I’ve spent my career in the social service sector. I’ve worked with people with disabilities, with neglected and abused children, with youth in conflict with the law, with struggling Aboriginal communities, and with families who are living in poverty and homelessness. And I’ve observed how our society often tries but usually fails to correct the critical problems of inequality and exclusion.
I believe that most citizens and most governments do want to create a more equitable and inclusive society. As the CEO of a local charity, I am struck every day by the compassion and generosity of my neighbours, regardless of their personal circumstances or their particular political leanings. Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve worked with governments – municipal, provincial and federal – with social and economic philosophies rooted in the left, the right, and everywhere in between, and I’ve found that while their understandings of and approaches to the evils of poverty and marginalization may differ, they all hope to find solutions. But despite all our efforts and good intentions, social injustice persists.
I believe that it is at the level of local government that we have the best opportunity to overcome these life- and community-destroying problems. In Waterloo, jurisdiction for social programs and services including financial assistance, affordable housing, childcare, public health and public transit lies with our regional government. It’s at the regional level that we have the freedom to make decisions, unencumbered by partisan politics, which will make lasting improvements in our citizens’ lives. And it’s at the regional level that we have the ability to engage the diverse communities that make up Waterloo to create meaningful conversations to envision a better place for us all to live.
My masters degree in social work and my twenty-five years’ experience in direct, policy and administrative work have equipped me with an advanced understanding of social issues and realistic solutions. I’ve worked alongside Waterloo’s regional government – as a partner, an advocate, and an advisor – for almost fifteen years. I know how it works, I know its strengths, and I know its challenges. I believe that I have the knowledge and the experience and the skills to work effectively within regional government, as a Councillor representing Kitchener. And I ask for your support.
I believe that most citizens and most governments do want to create a more equitable and inclusive society. As the CEO of a local charity, I am struck every day by the compassion and generosity of my neighbours, regardless of their personal circumstances or their particular political leanings. Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve worked with governments – municipal, provincial and federal – with social and economic philosophies rooted in the left, the right, and everywhere in between, and I’ve found that while their understandings of and approaches to the evils of poverty and marginalization may differ, they all hope to find solutions. But despite all our efforts and good intentions, social injustice persists.
I believe that it is at the level of local government that we have the best opportunity to overcome these life- and community-destroying problems. In Waterloo, jurisdiction for social programs and services including financial assistance, affordable housing, childcare, public health and public transit lies with our regional government. It’s at the regional level that we have the freedom to make decisions, unencumbered by partisan politics, which will make lasting improvements in our citizens’ lives. And it’s at the regional level that we have the ability to engage the diverse communities that make up Waterloo to create meaningful conversations to envision a better place for us all to live.
My masters degree in social work and my twenty-five years’ experience in direct, policy and administrative work have equipped me with an advanced understanding of social issues and realistic solutions. I’ve worked alongside Waterloo’s regional government – as a partner, an advocate, and an advisor – for almost fifteen years. I know how it works, I know its strengths, and I know its challenges. I believe that I have the knowledge and the experience and the skills to work effectively within regional government, as a Councillor representing Kitchener. And I ask for your support.
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