Toronto-GTA, ON Chapter
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Safe Families Toronto-GTA Chapter was the first chapter that Safe Families Canada became operational in. Since 2012, the Toronto chapter has worked with parents in crisis to ensure that they have the supports they need to keep their children safe and thriving. The chapter receives referrals from Children’s Aid Societies, hospitals, shelters, pregnancy care centres, and churches. The age group of children we serve has generally ranged from newborns to early teens (14 years).
Our network of volunteers is currently spread over York Region, midtown Toronto, North York and Downtown Toronto. This amazing group of host families, family friends and family coaches have come alongside families suffering from mental health crises, critical and chronic illnesses, homelessness, financial crisis, unemployment etc, and been a community to so many single parents. Over time, our volunteers have brought family like supports to many families facing isolation. As our needs become greater and more urgent as the volume of referrals increase, we are continually in need of more host families, family friends and family coaches.
Currently serving: Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, Richmond Hill, Markham & Stouffville
Chapter Director – Jemimah Newton
Jemimah joined Safe Families Toronto as the Chapter Director in June 2023 after being a host parent for two years. Beyond her extensive experience working with faith based charities and humanitarian rights organizations, Jemimah has a background in communications and lobbying, finance, and politics. She believes strongly in the values of radical hospitality, sacrificial giving and compassionate love for the stranger. She is deeply committed to equipping the church, challenging it to serve sacrificially, and loves collaborating with different agencies, churches, and businesses to serve families in crisis, keeping children safe and families together.
Family Placement Coordinator – Esther Lo
Esther joined Safe Families Canada in July 2022 part-time, after working for York Region Children’s Aid Society for approximately 14 years in many different positions, including an Intake and Assessment Worker, working with specialized cases as well as a Child Protection Supervisor. Esther has a passion and desire to work with families in need and strengthen their relationships, particularly those that are isolated and without extended supports. She loves her role at Safe Families as she is able to connect directly with families in need and learn about their lives and how much they value their children. Esther loves being able to connect the families to our volunteers and witness their relationships and support networks grow. In addition, Esther works part-time at Mount Sinai Hospital as a social worker in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and enjoys the balance of both jobs.
Communication Coordinator – Ana Dikaya
Ana works in the medical industry, but supports Safe Families Toronto with its creative communication needs, as our Communications Coordinator since 2022. Ana loves Jesus, children and being creative. She loves the work Safe Families does in our city and can’t wait to see what God has in store for the Toronto chapter.
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