On September 11th, 2025, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House hosted the Community Services and Resources Fair, uniting 11 partner organizations and over 60 participants from diverse newcomer backgrounds. The event offered a welcoming space to connect, learn, and share resources. Highlights included partner presentations, networking sessions, and a resume clinic providing personalized feedback. Participants explored programs supporting settlement, career, and education goals. Overall, the fair promoted inclusion, collaboration, and stronger community connections.

The Family Resource Programs (FRP) at MPNH foster a multicultural learning environment, offering vital support to children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Susanna Mora, who goes by Sussie, is one of many participants who has greatly benefited from the variety of programs, particularly those offered through FRP. In the five years she had been a part of MPNH, Sussie grew significantly as a mother. The valuable resources and guidance she received helped her raise her son to be independent, creative, intelligent, social, empathetic, and, most importantly, healthy.

From April 2024 to March 2025, our Preteen and Youth Programs at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House experienced an incredible year of connection, transformation, and shared achievement. Working with newcomers, our participants often arrive as strangers, to each other and to these lands, but through our programs at the House and in different schools in the neighbourhood, including: Youth Space, Preteen Program, Youth Action Committee, the REAL project, Neighbourhood Crew and Cook Up Your Future, our youth are able to forge bonds which help secure them in their new home, and their continued journeys through life.

In 2024–2025, the Newcomers Team experienced significant changes. We saw shifts within our management team, welcomed new colleagues, and said farewell to others. Toward the end of the year, the newcomer sector faced additional difficulties, including funding cuts that forced us to make tough decisions about how to move forward.

Despite these challenges, our commitment to the community has never wavered. Our goal remains to provide a welcoming environment where newcomers feel supported, connected and empowered throughout their settlement journey.

Healthy meals, meaningful connections and the physical environment are vital to our well-being. This fiscal year, nutritious food, nature-focused group activities and at-home services underpinned our programming for older adults and seniors.

For many older adults, our neighbourhood house is a second home. Whether gathering for a shared meal, hands-on building project or creative expression through song and dance, older adults enliven our space. We celebrate all their contributions to building a healthier, vibrant community.

A Cross-Cultural and Intergenerational Festival of Light! Our Community Lunch at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House kicked off Diwali celebrations early! On Friday, October 10, 2025, the room was alive with warmth, colour, and the delicious aroma of chai, curried chickpeas, pakoras, and of course, sweet jalebi for dessert.

MPNH is dedicated to creating inclusive, multigenerational programs that bring people together across ages and backgrounds. Joyful celebrations, from colorful PRIDE parades and bbq to monthly Community Lunches, provide opportunities for children, youth, adults, and elders to connect through food, music, and shared traditions. These gatherings highlight diversity while fostering belonging, learning, and mutual respect. By embracing cultural celebrations and community spirit, MPNH continues to strengthen bonds between generations, nurturing a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.

This past year was a season of transformation for our Family & Friend Caregivers Connect program. With the arrival of a new coordinator midway through the fiscal year, we experienced more than a leadership change, we felt a renewal of vision and purpose. Fresh ideas and energy inspired new ways of supporting caregivers, building stronger connections and introducing opportunities for learning and sharing. This turning point strengthened our foundation of care while opening pathways for growth. Transformation takes root in leadership, shared experiences, and the quiet yet powerful ways we honour caregivers and nurture well-being.

Get to know our volunteers of the month, Senior Line Dancer Instructors! Their role, their stories, and the reason why they volunteer at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.