Our Staff

 

Carly Lambert (B.A.H Health Studies, OACCPP)

Program and Office Manager

(Picture provided by Nikki Wesly of the Burlington Post)

As a member of the Danielle's Place volunteer team for the past three years, Carly brings her experience in community awareness and advocacy to the position of Program and Office Manager.  Carly has spoken to over 3000 people in a wide variety of audiences about  issues related to eating disorders. In her years at McMaster University, she devoted her research to the field of eating disorders. Focussing specifically on treatment options, environmental influence and cross cultural factors, Carly's research enables her to have a multi-faceted understanding of the effects of eating disorders on individuals and families. Carly has certification in self-help group facilitation and membership with the Ontario Association of Counsellors, Consultants, Pyschometrists and Pyschotherapists. Carly is studying Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and McMaster University and will be completing her and Family Based Therapy training with Dr. Daniel Le Grange in September 2010.

Ingrid Exner (B.A. Social Development Studies and Rhetoric and Professional Writing, Dip. Social Work)

Volunteer Coordinator

Ingrid Exner has several years experience working in volunteer recruitment, retention and recognition as well as many years working in the field of mental health. She brings over 15 years experience in counseling, in-take, group facilitation and volunteer recruitment. Ingrid has spent the last few years as an active volunteer member of the fundraising team at Danielle’s Place, raising both funds and awareness. As a dedicated community volunteer, Ingrid is passionate about extending the volunteer recruitment program at Danielle’s Place and enhancing future volunteer recognition and appreciation

 

Mike Champion

Maintenance

Danielle's Place is fortunate to have such a dedicated employee, who keeps our centre sparkling clean and in great condition! Mike always has a smile on his face and is actively involved in various volunteer work in the Burlington community. He also is a volunteer with the annual Danielle's Place Harvest of Hope Brunch Fundraiser.

Our Facilitators:

Current:

Alison Colavecchia (Binge Breakers Support Group Facilitator) **information to follow

Natalie John-Carson (Supportive Others Group Facilitator)

Natalie John-Carson has a B.A in Family and Social Relations, Certificate in Gerontology and Bachelor of Social Work completed at the University of Windsor. Natalie completed has her Masters of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2006. She currently works in the Pediatric Eating Disorders Clinic at Mc Master Children's Hospital. Working with families and their children through a family based treatment approach (FBT). Prior to working in Eating Disorders Natalie has worked in children's mental health (residential treatment settings) for approximately 5 years. Natalie has been working at Danielle's Place since 2006 and has had experience facilitating the teen, adult and now the supportive others group.

Leslie Landry (Yoga Instructor)

Leslie Landry has over 15 years experience in Yoga and has been teaching since 1997. Yoga offered Leslie such a tremendous personal healing vehicle, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually; that she wanted to share this with others. Leslie is a certified Hatha Yoga instructor and has developed her own style incorporating yoga flows.  Leslie studied anatomy of movement for two years and applies that knowledge to her classes. Her sense of humour, light heartedness and generous use of personal stories allow her students hearts to open and grow. Leslie also teaches yogic philosophy and spirituality in a very down to earth way that her students can easily adapt to their own life. She is committed to teaching in a light-hearted and nurturing way. Leslie is also certified in the Lotus Palm tradition of Thai Yoga Massage. The spirit of Metta (loving, kindness and compassion) lies at the heart of this approach. Leslie has been apart of the Danielle’s Place team since our beginning in 2005.

 

Carly Lambert (Teen Support Group, and Daytime Adult Support GroupFacilitator)

Carly completed her honours Health Studies degree from McMaster in 2009. Carly bring her experience as Program Manager at Danielle’s Place and her years of experience researching the field of eating disorders to her role as a facilitator and counsellor. Carly has completed training in Self-Help facilitation and is a member of the OACCPP. She is currently enrolled in McMaster’s Clinical Behavioural Sciences program to enhance her skills in cognitive behavioural therapy and will be completing her and Family Based Therapy training with Dr. Daniel Le Grange in September 2010. Carly is the teen motivation group and daytime adult support group facilitator. Carly uses her long personal battle with   anorexia to help engage her clients in what the recovery process is really like.  

Jaime Thor (Evening Adult Support Group Facilitator)

Jaime Thor completed a double honours degree in Psychology and Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2005 and has more recently completed a masters degree in Social Work from the University of Windsor. Jaime is currently working at McMaster Children's Hopsital in the Pediactric Eating Disorders and Adolescent Medicine Clinics working with families and their children using a family-based treatment method (FBT) and with adolescents struggling with anxiety and depression. Previous to working at McMaster, Jaime completed an internship at the Hospital for Sick Children in their Eating Disorders Program also using a family-based treatment approach. Before her work in eating disorders, Jaime spent 6 years with Community Living in Central Ontario and volunteered for several years with the Special Olympics as a figure skating   coach.    

 

Supply:

Kristina Trim, MA, PhD, RSW is the Research Consultant and Owner of Morden Street Research Services and an Instructor in the Bachelor of Health Sciences Program at McMaster University. Dr. Trim has more than ten years experience in designing, analyzing, and writing reports for quantitative studies including extensive survey development in both electronic and paper formats. Additionally, Dr. Trim has more than ten years experience in designing, analyzing and report writing for qualitative reports using case studies, key informant interviewing, and focus groups. In her broad range of employment experiences, Dr. Trim has worked with health care and mental health care providers in interdisciplinary health human resources, pharmacy services, eating disorders, and women’s health issues as well as developing evidence-based practice for educational studies, eating disorders, social work, gynecology/ obstetrical, and primary health care. Kristina is also Danielle's Place Chair of the Board starting June 1, 2010.

Nadine Braund

Nadine Braund R.P.N., M.A. Counselling Psychology, has a Diploma as a Psychiatric Nurse and holds a certificate in Children’s Mental Health, as well as a degree in Counselling. Her training began in 1985 at The Homewood Health Centre in Guelph, ON. Her initial position was a psychiatric assistant where she worked with clients who suffered from anxiety, mood disorders, addictions and eating disorders.  In 1992 she completed the Practical Nursing program at Conestoga College.  She then pursued her training as a Psychiatric Nurse and was a warded Diploma with Distinction in 1998. Over the past twenty years she has held a variety of positions in the mental health/social services sectors including crisis intervention, case management and in supervisory capacity.  Nadine has worked with individuals requiring a variety of mental health treatment modalities.  She has recently completed an M.A. in counseling psychology and continues to keep abreast of current treatments and trends.

Jennifer Garcia

 

Our Board of Directors

Kristina Trim

Board President/Chair

Ruthanne Bowker

Board Secretary

Board Member

Peggy Thomas

Board Member

Ron Lambert

Board Member

Kristina Trim

Board Member

Jennifer Schramm

Board Member

Dr. Jane McDonald

Board Member

Debbie Lewchuk

Board Member

Dr. Michael Shih

(SHIH Developements)

Honorary Board Member

Alison Colavecchia

Honorary Board Member

 

Our Mission

Danielle's Place is committed to providing a non-judgmental, caring and supportive community to any individual whose life has been touched by an eating disorder. Our mandate is to provide care that is complementary to the medical model. We promote a holistic and self-directed approach to healing through which families and individuals can begin, maintain or resume their healing journeys.

Our Vision

To establish a welcoming place for those affected by eating disorders that provides:

Drop-In Centre Services, Access to Resources, Support Groups, Community Outreach and Education, Healing Workshops, Groups and Course.

 

Our Principles and Values

No-cost accessibility, Holistic approach , Respect and Dignity , Confidentiality , Individuality , Empowerment and Acceptance

Our History

When Danielle's mother Carolyn approached Alison Colavecchia, regional coordinator of the Central West Eating Disorder program with some of these goals, Alison realized that she had a group of dedicated parents all looking at improving various aspects of the experiences for families. A Steering Committee was formed, and projects were soon underway - a bookmark for family doctors, with key contact information, a physician's training session run by peers, a successful support group for loved ones run by Peggy Thomas, awareness and prevention activities, and ultimately, the work on establishing Danielle's Place.

With the help of Guy and Catherine Ironmonger, David Richards, Bev Miller, and Peter Wendling, the initial time-consuming research and strategic planning was done. Danielle's Place became an incorporated not-for-profit in Ontario in 2004, and began raising funds privately. Ron Rodgers and Halton Child and Youth Services generously provided Danielle's Place with use of their charitable number and program space for a transitional program at 497 Elizabeth St. near the bus station in Burlington.

Danielle's Place received an Oakville Community Foundation grant for $5,000.00 towards library resources. The Retired Teachers of Ontario-ERO dontated $4000.00 for posters, brochures, and business cards. The Board is especially grateful to many private donors, and to Oakville Saint Vincent's Ladies Night Out group who planned the successful and very first community-organized fund-raiser for Danielle's Place. It was great fun, while bringing in over $14,000.00 towards offering programs.

By January 2005, Danielle's Place began offering drop-in services twice weekly and a therapist-led adult support program.  In June 2005 a 3 year $90,000 grant from the Halton Healthy Community Fund opened the gateway to expanding programs to include a teen support group, nutrition group, family support group, binge-eating support group, and other core services.

In July 2005 , Danielle's Place received a generous and empowering donation. Mrs. Emily Shih and Dr. Michael Shih offered free occupancy of a 3,000 square foot suite at 895 Brant Street in Burlington. With easy access to the GO Station and the Burlington Bus Terminal, this gift, representing well over $55,000.00 per year, provides a wonderful space to run programs and operate the charity.

Danielle's Place is grateful to all those who aided in establishing Danielle's Place. 

We are a not-for-profit incorporated in Ontario (001614555) and a federally registered charity (charitable number BN 85550 6671 RR0001). Volunteers play a key role in our mission.