Ravi Yee Joshi – Executive Director
Ravi Yee Joshi grew up in Riverdale and is a lifelong campaigner and advocate. Throughout his career across multiple nonprofits, Ravi has taken on roles that allow him to strengthen the causes of poverty-elimination, affordable housing, good jobs, and better public services for all – at every level of government.
As a community organizer, he has always been fueled by a desire to bring people into civic life, and has done this by developing rich multifaceted campaigns, harnessing modern organizing tools, face-to-face relationships, and compelling and accessible communication appeals. Most recently he served as Executive Director of the national advocacy organization, the Council of Canadians.
Still living within the community with his partner, sister, two-year old, and two rambunctious dogs— he is looking forward to serving the communities of Riverside, Riverdale, and Leslieville for future generations.
Glenn Gustafson – Director of Operations
Glenn joined the Ralph Thornton Community Centre as our Business Manager in 2015. Glenn was the Executive Assistant to Deputy Mayor Pam McConnell for nine years. At City Hall, he worked on local and city-wide projects and policies related to social inclusion and equity, including improved access to recreation, programming, increasing women’s participation in municipal government, and the beginnings of Toronto’s poverty reduction strategy. In addition, Glenn has managed federal, provincial, and municipal election campaigns across the country. He has shared his years of experience through creating training modules and leading workshops on strategic planning, volunteer engagement, and communications. Glenn and his family live a leisurely walk away from the Ralph Thornton Community Centre.
Deb Singh – Director of Programs
Deb Singh is a Toronto-based activist, writer and consultant. Working for the last 20 years as a survivor-led Counselor and Director within the gender-based violence sector at the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre (TRCC) and the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC), Deb brings a unique perspective on program development, organizational management, equity, diversity, inclusion and access.
Deb implores a goal-focused and community-centered approach when supporting staff members and service users, encouraging innovative ideas and adaptive solutions to real problems. Deb has been a media spokesperson, a meeting and workshop facilitator, a panelist, and a keynote speaker.
Deb brings nuance and complexity to the table in ways that support learning and positive cultural shifts in work places and beyond. Deb is a cisgender, queer, Indo-Caribbean working-class mom who’s a settler on Turtle Island.
Susy Glass – Volunteer Coordinator
Susy Glass joined the RTC team in 2007 as part of the Riverdale Community Action Project. Susy has expanded her portfolio to include Volunteer Development and Policy and Procedure Review at RTC. Susy has a degree in Political Science and Sociology and has spent the last 2 decades working with marginalized communities to assist them in increasing their voice both in the community and politically. Susy has worked on various political campaigns spanning everything from women’s rights and safety to anti-corporatization and anti-globalization. In her free time Susy enjoys practicing Yoga, spinning poi, travel and discovering good food.
Jianli (Janice) Zhang – Settlement Coordinator
Jianli Zhang joined the RTC team in 2010 as Youth-Children Mentor Program Coordinator.
Jianli has a community service diploma and has experience working with marginalized and isolated community members in several non-profit organizations. Jianli speaks English and Mandarin, which could support Chinese newcomers and their families better integrate into our community during their adaptation period to the new country. Jianli also enjoys spending time with family, friends and doing crafts.
Ian Sieunarine – Maintenance
Ian Sieunarine started with the Ralph Thornton Community Centre team in March 2010, and holds the position of Maintenance Worker.
Ian brings 23 years of experience in the field of building maintenance, and takes great pride in the level of maintenance he delivers here at the Centre. Ian is father to a very busy body eight year old son Kyle, and husband to ‘his anchor’ Tricia. He’s a proud home owner in the Parkdale neighborhood, and loves traveling back to his native Trinidad to spend time at his home there with his mom “who I love beyond words.”
Ian is a very creative person – in his off time you will almost always find him in his garage helping a friend doing repairs on their car or just tinkering with some new idea to add to his house.
Mark Johnson – Maintenance Coordinator
Mark Johnson has been with Ralph Thornton Community Centre since 1995.
He has worked for RTC in various positions over the years from Child & Youth worker to Building Maintenance. His greatest passion at present is screenwriting. Some of his short films can be found here: www.pressfame.com
Rose Scher – Administrative Coordinator
Rose joined the team at Ralph Thornton in August 2014 as casual relief staff working in both Maintenance and Reception.
Her previous employment for the Facilities Department at the University of Toronto from 2004 until 2014 provided her with many of the skills required for both aspects of her job; her enthusiasm and people skills make her a great fit. Her previous volunteer work includes the Toronto Pride Committee, the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre and the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival. She spends her free time with family, friends and their various children and pets.
Lainey Little – Children & Youth Coordinator
Lainey Little joined the Ralph Thornton Community Centre children’s programs in 2017 in a part time capacity.
In 2019, she began her role as Child & Youth Program Coordinator where she brings 20+ years’ experience working with children and youth (birth to 18 yrs. old) in various community settings. She is passionate about helping others and has experience in Community Development, Housing Help and Programming.
Lainey has lived in the east end of the city her whole life but is a country girl at heart. She would be described as a homemaker who loves to cook, bake, knit, craft and garden!
Stephen Devine – Evening Reception
When not working with the RTCC team, Stephen enjoys spending time with family, singing in a choir and playing softball.
Ming Redmonds – Fundraising & Communications Coordinator
Ming started off at the Ralph Thornton Community Centre as a volunteer in the Mentor Program in 2011.
Her journey with the community centre has been marked by dedication and versatility, having held various roles, including summer RAC Camp Counsellor, relief staff for the After School Program, Maintenance and Reception, and, most recently, the weekend receptionist and Fundraising and Communications Coordinator. Ming holds a BCOM degree with a major in Marketing and a minor in Data Intelligence and is currently pursuing a graphic design certificate at George Brown College. Beyond her professional pursuits, Ming finds joy in gaming with friends, spending quality time with her family, exploring new destinations, trying new foods, and learning languages.
Conley Downey – Part-Time Maintenance
Conley started at the Ralph Thornton in 2015 as relief maintenance. He has also worked with the Boys and Girls club in Toronto as well as in the restaurant and hospitality fields. Conley likes to watch and play all types of sports, but basketball is his jam. His family hails from the historic North Preston area of Nova Scotia, the oldest and one of the largest Black communities in Canada.