Glen Shipp remembers a much smaller PLASP than what it is today.

More than 30 years ago, Glen was introduced to the organization when his daughter was attending an after school program offered by PLASP. At the time, PLASP was offering programs in only 10 schools, providing services to 200 children. As small as the organization was, Glen immediately saw the value in the services that PLASP was providing to parents in the community – and recognized the potential.

In 1980, Glen joined the PLASP board of directors and became an advocate for the organization, for which he would remain a part of for more than 30 years. By then, PLASP had been incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.

Holding the position of Board President for three different terms, Glen applied his experience as a chartered accountant to provide financial expertise and investment advice to the organization. Working closely with Sylvia Leal, PLASP’s CEO at the time, Glen’s priorities continued to be in line with the vision of the organization - to provide quality services at affordable rates.

As Board President, Glen helped grow the organization to what it has become today – award-winning child care services, providing programs in 204 schools across Peel and West Toronto, to 10,152 children and 8,140 families.

In 2011, PLASP staff and families dealt with the difficult loss of Sylvia. As Board President, Glen remained steadfast in his support of the organization. Under his guidance, Glen led the Executive Committee in their selection of a new CEO for PLASP.

This year, Glen received The Sylvia Leal Award for Non-Profit Board Support from Child Development Resource Connection Peel (CDRCP). “Glen and Sylvia were spirits-in-kind…Glen feels truly and humbly honoured to be the recipient of the award,” said Glen’s wife Suzanne, when she accepted the award on her husband’s behalf at CDRCP earlier this year. “It’s not the award; it is the thoughts and kindness for which it symbolizes.”

At the Annual Parent Meeting this past October, Glen’s contributions to PLASP were recognized. PLASP CEO, Lynn Hiebert, and Board President, Paul Kranjac, presented Glen with a framed photo of a group of PLASP children, a symbol of the sense of community that exists within the organization, as well as the substantial growth over the years.

“When I joined PLASP in 1980, the organization shared the second floor office space on Dundas Street East and  provided care in 10 or so schools to a few hundred children,” Glen remembers. “There were a few dozen staff and the organization had a budget of approximately $200,000.  To watch it grow into the sophisticated organization it is today with over 10,000 kids receiving affordable, high quality care in over 200 schools, with staff of 900 and a budget in excess of $30 million, was not only an amazing journey but a great privilege.  The cornerstone of PLASP’s success has always been and will continue to be its leadership and staff. With this foundation in place, PLASP will continue to meet any new and exciting challenges ahead, including opportunities to provide more varied services to the children they currently serve as well as those not yet served.  To be able to provide some small amount of guidance during my time at PLASP leaves me with a much greater level of satisfaction than I had ever dreamed of when I joined the Board more than thirty years ago. It has been a great ride!”

On Thursday, November 7^th, PLASP staff members gathered to celebrate Glen’s retirement from the Board of Directors. “I am sure we will keep in touch along the paths of life,” Glen’s wife, Suzanne, said after the event. “You have all been a part of our lives and we have gained so much from being a part of yours.”

On behalf of the thousands of children and families that have benefited from the high quality care that PLASP has provided over the years, PLASP would like to thank Glen for his dedication and commitment to the organization. He will truly be missed.