After nearly four decades in community service, Trish Baird is preparing to retire from Community Care Northumberland, closing a chapter on a career that helped shape the delivery of social supports across the county.
Baird joined the organization almost 37 years ago as a young program coordinator in the Campbellford area, at a time when Community Care Northumberland was a small operation with limited staff, a modest budget, and a largely localized mandate.
Over the years, Baird advanced into senior leadership as the organization expanded both in scope and scale. Community Care Northumberland now employs more than 100 staff, works with close to 500 volunteers, and manages an annual operating budget of about $6.5 million, delivering services across urban and rural communities including transportation, meals, in home supports, and hospice care.
Baird says the moment brings a mix of emotions as she reflects on how much has changed since she first joined the organization.
Baird said her career has been marked by steady growth, both personally and professionally, noting that she began her work before having children and is now a grandmother. She said that sense of perspective has shaped how she views the organization’s evolution and its role in the community.
She says Community Care’s growth has been significant, expanding from a small team into a county-wide organization delivering essential services.
During her tenure, Baird oversaw significant organizational milestones, including the creation of Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, a project she said she never imagined being part of when she first joined Community Care. Built during the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospice was completed on time and on budget, providing end of life care close to home for local families.
“I’m really, it’s the people that I work with,” she said. “When I look back and think, what am I most proud of, it’s always the quiet things.”
Baird said much of Community Care Northumberland’s work happens out of public view, supporting residents who may live in remote areas or who rely on services only during difficult periods of their lives. She described the organization as intentionally low key, focused on quietly improving quality of life rather than seeking attention.
As Baird prepares to step away, a new chief executive officer, Jordan Prosper, has been hired to lead the organization into its next phase. Baird said she is optimistic about that transition and curious to see how new leadership will shape future priorities.
“I go out feeling great about where I am and looking forward to the next adventure,” she said.
Looking ahead, Baird said she plans to continue giving back to the community through volunteering, encouraging others to do the same.
Baird’s retirement marks the end of a long chapter for Community Care Northumberland, but she said she leaves confident the organization will continue quietly supporting residents across the county.
To learn more about how you can play a role with CCN, check out their volunteer page.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
