Beyond the Balance Sheet: The Business of Community

Picture Kevin as a young kid playing minor sports. That’s when he noticed how coaches gave their time without expecting anything in return. That lesson stuck. By 17, he was coaching his own baseball team. By grade nine, he had set his sights on accounting – a field that gave him the tools to support the causes he cares about.

When acting treasurer Dave Lostchuk passed away suddenly in 2017, Kevin stepped in. What followed was more than a title change. During his tenure, CCS launched the Small Business Enterprise Centre, the Passenger Assistant Program, and expanded both Evolve Caledon and the Exchange, Caledon’s Hub & full-service food bank. CCS also became the first local agency to earn CARF accreditation, with Kevin helping ensure they met the governance standards needed for key government funding.

His financial skills proved vital behind the scenes – not just in reporting, but in teaching. Kevin created custom presentations to help fellow board members understand nonprofit financials in plain language. “Kevin’s been a good finance teacher for the entire Board,” said Gurvinder Chopra at the 2022 AGM.

Kevin’s service mindset extends beyond the boardroom. He is open about his twelve-year sobriety journey, and shares it to promote humility, accountability, and compassion. “Service is part of how I stay grounded,” he says. That spirit earned deep respect. Carine Strong, a well-known figure in Caledon’s volunteer community, said, “It’s no surprise he won the Bonnie Yagar Award (for Outstanding Board Leadership).” Volunteer MBC presented him with that honour in 2019, and then in 2021 he was also awarded a CCS Honorary Life Membership.

Kevin is quick to deflect credit though. He sees himself as one of many. For him, the greatest reward was being part of the collaborative culture at CCS, where shared service ripples outward to create lasting community change.