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 Cindy Chisolm for over 20 years of service!
In 2004, Cindy started as a childcare worker in CNH’s toddler program. Five years later, she transitioned to a role as school-age coordinator in our Graham Bruce and CNS programs.
Today, she is a coordinator with the Renfrew School-Age Child Care program. Cindy is described as someone who “puts everything into her work.” This includes ensuring a quality program and the utmost creativity with annual art shows Cindy hosts with her team and program participants.
Cindy says she has stayed at CNH for so long because it doesn’t feel like a traditional workplace At CNH, Cindy says it feels like a community and a family where people genuinely care about each other.
While Cindy holds many favourite memories at CNH, one experience she will never forget is a trip to Reggio Emilia.
“It was such a fantastic learning experience,” she says. “I know for myself and many others who went on this trip, it showed that CNH values the work that we do as [Early Childhood Educators] by providing us this opportunity.”
As a result of starting in the toddler program, Cindy has had the honour of working with some children from their toddler years through Grade 7. They are now in university and still come to visit. “I love the connections made over the years,” Cindy says.
A more recent memory would be watching a child with low self-esteem, who thought she wasn’t good at anything, beam with pride during the art show as she led the school principal around. And later with such joy as she showed her mother what she had done.
Congratulations, Cindy!
Learn more about career opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.