I am very influenced by the art of storytelling.

This is true in my life generally and in my work specifically. When I think back to my early days in Parkdale, especially when it was time to reimagine what was PNC into The Dale, it became very clear that both the story that led us to that moment and the emerging story ahead of us needed to be told.

There is something fundamentally human about storytelling. It can build empathy and trust. It connects us to one another. Stories help us make sense of the world and connect us to the past. As one Inuit saying goes, “Stories help the heart remember who we are.” At the same time, the stories we tell can teach us valuable lessons- lessons that shape how we live and influence our actions.

I recently read a book that emphasized telling the history of an organization is crucial because it transforms it into a community with a shared identity. I know that one of the key parts of The Dale’s history is how our nomadic way of being was made possible because our community shared honestly about the realities of living a transient life. There is an irony in how our transience has led to deep roots throughout a neighbourhood. Giving up a building was birthed out of crisis and has now become one of our greatest gifts. Not knowing that trajectory would diminish our story.

Over the years, The Dale has experienced a variety of changes. As a community, we have woven our individual stories into a collective one. As a church and community organization that fundraises its budget, we have consistently experienced the provision of what we need, even when uncertainty about how it will come has lingered. The size of our staff team has grown. We are more broadly recognized, our partnerships have increased, and we have a stable network of supporters.

I think one reason these changes have been possible is because our sense of identity has remained strong throughout. Our history has not held us back; it has propelled us forward. This does not mean that change has always come easily or without a lot of effort. Sometimes change is scary, even when it is good.

In his book Switch, author Chip Heath writes, “Rather than focusing solely on what’s new and different about the change to come, make an effort to remind people what’s already been conquered.” This resonates with me as I think about some of the shifts being made to my own role right now. As I divest some tasks and take on new ones, I find myself reflecting on The Dale’s larger story. The organization has never stood still. It has adapted, evolved, and discovered new possibilities while remaining rooted in its identity. Remembering that history gives me confidence for what comes next.

Looking back reminds us that the story has never been static. It has always been shaped by people willing to respond to change, embrace uncertainty, and remain rooted in what matters most. The next chapter of The Dale is still being written, and while we cannot yet see all that it will hold, the story so far gives me every reason to believe it is worth telling.