Hamilton-Halton, ON

Chapter Director – Natalie Vanderlaan

Natalie is a wife and mom to three children and fosters through the Hamilton Children’s Aid Society. When she first heard of Safe Families Canada, she felt a strong tug on her heart to be involved, knowing personally of birth parents who maybe would not have been separated from their children had they had some support. Moving from the Steering Committee, to Assistant Director and now Chapter Director, her hands and heart are open to how God will lead. She is passionate about this ministry and seeing families safe and strong together. She has seen the Circle of Support model in action over and over, and loves how beautiful it is when each member is using their gifts and capacities to support and strengthen a family unit.

We are always in need of more volunteers, so please connect with me today if you, too, feel that tug on your heart!

Family Placement Coordinator – Heather Vanderkruk

Heather takes joy in her calling to serve the community, and particularly, families in crisis through friendship, prayer and practical support. She believes this role is a gift which offers hope and help to people who just need a little tangible and caring assistance. Heather’s experience as a volunteer, friend and coach for Safe Families, before joining the staff, gives her a thorough understanding and deep appreciation of the many frontlines of the ministry. She is honoured to support the volunteers as well. In addition to her four children, Heather supported a homeless shelter for pregnant women and was a foster parent for ten years. She embraced the children’s biological mothers and families and has always believed, acted on, and shared Safe Families mission statement: “Children safe, families together.”

Heather is also our Safe Families Plus Coordinator, and has the privilege of matching volunteers who desire to walk alongside youth aging out of foster care. Heather loves to witness the power of a life transformed by offering friendship to young adults who might not otherwise experience practical support, the blessing of family, and, ultimately, the love of God. Consider this important and fulfilling role today by contacting Heather for more information.

Community Engagement Coordinator – Rachel Stoesz

Rachel Stoesz has been passionate about the Safe Families movement since she first heard about us in 2021 while working for another Not-For-Profit supporting vulnerable families. While completing a graduate diploma in Not-for-Profit Management at Western, she focussed her coursework on Safe Families, working with youth aging out of foster care and the PLUS program. Rachel will now be working as the Hamilton Halton chapters' Safe Families PLUS Coordinator and Community Engagement Coordinator. She is using her marketing, event management, program development and interpersonal skills to connect with our community and help to develop Safe Families PLUS.

She is excited to connect with and support volunteers who share her passion and who desire to walk alongside youth aging out of the child welfare system. If you want to learn more about Safe Families PLUS and be a part of mentoring and providing lasting unconditional support to youth, please reach out at hamilton-halton.plus@safefamilies.ca.

Rachel’s own experience with trusting God and leaning on her supportive community through single motherhood and various personal crises, has instilled a great passion in her for cultivating a compassionate community for families and youth who don’t have support. She values opening her home and heart for people to experience friendship, belonging and the love of Jesus.

Leadership Council
Kyle Beishuizen
Cathie Lemmond
Jason Datema
Gerrit VanIperen

We need you, Hamilton/Halton church members. You can check out the website, social media, the brochures included here, past issues of the newsletters, or contact us for more information about our chapter.  We’d love to connect with you. There is a place for you!

Make a Referral

We Share for the Stories (Newsletter)
Brochure
Church Manual

This fun volunteer opportunity brings in a lot of financial support for our chapter of Safe Families. Every volunteer will tell you it’s worth your time as they enjoy serving in the Tim Horton’s stadium, and knowing the proceeds from a community event are supporting families within our community is a huge bonus! Email sfhhevents@gmail.com to get started!