Yvonne Osawaru

Hailing from Benin City, Nigeria, Yvonne Osawaru has called Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo home for the last 14 years. She is a Career and Employment Consultant with the Government of Alberta, and is always spotted around town volunteering her time and engaging with the community. YMM: What is the biggest risk you have ever taken? YO: The biggest risk I have ever taken is moving away from my home country during my last year as a teenager, to an entirely different continent on my own. YMM: For what are you most grateful? YO: I am most grateful for life but also for the opportunities Fort McMurray has given to my family and me, and job security. I am also grateful for my husband who continues to push me to be the best version of myself. YMM: What is the most rewarding part of your career? YO: As a Career and Employment Consultant, I work for the Department of Community and Social Services and we lead income, employment, disabilities, family violence prevention, and community-based supports. It is very rewarding to be able to provide resources to Albertans who walk through our doors. YMM: Tell us about your volunteer experience in the community. YO: I am currently on the Government of Alberta United Way employee campaign team and I also volunteer with nonprofit organizations like the Local HERO Foundation which delivers 24/7 emergency helicopter services to our community. Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta which has a mission to support all girls to be strong, smart and bold is another non-profit organization I volunteer with. I also just recently was the Volunteer Coordinator for the 3rd Annual Acden Fleet Show in support of the Centre of Hope. YMM: What does community mean to you? YO: Community to me means that feeling of fellowshipping with others, sharing common goals and interests, connections with community members and having that sense of belonging. YMM: What is the best advice that you ever received? YO: The way a person behaves is indicative of where they’re at physically, mentally, and spiritually. Try not to take things personally and be open and compassionate. They probably have nothing to do with you. Learn to see someone’s behaviour through the lens of love so that when your cup of love runs low too, you get the same treatment. YMM: What is the worst advice that you ever received? YO: To be fearless. I think fear is part of survival and it is better to examine your fears and learn how to tackle them. At some point in our lives, we as humans will encounter flight-or-fight situations and will need to act fearlessly but feeling that fear just a little bit isn’t’ always a bad thing. YMM: Who is your hero, and why? YO: My Parents. Dad was and still is a disciplinarian. He made sure I had the highest grades in school and would sit with me and go through my homework every day making sure I came top in my class. Mom was and still is always there to celebrate my victories. She is my cheerleader, prayer warrior and support system.