“In a gentle way, you can shake the world” (Mahatma Gandhi)
Role: Coordination of the McGill Golden Share Initiatives for the Estrie and Montérégie-East health and social services networks, and project support for Networking Partners Initiatives (NPI) and Health Promotion Project (HPP) initiatives aimed at improving access to health and social services in English in the historical Eastern Townships.
Bio: A workshop facilitator once chose “Quiet Power” as the words she thought best described me, and I always think of that when describing what I can bring to the table as a community worker. More specifically, I would describe myself as an eager and resourceful coordinator, a creative thinker, and a conscientious and meticulous communicator.
On community development: Community development reminds me of throwing a stone into the water because there’s just no way of knowing how far the ripples from that one small action will go. And that’s what I love about it! It’s a great feeling knowing your work will have an impact on your local community – and even, sometimes, beyond.
Random facts: I have a long history with Townshippers’ Association!
- In grade 4, I won the Heritage Essay Contest with a story I wrote about my Grandparents’ home (in Capelton);
- In 2001, I worked as a summer student, helping to coordinate the Townshippers’ Day festivities in Waterville;
- In 2007 I joined the Association as a coordinator of youth projects, which led me to the role of Make Way for YOUth/Desjardins Migration Agent in 2009, and that of Assistant Executive Director in 2010.
- In 2016, I returned to Townshippers’ (after four years in the private sector) to take on the role of Health and Social Services Special Projects Coordinator.
I love the Townships…because it’s home to me. I’ve lived here all my life, and I love that I can still spend my lunch hour visiting my grandmother, my days developing and carrying out community initiatives with friends, my evenings taking my dog for a walk under the stars or for a play session in the woods, and my weekends with my family, revelling in the natural beauty of this amazing area I call home.
Being a Townshipper means I can benefit from interesting personal and professional opportunities, but yet still remain close to my roots and have easy access to the country comforts I crave.