Volunteer Coordinator - Kinbridge Community Association
Rose Bettio Bio
I am pleased to be with Cambridge Preston Hespeler Rotary today, thank you for your interest in the work I do and the work that we do at Kinbridge Community Association.
I have been the Volunteer Co-Ordinator at Kinbridge Community Association for the past 7 years.
My role is many and varied with everything from Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, Support and Events to providing support at our Bingo Events, to assisting families to get a credit on their Hydro Bill, or one of my favourites Breakfast with Santa.
My heart for the work I do was born out of my years being raised in a single parent family, following the death of my mother when I was 10 to becoming a single parent myself to 3 children.
There was a course several years ago under the direction of Peggy Dunning where I was able to complete my high school and gain numerous skills that have served me well.
Prior to going to Kinbridge I spent approximately 12 years at the Cambridge Food Bank.
(Perhaps you might want to ask Jeff Hunter about the clown)
My time there was truly instrumental in being able to live out my desire to help others.
My experience as a single mom and now my work in the Social Service Sector has inspired me to work with any number of families providing opportunities, they never knew were possible.
As I think of the supper you helped serve on August 9th at the Neighbourhood Table, I know we both realize sometimes it’s as simple as providing a hot dog or a coffee and having someone to check in & see how we are doing?
My sincere thanks for this opportunity today & for your support of Kinbridge Community Association.
Elyse Golian is the Manager of the Cambridge Neighbourhood Table with Kinbridge Community Association and has been in this role since January 2023. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Community Development from the University of Victoria, where she focused on newcomer youth employment with the YMCA in Southwestern Ontario. Previously, Elyse worked for the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario for 12 years in various roles, including the Manager of Aquatics and the Manager of Child, Youth, & Day Camp. It was during this time, under the guidance of many mentors, that she discovered her passion for community development and supporting youth to thrive.
Elyse has been involved in community service from a young age and has an early tie to Rotary. In high school, she was an active member of the Interact Club of Sarnia-Bluewaterland, serving as President for two years. Her involvement with Rotary continued during her time at the University of Ottawa, where she spent a year with the Rotaract Club of Ottawa. These experiences deeply shaped her belief in the importance of collective action and service.
In her current role, Elyse is committed to creating programs that support the diverse needs of the City of Cambridge, with a focus on helping individuals achieve stability and long-term success. She believes in the power of communities to uplift each other and is dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.