Nichola Bynoe

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May 19, 2022

Nichola Bynoe, The Woman Behind Gordon Ridge’s New Beginnings

Written by Tagan Mani, Marketing & Fund Development Coordinator and Abirah Chandraraj, Social Media Intern

Nichola Bynoe is a  member of the Hub’s Resident Action Committee (RAC). She has been serving her community in numerous ways for over 15 years and has contributed to Scarborough in many ways. Nichola is a hard-working community leader in Scarborough, especially within her very own Gordon Ridge Toronto Community Housing complex, where she has made significant improvements. She provides opportunities to other Gordon Ridge residents so they can improve their environmental, mental, physical, social, and financial health with businesses, such as Ethnic Delight Express and G-Ridge Honey, created and operating out of these buildings. We’re fortunate to have her assist us with our food security initiatives such as SCHC’s HUB Meal Program. Read below to appreciate Nichola’s story and the impact she makes.

The hardest challenge she faced is the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, it was easier for her to host more community related events but pandemic restrictions created restrictions preventing her from meeting the needs of the Gordon Ridge residents. Fortunately, SCHC was able to help via the SCHC Food Bank and Nichola was able to serve hot meals three days a week to her community. She shares that for her it’s during these times of difficulty you really find out which partners are there for you and SCHC really stepped up in that time to help a great deal!

Gordon Ridge’s Commitment to a Healthier Scarborough

In addition to aiding Gordon Ridge with their financial health and food security needs, Nichola has been instrumental in creating partnerships with other corporations to provide opportunities for residents to improve other aspects of their health. For instance, Gordon Ridge has their own Rookie League in partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays’ Jays Care Foundation. Another way for Gordon Ridge residents to be physically active is through the swimming pool or the breathtaking multi-sport court that was funded by Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart & Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment’s MLSE Foundation.

Nichola also provides a way for residents to gain skills through careful maintenance and focus on their mental and environmental health with the different gardens they have including a honey orchard. What is produced from this garden improves the community’s food security and sustainable agriculture leading to strengthening their financial health via entrepreneurial ventures.

The Different Businesses Emerging out of G-Ridge

“Have you noticed that in every community where there are kids, there are trips that all the kids go to?” asked Nichola. “But sometimes, there are parents that are not able to meet that need”. That’s when Nichola thought it would be nice to meet that need anonymously so, in Gordon Ridge, they started a committee with residents to work with staff in finding out which child needed that extra support.

Ethnic Delight Express was created by addressing the need to prepare and distribute meals to kids during programs, including working with Jays Care. “However, it was hard to take on so much responsibility, especially when they started as they didn’t have equipment or a business plan”, Nichola stated. The stressful nights paid off, as she found different ways to hire staff from the Gordon Ridge community and reinvesting profits to support the wellbeing of the residents.

The vegetables from the garden are incorporated into the meals that Ethnic Delight Express prepares and they are able to produce hundreds of jars of organic honey sourced directly from their honey orchard, called G-Ridge Honey. The sustainable business and various revenue streams promotes anti-gentrification and gives residents some pride and reassurance.