Published:
Topic: Recent
Category: Recent
At 85, Ann Paul is unstoppable. She is a fierce tenant advocate, a long-serving CHC board member and the go-to person for residents at 255 Riverside, where she has been central to community life for more than two decades.
Since moving into the building in 2001, Paul has earned the trust of her neighbours, who know they can turn to her for help with everything from laundry cards and income tax forms to housing questions.
“If they need anything, they know who I am and they’ll come to me,” she said. “Sometimes they knock on my door and other times they stop by the coffee shop. I’ve been in the same apartment for 25 years, so I know all the ins and outs, the protocols and how to get things done.”
Language is not a barrier for Paul, who has built strong connections with residents from diverse backgrounds and is admired for her approachability.
"The Chinese population is very fond of me,” she said. “They come and use their little translators to tell me about their laundry cards or report an issue. I always manage to understand what they want between sign language and gestures."
One of the ways Paul brings residents together is through the building’s coffee shop and meal program. She personally prepares meals on Mondays, sometimes spending hours on the prep depending on the menu.
When she first moved in, the space offered little more than coffee, but over time it grew to provide meals each Monday, sandwiches and hot dogs on Wednesdays and breakfast on Fridays, prepared by another dedicated volunteer.
"Residents say the kitchen would not be the same without her. “She keeps this kitchen running,” said resident Derek. “Without this kitchen, we wouldn’t have nothing.”
For many residents, especially those who have difficulty shopping or limited mobility, these meals are an important lifeline, offering both nourishment and a reason to connect.
Paul also has a special gift for encouraging those who might otherwise feel isolated to get involved.
"She recalled one resident: “This particular lady was stuck in her apartment all the time, and I said, ‘Tell her to come down to the coffee shop because I’ll find her something to do.’” The woman took her advice and now has a clear role. “She is responsible for the condiments and chopping the onions. It’s her job and she takes it very seriously,” Paul said, proud that the resident contributes to the community.”
When asked what motivates her, Paul answered:
“I could be sitting in my apartment fading away, but I have a purpose and a reason to get up and do things. I’m on the computer a lot, I schedule things, shop and stay busy. I get a feeling of satisfaction when I help somebody. When someone says thank you, I say I am doing it for myself because it makes me feel good. That’s my reward—self-satisfaction.”
Beyond her advocacy, Paul plays a role in nearly every aspect of life at 255 Riverside, from tending the front and rear gardens in the summer and managing community space rentals to overseeing the club fund for resident trips, contributing to capital projects and even flagging small paint jobs.
This instinct to pitch in is nothing new. Giving back has always been part of who Paul is.
“Before I moved into the building, I was always involved,” Paul said. “I was a Brownie leader, a Guide leader and active in clubs.”
Today, Paul continues to show how small, consistent acts of care can shape a community and leave a lasting mark. Residents often echo the same question: “What are we going to do without you?”