After more than two decades working with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), manager Susan Flowers said she is ready to pass the torch as she hands in papers for retirement.
“I hope the community keeps working together for solutions – I don’t like it when people complain but they don’t get involved. You can fix any problem if you approach it right,” Flowers said.
Starting her career as a social worker and with a certificate in Community Economic Development from Simon Fraser University, Flowers was one of the first co-ordinators for Cochrane and Area Victim Services while she sat on the board of FCSS before joining the team in October 1995.
“I saw what an amazing program it was and how it was linked to government but also the sole link to the community and between those two forces you are able to do a lot of change and advocacy and development of new programs to meet the needs,” Flowers said.
“We are experts in finding the grants and managing them.
“We never just sat back and said, ‘Oh we don’t have the money so we are not going to solve the problems.’”
Flowers humbly listed some of the committees and initiatives she was a part of that brought much-needed services and resources to Cochrane, including the first affordable housing project; the HomeStead building that also houses the FCSS offices on the main floor; Cochrane Home Treasures; Western Rocky View Parent Link Centre; the Before and After School Care program at Glenbow Elementary School; the Seniors Task Force that helped Seniors on the Bow get started; Team Health for Cochrane and Area that helped advocate for an Urgent Care Centre; the Youth Society which turned into the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area.
“The Cochrane Activettes were already well established but almost everything else we had something to do with,” Flowers said.
“You really get a lot done when you pull people together and use their ideas.”
The one creation Flowers has no problem taking full credit for is the Family and Community Support Services mascot that was created for the resource centre’s 25th anniversary.
“Cinnamon Bear is my creation,” Flowers said with a laugh.
Most proud of her “strong team” the manager said she hopes the person who fills her position takes a proactive approach to planning with new communities to make sure the social resources are considered early on.
“I would like to see more services for domestic violence and for the youth. It seems like we has quite a bit for the youngest youth and the older youth but we don’t have a lot for the in-between ages,” Flowers said.
“And seniors of course, we are increasing the numbers rapidly for seniors and I’ll be joining those ranks soon.”
Flowers announced her retirement that same year as Town of Cochrane’s chief administrative officer (CAO) Julian deCocq who also started with the town in 1995.
“Susan has been one of the highlights of my career. Being able to work with such passion and focus on community and particularly when it comes to families and seniors – she has such a talent for understanding people’s needs in the area,” deCocq said.
“She’s been a champion.”
In her last year on the job, Flowers assisted in helping three new non-profits, the Hospice Society, Your Life Out and the Women’s Emergency Shelter, get their paperwork in order.
“It was always a team – never just me,” Flowers said.
The manager’s last official day is Aug. 31.
“To actually hand in the letter was hard, but I think I will still be involved with FCSS in some small way,” Flowers said.
“I love Cochrane – it’s been good to me. I’m not going anywhere.”
