Renison’s new Board Chair, Karen Spencer, has always been drawn to Social Work, but her journey into the field was, as is the case with many students, not a straight line.
Karen (pictured right with her partner and their dog) grew up in Sudbury, ON, a small town known for its mining industry and the Big Nickel. After completing high school, Karen found herself considering Nursing or Social Work as possible career paths – both helping professions. After moving to “The Big City” of Toronto, she found a job in an office working for a great organization, but kept hearing the call of Social Work.
It was after the move to Waterloo Region that Karen connected with Renison and the Social Development Studies (SDS) program. Part of the attraction for her was the interdisciplinary approach of the department, which meant that Karen could explore a variety of subjects and really expand her knowledge. She started as a part time student while continuing to work full time in an office, but “Renison was the place for me!” Karen says with a chuckle.
Part of what made Renison so special for Karen was the small community feeling and the relationships that develop between students and professors. Even 30 years later she will run into some of her SDS professors and they still know her name. Now, in her role as Board Chair, Karen can see that not much has changed, “I had an opportunity to go to one of the Convocation ceremonies after joining the board and the number of students who were coming up and hugging their profs – you can see how strong those relationships are. In the helping professions, in the work that we do, relationships are key – and it’s truly amazing that it’s part of our learning environment right from the beginning.”
Now the Executive Director of Family and Children’s Services (FACS) of Waterloo Region, Karen says that it is a privilege to help children and families who may be at the lowest points in their life. “I have completely loved my career in Child Welfare,” she explains. “It’s a field where people sometimes people work for only a few years and then move on, but it has always been my love.”
From the beginning at FACS 27 years ago as a frontline Child Protective Worker, Karen says she has filled nearly every role in the organization, which gives her a perspective that few have – though not all of it is positive. She has come to understand the harm that has been done by Child Welfare to some, particularly Indigenous children and families, and Black children and families. “It’s important for us to understand that our helping professions and institutions are colonial systems,” she explains. “We have a lot of work to do to understand the impact of systemic racism and white supremacy on children and families who do not identify as white. We are doing better now but there is still so much to be done.”
Karen brings her extensive experience to Renison now as Board Chair. She decided to join the Board because her time at Renison as a student had been so positive, and she sees it as a great way to give back to an institution she loves. She knows that higher education is still something typically accessible only to the affluent, but wants to use her time on the Board to ensure that Renison is part of a community that ensures opportunity for those of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to have the benefit of postsecondary education. How will we do this? “Find ways to recreate ourselves, learn, understand, and come to grips with the truths of how our institutions have caused harm.” Karen explains. “Then – we take the necessary steps to make things better.”
This article was originally published as part of the 2022 edition of Renison Reports.
Learn more about Family and Children's Services of Waterloo.