The year ahead: Ashley Canady, McDougald Terrace resident council president
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The year ahead: hopes, dreams and expectations
The News & Observer asked a number of prominent people from around North Carolina to write short essays outlining their hopes, wishes and/or expectations for 2020 and the coming decade. These are their responses.
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Ashley Canady is president of the McDougald Terrace public housing complex’s resident council and a Durham community advocate and volunteer.
My biggest hopes headed into 2020 are to have less violence in my community, to have healthier and safer living conditions and to find better ways to create stable jobs.
My community, McDougald Terrace, suffers from so much violence and drug addiction. Before the end of the year I would like to see all residents living in homes where the roof isn’t leaking and crisis response teams on-site, led by community members who are trained to respond when and if something tragic happens. I would love to see my community showing up at meetings and letting their voices be heard when it comes to violence, health issues, addiction etc.
Also by the end of 2020 I want to see more presence from our elected officials, holding town hall meetings at McDougald Terrace. I want to see daycare provided on site or vouchers provided so mothers can go to work and not have to worry if their children are going to be OK. I would like to see colorful flowers and so much more to help the community feel like they are valued and have something to look forward to.
And I want public housing staff to make their presence known In the community, to tell us who they are and what their job are for the Durham Housing Authority. I want to see my fewer evictions and more programs to help residents move in, move up and move out. In conclusion I just want to see my community happy, healthy and safe.
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This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 9:00 AM with the headline "The year ahead: Ashley Canady, McDougald Terrace resident council president."
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