The Angel Foundation for Learning’s Tribute to Ms. Maureen O’Neil

Maureen O’Neil, a dedicated professional who made social work her life’s vocation, is an ideal candidate for the TCDSB 2010 Award of Merit. Maureen is a devout Catholic, exceptional social worker emeritus, a visionary and a philanthropist. Motivated by her desire to assist children and their families, Maureen worked tirelessly both at the local and the provincial level to make a significant difference in their lives. Evidence of Maureen’s contributions to Catholic Education permeate the Toronto Catholic District School Board and across the province as witnessed by her leadership both at the Board and on the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

About Maureen O’Neil

Maureen, who hails from Nova Scotia, did her undergraduate work at Mount Saint Vincent University and obtained her graduate degree from Maritime School of Social Work. Upon her arrival to Toronto Maureen was hired by the Toronto Catholic District School Board (formerly MSSB). For over twenty years Maureen provided direct service to students in inner city schools. In her eleven years as Chief Social Worker, Maureen would empower the entire department to apply their wide range of specialties. Hard-working and knowledgeable, Maureen worked on a myriad of committees and raised the awareness of the importance of the school social worker across the province.

Maureen O’Neil has a history of community service and professional accomplishments intended to improve the quality of life for children. Her contributions include:

• Recipient of O.A.S.W. School Social Work Achievement Award – 2001
• Membership Review Committee of Catholic Charities
• Member of the Family Services Committee for Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
• Board member of the Toronto Child Abuse Committee
• Former Executive Director and Board member of the Metropolitan Toronto Catholic Education Foundation

Maureen O’Neil’s Contribution to Catholic Education

(A) Contribution as a TCDSB Social Worker
During her time with TCDSB, Maureen spent 20 years in direct service in the inner city schools of Toronto. She placed children emphatically at the center of all her work. Working with the most fragile and aggrieved students fueled her interest in the prevention of child abuse, violence prevention and child and adolescent mental health. Former students still keep in touch.

Maureen developed an expertise in group work with children and parent education programs. She was particularly skilled at building relationships with parents. She was frequently described as a warm and active listener who was able to help many children and families. Parents were often heard to remark, “She really helped me and my family. She made a difference. She gave me strength.”

She offered tremendous support to teachers and principals. Catherine Fortune, a retired principal thoroughly enjoyed working with Maureen. Catherine described her as “child and family focused, supportive, knowledgeable, open, honest, positive, proactive, sensitive, intuitive and extremely professional. Other current and retired teachers and principals describe Maureen with great fondness.

(B) Contribution as TCDSB Chief Social Worker
As a visionary with remarkable writing skills Maureen authored and co-authored a number of documents that have become the cornerstone of preventive TCDSB programs. Among her contributions are the development of Crisis Response guidelines, the development of the staff training component of the ASIST program and an Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program.

In her position as chief social worker, Maureen was able to bring her child-centred focus to a new level, continually supporting and challenging her staff, as well as administrators, colleagues and committee members to keep children and their well-being at the heart of the discussion and decision making.

Proud of her staff, she acknowledged their various personalities and specialties and encouraged them to develop their professional interests. As a result many current social workers have specialized in areas of bereavement, crisis intervention, and abuse. Her long hours and tireless efforts as chief did not prevent her from being continually supportive, encouraging and approachable.

Maureen was a strong community builder and she recognized the importance of building community among the staff of the social work department. This was poignantly demonstrated when a social worker colleague was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She came up with the idea of having each social worker make a square for a quilt and then held a quilting-bee to put the squares together. The quilt became a symbolic gesture underscoring the importance of showing love and concern for each other, the importance of supporting each other and importance of working in tandem.

Maureen leaves an incredible legacy among present TCDSB social workers. Highly respected and strongly admired, Maureen has left an indelible mark and her influence can be easily recognized among her colleagues. Focusing on children, working closely with child protection agencies, educators and parents and remaining positive and non-judgmental continue to be the mantra of current TCDSB social workers as the attached testimonial illustrates. (Appendix A)

(C) Contributions to promoting Social Work in the Province of Ontario
Maureen demonstrated her formidable leadership on her work on the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She was the chief social worker liaison for the School Social Work Committee from 1992-1998. During that time she facilitated two OASW School Social Work Symposiums at TCDSB and participated in much sub-committee work. Several highlights include her presentation made as a committee member to the Royal Commission on Learning and her meeting with David Cook, the then Minister of Education speaking about the why social workers are so important in education.

With inexhaustible energy, Maureen volunteered on many other committees including the Toronto Child Abuse Centre, Etobicoke Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, Catholic Children’s Aid Society and Safe Schools Committee (TCDSB). Her work on these committees has had long-lasting implications. As an example, her work on the Development of the Child Abuse Protocol resulted in developing child abuse protocols with child protection agencies, police and the Toronto Child Abuse Centre.

(D) Maureen O’Neil Summer Camp Fund
Upon her retirement from TCDSB Maureen’s first thought was to create a fund whereby children could participate in an experience that would otherwise be denied to them. She was acutely aware of how impoverished families scraped together the means to eke out a meager living. She knew that for these children a summer camp experience would be comparable to winning a trip to Disneyland. Intuitively she knew that by attending summer camp children would be safe, learn new skills and make new friends.

Educators and social workers know that children need stimulation and socialization that goes beyond the classroom. Students from low-income families lack the means to participate even in the most ordinary extra curricular activity. Limited finances also induce other stressors and the children are usually subjected to additional familial responsibilities leaving them with scant opportunities to be children.

Participating at summer camp can be a life-altering and a life-saving experience for many students. Summer months are long and students who lack financial resources often times find inappropriate ways of spending their leisure time. Brushes with the law, involvement with gangs are just a few of the competing negative influences that can have life threatening implications. Summer camp acts as a positive antidote for these influences and the benefits extend well beyond the week spent away from home. Confidence, social skills and graces, opportunities to make new friends, learning new skills and honing developing skills are just a few of the constructive outcomes.

For students with special needs the Maureen O’Neil Summer Camp Fund provides benefits in two distinct ways. Not only do students with special needs get an opportunity to participate in an outdoor experience but parents are also provided with much need respite. The attached testimonial is but one example of the many letters received from parents acknowledging the importance of a camp experience. (Appendix B)

The Maureen O’Neil Summer Camp Fund makes it possible for over 120 students annually to participate in this life transforming experience. To date over a 1000 TCDSB students have reaped the benefits of such an experience. Anita attended camp thanks to the Maureen O’Neil Summer Camp Fund. Anita writes, “Camp helped me to interact with others and make new friends. It gave me a safe place to go for the summer. I had fun and I tried many new things at camp that I knew I would not ever get a chance to try anywhere else.”

Anita’s experience was so positive that she has approached Rosemarie, a school social worker and is inquiring whether she could be considered as a Leader In Training at the summer camp she previously attended as a camper. Rosemarie writes, “Anita is now 15 years of age and is in grade 11. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I truly believe it benefited her tremendously. She developed self confidence, self esteem and friendships. She was able to be herself without the pressures from peers at school where she was victimized.

Anita’s mother is presently unemployed and her father only works a few hours per day. They have a very difficulty time making ends meet. Her older brother is in college and works part time to help support the family. Her younger brothers are still in elementary school. This description is a typical family situation where school social workers would apply to the Maureen O'Neil Summer Camp Fund.

Anita always worked well with younger children so she will be well suited the LIT program. I do hope she will be able to attend! I will be requesting funds on her behalf from the Maureen O'Neil Summer Camp Fund. What a gift we have ...for these children!

Maureen’s vision for children extends beyond the here and now; her legacy is the realm of wondrous possibilities for their future. The Maureen O’Neil Summer Camp Fund is Maureen’s gift to these children. Maureen O’Neil is gift to Catholic Education.