Kim Harvie doesn't measure her success based on her title, education, or salary. She basis her success on the lives she has touched along the way.
Harvie is the executive director of the Bonnyville and District Daycare. She has been working at the Parent Child Centre in town for over 18-years.
“I started out in the original daycare that was here, and then I worked with FCSS for 15 years as a preschool teacher,” Harvie said.
It wasn't until last fall that she accepted the position of executive director for the daycare centre.
But her big heart goes beyond providing children with the tools they need to learn and grow. During the little downtime she has, she volunteers as the director of volunteer services for the Emergency Disaster Services committee.
This group is in charge of aiding in disaster services such as check-in locations. They were put to the test before ever becoming an official committee during the Fort McMurray wildfire evacuations.
“We had realized early on that there were people coming our way and that they needed assistance. Nothing had been set up officially yet. We put our heads together and saw what was needed and we just did it,” explained Harvie. “That was about a week and a half before the original reception centre was set up. We had a bit of an unofficial one set up to give assistance in whatever people needed at that time.”
In order to give it her all, Harvie hired someone to take over her daycare temporarily so she could commit to aiding in the efforts.
Outside of work and volunteering, Harvie spends time with her three children and two grandchildren, but with so many big changes going on at the daycare, she admits she is spending more time than usual at the centre.
“Our daycare is going through some major changes thanks to a grant that we received. I truly spend all of my free time here,” she said.
It took passion, dedication, and perseverance for Harvie to reach her goals.
At the age of 19, Harvie worked at the Parent Child Centre, and everyday would pass the playschool.
“Everyday I would walk kids past that room, and never once did I hear a child crying or upset. I heard laughter, songs, and stories. The moms coming out of that room always had a smile on their face and everybody just seemed so full of joy. I remember thinking to myself when I was 19 or 20 that one day I would be in that classroom and doing that same job,” Harvie reflected.
Sure enough, Harvie found herself standing in that very classroom about three years later.
“During that time, it was great. I met so many people in our community and so many children and families. To this day, still some of them say hello to me and they are 15, 16, or even 18-years-old. For me, that's success.”
Growing up with a single mother, Harvie witnessed some of the hardships her family faced. But through those challenging times she learned that things don't come easy in life, and she should always be grateful for what she has.
It was her mother who also instilled the value of helping others.
It was also life lessons that taught Harvie it takes a village to raise a child. As a childcare provider, she strives to help leave a lasting impression on the children she cares for.
“I find that being a professional childcare provider goes beyond the scope of watching the children and making sure they are safe and cared for. It goes to teaching them and giving them the tools they need to be successful,” she said.
For Harvie, women have faced any number of barriers in their working lives.
“I think in the past, women weren't given the opportunity to reach their actual potential. Regardless of what might have been hampering them, whether it is social views or it's family views even… I think nowadays, by fostering their passions, they're able to do more because they want to do more. They enjoy it and they like it and there aren't so many barriers,” she said. “If someone is truly passionate about what they do and they are able to do what they're passionate about, the strength that they can bring to that area is phenomenal.”
Believing in yourself, finding your support group, and loving what you do are what will help a woman succeed, Harvie added.
“Find a village. It doesn't just take a village to raise children; I think it takes a village to continue to raise adults. We never stop learning, and I think it's really important to have people around you that support you and believe in you and help you believe in yourself.”
She continued, “Anything is possible. It doesn't matter what background you come from. It doesn't matter whether you're high or low income. Whether you're a single parent, double parent, or you have four families with stepparents. If you have a good support group around you, you can do anything.”
