Aimee Recuenco is a school teacher and also the administrator of a social media group for Wolseley community. She’s very concerned about the safety issues in her neighbourhood. Aimee had been communicating with me for months. In August 15, we finally met her and the other residents of Wolseley as we gathered together for a safe walk in their neighbourhood. At 6:00pm we all assembled together at 1958 Café. First time volunteers were given briefing, then at 6:30pm we all headed out for the walk. In the street, a lot of people were curious and inquired about what we were doing.
Many expressed interest to connect with the group and join future walk. Others shared about incidents that happened close to their home. At 8:30pm, we all returned to 1958 Café for the community conversation over delicious food donated by Emy and Manny of Bakerite, and patroller Rhodel Climacosa of Climacosa Services and AIM World. Everyone complimented the taste of the pansit prepared by patroller Rene Castro. “The community conversation is the time for us to debrief, get to know more the volunteers we walked with, share insights, and talk about plans,” one 204 Neighbourhood Watch patroller explained. Among those who joined the conversation was a couple who narrated how they were attacked by people with knives while they were biking in the Wolseley neighbourhood.
“Thank you 204 Neighbourhood Watch. This is so organized. A great experience. Because of the walk, now we know the area better,” we were told by one volunteer from Wolseley. We responded that it is actually the other way around, we are thankful to volunteers like him who showed up to walk that evening. Because volunteers are also ordinary people who are busy with work and family. But for that evening, instead of staying home to rest and be with the family, or instead of going to work to earn from a second job, the volunteers opted to allot their time to doing something good for the community.
This coming August 22nd (Wednesday), we will be going back to Wolseley. Please check any of these FB groups for the announcement – Wolseley Neighbours Community Group, Wolseley Residents Association, 204 Neighbourhood Watch Inc., 204 Filipino Marketplace. You may also email me at Leilacastro.ca@gmail.com.
