Outstanding Service Awards

Aleda Patterson Award

Aleda Patterson was the founder of ABC Head Start Society. Aleda was a visionary and an advocate who believed in empowering others to reach their full potential.  She was a passionate and caring woman who felt a responsibility to give back to her community in any way that she could.  Aleda had an extraordinary way of seeing the potential in others, she nurtured this potential and helped others realize their ability to create change.

This award is in recognition of Aleda’s contributions to the community of Edmonton which included her active involvement in her church, her leadership in the Personal Development Centre, which eventually became part of the Support Network and her role as founder and long term supporter of ABC Head Start.  Through her passion for her community and her desire to facilitate change for vulnerable children and families, Aleda empowered others to embrace opportunities for positive change, both within their own lives and the larger community.  This award is to honor the lifetime work of Aleda, and to recognize the outstanding contributions of others who embody her spirit of caring.

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the recipients of the Aleda Patterson Award:

Ann Bab

Germaine Chau

Councillor Bev Esslinger

Faith Page

Martin Garber-Conrad

Ann Babb Outstanding Service Award

Ann Babb is a caring and compassionate woman who has a passion for education.  She is a committed and hard working woman who has given 30 years of her life to empower children and families to succeed in the face of adverse conditions.  She is a leader and a support for her friends, colleagues and co-workers and is committed to the work that she does.  Ann has dedicated her career to supporting ABC Head Start’s success in the Edmonton-area through many adversities and challenges.  She is an advocate and a champion in the area of early learning and care and her efforts have not gone unnoticed. 

This award is in recognition of the work that Ann Babb has contributed to ABC Head Start, the staff and the families.  Her tireless work effort and her immense compassion always make those around her feel welcome and empowered. 

Recipients will receive a bursary of $1000 to apply to continuing education (includes Professional Development that is directly related to the recipients current position).  They will also receive a commemorative award.  

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the recipients of the Ann Babb Outstanding Service Award:

Shannon L. Keats

Leidia Siffledeen

Jennifer Robson

Laura Raphael

Laura Brompton

Branna-Lea Baronasky

The Spirit of ABC Head Start

In May 2016, we launched The Spirit of ABC Head Start, a shared commitment and accountability to the shared values and environment we wanted to create and work in together. To assist us in making this commitment a deliberate part of day to day work and interactions with each other, individual and team/group awards have been established based on the six key areas of the Spirit of ABC Head Start.

View The Spirit of ABC Head Start PDF →

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the 2017, 2020, 2021, & 2022 Award Recipients of the Spirit of ABC Head Start. One award was presented in each of the six areas at each annual Staff Appreciation Event:

WE EMBRACE DIVERSITY – Laurie Nichol, Paula Durrani, Branna-Lea Baronasky & Roxanne Zowtuk, Corrie Rogoski

WE CREATE OUR ENVIRONMENT – Jennifer Robson, Bree Litrop, Serena Desjarlais & Samantha Reidy, Lindsay Zimmerman

WE FOSTER STRONG RELATIONSHIPS – Maria Elena Carballo-Pineda, Amanda Breunig, Cammi DeLuca & Laurie Kanerva, Bree Litrop

WE COMMUNICATE CLEARLY – Christina Sand, Alyson Herbst, Megan Donnelly, Kim Lacusta

WE ASSUME POSITIVE INTENT – Shannon L. Keats, Emily Ratcliffe, Donita Rampersaud, Shana Katan

WE CHOOSE OUR ATTITUDE – Karen Marsh, Denise Stacey & Ashleigh Haines, Bree Litrop & Priscilla Vohr, Leida Siffledeen