Check out our Toronto ACORN leaders
Alejandra Ruiz Vargas
Chair, East York Chapter – ACORN Canada President
Alejandra is a housing worker originally from Colombia who has been involved with ACORN since 2015. She has led meetings and actions on issues such as. childcare, remittances, and employment insurance reform but her passion and advocacy on affordable housing, tenant rights and state of good repair issues is her passion.
Donna Borden
Co-Chair, East York Chapter
Donna works in healthcare and has been involved with ACORN ever since she began fighting back against predatory lenders like CitiFinancial in 2014. Donna is a fair banking warrior, having led many actions against payday and installment lenders. She has also delivered deputations to different levels of government about the different ways the bank system excludes low and moderate income people.
Kelly Lalande
Secretary-Treasurer, East York Chapter
Kelly has organized her Toronto Community Housing building to win repairs and pest treatments! Kelly organized other tenants in community housing to win $10 internet a month program!
Marva Burnett
Chair, Scarborough Chapter – ACORN International President
Marva is the Chair of Scarborough ACORN and the President of ACORN International. Marva is a child care worker, and a mother. She has been passionate leader with ACORN since it first started organizing in Scarborough in 2005 and has led countless campaigns over the years.
Sheila Prospere
Co-Chair, Scarborough Chapter
Sheila is a dedicated leader who runs tenant meetings and conducts outreach across all of Scarborough. Sheila has guided other ACORN members and tenants to win campaigns in their buildings!
Khadijah Al-Maqdisy
Secretary, Scarborough Chapter
Khadijah leads other tenants in outreaches, meetings, petition signing, and more to win changes in the community. Khadijah is passionate about speaking up for rights and encourages her chapter to do so!
Rama Fayaz
Chair, Downtown Chapter
Rama lives in Downtown Toronto in St. Jamestown. He has been a member of ACORN and Downtown Chair for years. He has organized outreaches, actions, and tenant rights workshops. Rama has fought on all Toronto ACORN's campaigns and continues to represent the downtown ACORN members in interviews with with reporters, in meetings with city councillors, and more
Cristiano DaSilva
Co-Chair, Downtown Chapter
Cristinao originally joined Hamilton ACORN in Hamilton in which he helped organize the Stoney Creek neighbourhood. After moving back to Toronto Cristiano organized his building on the Beat the Heat campaign. Whether he is doorknocking, fliering, or holding the megaphone, Cristiano is passionate about organizing!
Jacquie Mitchell
Chair, York West Chapter
Jacquie was born and raised in Toronto. She joined ACORN because stuff needed changing in her apartment building. She’s come to realize that change can happen with the right people, and that’s certainly the case here. She’s honoured to stand with her ACORN family and make changes happen.
Kemba Robinson
Co-Chair, York West Chapter
Kemba Robinson lives in the Jane Finch neighbourhood and has been a leader in her chapter since an organizer knocked on her door. Kemba believes that landlords and politicians do not do enough for tenants, and that Toronto needs real affordable housing with proper maintenance. These beliefs have motivated Kemba’s work and drives her to continue to organize with her neighbours.
Marilyn Stevens
Secretary, York West Chapter
Marilyn is a longtime resident of the Keele & Finch community. Her involvement with ACORN started when she joined her neighbours to force their building’s landlord to do repairs and listen to tenants. Her neighbours elected her as chapter secretary shortly thereafter, and she continues to work to build people power in her community
Marcia Stone
Chair, Weston Chapter
Marcia joined ACORN in 2019 and has quickly become an active leader in her community and chapter. She believes that your postal code should not determine the quality of your housing and that’s why she continues to fight for healthy homes for all and on other important housing campaigns led by ACORN.
Michael Cuadra
Co-Chair, Weston Chapter
Michael has organized his building to fight their Above the Guideline Rent increase and win repairs. Mchael helps other members to speak and organize in the neighbourhood!
Michelle Jones-Cunningham
Secretary, Weston Chapter
Michelle ensures all members who come to meetings know their rights and what they can do to fight back and speak up.
Monique Gordon
Chair, Etobicoke Chapter
Monique enjoys advocating, fighting, for everybody, not just herself. Monique has lived on Bergamot Avenue for 12 years, and has been a tireless tenant organizer in her building and on her block. She’s passionate about winning repairs, respect, and healthy homes for tenants, and is excited to work with ACORN to win!
Jason Laguerre
Co-Chair, Etobicoke Chapter
Jason is an experienced young Leader with a demonstrated history of Human Rights and Social Justice Advocacy, Group Organizing as well working in the art education industry. He is skilled in Public Speaking, Peer-Support, Leadership, Policy Development, Policy Research, and Research. Jason is a Strong administrative professional with a Global and International Studies background, focused in Global Inequality and Social Change at Carleton University. Jason is also a visual artist currently undergoing development to advise and educate Canadians on financial literacy.
James Maroosis
Secretary, Etobicoke Chapter
James Maroosis is a community organizer in Etobicoke North. He's lived and rented in Rexdale for 15 years. Coming from a working class family he understands the challenges faced by the working class, and is fighting for better conditions for the tenants of Bergamot and beyond.
