Meet Karen Phelps – Community Giver & Volunteer
To celebrate International Women’s Day the Aldershot Village BIA is shining a light on some of our Women owned businesses along Plains Road. It is a day to celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity.
We are thrilled that this group of women owned and operated businesses have chosen Aldershot for their business. They are mentors, change-makers, trailblazers and community givers.
Why do you volunteer in Aldershot?
My husband and I moved here 23 years ago from Mississauga. We have always come to Burlington to visit IKEA and when we wanted a smaller town feel for bringing up our family, we decided to move to Aldershot. I had a problem and spoke to our City Councillor at the time Rick Craven and once he helped resolve this problem he asked if I would like to join a community group, he was forming called the “Warwick Surrey Community Association” (WSCA). Having never belong to a “community group” I said sure. So, living on Marley Drive I realized the high needs for having this community group. From safe places to play, having the community come together on a Saturday for a wonderful free day of fun for all, to food security for single parent families and seniors, that is why I like to volunteer my time.
Do you have a female mentor or partnership and what has that relationship meant to you?
At the first meeting of the WSCA I met Linda Cupido. Linda was the one who taught me how to Chair a meeting, take minutes, be a great volunteer!
Also, we did form another group called “Partnering Aldershot” which made many groups come together. We formed a youth group, a senior’s group, a paper that gets delivered to every home in Aldershot called the “Partnering Aldershot Press” and the “Aldershot Community Honour Roll” which honours 3 adults and up to 2 youths that live in Aldershot. It truly amazes me how a bunch of folks getting together can achieve so much, and affect change!
Do you have any advice for the younger generation of women coming up as volunteers and community members?
Being a volunteer doesn’t mean a big commitment. Your time is yours to give. The school you went to, your place of worship, or a place like “Community Development Halton” all have information that would help you give your precious time to.
It is also a has a great social component. I have met people along my volunteer journey that are truly amazing, and wonderful people.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
