Founder bio
Xania Pagliaroli
Xania Pagliaroli has always believed that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Her passion for giving back began in 2008, when she and her mother raised funds to donate teddy bears to children at SickKids Hospital.
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She has a special connection with seniors, strengthened by her close relationship with her grandparents. In 2024, she turned that desire to give back into an initiative originally called Ohana Love Initiative, later renamed the Garland Seniors Initiative, creating small, meaningful events that support seniors’ emotional, mental and physical well-being.
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Months after starting the initiative, her papa passed away; his kindness and generosity inspired her to dedicate the work to him. Xania’s focus is on fostering connection, promoting mental health, and showing how simple actions can make a lasting impact on seniors, youth, and communities alike.
Terryl Knox Magbanua
Terryl Knox is a self-taught artist and community advocate based in Toronto's vibrant Jane Finch neighbourhood. His artistic practice explores emotions, the psyche, and the human experience through layered textures and bold colour compositions, reflecting the complexity of human imperfection and the resilience of urban life.
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Deeply influenced by the cultural energy of Jane Finch, a community known for its rich diversity, grassroots organizing, and commitment to social justice, Terryl Knox bridges art and advocacy. As an immigrant, as a gay man, and as a person living with bipolar disorder and ADHD, Terryl Knox uses his lived experience to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.Â
Alia Meneses
Alia leads social media and content creation, helping share events, highlight meaningful moments, and connect the Humber River–Black Creek community. Through her work, she helps communicate the impact of Garland Seniors and engage both youth and community members.
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Alia plays an important role in shaping how the initiative is shared online. Through designing posts, writing captions and organizing visual content, she reflects the heart of each event. Her work helps ensure that each moment is clearly communicated and meaningfully represented, allowing the community to stay informed and connected.
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Our Vision
To improve the overall well-being of seniors by providing meaningful support, encouraging youth engagement, and fostering community connections.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a caring community that fosters meaningful connections between youth and seniors through social activities. By organizing these activities, we build an active community that includes and supports our seniors' overall
well-being.