She’s an outstanding community volunteer, a long-time Town of Petawawa councillor and the first executive director of what is now the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (PMFRC). Theresa Sabourin was raised in a military family and spent most of her life in Petawawa, moving here when she was 8-years-old.
Sabourin has a background in social services, community development and adult education. In 1988 she applied for a new position at the Military Family Support Program which eventually became the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre. Sabourin says at that time, military family support programs didn’t exist and she credits the base leadership for looking at the needs of families and recognizing how important it is to support them. She adds in her 22-years with the organization a lot changed. She says they started with babysitting, eventually grew to a parent and tot program and now they offer massive child care programs. Sabourin says they also added in supports for families in deployment, employment resources and mental health support. Since she left, Sabourin says more wonderful things have taken place at the PMFRC.
The current Petawawa councillor says she decided to run for the position back in 2006. Working as the executive director for the PMFRC, she says she was responsible for funding, budgeting, policies and procedures. Sabourin says she wanted to get back helping people on the front lines and as a long-time community volunteer she looked towards council. She’s now been elected four consecutive terms to serve the town of Petawawa. Sabourin says as a member of council she gets to talk to people on the streets, business owners, help residents navigate the system and assists with small requests such as getting a street light installed. She adds council has worked hard over the years to maintain a reasonable tax rate while accomplishing things that need to be done. Sabourin adds Petawawa is a robust community with great, innovative services. She’s proud of how the Civic Centre property has grown over the years, the additions of playgrounds based around subdivisions, making the community more accessible and walkable with the active trail system. Sabourin says the council and town staff work towards providing opportunities no matter what age and skill level you are.
When the Petawawa Christmas Angels event launched in 2004, Sabourin offered to help. The idea was to make sure everyone in the community could enjoy a nice meal at Christmas time. Sabourin says she started as a table talker and would go around asking if people wanted company, chatting with them and hearing their stories. She says after realizing not everyone was able to come out in person they decided to offer deliveries the next year. Sabourin adds this past year they had between 120 and 130 meals delivered so they’re meeting a need. In 2018 Sabourin was asked to take on the coordinator role for the Petawawa Christmas Angels and she says it’s one of her favourite things to do.
Sabourin is a member of Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Petawawa Business Advisory Network, a volunteer with the Petawawa Housing Corporation, the Civic Centre and organizations such as the Cancer Society, March of Dimes and is also a supporter of the Petawawa Pantry Food Bank. Sabourin says gets involved in anything that supports people and the realities they face. In her spare time she enjoys walking, biking, cross country skiing, travelling, spending time with family and friends and dog sitting. Sabourin says she’s looked after everything from a 2.5 pound Yorkie to 195 pound Great Dane.
She says some accomplishments that stand out include helping grow the Military Family Support Centre in child care, deployment and employment support. Sabourin says working with the Petawawa Housing Corporation to establish 14 new affordable units for seniors in the community is another big accomplishment and she’s also proud of working with council to ensure the community is second to none when it comes to being safe, vibrant, active, accessible with something for people of all ages and skill levels.
Sabourin says she tries to live by the motto, “Say what you mean, mean what you say, and do what you said you were going to do”. She says that quote comes from her favourite author Barbara Coloroso. Sabourin believes that translates to act with integrity, be honest and follow through with what you were going to. She says say yes to what you can do and let people know if you can’t. She adds mistakes are great learning opportunities. Sabourin says if you get involved with things that align with your passions and beliefs you’ll get back far more than what you give when you volunteer.
Listen to part one of the interview here:
Listen to part two of the interview here: