Lena lives at 91 Augusta Avenue, a popular Toronto Community Housing residence for Chinese seniors in Toronto’s Kensington-Chinatown community. Previously, we told the story of how Dr. Lim, the unofficial doctor-in-residence, brings his unique brand of medical care to the many Chinese seniors who call the building home. In this piece, we see what life is like in this Toronto neighbourhood through the eyes of Lena, a 90-year-old mother of six and grandmother of seven. When her loving husband passed away two years ago, her life changed irrevocably. Most of Lena’s children live in China, leaving her alone at 91 Augusta Avenue. No longer able to depend on her family for support, Lena has tried to remain active so she can keep living independently.
More from this issue
School Tracker: COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks in Toronto
Monitoring outbreaks at Toronto’s 800 public schools, updated daily.
The Local Wins Digital Publishing Awards
The Local was the third-most awarded publication, behind only The Globe and Mail and Radio-Canada.
Guest Editor, Indigenous Toronto Issue
Join our editorial team as we put together an issue covering a range of important and under-reported urban Indigenous topics in Toronto.
Bubble Tea, Dollar Stores, and Dialysis?
When Target closed in Canada, it left a crater in many suburban malls. In Thorncliffe Park, a group of health care providers stepped in.
Collision Course
In inner suburbs like Mount Dennis, the convenience of commuters zooming through often takes precedence over the wellbeing of locals.
Shedding Light on the Shadow
How a drop-in program for youth is changing the nature of mental health recovery on Toronto’s west side.