Ottawa, ON Chapter
Get in touch with our Ottawa team by:
Safe Families Canada | Ottawa
Safe Families Canada launched in Ottawa in May 2019. We receive referrals not just from within the city of Ottawa, but from the many smaller municipalities surrounding Ottawa. We are excited to announce our extension to Lanark County in the Fall of 2024. We have now hired staff to serve families in Lanark County and they are busy training and building a foundation of volunteers in preparation for the launch this Fall.
We are so thankful for the amazing support our volunteers share with families in Ottawa. They have supported families experiencing homelessness, mental health crises, cancer treatments and other medical emergencies, new babies, new Canadians, and grandparents raising their grandchildren. We have seen friendships built, families connected to church communities, and families reunited because of the support of our volunteers.
God planted this verse on my heart a couple of years ago, [Isaiah 58:12 NIV]. “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”
It will take a growing army of incredible volunteers for us to come alongside families and to provide opportunities for there to be a restoring of families on the streets of our region. Our church partnerships are so vital to the future growth of the Ottawa Chapter as we extend outside of our city limits. Imagine the future impact on families, if we had just one volunteer from every church in our city! Together, we can stand in the gap for these precious families, believing the best about them, loving them, and cheering them on as they tackle the challenges in their lives.
Chapter Director – Debbie Macphail
Debbie Macphail has been in full-time ministry for over 15 years, serving within a church as the Director of Children & Family Ministry. Her background is in special education, specifically working as an Educational Assistant with children with special needs at a local school board for 15 years. Debbie has volunteered with Safe Families Canada l Ottawa as a Ministry Lead, Family Coach, and our Leadership Council Chair before becoming the Ottawa Chapter Director in 2023. Her heart is 100% for family restoration, and loves the vision of Safe Families Canada, “Creating a world where children are safe and families transformed through radically compassionate communities.”
Get in touch with Debbie: debbie.macphail@safefamilies.ca
Family Coach Supervisor – Danielle Presseault
Danielle Presseault has spent nine years in ministry, developing leaders and loving on families. Danielle joined Safe Families in 2023 with a background in teaching, as well as extensive experience in the community and developmental service fields. Her experience in leadership development will help us strengthen and grow our volunteer community as they surround families with caring, compassionate community.
Get in touch with Danielle: ottawa.fcs@safefamilies.ca
Family Placement Coordinator – Keith Davis
Keith has worked in the social welfare field for close to 15 years. He has experience working in group homes, the school board as an educational assistant, and as a Child Protection Worker in Ottawa. Keith has supported special needs men and children, marginalized and challenging teenage boys and girls, as well as the Ottawa community supporting families and children in need. He enjoys working in collaboration with others to reach common goals and places significant value on communication and respect. Keith joined the Ottawa Chapter as a volunteer in the Leadership Council and also as a Family Friend in 2023. Keith’s passion is working hand in hand with those in need and his skill set will assist the Ottawa Chapter in working with the diverse population in Ottawa. Keith has an amazing wife, three wonderful boys and loves staying active by being outdoors, playing sports and spending time with friends and family.
Get in touch with Keith: ottawa.fpc@safefamilies.ca
Family Coach Supervisor (Lanark Satellite) – Jessica Hay
Jessica is our new Family Coach Supervisor overseeing the volunteer team in Lanark County. Jessica has strong administration skills, and has experience overseeing both volunteer and staff teams. She has a huge desire to work where she can make a positive impact in the lives of others, and is thrilled to be joining Safe Families where she can merge her skills, calling, and faith.
Family Placement Coordinator (Lanark Satellite) – Sandra Forwell
Sandra is our new Family Placement Coordinator overseeing referrals and intakes in Lanark County. Sandra joins us with experience working in social services, specifically working directly with families facing crisis and in maternity homes. Sandra has an incredible heart for families and children and is going to be a wonderful asset to families in Lanark County!
To get in touch with Sandra or Jessica: lanark@safefamilies.ca
Ottawa Chapter Leadership Council Members 2023-2024
Mike Schaller Debra Jackson
Merlin Liu Sheri Moffat Joel Oosterman
Steve Outhouse Meg Warren Jennifer Schaller
READ our 2023 Annual Impact Letter
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Financially Support the Ottawa Chapter