Community gem recognized for years of dedication and devotion

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

For the past 22 years, May Rostecki-Budzey has preferred working tirelessly behind the scenes in providing opportunities and support for all members of society. Unwilling to let her labour go unnoticed publicly, Strathmore’s Parent Link Centre nominated her among a record-breaking 49 nominees worthy of the 2018 Aspen Family & Community Network Society’s Hope Award. As one of 10 recipients to accept the award, Rostecki-Budzey – who’d rather avoid the spotlight – was able to draw attention to various community-based programs often overlooked, and dedicated the award to the late Jeanette MacKay; a visionary, Rostecki-Budzey said, brought understanding and passion for the community to Strathmore with the introduction of the Parent Link Centre in 2011.
“I’m not crazy about other people knowing what I do; I know what I do is good for the community and I don’t need to brag about it or share it. I can go to sleep every night knowing that I changed a family’s life, but it’s humbling because there are so many programs that could’ve received it,” said Rostecki-Budzey, executive manager for Growing Families Society.
“I’m privileged because there are so many people who do this work. To be chosen is welcoming to the point that early childhood is being recognized and how important it is in different ways.”
As one of 12 children raised in rural Manitoba and attending a country school with one teacher educating eight grades at once, Rostecki-Budzey knows her upbringing had a direct impact on her career path. Yet she credited her staff, volunteers, board and partnerships for allowing her passion to thrive and the programs to succeed. As the first employee of Growing Opportunities when it launched in Strathmore 22 years ago, Rostecki-Budzey has seen family dynamics change and the society’s focus shift from nutritional health to social and societal issues. The organization soon evolved into the Growing Families Society and Rostecki-Budzey started establishing roughly 25 partnerships with organizations in Strathmore, Wheatland County and Drumheller.
“I think back then families supported one another to a different degree than they do now … when we went to events it was all about you respected your elders and everyone disciplined you,” she said. “I think my passion comes from knowing how much change and impact we can have on every person in a positive way. There’s that phrase, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and I’m truly a believer in that and that’s why you have partnerships.”
Strathmore Parent Link Centre’s staff Rhonda Rhys-Doering, Lily Moore and Natasha Kavanagh didn’t hesitate to nominate Rostecki-Budzey for the award this year, having partnered with her innumerable times through the Growing Families Society, Bridging the Gap and the 5 for Life Coalition.
The mother of one was the third person to be nominated by the local Parent Link Centre – one of Alberta’s 56 centres and a program of Aspen Family & Community Network Society.
“We’ve known for years that we wanted to recognize May (but) the categories for the award didn’t allow us to until they recently opened it up so that we were able to nominate her as an individual,” said Rhys-Doering, a senior parent coach.
“May is simply a key player in this community and she deserves to be honoured. May was up against all sorts of people in Calgary and area, and we chose to highlight for her that she really embodies the values of community and partnerships and empathy.”
Moore also emphasized Rostecki-Budzey’s grassroots approach, persistence, perseverance to long-term community issues, and her ability to think outside the box to work in partnerships with different agencies.
While the Strathmore local was flung into the spotlight, having to participate in a short video and attending a 200-member breakfast, Rostecki-Budzey is happy to be back in her office managing her staff, collecting data, applying for grants, building partnerships and helping one family at a time.