Regent Park

Learning How to Walk

Talking about housing, racism, discrimination, and single motherhood.

NEIGHBOURHOOD:
Regent Park
THEMES:
Discrimination & Injustice | Identity & Belonging Housing | Community Care
TALKS ABOUT:

Housing, racism, discrimination, and single motherhood.

Talking about housing, racism, discrimination, single motherhood

“I had the opportunity to move out of here, and I moved across the street. So I laugh, because people say that residents didn’t want to invest in this neighborhood. But I did and I’ve never looked back.”

Deany reflects on how she grew to love her diverse neighbours and her apartment building in Regent Park–revealing that there was something beneficial about people on low-incomes all living together in one community. She says: ‘This community has many histories, and what most people don’t know, is that this community is not about the places. It’s about the people. The people make the community in Regent Park.’ Deany also talks about the unique support she received from her community of neighbours and the community health centre, which used to be located in the base of her apartment building. She says people in the community taught her “how to walk” and survive on a low-income, overcoming many of life’s multiple barriers as a sole support mom.

Deany Peters on How She Grew To Love Her Diverse Neighbours and Her Apartment Building in Regent Park:

A street sign at Parliament, near Dundas street, widely recognized as the entrance or gateway into Regent Park. Deany notes that kids used to get off before Parliament to avoid the stigma of being known as a Regent Park resident.
The Regent Park Community Health Centre, one of the longest standing community services in Regent Park. This Centre was previously housed on the ground floor of a public housing building at 15 Belshaw.
Regent Park in 1987, six years after Deany moved to the neighbourhood.