“We will be able to continue this mission to build communities which are diverse, inclusive, and help all individuals feel empowered”
– Ryan Hanna, London, Ontario
As someone who was raised in the church, attended numerous camps, and continues to enjoy reunions with family and friends, I have always been passionate about building community. Looking back, some of the most impactful memories I have from my childhood are with the lifelong friends that I made at reunions, camps, or other church-organized events. These friends, some of whom are like family to me, have shown me how it feels to be part of a community which loves, supports, and empowers you.
Aside from building community, another passion which drives me is my commitment to volunteering. Growing up, many members of my family would volunteer their time at reunions and camps simply for the reward of the communities which they help to create. By assisting at camps and reunions, I began volunteering at a very young age — and this desire to volunteer grew stronger as I grew into a young adult. As a result, I began seeking out new opportunities to get involved and volunteer my time to help others. This led me to getting involved in a variety of community organizations over the past few years including university groups, the Men’s Mission of London, the John Howard Society, Pro Bono Students Canada, and more.
It is the combination of my love for community and my continued interest in volunteering which brought me to get involved with Zerin Development Corporation. Over the past few years, Zerin has grown from an organization with a single apartment building of 40-units offered at affordable rates, to being involved in three separate developments, all of which are working to provide affordable housing in London. Our second building on Clarke Road is scheduled to be open for occupancy in September, which will offer another 65-units being rented at affordable rates. Our third project involves five other non-profit organizations in London, and is projected to offer over 600-units with a mix of affordable and market rates in the coming years. In addition to these exciting developments, the fundraising committee at Zerin has raised over $20,000 in an effort to make the common areas of our new building on Clarke really feel like home for the residents. These achievements speak to Zerin’s commitment to engaging with the broader community in London to further build communities in which our residents are able to live with dignity, hope, and joy.
Being part of Zerin’s substantial growth over the past few years has been the perfect way to continue my passion for community building and volunteering. Zerin’s dedicated board of directors has truly shown me how much can be achieved by a small group of people when we work together to achieve a common goal. As we look toward the future, I am optimistic that Zerin’s future will be even brighter, and we will be able to continue this mission to build communities which are diverse, inclusive, and help all individuals feel empowered. Every step counts, and I am hopeful that Zerin, and other groups in the church, will continue our community building work in a way in which all people feel welcome — regardless of age, gender, race, or other individual characteristics.
Aside from building community, another passion which drives me is my commitment to volunteering. Growing up, many members of my family would volunteer their time at reunions and camps simply for the reward of the communities which they help to create. By assisting at camps and reunions, I began volunteering at a very young age — and this desire to volunteer grew stronger as I grew into a young adult. As a result, I began seeking out new opportunities to get involved and volunteer my time to help others. This led me to getting involved in a variety of community organizations over the past few years including university groups, the Men’s Mission of London, the John Howard Society, Pro Bono Students Canada, and more.
It is the combination of my love for community and my continued interest in volunteering which brought me to get involved with Zerin Development Corporation. Over the past few years, Zerin has grown from an organization with a single apartment building of 40-units offered at affordable rates, to being involved in three separate developments, all of which are working to provide affordable housing in London. Our second building on Clarke Road is scheduled to be open for occupancy in September, which will offer another 65-units being rented at affordable rates. Our third project involves five other non-profit organizations in London, and is projected to offer over 600-units with a mix of affordable and market rates in the coming years. In addition to these exciting developments, the fundraising committee at Zerin has raised over $20,000 in an effort to make the common areas of our new building on Clarke really feel like home for the residents. These achievements speak to Zerin’s commitment to engaging with the broader community in London to further build communities in which our residents are able to live with dignity, hope, and joy.
Being part of Zerin’s substantial growth over the past few years has been the perfect way to continue my passion for community building and volunteering. Zerin’s dedicated board of directors has truly shown me how much can be achieved by a small group of people when we work together to achieve a common goal. As we look toward the future, I am optimistic that Zerin’s future will be even brighter, and we will be able to continue this mission to build communities which are diverse, inclusive, and help all individuals feel empowered. Every step counts, and I am hopeful that Zerin, and other groups in the church, will continue our community building work in a way in which all people feel welcome — regardless of age, gender, race, or other individual characteristics.