Tulia Castellanos - 50 Stories for 50 Years (Story # 30)
Tulia’s story with Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House began in 1997, when she and her young daughter, Sofi, moved to the area to start a new life.
Tulia was thrilled to find MPNH’s preschool. It didn't feel like an institution; it felt like a vibrant, welcoming community. With kind, dedicated staff and a warm, thoughtfully designed space, Tulia knew Sofi would receive professional care alongside children from many cultures, all within the safety of a neighbourhood house.
“Finding such a special place for my daughter was an amazing, fresh beginning.” Tulia says.
That early experience left a lasting imprint. Over her 35-year career in social services, Tulia always had a warm spot for MPNH and the vital role it played in her community.
“The way they treated people and the way they included people really spoke deeply to my values and to how things should be in the world,” Tulia recalls.
Inspired by this model, Tulia’s journey with MPNH eventually came full circle when she stepped into the role of Executive Director. In this role, she did more than just support her team’s programs; she lived her vision. Tulia wanted MPNH to be a blueprint for a fulfilling community: “to see belonging in every breath and every step—to belong, to contribute, and for people to be fully themselves.”
As Executive Director, Tulia saw meaningful examples of dignity and belonging at MPNH every day. She remembers a man with disabilities who worked sorting dishes. One day, while he was organizing dishes in the hallway, a mother walked by holding her young daughter’s hand. Without hesitation, the mother sat her daughter in front of him while she stepped away to get some bread from the community kitchen.
“That picture was what the world could be like,” Tulia says. “A girl who is not afraid of people who look and act differently. A woman who trusts this man with her daughter. He felt relevant because the girl was watching him and because the mom felt safe leaving her daughter close to him. The girl was in awe of how he organized the dishes!”
Today, as a former Executive Director, Tulia’s legacy remains woven into the fabric of MPNH. She hopes the organization will continue to grow, serving as a model for how neighbourhoods everywhere can create safe, inclusive spaces.
“Mount Pleasant represents the world I want my children and grandchildren to grow up in,” Tulia says. “They don't just talk about inclusion—they do it.”
Story written by Carrie Keen through an interview with MPNH’s former Executive Director 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.
