Meet Shonna Bell, The Children, Youth and Families (CYF) Program Manager
Interview
Interviewer: Can you tell me a bit about who you are and where you’re from?
Shonna: I was originally born in Edmonton, which is Treaty 6 territory—the traditional and ancestral territory of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakoda, and Tsuu Tina, I didn’t know that as a kid when I lived there, so I feel like it’s really important for me to say that now. I don’t remember talking about traditional territories as a kid. I moved to Victoria in 2008, where I’ve lived as a visitor on the territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt nations. I also have the privilege of having a child who was born here.
Interviewer: Can you share some of your background and experience that you’d like to bring to this position?
Shonna: I’ve been providing programs in community for 13 years, working with families and building relationships. I’m an Early Childhood Educator, and I have a certificate in Volunteer and Nonprofit Management. Along with that, I’ve been navigating different funding streams and finding funding for various community needs or gaps in services. So, I have a lot of experience navigating the grant-based and contract-based worlds.
I believe in providing families with resources and programming that can lessen some of the challenges of parenting. It’s just such an overwhelming process at times, and I do think there is quite a bit of support, but I do see the role of community-based organizations as making that link between the available resources and the families that need them. Ultimately, it’s the role of the community organization to support the parents so they can support their children.
Interviewer: Could you tell me a little bit more about your job and the kind of work you will be doing?
Shonna: It’s a new role in the Health and Social Department.
The Children, Youth and Families (CYF) Program Manager oversees the development, delivery, and management of programs designed to enhance the emotional, social, developmental, or mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families. There are people here who have been doing a lot of good work for a long time, so my main focus will be supporting those people to continue doing what they’re doing and identifying where I can be helpful or bring in more or alternate resources.
So really, honoring the team that I work with and what they’ve been doing, and learning what that is, and also really taking the time to learn from the community what the values of community are and what the needs of children, youth, and families are.
Interviewer: What kind of impact do you hope to have during your time as the Children, Youth, and Families Program Manager?
Shonna: I think for me, what would be an impact is definitely having the team here feeling supported; being welcomed by community, and seen as a safe person. And then really what I learn as a settler and bring into my own life also has a big impact.
Interviewer: What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
Shonna: I like to swim. I’m really thankful for all the local lakes and being surrounded by water. And I enjoy being with my kid.
Interviewer: Is there anything else that you’d like to let the community know
Shonna: Mostly, I’m here to listen and to use my privilege to make things—or try to make things—more equitable. That’s really my goal.
