BOARD OF DIRECTORS

I began my involvement with the Bridges as a volunteer helping those experiencing homelessness complete paperwork and search for housing. That was followed by 10 years serving on the board and working and advocating for the individuals we serve. More recently as a gerontologist, I’m very concerned to see that we are providing service to an increasing number of older adults. We do an amazing job at the shelter, but our communities need far more supportive housing for our homeless community and especially for those with complex needs. 

I retired after having a dental practice in Cambridge for over 40 years. 

Looking for some effort to volunteer with,  I joined a grassroots organization and that led me to become involved with the affordable housing and homelessness sector. I started to meet a whole new group, for me, of wonderful people working to improve a segment of the population that themselves have their own stories. When asked to become a board member of Cambridge Shelter Corp. I was thrilled to be a part of a wonderful organization doing great innovative things.

For 17 years, I was an Executive Director of Family Counselling Centre Cambridge & North Dumfries. My experience prior to FCCCND included being Executive Director of Women in Crisis, Guelph; Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Canada; and Vice President of Seneca College.  I am a parent, along with my partner Allan, to five young adults and ten grandchildren and my hobbies include being an avid reader, painter and poet.   I am committed to social justice and leadership development. 

I started my career as an IBM Systems Engineer in Toronto.  I later founded and managed a software company in Cambridge that enabled physicians to replace their paper charts with electronic medical records.  Physicians were then able to graph key information, respond to drug reaction/recall alerts and view lab summaries. Recognizing that this improved patient care, the Canadian Medical Association chose and acquired the company to make the software available to physicians across Canada.  I was impressed by a tour of the Shelter that conveyed the diversity of those who had become homeless. I was also impressed by the skills, dedication and compassion shown by the Shelter staff.  This led me to volunteer at the Shelter and subsequently join the Board of Directors. 

I am a Professor in the Department of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. I have been doing research on homelessness for over a decade, focusing on how to create meaningful inclusion for people who have experienced homelessness, with the ultimate aim of preventing and ending homelessness in Canada.  I am excited to be on the Board of Directors for Cambridge Shelter Corporation and be part of Cambridge's journey to building a strong community for all. 

Working in healthcare, I see daily the impacts of homelessness and precarious housing on physical and mental health and well-being.  Most people are much closer to homelessness than they realize due to job loss, relationship breakdowns, illness, or any other significant life situation.  We all need to work together to support people going through life's big challenges, make sure there is a safe place for everyone, and care for our most vulnerable people.

I have a lot of lived experience when it comes to the challenges of precarious work and raising a family.  I am passionate about advocating for those who struggle due to inadequate income and services.  In 2018 I took my first step into politics and remains active in the riding of Cambridge for the NDP.  I am a founding member of Rhythm and Blues Cambridge, working with community partners to create opportunities for our BIR communities, and I continue to be engaged in my community.  I currently serve on the boards of The Cambridge Shelter Corp and ACCKWA. Today, I am employed as a Family Outreach Worker with the House of Friendship in Cambridge 

I joined the Board of Directors in 2018 with the desire to support those individuals in our community experiencing a crisis.  I have worked in healthcare, human resources and management positions for both public and private companies across several sectors with a focus on under-serviced remote and rural areas as well as gerontology.  

Throughout my career I have been involved in many community and volunteer events, and committees in Cambridge, as well as founding elementary school nutrition programs.  Understanding and awareness are the start to progress and change.  Please join the efforts of the Cambridge Shelter Corporation to the best of your capacity. 

For the past 43 years, I have worked in human and health services with experience in the young offender, child welfare, children’s mental health, native child and family services, housing and homelessness, employment, financial assistance, and children’s and long-term care services.  I have worked for the Province of Ontario and three separate municipal governments.  In addition, I have operated a private consulting service.  I was the Chair of the Founding Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Area.  I have volunteered within health, human services and human rights fields at the national, provincial and local levels and am committed to creating communities where nobody is left behind and services are integrated and user-focused.  Until December 2021, I was the Commissioner of Community Services for the Region of Waterloo for 10 years.  I am a resident of Cambridge along with my husband, Michael and our two miniature schnauzers, Friedrich and Greta.