March 11, 2024
After 13 years with the St.Amant Foundation, it’s with very mixed emotions I announce that I’m stepping down as Executive Director, effective March 28, 2024.
Thirteen years has passed in a flash, and somehow also feels like a lifetime when I think about the incredible friendships I’ve made along the way. You are the reason I’ve stayed at St.Amant this long, and you are the reason it’s hard to leave. From my very first day, I was welcomed by people we support – from those who have moved on to live in community and who I get to see at events and celebrations, to welcomed visits in community homes and family homes. It’s been incredible to witness the changes to St.Amant’s services and to play a role in supporting and advocating for change. Nothing has brought me more joy than to see the money you’ve donated bring incredible opportunities, smiles and memories to people’s lives.
When I think about my time here, there are many moments that rise to the top, working with an incredible group of donors and people we support and staff to dream the Spirit Cottage and then watch it come to life. Sometimes I’ll take a little walk around the garden and peek over onto the cottage grounds on a warm spring day just to catch a glimpse or hear the joy of that little urban retreat in action.
Our corporate partners have been incredible allies helping to renovate a very old building into dignified, beautiful spaces that offer services very differently than in 1959. Many of these partners have been our steady supports and the backbone of each Foundation event, that not only raise money but also bring our community together. The Free the Spirit Festival has always been one of my favourite days of the year as I watch reunion after reunion all day long.
I have had the enormous gift of witnessing the collective benefit of every donor’s gift meet a need, fulfill a dream or inspire someone to grow into their potential. These, sometimes seemingly small moments have filled my heart and fuelled my passion every single day. Whether it’s a basket of art supplies – that’s resulted in an art hobby turning into a small business, a brand new wheelchair that’s enabling participation or orthopaedic footwear helping someone comfortably leave the house, no gift was without significant meaning for the person on the receiving end.
Throughout the years I have been humbled by the volunteerism from so many in our community. From big Festival events to hundreds of gift wrapping shifts to delivering cookies all around the city, the sheer number of people that are dedicated to supporting everyone to live good, meaningful lives never ceases to amaze me. The generosity and kindness I have witnessed is almost unreal.
To say that St.Amant and St.Amant Foundation has formed a permanent etch in my heart is an understatement. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity, the trust placed in me and friendships I have made.
I am incredibly grateful to everyone that St.Amant has supported over the years, and your families, for entrusting me with your stories, for generously helping me to understand how I can help and for gently taking me along as your needs changed over the years.
Thank you to each of my colleagues within St.Amant who are donors, volunteers, teachers and friends. Through all of you, I have learned and become a passionate and conversant advocate. I didn’t know 13 years ago that I would be able to explain how mobility equipment works or why it’s customized and how important that is, but you have shared so generously in your expertise, that I have felt confident helping others to see a glimpse into your work.
To my board members (past and present), your leadership, vision, support and trust has meant the world to me. I have grown in ways I didn’t know I could through your guidance, mentorship and coaching. Thank you for believing in St.Amant Foundation and for believing in me and my team.
And to my team (past and present), there are no other people I would rather spend my days with, dreaming of ways to improve our work to raise ever-more money to make more dreams come true. You are just the most passionate and dedicated group of people who have taught me so much. I will miss seeing our dreams move from a brainstorm into action and celebrating those outcomes together. But even more than our work, I will miss hearing about your day to day lives. We made it through a global pandemic, lifting each other up, while navigating the unknown and watching each other’s lives play out behind our shoulders on our computer screens. All while “pivoting” and continuing to meet our community’s needs. Thank you for your friendship, your support, your passion and energy. I’m so incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and with the help of our incredible community. I will continue to be supporting and cheering you on, just from a different seat.
With heartfelt thanks,
Juliette
