From There to Here: Raffa and Jovan by Peri Hayes Raffa Ambrosino and Jovan Dedic sit down for an earnest conversation about their experience residing in St. Thomas. Born and raised in Italy, Raffa felt ready to make a change in her environment and she took a leap of faith by moving to another country. Raffa initially moved to Toronto, enthusing, “I love the big city.” She then spent time in Boston, upon which recognizing her draw to Canada. She relocated to Vancouver in 2017, where she studied Hospitality Management in college and honed in on her background of previously managing a casino. Meanwhile, Jovan was born in Serbia and moved to Vancouver in 2016. Incidentally, he had studied at the same college as Raffa and the two had just missed crossing paths. Ultimately, in 2018, they met through a mutual friend and their love story blossomed. As Jovan lovingly describes, “I went to go see who is this Raffa – we began dating one week later.” Jovan works in the food service industry and has accumulated an array of experience serving, including travelling around the world while working on a cruise ship. Raffa exclaims, “I would love to travel more!” The pair welcomed their first child in Vancouver, and their second in London. Raffa shares, “I wanted to move to Ontario, as I thought that travelling with kids would be better in a big city. We moved to London in 2022 and honestly, I didn’t love living there. This led us to begin looking around in the local area.” “Transparently,” Raffa continues, “I am very social, and I have been feeling lonely here.” With two small children and often utilizing public transportation in the city, this has proven challenging at times. Raffa and Jovan did not know anyone when they moved to London, nor St. Thomas. They have been building their sense or community, about which Raffa expresses, “My work at the YWCA and being involved with this organization has been a light in my life.” Presently, Raffa is immersed in the Child and Youth Care Program at Fanshawe College. Grateful for the opportunities and growth which she has experienced through YWCA of St. Thomas-Elgin, she voices, “Jackie Anger (Director of Childcare)
is a person I need to say thank you to. If it weren’t for her, I don’t think that I would be in college right now.” As Raffa further details about her family, “We are travellers, and we love exploring the small towns in the surrounding area.” Raffa visited City Hall in September on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: “I brought my kids with me, because they need to know – to respect the land, and to honour this important history.” Moreover, she and Jovan have been enjoying the local parks with their children. As Jovan concludes, “I also like spending time in Port Stanley, as well as in the downtown core here.” To this, Raffa proceeds, “I love the events in the summertime, such as Nostalgia Nights. The Pumpkin Prowl is also a great family event. St. Thomas needs — and thrives with — these events, bringing the downtown alive.” Their family moved to St. Thomas in 2023, wherein they foresee themselves raising their children and striving toward their goals.
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Page 4 Hometown St. Thomas • May 2026
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