Paro Centre for Women's Enterprise Celebrate 30 Years!
by Scott A. Sumner
The recent 30th Anniversary celebration of Paro Centre for Women's Enterprise was fun to attend. I talked to some award winners who have been long time supporters of Paro as well as founder Ros Lockyer and keynote speaker Maryam Monsef of Onward!
Rebecca Johnson
“ I first met Ros when I would go to get chicken from her at Mary Brown's. We would talk about how women were not where they needed to be, they still aren't, but we are getting better. At that time I was the Chamber president and Ros wanted to set up Paro at that time for entrepreneurs. We decided it would work and I have always been a supporter. When I became a politician at the municipal level it was what could I do to make things happen.” “ I still am a supporter of Paro and believe in what they are doing. The Women in Politics organization began and Paro and I worked together on it. It has lead to more women considering to run for politics.”
Linda Bruins Evergreen A United Neighbourhood
“ In 2002 I quit my job and was in a bad marriage so started getting rid of stuff. I met with Paro, there was a provincial program available and I began working on my business plan. I ran that business for quite a long time until I created Evergreen. “ We work with children and do feeding programs with 125 meals provided a day, as well as hygiene and counselling so it very busy. I am very proud to be a Paro women where I gained lots of skills to help kids.”
Levina Collins, Levina Collins Economic Development Consulting
“ We learn in Paro that you have to keep positive all the time. It is really important. I learned so much from Paro and got really good jobs with their help. I also volunteered as well and learned so much from Ros and she is the reason I got these jobs. I have been with Paro on their boards for about 22 years.”
Donna Nordstrom North Stream Safety and Rehab
“ In 2019 I went on the first ever Paro trade mission to Baltimore with 4000 other women. One of their speakers talked about the power of the right partnership. I went to speak with her and got some very good advice. Just that alone really gave me the power to go home, change my attitude and realize what could be done. We have grown substantially in business today. That is where it started, knowing of what we are capable.”
“ Ros said you should go to a mining show in Newfoundland with Paro and now we have an office in Newfoundland with an employee. It about people and connections in business.”
Sheila Fortes Office Works
“ I was in the first training class offered by Paro called Building a Dream. It was a program funded by the Unemployment Insurance people to prepare a business plan in 3 or 4 months. A few months after that I was self employed. I volunteered my services to Paro as an accountant as well.”
Maryam Monsef, keynote speaker Founder and Ceo of Onward
“ I am here to celebrate the Paro 30th Anniversary who support tens of thousands of businesses a cross the country. This is deeply important for me and also for local and the Canadian economies. When times are tough women are often hit hardest, that is what the pandemic has taught us. So having the support of organizations like Paro when times are tough is essential for their resiliency and the economies success.”
“ To be invited here is an honour to be able to connect with the founders. Many people can have great ideas but there is something to be said for those people that turn those ideas into action, so that they can provide for their families, create jobs and enhance their communities.”
“ Paro stepped up and answered the call for leadership while I was in government. The appetite across the country is there for women to come together and share resources and pivot whenever there is a need to pivot. Sometimes being well connected is the difference to succeeding and going under.”
“ Paro is everywhere in Canada helping 37053 women and their families so far, who have been affected, as well as the multiplier effect over their history.”
Ros Lockyer, Founder and CEO
“ Paro started January 2,1995 so this is our 30th year. At the first there was me and I did sort of everything except the books where I had a volunteer- Sheila Fortis. I did training, outreach, marketing and everything else but didn't feel comfortable doing the books. Later on we had a board of directors and incorporated but Sheila was treasurer for years.”
“ We have the largest peer lending network in North America with 355 peer lending circles. We started in NW Ontario and now are all across Canada. A big part of that was to do with wage support. The grass roots women from our circles are on the board.”
“ I couldn't have even imagined the ripple effect of Paro and can see it around me with the women doing the work. It is women supporting women and asking for help. The mission of Paro is you have a group of women and support them. We expect the women to help others as well. It is not just about yourself and making money. It is about supporting your sisters, community and family. That is the secret of success and happiness.”
“ I have worked really hard for sustainability on the board and in the team, so feel confident Paro will continue on. Really what I am now is a mentor. I hope Paro is and will continue to be in the new economy. Recently during covid we had no idea what would happen but we had each other to pivot. It was time of growth of Paro when we grew across Canada.”
“ We just came back from the EU on a trade mission for the women and we made it work because the US is not a good time at the moment. The women from the EU are really interested in doing business in Canada and we want to make sure we have the opportunity to stay connected.”
