›› Shonna Bell

Fall is always a reflective time of year for me. I am not sure if it correlates to my birthday or the season itself, which has an introspective feel, but I always find myself thinking of past years at this time. ­Heading into October, that sense seems to be ­emerging even more. On October 11th, 2020 I will have been with Fernwood NRG for 10 years! Wow.

I wonder what my younger self—­working part-time in the childcare ­centre—would think of the older me as Acting Executive Director. Or myself at three years here writing my first ever ­successful grants, totaling $5,000 each, blissfully unaware of the size of the drop in the bucket.

My journey to this current role has been eclectic from a Family Resource Program certificate, an almost completed ECE ­certificate, a Post-Degree Certificate in ­Volunteer and Non-Profit Management, completion of the Leadership Victoria ­Program and countless other trainings along the way. I’ve worked in childcare, with seniors, ran Friday night youth ­drop-ins, started before and after school care, worked in Best Babies, and overall program management. Regardless of your title, in community work, everything is your job.

What I love about community-based work is that I often learn the most from community members. I’ll never forget the first cohort of moms in the Family Resource Program who had already been coming for years. They guided me on how to run a group before I received formal training. In community, it isn’t always about ­theory. It’s about having the door open—it’s about creating a space and a presence where ­people know they can come in. The thing that has shaped my practice the most is the relationships I have formed along the way. People who trusted me with their children, their stories, and their needs.

It is impossible to capture all of the things that have happened over 10 years in this article. I would need the whole paper. Countless clients, friends, ­co-workers (some of the best), FernFests, hours, meals, and celebrations. As I spend my time ­reflecting, there will be no shortage of things to remember.