Rocio Vasquez - 50 Stories for 50 Years (Story # 15)
For Rocio, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House isn’t just a building on a corner in her family’s neighbourhood. MPNH has been part of her entire life.
Her earliest memories are attending daycare and after-school programs while her single mother worked to build a life for their family.
“It was a very key place for my mom,” Rocio reflects. “They supported her a lot.”
Rocio’s childcare was not just fun and convenient – it was her foundation for growth. As she got older, Rocio attended youth programs and community events. This is where she learned that her opinions mattered, that young people could lead, and that community is something people actively build together.
“My leadership skills come from being part of the youth group back in the day,” she says. “Getting taught that as a youth you have a voice that matters has been a core lesson that I’ve carried.”
In 2019, Rocio moved to another neighbourhood but never left MPNH. Now working as a financial literacy professional in the nonprofit sector, Rocio saw how MPNH was one of many places providing vital support throughout multiple communities. Rocio especially values MPNH’s work helping newcomers settle in Canada.
“You see them go from being really worried about what their future is going to look like to taking training, becoming more confident, and then they get involved as volunteers or they become staff,” she explains. “It’s not just a place that gives you service. It’s a place that wants to see you grow and then grow with them.”
When someone mentioned there was a position on the MPNH community board, Rocio didn’t hesitate.
“I was like, oh! I would love to join. It’s been part of my life for a very long time – how can I give back in a different way?”
Now serving on the board, Rocio sees MPNH’s magic firsthand. She’s passionate about programs like Women in Motion, a free, Spanish-language program for newcomer women who want to start or grow small businesses.
“We’ve seen them grow in different ways personally, feeling more confident in their money, watching them go to different careers and businesses” she says with pride.
Rocio understands the value of MPNH’s consistency.
“The essence is always the same—it’s always in response to what the need is of the membership in the neighbourhood,” she observes. “I’ve seen them become more inclusive, more bold in their understanding of diversity and equity.”
For much of her life, MPNH was Rocio’s second home.
“You have your house, but then there’s this other place that also feels homey, welcoming, a place where you grow and get nurtured to grow,” Rocio says. “That’s what it gave me, what it gave my mom, and what I’ve seen it be for other folks.”
Her hope for the next 50 years is simple: that MPNH continues to respond to the needs of the community it serves, providing an anchor where every generation can find their voice, their support, and their home.
Story written by Carrie Keen through an interview with the Community Board Member 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.
