BGC Cochrane and Area executive director Jill Bilodeau is among the ranks of Alberta’s most distinguished community leaders after receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal on March 20.
Although she received the award, Bilodeau notes that it came as a surprise during a meeting.
“All of a sudden, all my friends and family walked in and I was like – this is a little strange, why are they coming to our staff meeting,” Bilodeau said. “Then Maureen Topp, our manager of licensed programs, started speaking, and I was still confused. Then out board chair spoke and let me know that I was the recipient of the award.”
Bilodeau received the award for her contributions for children, youth, and families in the community. She explained that she’s been a part of Cochrane BGC for 15 years, and during that time, Bilodeau said it has allowed for the BGC to grow and meet the needs of Cochrane’s growing population.
“We have expanded our services and locations, just to ensure that our families have child care for their children when they go to work,” she said. “As the community grew, we needed to grow, and we we’re thankfully able to do that in a very meaningful way.”
During her time, Bilodeau opened a youth-only drop-in space.
“It’s a safe space where they can hang out, eat snacks, and there’s also mentor if they need support,” Bilodeau explained. “They play video games; it’s just a safe space to be. I think that probably one of the biggest accomplishments, because we’ve never had a teen-only space, so on a personal level, I think that’s probably the biggest accomplishment.”
Bilodeau said she is very honoured to receive the award, adding that she just did her job and this was never something she would expect.
“I couldn’t do it without my team, and I think they’re instrumental in this award as well,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without them, so it was pretty special to have them all there as well.”
She adds that she would also like to thank her family for their support in her endeavours.
Looking to the future, Bilodeau said she will just continue to do her job everyday.
“Just continuing on and supporting our children, youth, and families in the community is key, and I’m going to keep doing that,” Bilodeau said.
In the coming weeks, Bilodeau invites members of the community to participate in their upcoming Banger Bingo event.
“It’s 80’s themed, you play, there’s fun contests within the bingo game, but there’s lots of other things happening at the same time,” Bilodeau said.
For more information on Banger Bingo and the BGC, please visit www.bgccochrane.ca.
