What an Impact Dee Palichuk Made for CALS

What an Impact Dee Palichuk Made for CALS

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Executive Director of Community Association for Lasting Success (CALS) Dee Palichuk has retired after working for CALS and helping children and families in Vegreville and Area for 25 years.

Palichuk started working for CALS when it was established in 1997.

When asked what initially made her want to work for CALS, Palichuk replied, “They were a start-up organization so I had an opportunity to influence the direction and growth of the organization. It is my passion to work with children and families and provide them with the opportunities and resources that are available for their own personal growth and to help their children grow and support them on their journey as they grow and reach their potential.

Some of changes and advancements that happened over the years I worked for CALS were we started with helping children from three to five years of age and we expanded it to birth to six years. As well, we started off just with the Head Start program and we moved to build a Breakfast Club where we were feeding elementary aged children. Then we brought in Family Literacy, we brought in summer programming and we brought in for a period of a few years a spring day camp where we provided an opportunity for children and families to participate in activities during spring break. We also expanded our main program of a family literacy LANE program for ages six to 12 for a couple of years before COVID-19 happened.

What an Impact Dee Palichuk Made for CALS 1. Dee Palichuk.

(Jennifer Dixon/Submitted Photo)

The community’s greatest assets over the years for CALS were their willingness and resourcefulness to work together as organizations. There were lots of partnerships.” Palichuk mentioned that she really enjoyed working for CALS. “I have said forever that I have the greatest team of staff that worked there. I had wonderful direction from our board; we had flexibility. I loved our families with children we worked with.

I also had a wonderful opportunity to participate in other organizations. I was on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers and Big Sisters Vegreville, I was on the Early Childhood Coalition, I volunteered and was on the Board for Vegreville Food Bank, I was on the Board of Directors for VegMin, and I was on the Board of Directors for VALID. My organization also gave me the opportunity to see what other organizations within the community needed in the way of support and how to be a part of that.

Now I am retired I would love to still be a part of CALS by volunteering. I am not sure what direction I will go yet. It is an amazing organization; I think it is very unique for the community of Vegreville and I think that the community is very fortunate to have an organization like this that supports children and families,” Palichuk said.

New Executive Director for CALS, Jennifer Dixon, said the creation of CALS came about after community organizations came together to look for service gaps in the community. As a result of this community collaboration, it was determined that there was a need for programming for children who were experiencing developmental delays/difficulties and/or socioeconomic disadvantages.

Dee Palichuk is a strong leader who sees the best in people while providing opportunities and second chances for those she works with. “She was a fierce advocate for the families CALS serves and provided support and tools for success.

Dee has volunteered with many organizations over the past 25 years and has left a long-lasting impact on everyone she has worked with and volunteered with. Dee’s dedication was unparalleled and has a left a lasting impression on her staff, boards and everyone who was lucky enough to work with her. We cannot thank Dee enough for her service, guidance, and fierce loyalty over the years.

The CALS staff and CALS Board Members invite our community to join us in wishing Dee all the best in her retirement.”