CHRISTA SMITH

My name is Christa Smith-Kingston and I am the Community Development Agent at Innovation Youth. Since April 2019, I have the great pleasure of serving the Peter-McGill District in the downtown core. Ministering in this neighbourhood encourages partnership with several stakeholders: the neighbourhood round table, churches, organisations, public health, and especially the residents.

I serve as a bridge between the residents, their neighbourhoods, and city elected officials. We represent them and their needs, desires, and aspirations for their neighbourhood to the elected officials. That the issue is affordable housing, green spaces, or civic engagement, we are working in collaboration to equip residents to bring and witness a change in their neighbourhood. Community development is also a bridge between the neighbourhood and the Church. We can open doors: for the Church toward its neighbourhood, and for residents toward the Church. We rejoice greatly when we can foster divine encounters!