Wednesday, August 23, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Big Sister caseworker entering Teacher' s College By Claudia D'Souza SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER An important chapter in the history of the Oakville Big Sisters Association recently closed when caseworker Fiona Marcy left the agency after a decade of service. Marcy left Big Sisters to fulfill her longstanding career aspiration to become a teacher. This month, she begins Teacher's College at York University's satellite campus at Sheridan College. It's fitting that Marcy will continue her dedication to the well being of children in this next phase of her career. With a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Toronto under her belt, she worked with children in the front lines at the Syl Apps Detention Centre, and as a welfare caseworker prior to joining Big Sisters. Described by her co-workers as sensitive and insightful with a great sense of humour, Marcy has proven to be a gifted caseworker. Responsible for screening, matching and monitor ing Big and Little Sisters, her success rate speaks for itself. The average length of her 150 or so matches is three and half to four years compared to the provincial average - 18 months. "It's a testament to the volunteers," she notes. Although the modest Marcy downplays her contributions, she admits she has a gift for matching 'Bigs' with 'Littles' aged 4 to 18. "I've had very few mismatches," she admits. "It's intuition or gut instinct, I guess. The assessment process is pretty involved and along the way, I usually get a pretty good sense of who will hit it off." "What I've cherished the most is watching the Little Sisters blossom and grow into wonderful young women with their Big Sister beside them every step of the way. It's grati fying that so many of them want to give back to the agency by volunteer ing or becoming Big Sisters them selves." Her commitment to the organiza tion has been so strong, Marcy real izes not knowing 'what will happen next' will be difficult. "They're like your own children in a way," she says. "I will miss them. The preventative focus is what drew me to Big Sisters and the entire expe rience has exceeded my expectations." In her 10 years with Big Sisters, the married mother of two children, Alex, 11, and Lana, 7, witnessed tremen dous growth and many changes including three relocations. She was actually responsible for finding the agency's current home at 61 Lakeshore Rd. "Ten years ago we occupied one tiny room on Church Street with two desks and a rotary dial phone," she laughs. "The agency has really diversified, its profile in the community is much higher, and services have expanded." Marcy believes new services such as Homework Helpers, Teen Group and Job Shadowing have only enhanced the solid base of the match ing program. In recent years, special events for Little Sisters such as the annual trip to the Metro Zoo spon sored by the Central Baptist Church have added a tremendous amount of fun and excitement to their experi ence. "When an agency goes through a lot of changes and growth the biggest concern is always for the client," points out Big Sister Executive Director, Marilyn Markow. "We have been very fortunate to have had Fiona with the agency. Her professionalism coupled with such a caring attitude made her a joy to work with. Her com mitment to our Little Sisters, their families, the volunteers and the mis sion of this agency is extraordinary. Her willingness to go beyond the call of duty never ceased to impress me. She has always given over 150%. We will miss her and we wish her the best in her future career as a teacher." Currently, there are 22 girls wait ing to be matched. For more informa tion about becoming a Big Sister or volunteering on a committee or the Board of Governors, call (905) 3380238. Nickersons celebrate 60th wedding anniversary It's been 60 since Douglas and Marion Nickerson exchanged mar riage vows in Sydney on Cape Breton Island, on Aug. 2, 1940. They met when he was stationed there with the Canadian Armed Forces. From there, he went to Halifax, and then back to Yarmouth. In 1946, the couple moved to Ontario, settling in Oakville. He worked for Petro-Canada in Clarkson, then known as Gulf Oil, for 33 years until his retirement 15 years ago. The couple had three chil dren, John (deceased), Gary Nickerson of Mississauga, and Linda Poole of Campbellville, three grand children and three great grandchildren. Marion and Douglas Nickerson SALE PRICES END SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, OR WHERE SEARS IS CLOSED, SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2 with all the comforts of home DANBY® DESIGNER COUNTERTOP DISHW ASHER Stainless-steel interior. Space for 4 place settings. Fits under most kitchen cabinets while sitting on countertop. #17230. Sears reg. 299.99. D O R MLIV IN G ... Now 279" Seniors' Camera Club returns SepL 5th After two successful seasons, the Oakville Senior Citizens' Camera Club begins its third season with the first meeting to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 5th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Oakville Senior Citizens Centre at 263 Kerr Street. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., September through June, with the exception of January, when the meeting will be held the second Tuesday due to New Year's Day. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 50 who is a member of the Oakville Senior Citizens' Centres (KenStreet Centre and Colbome Centre). Senior Citizens Centres annual mem bership fees are $10.70, which entitles seniors to any of the activities organized in the centres under Oakville Parks & Recreation. The Camera Club atten dance fee is $2.50 per meeting. Membership in the club offers many benefits. The principle ones are, of course, learning how to improve one's photography skills, sharing your photos with other members and the entertain ment of viewing others' photographs, socializing with others, making new friends, and participating in organized photo opportunity field trips. Guest speakers and members offer a `Tip of the Month' at eacH meeting. Several field trips and subsequent competitions between members are held throughout the year. In June, the season ends with a major exhibition of members' photographs in conjunction with a wine and cheese party. The Oakville Senior Citizens Camera Club is actively seeking to expand its membership. Brochures and posters have been placed in numerous locations around Oakville in photo shops, stores, malls, and restaurants. For more information, contact Mary Bastead at 827-0836, or the Oakville Seniors Centre at 815-5966. Now $98 KENMORE® VACUUM Features rug and bare floor brush. Crevice tool. j.z-ou. r i. 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