Flashback

A LIFE OF PURPOSE PURPOSE

How Humber changed the outlook of a young man’s future

Between 1969 and 1970 in Rexdale, Harry Oswin struggled to finish high school at Thistletown Collegiate Institute. He and his friends were too busy pulling pranks and having fun.

This led to Oswin getting a food delivery job and spending his days sleeping in after finishing high school. Not too long after, he landed a position with Royal Insurance Company (now Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada) in downtown Toronto with a salary of $78 per week, but something didn’t feel right and he wondered what his future held.

On his way to his first day of work, Oswin stopped along the way and changed his mind about the position. He made a quick call from a phone booth and let his new employer know he would not be taking the job after all.

Oswin had read Robert Kennedy: A Memoir by Jack Newfield that encouraged people to make a difference, which he wanted to do, but didn’t know how or what to do.

That was when Oswin discovered Humber College and met with a supportive and encouraging counsellor about a career in Social Services. They spoke about volunteer work and Robert Kennedy and after preparing a two-page paper on why he wanted to attend Humber and its Social Services program, he got accepted. The program consisted of courses ranging from Human Growth and Behaviour to Community Development, Family Life and Abnormal Psychology.

Oswin’s first field placement was at St. Paul’s-Avenue Road United Church in Yorkville (now TrinitySt. Paul’s United Church) helping youth find housing, food and drug counselling. The kids he supported had been neglected, abused and unable to cope with the foster care system.

Oswin’s next placement was with an agency offering various services and treatments, and for him, working 16-hour days didn’t bother him in the least as he knew he was helping someone in need.

Oswin was soon recommended for a job with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, and suddenly, the future appeared brighter. He received an academic award as a top student in his class and later earned his master’s degree.

“I threw myself into this work because I could see I was making a difference and it showed,” said Oswin.

It was 50 years ago that Oswin graduated from Humber, resulting in 43 years in social, community and municipal services. He had a challenging but tremendously fulfilling career — one that he reflects on with pride and appreciation to Humber for taking a chance on an aimless kid from Rexdale searching for answers.

Photos from the Humber archives Photo courtesy of Harry Oswin Photo courtesy of Harry Oswin

Do you have a great memory and an old photo of your time at Humber? You could be featured in a future Flashback. Send your story and picture to alumni@humber.ca.

Feel confident Feel confident with preferred with preferred rates from rates from TD Insurance. TD Insurance. Humber College graduates could save on car, home, condo Humber College graduates and tenant’s insurance. could save on car, home, condo and tenant’s insurance.

Get a quote and see how much you could save! Go to tdinsurance.com/humber Get a quote and see how much you could save! The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by Security National Insurance Company and distributed in Quebec by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc., Damage Insurance Agency, and in the rest of Canada by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. Our address: 50 Place Go to tdinsurance.com/humber Crémazie, 12th Floor, Montréal, Québec H2P 1B6. Due to provincial legislation, this car and recreational insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. ® The TD logo and other trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries. 8249-0320 The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by Security National Insurance Company and distributed in Quebec by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc., Damage Insurance Agency, and in the rest of Canada by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. Our address: 50 Place Crémazie, 12th Floor, Montréal, Québec H2P 1B6. Due to provincial legislation, this car and recreational insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. ® The TD logo and other trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries. 8249-0320

Thank you to the supporters of Thank you to the supporters of the 2022 Humber Golf Classic the 2022 Humber Golf Classic

Together, we raised over $180,000 for student scholarships and bursaries. Together, we raised over $180,000 for student scholarships and bursaries.

GOLF

CLASSIC

To learn more, visit humber.ca/golfclassic.

Presenting Sponsor

Masters Sponsors

Green Jacket Sponsors

Eagle Sponsors

thinking ahead giving back

YOU’RE INVITED TO THE HUMBER CAFÉ!

Join today to take your education to the next level and open new doors.

Through the power of the Humber Alumni Network, build connections, mentor a student, participate in meet-ups and special talks and help students follow in your footsteps.

Membership is free. Register at humber.tenthousandcoffees.com.