Background
I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and this city has shaped everything about who I am. Growing up here gave me an appreciation for community, for hard work, and for the kind of neighbourliness that makes a place feel like home.
It also helped solidify my core philosophy:
I want people to spend less time getting the things they NEED so they can spend more time pursuing the things they WANT.
By trade I am a software developer. I spend my days solving problems, building things, and thinking about how systems can be made to work better for the people who use them. That same instinct carries over into everything else I do.
Outside of work you'll find me involved in my community. I believe strongly that the best way to make a place better is to show up and do the work, not to wait for someone else to fix it. That belief is what led me to get involved with the Ritchie Men's Shed and the Ritchie Community League.
Ritchie Men's Shed
The Men's Sheds movement started in Australia and has spread around the world as a simple but powerful idea: give men a place to gather, make things, and talk, all without the pressure of a formal setting. Sheds are workshops, yes, but more than that, they are communities.
I got involved with our local Men's Shed because I believe in what it stands for. Social isolation is one of the quietly devastating issues of our time, and the Shed is one of the most practical antidotes I have come across. You show up, you work with your hands, and somewhere along the way you realise you have also made some friends.
Our slogan at the Ritchie Men's Shed is "Building Community One Project At A Time". As the current President of the Shed, my goal is to bring people together and to show them that giving back to their community isn't hard, and that it can be one of the most fulfilling things you can do.
If you are curious about Men's Sheds, or want to get involved, I'd love to talk. Feel free to email our Shed at mensshedritchie@gmail.com, or stop by one of our meetings at the Ritchie Community Hall Saturday mornings from 10 am - 12 pm.
Learn more about the Ritchie Men's Shed here.
Ritchie Community League
Ritchie is one of Edmonton's oldest and most vibrant mature neighbourhoods, and the Ritchie Community League has been the heartbeat of the community for decades. Community leagues in Edmonton are remarkable institutions - resident-run organizations that program the parks, maintain the rinks, and knit neighbourhoods together.
I got involved because I care about the place in which I live. A Community League only works when people put their time and energy into it. I not only want Ritchie to thrive, I want it to become a template for communities of the future. Whether that means helping with events, showing up to meetings, or just lending a hand when something needs doing, that is the kind of participation I believe in.
As the Volunteer Director for the Ritchie Community League, it is my job to discover our community members' skills and passions and find ways that they can be used towards making our community better for everyone who lives here.
If you live in Ritchie and want to get more connected, the Community League is a great place to start. Email me at volunteers@ritchie-league.com and we can work together to find a volunteer role that works for you.
Learn more about the Ritchie Community League here.
Contact Me
I'd love to hear from you, whether you have a question, want to get involved, or just want to say hello. Fill out the form below and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
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