The Best Part of Stittsville is its People

One of the things I’ve been reflecting on during this campaign is that people often know me because of my work at City Hall. I’m proud of those eight years, but they aren’t the whole story. Before municipal government, I worked in social work, supporting low-income families, working in social housing, and helping women and children experiencing violence. Looking back, I don’t really separate those experiences. They’ve all been about people. If you’ve lived in Stittsville for a while, there’s a good chance we’ve crossed paths somewhere other than a campaign event. Maybe it was at the Community Easter Egg Hunt, which I’ve organized for the past four years. It’s become one of my favourite traditions because it brings together families, local businesses, firefighters, and student volunteers for a morning that feels like Stittsville at its best. Maybe it was while wrapping Christmas gifts for Chrysalis House or the Stittsville Food Bank, at a bake sale supporting Ukraine, during Cleaning the Capital, or filling sandbags in Constance Bay. My family has also become known for our quirky Halloween skeleton display, which raises money for the Ottawa Snowsuit Fund. It’s a little unconventional, but it’s also become another way to bring neighbours together while supporting a cause we care about. Along the way, we were honoured to be nominated twice for Volunteer Group of the Year through the Stittsville Volunteer Awards. None of these experiences happened because they were part of my job. We did them because we care about this community and because someone has to be willing to organize the event, recruit the volunteers, or simply lend a hand. I think that’s one of the things that makes Stittsville special. We have so many people who quietly give their time without expecting recognition. They’re coaching teams, serving on boards, organizing fundraisers, helping neighbours after storms, and creating the kinds of community events that bring people together. Whether I was working in social work, at City Hall, or now as a candidate, I’ve always believed that communities become stronger when people know one another and have opportunities to get involved. I hope I’ve been able to play a small part in that over the years, and I look forward to continuing to do so for many years to come.