Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island.

This weeks featured local people profile is: Lynda Laushway

Here’s a bit about Lynda;

I have lived on Salt Spring Island for almost 31 years. I am one of the founders of SWOVA Community Development and Research Society which has brought mainly violence prevention and healthy relationships programs to youth in our community since our inception in 1992. My two sons Chris and Matt Cecill were raised here. I live in Henry Bullock's Old Creamery, one of the original Salt Spring farm houses, originally an active creamery in the late 1800's.

What brought you to Salt Spring Island?

I came to Salt Spring Island because of the natural beauty, great growing season,artistic community and good schools and arts and culture opportunities for my children.

What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island?

There is unsurpassed natural beauty here and a warm, progressive and caring community.

If you had a magic Salt Spring wand, what island thing would you change?

Direct, affordable ferry service all the time to the mainland and Vancouver Island.

Which well known person, living or dead, do you think would be a good addition to the island?

Stephen Lewis.

Is there a special project, business or initiative you are working on that islanders should know about?

After 23 years I am retiring as Executive Director of SWOVA. This fabulous 'think tank' for positive social change and social justice has contributed a lot to both our community, all of the Southern Gulf Islands and the world. Over 10,000 youth in British Columbia have taken our Respectful Relationships workshops (R+R) that provide proactive skills for safe, healthy and respectful relationships. The R+R program has received UN recognition and is endorsed by UNICEF Canada. It was created here on Salt Spring Island. Our community and the world need the programs that SWOVA has developed for youth!

Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?

Why is social justice important to you?

How would you have answered your question?

I was born thinking about social justice and drawn to find ways to make the world a better place for everyone.