Community activist Joan Howard is busy at her sewing machines these day, turning out face masks.

“It’s my latest project in giving back to the community,” said the Trinidad-born mother of two sons, one of whom she lost to gun  violence.

” My son, Kenpton, was murdered in 2003. He was 24. Since his death I joined the Community For Zero Gun Violence and I have been very active in the movement.

“In  the battle against gun violence,  I have taken part in marches and demonstrations and have been to Ottawa with members of the movement to bring to the attention of Member of Parliament the problems plaguing  our community,” she told The Caribbean Camera.

Howard who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the East View Community Centre in Toronto, has also noted her ” deep concern” about the current COVID-19 pandemic.

” Many people may not be able to afford to buy the face masks to protect themselves from the virus So I felt I should do something to help.

” I know my way around the sewing machine and I decided to start making masks to  hand out to those in need,” she  said.

So far she has donated hundreds of masks.

“And people are very happy to receive them,” she said.

Howard plan s to continue to make the masks  “as long there is need for them.”

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