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!