SPOTLIGHT
A CALL TO ADVOCATION Shortly after graduating, Miranda Ferrier ’06 met a need in her field by establishing the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association. By Meaghan Drury ‘12
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calling – this is how Miranda Ferrier ’06 describes what led her to become the founder and president of the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association and the current president of the Canadian Support Workers Association. Back in 2005, while working in her father’s bakery, Miranda first learned of the Personal Support Worker (PSW) field when an older gentleman came into the shop with his PSW by his side. Miranda had to know what career would allow her to work with and help elderly people. The PSW responded and the following fall, Miranda was enrolled in Mohawk’s Personal Support Worker program. It was the intense eight-month program that Miranda credits as the foundation to her success. At Mohawk, she gained both the
8 INTOUCH | Fall 2019
knowledge and support she still relies upon today. In fact, she still considers many of her former instructors valued mentors who continue to help guide her along her career. Before even graduating, Miranda was hired by a long-term care facility in Paris, Ontario, where she worked hard to make a difference in the lives of the residents in her care. She would also do what she could to advocate on behalf of herself and her coworkers to improve working conditions. One day, while searching for information online about supports for PSWs, Miranda discovered there was actually little to be found. This led to humble beginnings with the creation of the Facebook group, “Personal Support Workers Unite” where she invited her fellow Mohawk PSW grads to discuss the many aspects of their field. Within a week, the group grew to 700 members. Miranda had identified an obvious need in her beloved field.
