Author: Kayla Isomura

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Tiffany Ouyang, a childcare worker, for over 15 years of service.

Tiffany first started at CNH on April 16, 2010. As part of her role in childcare, she has worked at Duke Street and Sarah House.

“She is a highly motivated, hard-working individual who consistently arrives on time and shows great dedication towards her duties as a teacher,” said Jeany Tudio, Tiffany’s supervisor. “Her calm and pleasant disposition brings peace and order to the room.”

Over the years, Tiffany has demonstrated the education, experience, patience, and joy she carries into the room when working with children at CNH. In particular, Tiffany’s colleagues commend her for her ability to work with young children “because she treats every child under her care with utmost respect and patience.”

Thank you, Tiffany, and many congratulations on this milestone!

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Bharti Vardhan, a childcare worker, for over 15 years of service.

Bharti first began her journey at CNH in September 2009 as a volunteer with Family Place.  She began working as a casual in January 2010, when she also began taking the part-time Early Childhood Education (ECE) program with the Burnaby School District. She worked in our Carleton School Age Program from 2011-2012 and became a permanent staff member at Sarah House in July of 2016, where she has worked ever since.

“I first had the opportunity to get to know Bharti when she was a casual in the program I was working in at that time,” says Bharti’s supervisor. “Bharti has since become a vital member of the team at Sarah House, where she brings passion and a sense of humour to her work.”

Bharti’s other colleagues say they always enjoy working with her as she is passionate, hardworking, a wonderful team player, supportive and shares creative ideas. Bharti has a strong relationship with the children, parents and staff in our programs.

When asked about why she has stayed at CNH for so long and what her favourite memory has been, Bharti says, “Each and every moment is so special and memorable for me as CNH has become my second home and my team is my extended family.”

Thank you, Bharti, and many congratulations on this milestone!

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Elizabeth Ramos, administrative/program assistant, for over 25 years of service.

Elizabeth or affectionately known as Beth, started working at CNH on Sept. 1, 2005.

Beth works with our accounting team and is also a valued member of our early years department.

We are grateful for Beth. Her efficiency keeps us on track, and she shows dedication and commitment to her role. If there is anything we need to know about what is happening at CNH, Beth is always our go-to. We rely on her knowledge and her easy manner to get us through our day and to get through the task at hand.

Beth says it is quite rare for an organization’s culture and its priorities to be aligned. When she started working at CNH, she had two children in primary school. Her work schedule fit around her family’s needs, and she was able to drop off and pick up her children from school, which was very important to her.

Beth says that approach from her workplace further strengthened the trust and confidence her colleagues continued to have in her.

Our morning coffee would not be the same without Beth.

Congratulations, Beth, on this milestone, and we look forward to many more years together!

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Lucinda Donaldson of Gym Sense Gymnastics for over 25 years of service.

Lucinda’s love for gymnastics began as a child, after watching the Olympics and quickly discovering it was her dream sport. Even after challenges in her youth, she found a new passion for coaching — and that passion eventually brought her here to CNH.

Back in 1999, Lucinda started with just four classes of gymnastics over two days a week through our recreation programs. Today, she leads seven classes across three days, with the same energy and excitement as when she began. What stands out most to her supervisor, having worked with her for 10 years, is that spark — she still lights up at the start of each new gymnastics season.

When asked why she has stayed so long, Lucinda said it’s because CNH feels like home. Her best memories are seeing children grow and return year after year, some now young adults, carrying with them the confidence she helped build.

On behalf of CNH, thank you, Lucinda, for 25 years of dedication and passion. You’ve touched countless lives, and we’re so grateful you’re part of our community.

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Paul Reid, editor of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community (RCC) News, for over 25 years of service.

Most notably, Paul may be recognized for his work as the editor and layout designer of the RCC News, but his connection to CNH goes much further. Over 25 years ago, Paul first walked into CNH to use the facilities, and he was invited to join the board of directors. Soon after, Paul became board treasurer and eventually volunteered on several committees, including the Renfrew-Collingwood heritage committee, the Collingwood Days committee and the communications committee.

Throughout Paul’s time at CNH, he has volunteered as a prevention education mentor and with the Renfrew-Collingwood music club. In addition to working with the RCC News, Paul has also worked as an ESL (English Second Language) instructor, where he met his wife of 16 years, Dolores. Paul is passionate about his community at CNH, stating that the reason he has continued to volunteer and work in the neighbourhood is because “helping one’s community never gets old.”

Paul’s fondest memories at CNH include being Collingwood Days stage manager for over 10 years, helping create the Faces of our Neighbourhood mural that was displayed at CNH for years and, of course, the impact the RCC News has had on the local community. In fact, Paul is most proud of using the RCC News to “help save and restore Firehall 15, the original Carleton School House, and the Collingwood Branch 48 of the Royal Canadian Legion.”

In his many roles at CNH, Paul has built many relationships at CNH, many of which have inspired his work in the neighbourhood. Reflecting on these relationships, he says we should all feel inspired to connect with those who are most active in our communities.

Thank you, Paul, and many congratulations on this milestone!

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Ram Dhatt, a childcare casual, for over 25 years of service.

“For the few months I have worked with Ram, she has been nothing but supportive to the team and amazing with the children and families, especially at Grenfell,” said Ram’s supervisor, Demi Clemente. “The 25-year journey Ram has accomplished at CNH has not only helped her build incredible connections with families but also with the local community.”

Ram was hired at CNH in December 1999 and has since held a role in childcare that has taken her to our Terry Tayler, Grenfell, Sara House and CNH sites.

“For Ram, working with the children at CNH has been the greatest joy of her career,” said Demi. “Their excitement, joy and curiosity have given her so much fulfillment and happiness.”

In addition, Ram has expressed that her career at CNH has allowed her to build lasting friendships with coworkers over the years, something she is equally grateful for.

Ram said she is truly thankful for everything she has learned from CNH, which has been a big part of her lifelong journey. To Ram, CNH will always be her home away from home, and she looks forward to passing down the knowledge and insights gained from the community to her grandchildren as they grow.

Thank you, Ram, and many congratulations on this milestone!

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Alison Merton, Director of the Early Years, for over 30 years of service.

“This year marks an incredible milestone for Alison Merton—30 years of dedicated service to CNH,” said Betty Lepps, executive director of CNH. “When I first met Alison over a year ago, she shared that she had been with CNH for nearly three decades, working in Early Years.”

“My immediate impression was one of deep dedication, a genuine love for early childhood education, and a strong connection to the CNH community.”

As someone whose own career began in Early Years, Betty said that those who stay in the field are often the fiercest advocates for children, families, and fellow educators.

“Alison embodies this spirit—creating spaces where children and parents can learn, thrive, and enjoy their early years together,” she said.

Alison’s journey began in September 1995, shortly after emigrating from England. Within a week of arriving, she took a casual childcare worker position at CNH—and never left. With her Early Childhood Education and Infant and Toddler Certification, Alison has built a career she’s loved for over 35 years. One of the highlights of her professional journey was a development trip to Reggio Emilia, a testament to her commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in early childhood education.

Over the years, Alison has worked in every role within CNH’s childcare programs. Her connection to CNH runs deep—not only professionally, but personally, as both her children attended CNH childcare programs. Her countless memories at CNH include everything from classroom moments to driving a 26-foot U-Haul truck during COVID to pick up donated food—just one example of her willingness to go above and beyond.

Alison stayed with CNH because of its role in the community and its family-friendly approach. She often says that the people who work in a neighbourhood house are special—and she is certainly one of them. Her integrity, kindness, compassion, and unwavering advocacy for quality, affordable childcare and fair wages for Early Childhood Educators make her an invaluable part of the CNH team.

“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Alison and learn from her,” said Betty. “She continues to be a treasured asset at CNH, and we’re hopeful for many more years of her wisdom, warmth, and leadership.”

Thank you, Alison, and many congratulations on this milestone!