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Category: Staff Highlights

  • ‘I love my job and I love coming here every day:’ Ana Kazulin celebrates over 25 years at CNH

    ‘I love my job and I love coming here every day:’ Ana Kazulin celebrates over 25 years at CNH

    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, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    Raised in Burnaby BC, Ana’s journey into Early Childhood Education began at Douglas College in 1989. After completion of the program, Ana began work at St. Barnabas Daycare in New Westminster before coming to Collingwood in August 1996 to work in the Duke St. Preschool Program.

    Ana spent many years welcoming families to Duke St, creating long-lasting relationships that brought siblings to the program year after year.

    In 2003, Ana moved into a coordination role at Collingwood, overseeing the financial components of the child care department. Given Ana’s strength in organization and completing tasks, it’s a role that is invaluable to child care.

    For everyone that knows Ana, (and she will agree) she likes straight talk. If you request something of her and it’s not appealing to her… she’s going to let you know! She is also known in the department for being a fashion icon and Ana is always the first to volunteer to organize a Christmas party.

    Ana says she had stayed so long with CNH because it’s a great place to work and she was given the opportunities to grow and learn and that the organization is a loving, fair, inclusive environment. She says, “I love my job and I love coming here every day. Some days can be hard, but most all days are great. Collingwood has become my family, and childcare my life! My future plans are to do the best I can at the job I do and love every day!”

    Her last 25 years has given her so many incredible memories that she truly can’t pick one. All of our staff professional development days, Christmas parties, social gatherings—all have different and beautiful memories for her, so it is almost impossible to pick one… although setting up for our first Christmas party at CNH and watching a certain staff member belt out Shania Twain in the multi- purpose room all by themselves is particularly memorable!

    A passionate Croatian, Ana loves spending time outside with her tightly knit family—a husband of 29 years, three children, and a son-in-law.

    Collingwood is very fortunate to have someone like her who cares so deeply about the organization. Thank you Ana, and many congratulations on this milestone!

  • Celebrating over 25 years at CNH with Teresa Ha

    Celebrating over 25 years at CNH with Teresa Ha

    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, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    Here’s what Information and Referral/Reception Coordinator Jenny Eng-Chan has to say about Teresa:

    An interesting fact that I learned about Teresa over the years is that you can grab her attention by saying any one of the following 3 words—“party room, gym space, or meeting room.” As you may have guessed, she is in charge of our facility rentals. How was she conditioned this way? The story begins with Teresa, moving from Toronto to Vancouver to make her home in the Collingwood community. As she was walking by CNH, she was curious about this centre. Soon after, she enquired whether she could volunteer and was placed in Reception. She had started with volunteering one day a week and then it grew to 5 days a week! When a position opened up, she applied, and here we are 25 years later.

    Teresa has a knack for business as she has a background in Commerce. She is the perfect team member to be looking after our facility rentals for CNH. Throughout the years, she has been occupying rooms with bookings at CNH and at the Annex. We have hosted many joyous birthdays, weddings, and baptisms that those people have returned to book again with Teresa for other celebrations. One time, I overheard Teresa say to a potential renter that was booking a bridal shower that they should have her wedding celebration at the Annex, and from a wedding celebration, that they should return for a baby shower, and yet again for baby’s 1st birthday! And some of them do!

    Aside from her role as the Rental Clerk at CNH, she is a long-time member of the Health & Safety Committee, now known as the JOHS Committee. Members of this group ensure that CNH staff have a healthy and safe working environment. This past year has really stretched and tested this group as they work diligently to develop new protocols and guidelines to keep us safe.

    Her service and dedication to her work over these years has continued to inspire growth and learning from those around her. Aside from the role and responsibilities at CNH, equally important is her individual qualities that she brings forth, which is her faith in people, her patience, her spirituality, and her forgiving nature. Some of those that work closely with her have mentioned that she is a pleasure to work with, devoted to helping people who are less fortunate, a really good listener, and like a sister that they never had.

    Teresa has other interesting attributes that make her unique. She loves ketchup on almost EVERYTHING, and has a fondness for dogs.

    There are many wonderful things that come to mind about Teresa, but the one that ties it up nicely is her philosophy of how to end the workday. She refers to the comic strip character Snoopy where he is laying on the rooftop of his dog house, gazing up at the fluffy clouds and happily reflecting, relaxing, and getting ready for the next day to do it all over again. We wish her many more of these moments.

    Congratulations, Teresa, on 25 years with Collingwood!

  • A love for CNH and its staff: Kulwant Kaur

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At the 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Kulwant Kaur, Director of Operations, was recognized for over 25 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house.

    When Kulwant Kaur talks about Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH), she often refers to love: her love of working at CNH and her love for what CNH staff do both inside the organization and in the neighbourhood.

    When Kulwant arrived at CNH in July of 1994, it was an instant love match. Kulwant said she remains amazed at all that the staff do with and for residents and organizations in Renfrew-Collingwood.

    Kulwant had arrived in Canada four years previously from her native country Malaysia. At CNH, she started as an Office Manager, then Office and Volunteer Coordinator and now, for many years, Director of Operations. Along the way she also served a couple of times as Acting Executive Director.

    While Kulwant often expresses her love for CNH, she’s also clear that dealing with change—even positive change—isn’t her favourite activity. When she worked as Office Manager and Office and Volunteer Coordinator, her desk was in a very public part of the administration office. Once she became Director of Operations, the role came with a private office. It took Kulwant a full year to make the shift, as she had to get used to the idea of a new work space before moving into it.

    Looking back on her years at CNH, Kulwant recalls fondly working with former staff such as former Executive Director Paula Carr, and Operations Directors Oscar Allueva and Sandra Menzer. She recalls saying to them: “There’s no university that could teach me what I’m learning from you.”

    Kulwant’s favourite memory from CNH is the opening of CNH’s Joyce Street location. The premier at the time was Glen Clark, a local resident. There was a huge ceremony which felt very celebratory.

    Another cherished memory is the opening of the CNH Annex. Kulwant was deeply involved with the Annex so, she said it felt wonderful to be part of the opening ceremonies and to think of both the satisfaction of all that work completed and the possibilities the new space represents for our neighbourhood.

    Kulwant expresses huge praise for the Operations team members, saying they are talented, work hard and are very dedicated to CNH.

    In her free time, Kulwant loves to watch Bollywood movies, walk trails with her “Just Walking” group, and have dinner with friends—when we’re not in a pandemic.

    Her current life goals are to help plan her son Mandip’s upcoming wedding, walk up the Eiffel Tower in Paris and travel to India.

    In looking back, Kulwant notes some people work at their jobs simply for their pay cheque. Kulwant stresses that is not her motivation; she works from the head and from the heart. As those who work with her would say, it shows. Congratulations, Kulwant on 25 (now 26) years at CNH!

  • Celebrating 5 and 10 year milestones

    Celebrating 5 and 10 year milestones

    We are so happy to honour staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5 and 10 years of service and dedication to CNH! We would not be able to do the work we do for our community without them.

    The following staff have reached over ten years of service: Bharti Vardhan, Crecien Bencio, Jennifer Gray-Grant, Nazima Rahiman, Valeria Mancilla, and Tiffany Ouyang.

    The following staff have reached over five years of service: Akberet Beyene, Andrea Noel, David Le, Eda Ertan, Harpreet Gill, Hong (Joy) Yang, Lianjie (Jenny) Shen, Nhan Lu, Nic Galdamez, Sandra Medina, Suzanne Liddle, Verna Kate Smith, and Wen Jing (Mandy) Fang.

    We sincerely thank these individuals for their commitment and contribution to CNH. They are all amazing! Congratulations!

    [*Photo taken at a staff event last year]

  • “A pleasure to work with and a great morning coffee partner”: Elizabeth Ramos celebrates over 15 years at CNH

    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, for the first time in CNH’s history, 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    A school practicum assignment first brought Elizabeth (Beth) Ramos to CNH. Shortly after, she was hired as a casual accounting assistant before securing a permanent position. Beth has worked with the Early Years department in accounting since 2007. Her daily tasks ensure that the Early Years payments and invoices are in order. She also assists the invoicing requirements of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News, and had once stepped in to cover the Accounting Coordinator role while the coordinator was on leave.

    “Beth is an important part of our team. Her knowledge, dedication and efficiency is what helps the department run smoothly”, a team member says.

    Beth is a pleasure to work with and a great morning coffee partner! We truly feel that without her, we would be lost. We are blessed to have her!

  • All the children know and love Mary!

    All the children know and love Mary!

    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, for the first time in CNH’s history, 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    Mary Hoang has been a regular face in our childcare programs, for many, many years. She worked as a casual staff who floated from program to program on a daily basis up until recently. We finally were able to encourage her to take a more permanent role in our programs at the Collingwood School Age Program.

    All the children know and love Mary! She is very modest and she has a quiet, respectful approach to everyone who knows her. She is a very talented photographer who loves to take photos of our Kindergarten graduates. You will find her actively involved in soccer with the children or creating amazing art. We are very fortunate to have Mary working alongside us.

    Congratulations and thank you to Mary for her over 20 years of service!

  • ‘I love having the opportunity to give back’: Carmen Correal celebrates over 20 years at CNH

    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, for the first time in CNH’s history, 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    Carmen E. Correal Martinez began to take ESL classes run by Collingwood Neighbourhood House at First Lutheran Church after arriving in Vancouver in July 1998. Before immigrating to Canada, Carmen had obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education as well as a Master’s degree in Sexual Education and Orientation in Colombia. She had also worked as a PE teacher during her time there.

    Upon finishing her ESL classes in 1999, Carmen started volunteering for several recreation programs at CNH, such as Parents and Tots. She started her own program soon after, which she called ‘Spanish with Fun’ dedicated to the local families in the Collingwood community.

    Carmen started her first work at CNH as a Recreation Sub. She then became a Regular Instructor for adults and school children, where she got to work closely with Mike McLenaghen, the Recreation Coordinator at that time. In 2006, Carmen was promoted to the full-time role of Recreation Coordinator when Mike became a Director and has since been working in the position.

    Carmen’s family has been deeply connected to CNH since they first immigrated to Canada. Carmen’s son Carlos joined her when she was volunteering for Parents and Tots. Her daughter Laura also helped her translate and read to the children during the ‘Spanish with Fun’ classes. Her other daughter, Adriana, has also been involved with CNH and created an art installation on the foyer walls. In fact, both Laura and Adriana have worked as Recreation Instructors. All three of Carmen’s children have volunteered in a diversity of CNH programs. Carmen’s daughter has two small children and they have also had the opportunity to participate in the various programs that Collinwood has to offer, including Parents and Tots.

    Carmen says, “CNH has given me the opportunity to learn and grow and be part of the community. I love having the opportunity to give back and feel very connected to the Collingwood community. It’s so rewarding to support newcomers and residents when they come to Collingwood. CNH staff are so supportive of me, and I want to thank them all.”

  • In twenty years of teaching at CNH, Cheryl Hallman has some lovely memories

    In twenty years of teaching at CNH, Cheryl Hallman has some lovely memories

    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, for the first time in CNH’s history, 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    Cheryl Hallman attended her first Jazzercise class in 1980, and she loved it! A year later, she became a Jazzercise instructor herself.

    CNH’s previous Executive Director, Paula Carr, attended one of her classes and liked her so much she asked Cheryl if she would teach classes to the staff at CNH. It started with a few of the staff – Paula, Isolde, Satinder, and Kulwant.  Eventually, CNH opened the classes to the public, and it just took off.

    One of Cheryl’s favourite memories was when she was teaching a Saturday class. She was just finishing a routine and said, “Hold it right there!” All of a sudden, the power went off and the class was plunged into darkness. It turns out a fallen tree knocked out the power lines down the street. Cheryl ended class early that day and went for coffee with the class at the Bamboo Cafe instead!

    In twenty years of teaching at CNH, Cheryl has some lovely memories from the community participants and staff. The participants love her energy, enthusiasm, and workout. She truly values the social connections she’s made at CNH.

  • Paul Reid, founding member of Collingwood Days, reaches CNH 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, for the first time in CNH’s history, 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    Paul’s 20 years of paid work with CNH is actually a small part of his long-time, broad involvement and activism in the neighbourhood, where he has served as an enthusiastic volunteer both with CNH and other local groups.

    Paul started volunteering with CNH in the mid-‘90s on CNH’s Board of Directors, serving as Board Treasurer. He stepped down from the Board to join the Arts Pow Wow, encouraging support for the arts in Renfrew-Collingwood. Paul’s love of the arts also showed up in some of his other volunteer work as he founded the Collingwood Music Club, designed and helped produce the Spirit of Collingwood Mural and also helped to produce the Faces of Our Neighbourhood Festival, the pre-cursor to Collingwood Days. He was a founding member of Collingwood Days and for many years has been Co-Entertainment Coordinator and Stage Manager for Collingwood.

    Paul also worked as a mentor with Prevention Education and also with CRYME (Collingwood Renfrew Youth Mappers and Educators).

    Paul’s involvement with CNH’s Communications Committee led to him helping to turn the CNH Newsletter into the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News. Paul writes some articles (particularly restaurant reviews) for the newspaper and does the paper’s monthly design and layout. He is proud of the fact that the newspaper was instrumental in saving two local historic landmarks, Firehall 15 and Carleton Schoolhouse. Paul also worked for a time at CNH teaching English classes, where he not only helped newcomers to learn English but also met the woman who became his wife, the most personally meaningful outcome of his many years of volunteer and paid work at CNH.

  • Maria Alpirez, an ‘angel’ to newcomer clients

    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, for the first time in CNH’s history, 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    Maria Alpirez started in the organization as a receptionist in 1999. By the time she was hired as a settlement worker, she already had a lot of knowledge and experience working with immigrants in the community. Maria has been a great asset to the Settlement Services team. Her critical thinking and understanding of immigration policies and mainstream services have helped immigrants to successfully start their integration process in the community and in the Canadian society at large.

    Maria is a worker that always gives 110% and more to serve others. One of her clients says, “Maria is a real ANGEL in my life, she has provided me with tools and supports to be successful with my children in Canada, especially because I am a single mother”. Maria is a very valuable asset to our Settlement team and CNH. Congratulations, Maria!