Adam, Morgan, and Sasha - 50 Stories for 50 Years (Story # 26)
Adam and Morgan lived across the street from Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. Adam’s memories of the neighbourhood house go back to his mid-twenties, when outdoor musicians drew him to harvest festivals and block parties. It felt like MPNH had always just been there.
From their windows, Adam and Morgan noticed life outside MPNH – children playing, volunteers coming and going, seniors chatting in the parklet. Morgan sometimes dropped by to pick up free bread. They only knew bits and pieces of MPNH before it became important to them.
When their daughter Sasha was born, Adam and Morgan expected she would have a rich social life. But the pandemic hit just before Sasha turned three. Their plans for their daughter’s social life fell apart. Would she even see another child?
Like many parents during the pandemic, Adam and Morgan were torn between Sasha’s safety and the impacts of social isolation. Then a close friend encouraged them to consider the preschool at MPNH. Sure, it would be great for Sasha to go to preschool – but would it be safe?
"Just go over there," she told them. "Poke your head in. Tell them you live across the street."
Timing, as it turned out, was everything. An opening had appeared that very week. Sasha had just turned three. It was meant to be.
But meant to be didn't mean easy.
Sasha’s first day of preschool was also the first time she had ever separated from her parents. She was scared and anxious – and so were Adam and Morgan. Were they making the right decision?
They absolutely were. Lorena, the preschool teacher, made the perfect first impression.
“She was such a big part of making me feel good about the decision, as the mom,” Morgan recalls. Adam felt relieved too. “They were excellent at comforting her and us and making us feel confident to leave her. They had skills to deal with children and parents equally,” he says.
Lorena’s support went beyond emotional reassurance. Registering a child in preschool during a pandemic involved a lot of paperwork. Lorena helped Morgan apply for funding and complete registration forms.
“I absolutely felt supported and never, ever felt judged for being overwhelmed by any of it,” Morgan says.
Sasha attended the preschool for almost three years. There was staff turnover, but Sasha always came home excited to tell new stories.
"I was impressed," Morgan said. "There were constant people she saw, but also lots of new experiences."
For Morgan, connections between people of different ages are what makes MPNH special.
"What would I want for the future? More of those intergenerational experiences. Getting different age groups together."
Adam's hopes for MPNH are based on his memories of the community.
"That the community stays the community. That they keep providing support to people who don't have means."
And of course, Adam and Morgan hope more children will be able to say what Sasha says about her years at the preschool:
"I made lots of friends."
Story written by Carrie Keen through an interview with the family during her practicum placement at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.
50 Stories for 50 Years at MPNH is a collection of meaningful stories that celebrate the lasting impact our Neighbourhood House has had over the years. These stories come from long-time participants, families, youth, volunteers, community members, and regular visitors whose lives have been touched, supported, or transformed through our programs, services, and connections at the House.
