Norm McLeod Awards

Iris Pasareno, 2002 Norm McLeod Dreamweaver Award Winner

Fort McMurrary’s community inclusion pioneer

When Iris Pasareno, CEO of the Salvation Army START Program, first arrived in Fort McMurray in the 1980’s, there was little in the way of programming for persons with developmental disabilities. Few programs existed to connect people to their community, whether it was through employment, education, housing, or other support options.

Iris was recognized for her advocacy, innovation, and perseverance in creating programs for persons with developmental disabilities in Fort McMurray at the Alberta Association of Rehabilitation Centres’ (AARC) Spring Conference in Edmonton on April 25th, where she was presented with the inaugural Norm McLeod Dreamweaver Award. This award, which is sponsored by the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Provincial Board, recognizes an individual who is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and committed to community inclusion. A five-member committee reviewed the seven provincial nominations for the award and selected Iris as the co-winner.

Her nominator, Geoff Wright, said that, “Iris came along with her energy and creativity and was determined to make things better. She understood the hopes and dreams of persons with developmental disabilities and their families and had a clear vision of how to convert them into reality.” Iris is widely credited for establishing accommodations for people with various levels of supports throughout Fort McMurray. This was completed in a red-hot housing market, where homes are difficult to find at the best of times.

Iris admits that the road to community inclusion has been bumpy. There were “discouraging and dark days” and many failures along the way. She was inspired by the work and passion of families who never gave up the fight for quality services in spite of insurmountable obstacles, incredible stress, and failure. “These families demonstrated to me the value of never giving up as they continue to weave dreams in reality,” she says. She has also been inspired through the work of the Salvation Army, which has worked “quietly and diligently” to achieve community inclusion in the city. The Salvation Army showed their continued support of Iris by sending several members down to Edmonton to celebrate her achievements.

In her acceptance speech, Iris thanked the Fort McMurray community for its support of persons with developmental disabilities. “I am accepting this award on behalf of the community of Fort McMurray that supports individuals with developmental disabilities. This award represents their hopes and dreams—the dreams and hopes of families, individuals, and the staff in Fort McMurray and in the Northeast Community Board region.” Iris says she is “happy that community inclusion dreams don’t stay dreams. They become reality when we join together faith, hope, and courage.”

She saved a special thank-you to recognize other community service providers in the region. “I have encountered staff who have demonstrated great courage by staying in this field. They have given up career opportunities with far more financial remuneration than they get in this field. They teach me everyday the value of courage and commitment.”

The PDD Provincial Board created the Norm McLeod Leadership Award to celebrate the career and contributions of Norm McLeod. Throughout his 35-year career, Norm inspired countless people with his untiring commitment to community inclusion. He had a personal vision of people with developmental disabilities living as full participants in their communities.

The PDD Provincial Board mission is “to create an Alberta where adults with developmental disabilities are included in community life.”

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