As the date for Chilliwack’s upcoming municipal election draws nearer, another resident has put forward their name as a possibility for school board trustee.
Kelly Janveaux, who has lived in Chilliwack since she was nine-years-old, says she’s always loved Chilliwack, and can see how much the community’s grown since her childhood.
“I remember when there was no 7-Eleven or McDonald’s,” she said while sitting at a table in a downtown Chilliwack cafe. “But we’ve grown so much, and there’s been so much change and diversity, which is good. Change is good.”
Yet to keep up with those changes, and ensure the city’s youth benefit from it, Janveaux believes it’s time for some fresh initiatives and outlooks to be added to the district’s school board.
“I’ve been thinking about doing this for a year,” Janveaux continued. “Community is important to me and to make the changes (I believe are necessary), I need to be part of the change.
“Chilliwack’s grown exponentially in size, needs, and diversity, and I’m not sure we’re doing all we can … and I want to be part of making a difference in kids’ lives.”
With a platform that she says is inline with School District 33’s Strategic Plan for 2016-2021, Janveaux hopes to not only be a voice representing like-minded individuals throughout the region on a large scale, but to also be a bridge between the board and the PACs, students, and employees.
“I want to be inclusive and respectful of everyone,” said Janveaux. “And I want Chilliwack to be an employer of choice.
“It takes a village to raise a child, and when kids go to school, teachers are their village, and we want them to be the best versions of themselves for those kids.”
A long-time youth advocate, Janveaux has spent more than a decade helping children of all ages through her work with the YMCA.
“I’ve worked with a wide (range) of kids, from youth-at-risk to our leadership students,” Janveaux explained. “I see what happens when kids aren’t successful, and I want our community to be part of their successes.
“I want to make graduation a possibility for every student who enters our schools … and (ensure they’re taught) all of the important things, not just academics.”
Janveaux is the fifth person to announce running for school board, behind David Swankey, Williow Reichelt, and sitting trustees Dan Coulter and Barry Neufeld, who’ve both said they’ll be running for re-election.
To learn more about Kelly Janveaux, please visit her Facebook page at Facebook.com/KellyJanveauxForSchoolTrustee.
@SarahGawdin
Sarah.Gawdin@theprogress.com
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