We’re so happy to welcome Joe-Ann Schlosser to the HSCA team and community. Many of you have already bumped into her in the halls or at programs — and you’ve likely noticed the warmth and genuine curiosity she brings with her. Over the past while, Joe-Ann has been getting to know our spaces, meeting staff and neighbours, and joining in on programs to better understand the heartbeat of HSCA.
As part of our HSCA Spotlight series, we asked Joe-Ann a few quick questions about community, inspiration, and the little moments that keep her moving forward each day. Here’s what she shared (in 5 questions or less!)
These responses come from a short sit-down Spotlight interview we filmed with Joe-Ann. If you’d like to watch the video version, you can find it on HSCA’s Instagram and Facebook.
1. What does community mean to you?
“Community means that family — that family who supports you, that family who loves you for who you are, and the family who is your biggest champion in bringing out the best in you.”
2. What inspires you?
“Young people… all ages — teenagers to really little ones, like one- and two-year-olds — because they look at the world very creatively.
They look at the world with a pure sense, and I have to remind myself that that’s what I need to be always looking through my lenses: what makes sense, what is pure, and remembering the joy.”
3. What’s something that made you smile recently?
“The privilege of touring the Centre — meeting all the staff, meeting the patrons, and seeing the joy when they share what they do with such passion — has truly made me smile. And the little kids, too, showing me a craft they made with a big grin and a wave. It’s been such a warm welcome, and I really have been walking around with a smile on my face. I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for us here.”
4. What gets you out of bed every morning?
“Okay… so every morning, what gets me out of bed is that I’m grateful for another day to live at my best.
And what I really love is the people I meet, what I have on my agenda to do, and what happens in a day when I’m open — it’s always exciting.
I’m learning, I’m meeting new challenges, meeting new people and opportunities. And I end my day grateful for what I did.
I’ve always learned something, and I’m excited the next morning to be curious and learn more.”