Toronto ACORN

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.

Christena Abbott

Co-Chair, East York Chapter

Christena has been a member of ACORN since 2018. She is very involved in the “Beat the Heat” campaign for the last two years. She is very active in several rally’s and actions. She has been elected the Co-Chair of East York Chapter of ACORN.

Mustafa Mehkary

Secretary, East York Chapter

Mustafa has been an ACORN member since 2024. He has supported the East York chapter, contributing feedback and ideas at RentSafeTO meetings and engaging with Toronto city officials and councillors. Recently elected chapter secretary, Mustafa is committed to strengthening tenant voices and pushing for housing justice in the community. Mustafa is particularly interested in landlord licensing approaches and regulations for financial landlords.

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!

Stacey Semple

Secretary, Downtown Chapter

While discussing an AGI at the dog park, a neighbour in a building ACORN had knocked at gave Stacey a flyer and the rest is history! In December 2022 she joined as a member after attending a couple meetings and participated in the Fair Food for All campaign. Since then, her participation is one of the most active at Toronto ACORN where she regularly attends and leads many actions held while addressing ACORN's demands to landlords, City council, and MPPs.

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.

James Maroosis

Secretary, Rexdale 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.