Barbara has announced her candidacy for Regional Council for the City of Kitchener.
Barbara, a first-generation Canadian (whose parents emigrated from England), grew up in Kitchener with her family and has lived here most of her life.
She attended both Pine Grove Public and Doon Senior Public schools, graduating from Eastwood Collegiate Institute before going on to Toronto School of Business, Kitchener Campus. Recently, she attended Conestoga College to upgrade her accounting credentials with the goal of obtaining her CGA.
Barbara’s commitment to this community started very young with a Lemon Aid stand to raise money for the Canadian Red Cross, to receiving the Oktoberfest Woman of The Year award for Homemaker in 1993.
Barbara has also been a Girl Guide and later a leader (Guider Rose) at AR Kaufman P.S.
She has the distinction of being the first female Air Cadet in the Region with 822 Tutor Squadron.
A life-long community volunteer, she has worked with the Linden Avenue Housing Project, advocating for non-profit housing, which the region has still shown a strong commitment to. Through the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association she was able to work with the Tenants Advisory Committee including the tenant lounge.
Barbara has given of her time and talents to many other organizations, including Mothers Making Change, a Sole-support Parents Advisory Committee, Management Board for Homeshare (Waterloo Region), out-reach to high schools by presenting, ‘Life Skills’ courses on the challenges of single parenting, Donation Supervisor with Operation Christmas Child, Member of K.W. Access-Ability, Respect Campaign and Orientation Video for Conestoga College, Link Picnic Fashion Show Volunteer Former Chair of Disabilities and Human Rights Group, and Power Chair Curling team member at the Granite Club.
In previous elections Barbara has worked as office support for several candidates at municipal, provincial and federal levels. She was also training officer for the Kitchener Conestoga Riding plus DRO and Poll Clerk duties over the last 20 years.
On October 25, 2010 please vote for someone who knows your community and can represent your concerns in council: Barbara da Silva.