Eleven years ago, Sheila Parks was walking around with a resume burning a hole in her purse for two weeks, unable to bring herself to submit it – but when she finally did, it would end up becoming a life-changing experience not only for her, but for many local families.
Parks had been working as a librarian at St. Paul Regional High School, a job she really enjoyed, with people she considered “a great family.”
When the County of St. Paul asked her if she would submit her resume to work at the Parent Link, Parks wrote something up, but then found herself unable to submit it, thinking she was so comfortable where she was.
But that word “comfortable” got her – perhaps she was missing out on a new opportunity, perhaps she would be sorry if she didn’t try.
“I don’t believe people grow if they’re too comfortable,” she said, adding she ended up handing that resume in at 4 p.m. on the day of the deadline.
When she ended up getting the job as Parent Link programmer, she found it to be the perfect fit.
“Immediately I realized, this was something I absolutely loved, working with families.”
Over the years, Parks found lots of opportunities to help others, whether it was finding them clothes or shelter, or being a shoulder to cry on, or just a sympathetic ear.
“Even though I love to talk, I can also be a good listener. Sometimes that’s what people need, just to have someone listen to them.”
“I love what I do and I do worry about people,” she said, noting problems of other people would stay with her, and she would do her best to help them, even if it meant providing a home for people who had nowhere else to go. In just one case amongst several, Parks remembered taking in a young Grade 10 student, who stayed with her and her husband for a year and a half, paying a small amount in room and board in return for the support so she could graduate.
“We were like parents to her,” remembered Parks, saying it’s memories like that that will stay with her, as she retires from the centre to spend more time with her husband Ken, their children and grandchildren.
Dozens of local families and children were at the Reunion Station on Thursday evening to show her love and care was returned, a token of gratitude that she did end up dropping that resume off after all. Last Thursday not only marked Parks’ birthday, but also a party to mark her retirement as Parent Link programmer after touching hundreds of lives.
Many of the kids sported green shirts saying, “I’m with Miss Sheila,” and an emotional Parks was showered with gifts and hugs. As she wiped her eyes, she told them even though all of their pictures would not fit in the locket they gifted her, she would still carry each of them with her, in her heart.
“You’ve all become my family,” she said with a teary smile, accepting the gift bag and flowers from one of the party organizers, Rawan Radwan.
“There’s no words to describe why we did it for her,” said Radwan, explaining she came to St. Paul six years ago. While moving to a new town can be a challenge, meeting Parks made “a huge difference” in her life, and her son’s life.
“She’s the best person that a small town like St. Paul can have,” said Radwan. “She doesn’t do it like a job – it’s just who she is.”
Fellow parents Cherise Cousins is quick to agree with this statement, adding, “She’s everyone’s friend really - Everything she does comes from the heart.”
Taking over for Parks will be Michelle Duffy, who had worked at St. Paul Elementary for the past nine years before becoming the program assistant at the Parent Link Centre last year.
Duffy, whose eyes were just as teary as Parks during the farewell, said she counted herself as lucky to have had the chance to work with Parks for the past year.
“She’s such a positive role model to everybody . . . To fill those shoes is going to be tough,” she said, adding however, she had a lot of great ideas and ways to build on what Parks had already put in place, whether it was the Triple P parenting classes, working on events like the Heritage Festival and Shiver Fest as part of the Town FCSS team, or any of the Parent Link’s regular programming.
“We’re getting community together, showing kids it’s not just DSes or iPods. Technology is important, but playing is very important – I want to focus on that, playing.”
Parks said she knew the Parent Link and its families would be in good hands with Duffy, and was happy to see her take on the role.
“I just want to say how happy I am that Michelle will be the programmer. She absolutely loves kids.”
When someone remarked to Parks how Duffy had big footprints to follow, Parks was quick to say she didn’t want her replacement to be following in her footprints, but making their own instead, and this is what she feels Duffy will do.
“She brings a young and new energy to the program.”
While the torch is being passed with optimism for the future, everyone could agree Parks would be missed.
Abby Keyes, one of the organizers of the retirement party, has since moved from St. Paul but came back to the town specifically for Thursday evening’s event. When asked why she made the two-hour journey for the party, she just shakes her head slightly, as though the answer is obvious.
“It’s Miss Sheila - she’s a legend!” Keyes said. “She’s made St. Paul home to so many people.”
Adds Radwan: “She’s going to be very missed at Parent Link – it won’t be the same without her.”
