Meeting Danisha for the first time was like sitting down for coffee with an old friend. Warm, inviting and starting where old friends would have left off.
Now & then
A pillar in her community Danisha owns a home in Ward 12 and feels that it’s an important and integral part to representing her community. With a background in the Not for Profit field, she currently works as the Manager of Fund Development with Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton.
Being raised by a single mom after some unfortunate life circumstances, Danisha began working at the age of 12 to help pay the bills. Around the same time she was also matched with a Big Sister which gave her many positive opportunities and experiences. What had the most impact on Danisha was when she received a scholarship at age 16 to go to a University of her choice with paid summer internships. Danisha went on to complete her degree in Criminology and a Graduate Diploma in Public Relations from McGill University.
The reason why
There are many reasons why Danisha has decided to run for the Ward 12 position and after talking with her about many of her passions it is apparent that she’s motivated. There are however, a few key components to her platform.
With being one of Alberta’s youngest Probation Officer’s in the past and having worked with youth within the the criminal system she has seen the importance of early intervention. Danisha knows that having resources available for children to help with crime prevention, programs, and services is a proactive approach.
Danisha also understands that it is important for her fellow community members to have a voice and for their voices to be heard. This is especially important when it comes to consistent accessibility with ETS & LRT services as well as with being mindful and efficient with budgets within the community.
Diversity
With the average age of Edmontonians being 35 years, the average age of City Councillors is not within that current average. Out of the 31 candidates that are running for the Ward 12 City Councillor position 2 out of the 6 women fall within the average age as well as an ethnically diverse background. One of those two people is Danisha.
On a final note
When I asked Danisha to sum up this whole experience thus far into one word she immediately said “Grateful”. Grateful for friends and family, strangers who have now become friends, and the support of so many people that have spent hours with her door knocking, making phone calls, preparing mail-outs and everything else. In the sincerest way, listening to her say this warmed my heart.
If you live in Ward 12 and want to vote the official election day is Monday February 22, 2016 and you can see here where to vote on the day of.