Joan Kirton, a Montreal resident initially from Barbados, who has devoted her life to serving to others, significantly youth, has been made certainly one of Quebec’s Changemakers. Her journey of giving again started at 13, when she would take cloth from her sister, a dressmaker, to make garments for kids in want in her group in Saint-Michael, Barbados. Her mom typically joked that Joan would give away every little thing she had, foreshadowing the expansion of her giving spirit.
At 21, Kirton moved to Montreal and rapidly grew to become concerned in serving to Caribbean newcomers modify to their new lives in Canada. She later pursued a profession in social work and, at 40, graduated from a particular care counseling program in 1987. Kirton started working at Batshaw Youth and Household Centres, the place she supported kids and households going through important challenges. She specialised in working with youth aged 18 months to 18 years, significantly these deemed “troublesome” or “troubled.”
Her strategy was grounded in understanding and compassion, formed by her personal experiences as a “tough teenager.” Kirton linked simply with the youth in her care, and regardless of going through challenges, together with racist remarks from some households, she remained dedicated to creating a optimistic distinction. One memorable encounter concerned a woman whose mom refused to talk to Kirton as a result of her pores and skin coloration. Kirton’s persistence and understanding ultimately led to a breakthrough, with the lady giving her a big Christmas reward in gratitude.
Kirton was influenced by her father’s teachings on staying calm in troublesome conditions. His knowledge guided her all through her profession, serving to her navigate challenges with susceptible youth. At Batshaw, she labored alongside colleagues like Virginia Dipierro, who praised Kirton’s optimistic spirit and her capability to coach others in regards to the challenges confronted by Black kids. Dipierro credit Kirton with serving to her acknowledge institutional racism within the office, a problem Kirton herself skilled.
In 2017, Kirton expanded her attain by touring to Northern Quebec to work with Inuit youth in Inukjuak and Kuujjuaraapik. Many of those kids got here from households affected by the trauma of residential faculties, and Kirton’s work deepened her understanding of the advanced points confronted by Indigenous communities.
In 2019, Kirton shifted her focus to working with Black seniors in Montreal by way of the Council for Black Getting old Group of Montreal. She additionally grew to become president of the council for a yr, advocating for seniors’ wants and organizing actions comparable to crafts, line dancing, and pc programs.
Past her skilled work, Kirton has been an lively member of the Quebec Beginner Netball Federation for over 50 years. She additionally participates in an annual most cancers stroll with Staff Susie-Q, a trigger near her coronary heart after surviving endometrial most cancers.
Regardless of all of the affect she has had, Kirton stays humble. She typically struggles to acknowledge the extent of her affect, acknowledging that she merely does what makes her blissful whereas bringing pleasure to others.
Now 77 years previous, Kirton retired in December 2024 and plans to spend extra time with household in Montreal and the Caribbean. Whereas she has retired, she stays open to new alternatives, assured that her work as a Changemaker will proceed to encourage these whose lives she has touched.
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