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New leadership at Children First Executive director a 15-year resident who had a hand in organization's formation
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, June 27, 2013
INUVIK
The new head of the Children First Society is a veteran of local children's issues.
Patricia Davison is the new executive director of the Children First Society. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo
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Patricia Davison, a resident of Inuvik for 15 years, is the new face of the organization and its multimillion-dollar centre slated to open in August.
"I think the reason that attracted me the most is the potential of this building and this centre," she said. "There's so much potential here for programming for children and families and the services it can provide to the community. To me, that's really exciting."
The organization turned to a familiar face when it hired Davison. Along with her many years in Inuvik, she's also a founding member of the Children First Society.
"I've been with the project from the start in different capacities," she said. "Child and family support is my passion. Anyone engaging me in a conversation about child development better have a lot of time because I can talk about that for a very long time."
She said she didn't have any idea how many other people applied for the job.
Davison said obtaining proper child-care in Inuvik has historically been difficult.
There have never been enough resources and spaces to meet the need, she explained, which was the main issue when the society was formed years ago.
"This facility was really a dream in a way of community members who realized that (problem) probably 14 years ago," she said. "They decided they wanted to change that.
"My priorities of course are to meet the needs and priorities of families and young children in Inuvik," Davison said.
"Of course, the number-one priority is child care. Inuvik has a history of lots of children on waiting lists, so we want to try and change that and make sure that families who need that support have it."
Currently, 76 children are registered for entry into the new centre, which is to open in August.
"That's just the children who were in programs or on waiting lists," she said. "That doesn't include the community members who aren't on waiting lists."
After 15 years, Davison still describes herself as a "relative newcomer" to the area.
"I think that's just me feeling like I call Inuvik home and I feel that I have a lot to learn about the community and a lot of people to still get to know."
She arrived in Inuvik on a one-year contract to work in children's issues and never left.
"Inuvik grows on you like a beautiful flower," she said with a grin.
Davison said she isn't sure how long she'll stay in the position.
"I'm very much an in-the-moment kind of person. I welcome the challenge and excitement of a new project, helping develop them and get them off the ground, and I rarely am a person who has a 10-year plan. I just go with what my skills and abilities have to offer, and if I still have something to offer, I continue on. If I feel it's time to let some new blood in, I'm OK with stepping back."
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