Meet Maureen! She has lived in Kamloops since she was 14 and now has become a mom of 3 active children while balancing  4 'jobs!

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kamloops?    
I was born in Vancouver but moved to Chase Creek/Turtle Valley area when I was 5 and then to Kamloops when I was 14. I've lived in Kamloops ever since.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I love spending time with my sister Sharon. We are 15 months apart and have always been extremely close. She lived in Calgary for years but recently moved to Kelowna, so we get to see each other regularly now. No one understands me like my sister.

What is your favourite local store in Kamloops and why?    
I love The Art We Are- such great homemade food and lots of cool treasures made by local artists.

Describe yourself in one word.    
Dedicated

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Hawaii! Every time I go there no matter what age I am- I am mesmerized by its beauty and how magical it is.

What is your favourite activity in Kamloops?    
Watching my children participate in things they enjoy. All 3 of my kids are playing baseball right now so being at McArthur Island is our happy springtime place.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
That is probably a better question for my husband or my children. I have two teenage sons and 8-year-old daughter. I think they would say I am regularly embarrassing myself or them. Life is short, and we need to be able to laugh at ourselves!

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Recently I received the BC Association of Social Workers 'Heart of the Grasslands' award. Past recipients of the award chose me, and it was presented to me by one of my former professors Michael Crawford and the Minister of Children and Family Development Katrine Conroy. I worked for MCFD (child protection) for 2 years after I graduated with my BSW. That work set the foundation everything I have done since. It is the reason I am so driven to work in the field of early childhood. I always say that I now work in "prevention not intervention." 

The room was full of people that are very near and dear to me and to be able to stand there and say thank you to them face to face in a public setting was something I will forever be grateful for. (And yes- I did the ugly cry).To be honoured by my peers who inspire me every day gives me more drive to work hard to ensure Kamloops has FREE, high-quality early years programs and events for families.I think we all want to be recognized in a positive way and I can't wait for next year when I get to help choose the next recipient.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
This is easy- almost every day during the summers my mom, sister and I would pack a lunch and head to Chase beach where we would meet up with friends and swim, play, giggle, read a great book and put our feet in the sand and be kids! BEST CHILDHOOD EVER.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?

• I am currently on the Boogie the Bridge committee as KELLI is one of the charities of choice for 2018/2019. I have known Jo Berry for over 20 years and have participated or volunteered for Boogie and Run Club many times. To be part of something so big is mind-blowing. I cheered on over 2800 people this year who crossed the BOOGIE finish line-what an honour. I am so grateful for the experience.
• I also chair or am part of the following events: Raise a Reader, Adult Team Spelling Bee, Unplug & Play Family Literacy Week and ABC Family Literacy Day, International Children's Day, Family Literacy Night and the Teddy Bear/Mother Goose Picnic and World Elder 
• Abuse Awareness Day.As a mom of 3, I have spent countless hours helping with baseball and hockey teams by prepping fields, score keeping, pitch counting, and tournament planning & implementing. The coaching I leave to my husband!

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If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Sustainable funding for non-profit organizations (locally and globally) that are trying to make a difference for the better. It would be awesome to be able to focus on the work that gives so much back to our communities and to the most vulnerable, rather than constantly worrying about where the funding is going to come from.

Where would you sneak away to in Kamloops to spend some time alone?    
I would grab my paddleboard, some great music, and head to Pinantan Lake.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kamloops and why?    
More affordable housing for families. No parent should have to choose between paying rent or feeding themselves.

What do you think makes Kamloops great?    
The people.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Family vacation to Hawaii.
2. Run another half marathon or maybe even a marathon…
3. Learn to play the piano again.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am incredibly shy in 'real life.'

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)    
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

What is the name of your business/organization?
Kamloops Early Language and Literacy Initiative and the Kamloops Community Response Network.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I participated in a Mother Goose program when my oldest was 5 months old. We loved it, so I took the teacher training. I have facilitated for 10 years and coordinating for 6.

What is the goal of your business?
KELLI: To provide FREE early literacy programs (Mother Goose) and events in Kamloops so we can continue to build strong family relationships & patterns while increasing early childhood literacy. CRN: Increase awareness of senior abuse and neglect.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?    
BALANCE- With 3 active children and 4 'jobs' I find it is very easy to get overscheduled. We are lucky to have my parents who live near us and are always willing to help out! My husband is also a rockstar at ensuring we get regular date night together.

What do you always find yourself saying?
I asked my daughter this question, and her response was "Oh Baxter!" (our dog). Professionally I find myself quoting child psychologist Vanessa LaPointe: "We hold our children's' hearts in the palm of our hands." & "We are our children's superheroes."

Tell us your best piece of life advice.    
Be kind! I hope I am remembered as being a compassionate, kind woman who cared deeply about her family, her friends, and her community.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I know I am suppose to choose just one person but I would take all of the KELLI Parent-Child Mother Goose facilitators, and we would spend the day getting pampered, enjoying good food, telling stories, singing songs (probably nursery rhymes) and laughing. We rarely all get to be together in one room for more than a few hours a year. I think they deserve a little retreat and some R & R.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
We need to sustain our community economically as much as we can. Shopping local feels good. You create a relationship with your fellow Kamloopsians by frequenting their businesses.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Personally: Hudson, Luke, and Macy- my 3 children. I am also very proud of the KELLI family- we build each other up. The addition of Intergenerational Mother Goose programs that bring together families with young children and seniors is a highlight too.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Fiona Clare coordinator of Literacy in Kamloops. She is my "literacy fundraising partner." Fiona has a huge passion for literacy and is spearheading the Spelling Bee this year as I was so busy with Boogie the Bridge! Thanks for all you do Fiona.

My choice for the KamloopsBCNow In Focus spotlight is:    
Danica Wilkenson-at only 26 this woman is a force. She has her own reno and irrigation business, is a rotary member and works for Kamloops Brain Injury Association, which is the other charity of choice for Boogie. It has been a pleasure working with her.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program is a 'back to basics' program for families with children 0-5. The program is lead by 1-2 trained facilitators. We sit on the floor in a circle and are orally taught songs, stories and nursery rhymes. Parents then use the material they learned to connect, sooth, distract and transition their children during their day.A snack is also provided. There is nothing more important than the bond between a parent and child! 

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kamloops.