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To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re highlighting 50 stories that showcase the impact Springboard has made over the decades. These narratives reflect the experiences of our staff, program participants, and partners who have been part of our journey. Explore these inspiring stories through videos, written accounts, and blogs from our diverse community.
Congratulations to Springboard on reaching your 50th anniversary! This incredible milestone is a testament to Springboard’s unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in our community. Over the past five decades, you have touched countless lives and inspired us all to be more inclusive. Celebrating a 50th anniversary is a significant milestone worth commemorating. Springboard has made a difference in the lives of those we serve and the community. Your perseverance, vision, and tireless efforts have created lasting change. Here’s to 50 years of compassion, service, and innovation…
– Darren Cholock, former Assistant Supervisor, Attendance Program
I was hired at Springboard in November 2013 as a Multimedia Designer for the HUB Team, creating multimedia content like training videos, webinars, and interviews. Being part of Springboard was a wonderful experience—applying my skills in documentary filmmaking and animation to support at-risk youth and underserved communities was truly rewarding. I had the privilege of producing the “40 Years, 40 Stories” series, which showcased the incredible impact of Springboard’s work. It was a joy to highlight our mission through these stories…
– Mariana Osuna Multimedia Designer, HUB (2013-2016)
I was with Operation Springboard from 1990 to 2000, primarily as Director of Development, managing volunteer relations, public relations, and fundraising. Many of my work friendships blossomed into lifelong connections rooted in a shared commitment to Springboard’s mission of building safe communities and supporting each other. A special memory was planning Springboard’s 30th anniversary, where I had the chance to reconnect with founder Don Bailey. His simple, impactful vision was to support families of inmates, and he was amazed at Springboard’s growth in services. I’m proud to be part of this legacy…
Bert Steenburgh, Director of Development (1990 – 2000)
As Springboard celebrates its golden jubilee, I can’t help but take a trip down memory lane to where it all began for me. Picture this: a bright-eyed newcomer stepping into Springboard’s office, filled with anticipation and a hint of nervousness. Little did I know this place would become more than a workplace—it would become my second home, a space of growth and belonging. Each day was a new adventure, filled with challenges to conquer. The people truly made a difference. I’m grateful for the connections I made that will last forever. Here’s to 50 years of excellence…
Gagandeep, P&C Admin Coordinator (2021 – 2024)
Congratulations to Springboard on reaching your 50th anniversary!
This incredible milestone is a testament to Springboards unwavering commitment and dedication to making a positive impact in our community. Over the past five decades, you have touched countless lives, supported many clients, and inspired us all to be more inclusive and caring. Celebrating a 50th anniversary for any organization is a significant milestone worth commemorating in a memorable way. It’s a testament to the importance of each person that comes to work every day and thinking “I can make a difference”.
Springboard has made a significant difference in not only the lives of the people we serve, but also, the community and the people who work here. Whether it was supporting a person find employment, helping youth through a difficult time, or teaching and developing skills for clients become more independent, Springboard has always made a difference.
Your perseverance, vision, and tireless efforts have made a lasting difference on everyone who you have supported. Here’s to celebrating 50 years of compassion, service, and innovation. Wishing you continued success and many more years of making a difference. Cheers to the past achievements and the exciting journey ahead!
I was hired at Springboard in November 2013 as a Multimedia Designer for the HUB Team. My job was to produce multimedia content for the agency including training videos, webinars, video interviews, audio clips and still photography.
Being part of Springboard was a wonderful experience. Applying my skills and training in Documentary Filmmaking and animation in order to create content that was making a difference in the lives of at risk youth, and other underserved communities was the best part of my job.
I had the privilege of producing the video series: 40 Years, 40 Stories, giving me the chance to get to know the reach Springboard had and how many lives have been changed thanks to the dedication of everyone involved.
Springboard has stood the test of time because of its people. Dedicated individuals from different disciplines and backgrounds working as a team towards a common goal.
I’m excited to see how the next 50 years are going to continue to shape Springboard’s reach and to give more people another chance to reach their full potential.
Mariana Osuna Multimedia Designer, HUB (2013-2016)
I was employed by Operation Springboard for 10 years from 1990 to 2000, primarily as Director of Development overseeing a team responsible for Volunteer Management, Public Relations and Communications and Fundraising.
Many work-friendships I established during my decade at Springboard have evolved into lifelong friendships I continue to treasure deeply. Part of our friendship revolves around having shared a deep commitment to Springboard’s work and the passion for its contribution to building safe communities by caring for the people who came through our doors and lived in our homes. The friendships also speak of the way staff and volunteers cared for and supported each other.
A memory which rises to the top as I reflect upon Springboard’s 50th anniversary revolves around the role I played and the experience of planning Springboard’s 30th anniversary.
Operation Springboard started by former federal inmates as an affordable bus service for primarily Toronto families of inmates in the federal prison system, allowing them to visit their spouses, siblings and fathers/mothers. Federal institutions in Ontario are primarily scattered in the Kingston area. Maintaining family contact was seen as a key factor ensuring an inmates’ successful rehabilitation into the communities they left. Springboard also arranged for a place to stay overnight in Kingston.
I thought it might be nice to track down Springboard’s founders to connect with them and let them see how their initiative had evolved and to marry the anniversary celebration to our history. I was able to find Don Bailey in Winnipeg. We arranged for him to travel to Toronto and speak at our 40th anniversary celebration. Don had no idea of what Springboard had morphed into. He was blown away to see the breadth and depth of the services we offered to people at-risk in our communities.
Don’s original vision was a simple practical approach to a need which could have a big impact on the lives of families impacted by the trauma of incarceration. He saw the need, gathered like-minded people together and did something to make a difference in their lives and in the community.
I see the thread of that approach in Springboard today. It is the essence of what makes Springboard such a great force for good.
I am proud to have been a small part of that legacy.
Happy 50th Springboard.
Bert Steenburgh, Director of Development (1990 – 2000)
As Springboard celebrates its golden jubilee, I can’t help but take a trip down memory lane to where it all began for me. Picture this: a bright-eyed, newcomer stepping foot into Springboard’s office, filled with anticipation and a hint of nervousness. Little did I know that this place would become more than just a workplace—it would become my second home, my place of growth and belonging.
My journey at Springboard was great. From the very beginning, I was welcomed with open arms. Each day was a new adventure, filled with challenges to conquer and victories to celebrate. But amidst the hustle and bustle, it was the people who made all the difference as it says “People are at the centre of everything we do” With her infectious energy and unwavering support, Marissa became more than just a person I reported to—she became a mentor and a friend. P&C is a dream team! While I’d love to express my gratitude to each person at Springboard who impacted me, I can’t list them all here. I made connections that would last forever. So here’s to 50 years of excellence, innovation, and making a difference. May Springboard continue to shine brightly, illuminating the path for many more generations to come. With heartfelt gratitude,
Gagandeep, P&C Admin Coordinator (2021 – 2024)
