Pictured above (from left to right): Ryan O’Hara, General Manager at Emera New Brunswick; Cameron Keyes, Leader to Watch; and Shilo Boucher, CEO of the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick.
This year, I was honoured to receive the Leader to Watch award from the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick. This award celebrates an individual who demonstrates leadership, skills, and enthusiasm in their work in the community. Receiving this award caused me to reflect on my experiences and how my work with L’Arche and other organizations has helped me become a Leader to Watch.
Saint John is a community filled with people who are passionate about inclusion and belonging. L’Arche embodies these principles from the moment you meet them.
Within a day of visiting McKim House, I was welcomed into their loving family and knew that my relationships would last a lifetime — with not just the core members, but everyone involved with L’Arche.
Working in the garden with Katie, walking dogs with Patrick, and going for drives with Adrian are all memories of mine that are filled with joy.
Replicating the welcoming nature of L’Arche became my goal with other organizations that I support. The Saint John Down Syndrome Society hadn’t had an event since COVID, and my sister Anna really missed the activities we used to attend with them. I decided to organize and run an annual summer fun day for the Down Syndrome Society—an event that I’ve run for three years with the help of many volunteers. To nobody’s surprise, McKim House has made the trip every year to support the event and join the fun.
Whether it’s spending time with hospice patients, running UNB Fredericton’s Best Buddies program, or walking dogs for elderly community members, I know that I’m working to make New Brunswick a more welcoming and inclusive province. Making lasting change starts with small acts of kindness and service. These acts will change our community for the better and pave the way to a more inclusive future.
Receiving the 2025 Leader to Watch award has been a great honour, and I plan to continue taking responsibility for my community and advocating for inclusion through acts of kindness.
Cameron Keyes
Former L'Arche Saint John summer student