An excerpt from the Fall 2014 Donor Report
As the Huntington Society evolves and continues to grow, so does the Family Services program. Through a careful reallocation of savings and a small additional investment of donor dollars, it is with great pleasure that we announce the expansion of services in southwestern Ontario.
The new HD Resource Centre will be located in London, Ontario and led by Corey Janke. Corey, after over 20 years as a contract Family Services Worker, has joined the Family Services team as the Resource Centre Director, establishing a new Southwestern Ontario Resource Centre and expanding services to families in Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford, Norfolk, Haldimand, Perth, Huron, Grey and Bruce Counties!
Corey’s extensive social work experience in the rehabilitation sector as well as his many years supporting the HD community in the London area have positioned him well for this expanded role. We are thrilled to have Corey take on these additional duties and look forward to expanding our services in this region.
With the retirement of Sally Vincent, who served as the Northern Alberta HD Resource Centre Director for 12 years, we are pleased to announce that Bernadette Modrovsky has joined the Family Services Team. Bernadette joins us as the new Northern Alberta Resource Centre Director. With an extensive background in medical and community social work, Bernie is welcoming new challenges as she uses her well-honed social work skills in a new environment. In August, the office moved from St. Joseph’s Hospital. We want to thank Parkinson’s Alberta for accommodating the Northern Alberta HD Resource Centre within their Edmonton office.
In addition to Sally’s retirement, Karl Lottes announced his retirement from the Resource Centre in Southern Alberta. Karl, who has served the area for five years, will retire from the HD Resource Centre in the fall and will help to train the new social worker for the area. We are thrilled with the significant advance notice so that we can ensure seamless transition for this community. Shannon MacKinnon joins us as Karl’s replacement. She is excited to build upon her previous experiences and have the opportunity to provide services to families and to be in a community-based role.
In early 2015, Susan Tolley, HD Resource Centre Director in British Columbia, will move to part time. In order to provide B.C. with continued service, we are excited to announce the most recent addition to the Family Services Team, Olivier Couture. Olivier has accepted the Social Worker position in British Columbia and will join the team at the 2014 HSC National Conference in October. Both Susan and Olivier will work together full time until the end of the year, serving the HD Community in the province. This is an exciting time for the B.C. Resource Centre.
Heather Minthorn, a contract Family Services Worker, has found the demands of her full-time position to be growing and has made the difficult decision to resign. We will recruit for this 10 hour per month Thunder Bay area Family Services Worker position this fall. In the meantime, Angèle Bénard, the Northern Ontario HSC Resource Centre Director, will provide services in northeastern Ontario.