Reports by Fred Alvarado and Adonis Huggins
(Adonis and Fred are journalists with the Focus Media Arts Centre. Fred's position is funded by the Government of Canada under the Local Journalism Initiative)

In this week's episode RPTV Reporter Korbin Milo covers the story of Dixon Hall CEO Mercedes Watson leaving her post.

In an email sent out on January 13, 2022, Carmen Clayton, a Director with the office of the CEO, at Dixon Hall, announced that CEO, Mercedes Watson, will be leaving Dixon Hall to take on a post with the Ontario Government.

In her email Carman states that, “During her time with Dixon Hall, Mercedes oversaw 73% growth in the agency, the completion of the Bill Graham Youth Centre, a new partnership with McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA), renewed dedication to the Regent Park and downtown east network tables, the beginning of the revitalization of rooming houses in Cabbagetown and the plans to redesign and reestablish the original and ailing 1929 Dixon Hall site at 58 Sumach Street as a community hub for clients and the agency’s work in the downtown east.”

Adonis Huggins, a former chair of the ED Director’s Network which Mercedes was part of, had this to say.  

“ I'm sorry to hear that the Regent Park community and Dixon Hall will be losing Mercedes Watson.  Mercedes was a strong advocate and an effective voice on the ED Directors Network.  Her leadership will be truly missed. “

According to Carman Clayton, “Transition plans are underway, and a replacement will be named in the weeks ahead with the professional assistance of a trusted recruitment partner”.