Hello, Muskoka Early Years Professional Community! 

Welcome to February 2023 edition of our newsletter dedicated to the topic of SUNLIGHT. 

How many every day things do we take for granted and not even think to be grateful for? Most likely more than a few. Sunlight, I think, is one of them. Additionally, often, we are more concerned about it than aware of its benefits, SPF sunscreen anyone?

I, recently, found out more about sunlight and gained much appreciation for it than ever before. 

This edition of our newsletter is to encourage you to safely utilize sunlight in both your practice and personal life. 

As always, below you will find resources that you will, hopefully, find interesting, encouraging, and helpful. If you have any resources on the topic of sunshine, that you would like to share with our Early Years Community, please send them my way. 

On a personal note, I am sharing with you a photo I took the other week during an evening walk. The sunset was beautiful (aren’t they all?), and I liked how it illuminated a piece of ice I was holding in my hand. Hope you enjoy the photo.  

P.S. This will make you smile and tear-up at the same time.

Stay in touch, 

What is your current job, and how did you arrive at it, in other words why do you do what you do? 

I have always been delighted by children. I graduated Ottawa University with a Bachelor of Social Sciences and worked at Browndale Ontario to receive a child care diploma. 

When I moved to Huntsville in 1982, I visited a rural nursing home for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Afterward, I joined a social justice movement already in progress in the province to close such institutions.

In 1982, I started work at Huntsville & District Association for the Mentally Ret***** and celebrated its name change to Community Living Huntsville in 1987-1988. 

In fact, the 1980s were a time of incredible change in the Developmental Services sector toward community inclusion, not only in Huntsville, but across Ontario. As another example, in 1982, Ontario enacted Bill 82, the Education Amendment Act, 1980, which included landmark provisions for special education, such as allowing older children with developmental disabilities to attend their neighbourhood school.

In 2022-2023, Community Living Huntsville celebrates 60 years of inspiring possibilities for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, and I have been growing with the organization for 40 of those. My dream to work with children came true when I became a Family Support Worker in 2001. To this day, I am dedicated, enthusiastic, and inspired by the children, youth, and families I meet.

Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family. 

I have so many stories of inspiring possibilities I could share! A favourite of mine is when Irwin Elman, the Child Advocate of Ontario, joined me in a meeting with a family. He listened and really heard the family’s concerns for their daughter. When he left, the family was empowered and confident to take action.

In my role, I hear, support, and empower children, youth and families to amplify their voices, explore their possibilities, and build lasting community connections. 

Every time I hear parents talk about the gifts their child has and the dreams they have for them, this makes my day! I witnessed parents move mountains as they face challenges, advocate and strive to get supports and resources in place for their child at home, in school, and in community!

Each family is unique, each child is unique and we start where they are. My greatest reward is when a parent, child, or youth says, “Thanks for being there, Gwen.”

What's most challenging about the work you do? 

The most challenging thing about the work I do is under funding and lack of supports. Like one parent says, “My son is not a burden, the system is.”

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I love to spend time with my family and friends. Being Nana to 4 amazing grandchildren is my greatest joy. I practice yoga and love to dance. I am a groupie to my husband’s band, “Concession 8”, and still help him carry his drums. I am blessed to live near a river and enjoy many gifts from nature, especially sunshine and starry night skies.