Inspiring others to action
Tenant of 220 Oak Street gives back to her community
When we met Ilona, she greeted us with a twinkle in her eye. Her easygoing demeanor showed a sense of humour and fun. Ilona is well known in the building, having lived at 220 Oak Street for many years. She’s been an active voice in her community and has empowered other tenants to do the same.
As we talked about Ilona’s volunteer work, she spoke candidly about her past. As a former addict to drugs and alcohol, she credits the Salvation Army for turning her life around. As part of her rehab, she volunteered with the Salvation Army for 20 years. She helped in areas like healthcare, a children’s camp, and the food bank. She’s still involved with the Salvation Army today and has brought them into the building to run a prayer session every Thursday.
Ilona was volunteering at the food bank when she felt a strong desire to give back to her community. With that intention in mind, she and a few others started a breakfast club in her building. Through that club, she came to know other tenants. Soon after, Ilona became a tenant representative and started working with Cota, a social agency helping people with mental health issues. “I help them with their programs. Sometimes I decide to cook a meal for everybody,” she said. She also buys fruit for the Cota program so they can give it out to tenants in the morning.
Ilona Bata, TCHC Tenant Representative at 220 Oak Street
For the last few years, Ilona has been organizing a clothing drive in the building. “I gather clothing, I ask people from all over to donate clothing, then I open the community room, and anybody who wants to come can. They can come from the streets, I don’t mind—it’s for everybody,” she said.
On top of these activities, Ilona has found time to be part of the Regent Park Safety Network and the Regent Park Social Development Team. There she helps with the planning of community events. When it comes to improvements within her building, she said she’d like to see a food bank, better access to medical services, and an exercise program for seniors.
When asked what she finds most rewarding about her volunteer work, Ilona smiled and said, “When people say, ‘ever since you’ve been a tenant rep, this place has been better’. That makes me feel that I’m doing my job.”
To learn more about Cota and the mental health supports they offer, visit cotainspires.ca.
