This article is written by Laetitia Walbert, French Language Services Coordinator serving the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities in the Ontario Public Service.

  • The problem: Civil servants might feel disconnected between the work they do and the impact on the public.
  • Why it matters: Public servants shape and save lives.
  • The solution: Never forget the tremendous impact your work has on people’s lives every day.

In the hectic pace of our daily lives, it's easy to lose sight of what's important. The benefits of practising gratitude have been amply demonstrated in recent years (Jans-Beken et al., 2020). People who practise gratitude on a regular basis experience improved social, emotional and psychological wellbeing.

The dedication, expertise and compassion demonstrated by public service providers I have encountered in my life have left an indelible mark on my journey.

My recent practice of gratitude made me realise how thankful I am for all the public services I benefitted from as a child and during my post-secondary education. They made me the person I am today and gave me opportunities equal to those of people born into more privileged circumstances. Here is a look back at two decades of daily support:

Affordable daycare allowed my father to work

My father became a single parent when I was just one year old. His meagre salary as a 21-year-old gardener would never have allowed him to pay for private daycare. Instead, he could rely on public daycare centres that offered their services at a fee based on household income.

Subsidised housing kept a roof over our heads

Back then, an entry-level gardener was paid minimum wage, making it difficult to retain private housing. Luckily, we were able to move into a subsidised apartment. The unit was in a family-friendly building which was well-maintained and close to many community-minded amenities. It had a huge impact on our wellbeing.

The local elementary school gave me the best possible start

When I reached school age, my father enrolled me in our local school. At the time, it was located in what was called a Priority Education Zone, which meant that there was increased funding for education in these areas. Children from low-income families, most of them immigrants, attended the school. To give us the best opportunities in life, this school focused on teacher recruitment and educational experience. We benefitted from top-quality teaching and numerous extra-curricular activities, including swimming lessons, fencing, meditation, field trips – including archaeological digs and visits to museums – sailing, skiing, plays at the local theatre and so many more. Public education offered us a path towards a better life and a brighter future.

The secondary school set up mental health support for students

The secondary school I attended was also located in a Priority Education Zone. It employed a full-time nurse who was trained to detect somatic pain and look for the root cause of the issue. I was able to talk to her about my mother's heroin addiction and my father's recent bipolar diagnosis. She gave me the support I needed and set up a support system for me within the school.

Books provided a lifeline

Neighbourhood children had few distractions outside of school. Although most sport activities were subsidised, parents worked long hours and didn't have time to enrol their children into these time-consuming activities. Children of all ages turned to the local library, a children's library that opened at the end of the school day and closed at 8 pm. We did our homework there. The librarian looked after us and recommended books. Once I had read all the books available in the library, she reserved the new ones for me.

Free mental health support kept my parents alive

My father's bipolar disorder began when he was 32. He benefitted, and still benefits, from free mental health care. What's more, despite his numerous hospitalisations, the hospital worked with my father’s employer to raise awareness of his illness which allowed him to keep his job. My mother also benefitted from free treatment for her heroin addiction.

A grant gave me access to post-secondary education

The support I received as a child didn't stop when I graduated from high school. I benefitted from a scholarship to further my education. This scholarship covered my tuition fees and provided me with a living allowance. With this scholarship, and by having a part-time job (26 different student jobs in total over the course of my studies), I was able to attend university. Despite all this, my income was still below the poverty line, which led the university social worker to provide me with meal vouchers. Accessible and inclusive post-secondary education allowed me to expand my knowledge, acquire skills and discover my true potential. In large part thanks to this help, I obtained two master's degrees.

Public servants shape and save lives

Public services are the lifelines that empower individuals to become the best version of themselves. The dedication, expertise and compassion demonstrated by public service providers I have encountered in my life have left an indelible mark on my journey. My personal experience stands as a testament to the transformative power of public services, and I am forever grateful for the role they played in shaping my life. Today, I have the privilege to give back by serving the public.

Whether you work in shaping programmes or delivering direct services, never forget the tremendous impact your work has on people’s lives every day. What you do matters, and your efforts make a difference.

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