Sandra Pilote
Lowertown is losing a champion when Annie Mercier leaves her position as a Community Developer at the Lowertown Community Resource Centre (LCRC). After more than a decade working for Lowertown residents, she is taking on new challenges as Coordinator of Community Relationships at the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO).
Angel Square Community Garden
Anyone who has worked with Annie will tell you that she brought a genuine commitment to her job, combining a positive attitude and leadership with persistence and problem solving in promoting the interests of Lowertown residents. She acknowledges that the job gave her an expanded set of skills and many good memories: “I have learned a lot from my work at LCRC and by working with partners and people in the community.
My years working in the community have been very important to me and have shaped me both as a Community Developer and as a person.”
In her work, she was instrumental in getting residents to participate in a range of local projects. Those who walk by the new Angel Square Community Garden at 40 Cobourg Street will appreciate her efforts. After years of negotiating for space to give residents a place to grow fresh vegetables, she got permission from the city to use this space. Volunteers built the raised beds and in June 2015, the official opening ceremony saw Brian Doyle, author of the book titled Angel Square focused on his Lowertown boyhood, cutting the ribbon.
Annie’s work at the Lowertown Community Resource Centre also involved her in city-wide initiatives aimed at empowering individuals to create and participate in change in their respective communities. Through the City for All Women Initiative (CAWI), she was active in the “Making Votes Count Where We Live” project. At all elections, the goal was to get people out to vote and in particular to rally residents living in low-income areas to exercise their right.
The community wishes Annie well in her future endeavours. Thank you, Annie for all your work to make Lowertown better for residents!