece that is most important; if you don’t have the trust and you don’t have the engagement, then the work you do isn’t effective.”