Nominated by Mike Sterling, Antibes Community Centre

Maureen Simpson is a true leader in our Bathurst-Finch community. Maureen moved into the Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood almost 30 years ago and has been working on making this neighbourhood healthier and stronger ever since.

About 10 years ago, Maureen Simpson together with other residents helped bring the Antibes Community Centre into the neighbourhood. This small facility is now a busy neighbourhood hub offering various sports and recreational programs to community residents from babies to seniors. Maureen has been the Chair of the Antibes CC Steering committee for 10 years and has led numerous fundraising efforts. She also taught Health and Nutrition courses to young women in the Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood.

Always looking for ways to strengthen the community, Maureen suggested organizing the Antibes Multicultural Festival. For ten years the Festival has been bringing together hundreds of people to celebrate the diversity of the Bathurst-Finch neighbourhood, enjoy performances by local artists, taste ethnic food, participate in basketball tournament and other contests and activities. Read more about the Antibes Multicultural Festival 2008 here.

Right now Maureen is on the New Heights Board of Directors. She is also part of the Community Advisory Panel in Bathurst-Finch and Bathurst-Finch Network. Most recently Maureen was actively involved in organizing the Community Conversation hosted by the Bathurst-Finch Network in November last year.

In October 2009, Maureen added the Events Committee and Neighbourhood Action Group in Bathurst-Finch to her already long list of commitments. The events committee held its first event, Arts and Crafts Fair, in December last year and is now working on the International Women's Day celebration.

Maureen Simpson was featured on the Community Leader Profile section in the first issue of the Bathurst-Finch Kaleidoscope community newspaper (summer 2008). To read the article, click here.

Maureen Simpson, MC at Antibes Multicultural Festival, August 2008	Maureen Simpson and Daisy Stone in front of the Antibes Community Centre
Maureen is passionate about her neighbourhood, Action for Neighbourhood Change, Bathurst-Finch, planning session	Maureen Simpson receiving Outstanding Women of Bathurst-Finch Award, International Women's Day celebration, March 2009	Antibes Community Centre plaque