Our Leadership - Melissa Pare

Melissa Paré

Melissa Paré was born in Toronto, Ontario. She is an only child, and grew up for most of her childhood on a farm {yeehaw!} outside of Toronto. Growing up on the farm, Melissa had an early love of animals. She spent many days out in the barnyard with her dog & cats, feeding the new born calves, jumping in hay piles, or sitting on a hay bale watching the sunset. Growing up with her cousins just down the street was such a treat since she was an only child, cousins became more like brothers and sisters to her. She had a very fast pace life even in her early years. She took piano lessons, swimming lessons, singing lessons, french lessons... and the list goes on.

At the age of 10 her family decided to move to Guelph, Ontario. Her dad & mom {Mike & Lynda Welch} were now pastor’s which made Melissa a P.K. {pastor’s kid}. At 10 years old she didn’t think she would ever be involved in ministry like her parents, she was more concerned about bike riding with her friends, playing at the park, and learning to rollerblade {and failing, everytime!}

In 1999, her family moved to Ottawa, Ontario. At the age of 12, Melissa instantly fell in love with Ottawa! Her & her family were always visiting Second Cup {Italian Soda!} or Starbucks {Strawberries Frap!} in the Market, walking around the Parliament buildings {just like tourists!} and they still do that!

Melissa is a graduate of the Accelerated Christian Education program, she graduated with an Honors Diploma {woohoo!}. Melissa was then trying to decide what path to take, she was considering Events Planning, or Travel & Tourism. The August before she was to start college, she got a call from WestJet airlines, and within 3 weeks was hired on there. She was whisked away to Calgary, AB. for training and instantly fell in love with her job. The sometimes fast-pace and chaotic-ness of the airport was a perfect fit since she always loved a challenge! WestJet taught her many, many, great leadership principles that she now applies in her everyday life as a youth leader, events planner & graphic designer.

Melissa’s dream as a little girl was to become a lawyer. She has always had a passion for justice & politics, from an early age. But when she found out that it took ALOT of years and ALOT of reading to be a lawyer, she shifted her dream {phew!} Now she uses her passion for justice alongside organizations such as My Canada, the A21 Campaign, and she is always actively looking for new organizations to get involved with.

Melissa’s path crossed the path of Bryan Paré in 2005, and “she instantly fell in love with his charming-but-yet-oh-so-kooky-personality-and-his-smashing-first-class-good-looks”... {um, those were Bryan’s words!} But Melissa nods her head in agreement with him. Long story short these two tied the knot in October 2009 with the wedding of their dreams! Melissa made sure her priorities were right while planning her wedding, and I quote: “As long as there’s a candy bar, I’ll be a happy bride!” - and yes there was a huge, magnificent candy bar with all her fave candies, oh and yes, her groom was there! {+ 200 of their fave family & friends, too!} Even her dog Elmo had a tux to celebrate! Together they know work side by side at CCC with the youth & young adults of CCC and this city with a passion to dream & a passion to make a difference in our society and world alike.

Melissa in 20 words:
Jesus. learner. challenger. dreamer. mangos. active. iPhone. coffee. rings. dog-lover. trampoline. design. organization. music. shopper. thunderstorms. Canadian. cookies. new faces. family.

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