Staff Highlight: Patrick McIntosh
Caroline PinheiroWe’re excited to continue our Staff Highlight Campaign, where we celebrate the incredible individuals who contributes to the purpose and values of arc programs. This month, we are deeply honoured to feature Patrick McIntosh, our Director of Quality Assurance and IT, who has been a foundational part of arc programs for an incredible 35 years and 6 months.
Patrick’s journey with arc programs is nothing short of remarkable. Over more than three decades, he was the first arc programs employee, has worn different hats and has played an essential role in shaping the systems, culture, and journey of our organization. His leadership and support with information technology has helped us grow with purpose and serve our communities efficiently. His calm presence, technical expertise, and unwavering dedication have left a lasting impact on staff and the communities we serve.
As Patrick prepares to retire on April 15th, we want to take this moment to recognize not just his professional legacy, but also the personal connections that make arc programs such a special workspace. You may recognize the McIntosh name—Patrick is the proud father of Luke McIntosh, who we recently featured as he embarks on a new chapter with CLBC.
Patrick’s retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era, and we are so grateful for everything he has done to help guide arc programs through decades of meaningful work. His presence will be deeply missed, but his influence will be felt for many years to come.
To get to know Patrick better, we asked him a few questions about his journey and experiences at arc programs:
Questionnaire:
Name: Patrick McIntosh
Job Title: Director of Quality Assurance and IT
Length of time within the organization: 35 years & 6 months
What is one of the most rewarding aspects of your employment at arc?
After working at arc for over 35 years I can say that from the beginning and continuing to today, having the opportunity to work with so many talented, dedicated, passionate, caring, and simply amazing people is the most rewarding part of my employment at arc. I don’t know of many jobs where you have the opportunity to work daily with such an incredible group.
How have you grown or developed personally or professionally during your time with arc?
I don’t believe you can work in this sector and not grow personally and professionally. I have moved into various roles over the years and each time I have been afforded professional development to support my new role, which has helped me grow professionally. With each new role, along with the professional growth there has also been personal growth, which goes hand-in-hand with learning new things. My professional growth has challenged me to look at myself and what I need to change to be better at my job. The advancement in this sector has made both professional, and personal growth even more important as we learn new ways to provide our services. I can say that I’m not the same person today, that I was 35 years ago.
How do you observe your role contributing to create thriving communities, free of systemic barriers and full of belonging, equity, and hope?
I feel my role has largely been to support all of you in any way I can, to achieve our social purpose. I believe in our social purpose, and I have always considered this when I approach my work and in my interactions with others.
Can you share one of your biggest joys working in collaboration with other staff, community partners, or clients to achieve a goal?
I have been fortunate to be part of clients achieving their goals many times over my career. Looking back one of my biggest joys was with the Changes Program when we first started the program. The program was very different when we started compared to what it is today, and involved a collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Youth Probation, a local doctor, along with arc staff and management. The program provided day/evening treatment to youth struggling with substance misuse and we were successful in helping many youths re-examine their use, and in many cases stop using. This was the first agency program to go through the accreditation process and was the first youth substance misuse program in the province to successfully achieve a 3-year accreditation.
How has arc’s two–eyed seeing approach and commitment to decolonization contributed to your perspective and approach towards transformative reconciliation?
In the early years of my work with arc we were aware of the issues facing Indigenous peoples and any opportunity to learn more was provided, but we were only just starting on the road to reconciliation. Over the years this became more and more part of the agency learning and embedded into our way of looking at how we provide services. The commitment to decolonization is now part of who we are and using the all-around seeing approach is one that I fully support and will guide us on this ongoing journey.
What inspires you to continue working in the social services sector?
Knowing that the work we do really makes a difference has always inspired me to continue in this sector. Over the years I have seen countless examples of how our services have made a difference in the lives of the children, youth, adults, and families we serve. It is inspiring to be part of this and keeps me coming through the door to help in any way I can.
Outside of work, what are your passions or hobbies that contribute to your overall well–being?
I have been blessed to have so much outside of work to keep me healthy and well, starting with my family. Coming home each day I was able to leave the job behind and focus on my family, which always recharged me and put everything in perspective. In addition, I value the benefit of physical activities to keep me balanced, getting outside to hike and enjoy this beautiful area we are lucky enough to have at our back door. I have many hobbies that keep me going and can always find some new rabbit hole to jump down.
Is there anyone you would you like to recognize or give a shoutout to for their support, mentorship, or teamwork? Why?
There are so many people I would like to recognize, but I need to acknowledge the one person who got this all rolling 35 plus years ago, Shane. I have been fortunate to have worked with Shane from the very beginning and he is one of the main reasons I have remained at arc for all this time. Shane has never been anything but supportive of me and his mentorship over the years has had a lasting impact on me professionally and personally. Shane has put his trust in me over the years and provided me opportunities to move into many different program and roles, which I’m truly thankful for. I have always valued working hard and doing a good job, and Shane was the type of leader who inspired me to do more not because it was my job, but because of everything he gave to me.
From humble beginnings with one program, to the multi-service agency we are today, it has been quite the journey over these 35 plus years. I would like to thank each and every one of you for the work you do each day helping the children, youth, adults, and families we serve. You truly have made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of the clients we serve and that is something truly special. arc programs would never be what we are today if it was not for your dedicated support. I feel immense pride to have been part of this agency for the past 35 years.
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