Aunt Leah’s Properties is fortunate to have Anastasiya Spivak as our Housing Operations Manager.
Anastasiya is an inspiring role model of resilience, courage and professional commitment. Here is her testament to our work and its importance to so many lives.
“Working with youth aging out of foster care is especially meaningful to me because I’ve seen firsthand how foundational stable housing is to a person’s overall well-being. In my previous roles, I came to understand the impact of the Housing First approach — that when someone has a safe and secure place to live, everything else becomes more possible. I was also struck by how overrepresented youth from care are in the homeless population across British Columbia and Canada, which makes this work feel not just important, but urgent.
To me, stable housing means much more than a roof. It means affordability, a well-maintained home, a caring and responsive landlord, and a community where people look out for one another. That sense of community is something I’m especially proud of in our buildings. We have a diverse mix of seniors, newcomers, and long-term residents who naturally support each other. When a young person moves in, neighbours often introduce themselves, offer help, and quietly check in. It’s not unusual for someone to call me because they haven’t seen a youth in a few days and want to make sure they’re okay. Seeing that kind of care and connection is incredibly heartwarming and reminds me that we’re building more than housing — we’re building belonging.
What I love most about my role is meeting people where they’re at and learning their stories. Every day is different, and I never quite know what will come my way, but the core of my work is always kindness, compassion, and understanding. I want the youth we support to know that no matter what challenges arise, they have a home and a safe place to land. And it’s the stories like Zephyr’s that remind me why this work matters so deeply.”- Anastasiya
Learn how stable housing helps youth from care like Zephyr gain independence and pursue their goals. Read Zephyr’s story.
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