The root causes of homelessness in our com munity are complex and not fully visible. What we see in our community is just the tip of the iceberg. Come learn how ShelterCare can help people ex periencing homelessness become healthier\, find permanent housing\, and en d the cycle of homelessness for good.
\nPresented in partnership wit h \;House of Friendship.< /p>\n
Founded in 1939\, House of Friendship serves community members imp acted by poverty or addiction\, by walking with those who need housing\, f ood\, addiction treatment or resources in low income neighbourhoods across Waterloo Region.
\nSpeaker Profiles
\nCarmen Able (Ex
ecutive Director\, Youth in Conflict with the Law/Waterloo Region Bail Pro
gram)
Carmen holds a Masters Degree in Psychology from Calif
ornia Coast University and a BA from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has w
orked in the field of mental health and addictions for more than 37 years.
She has worked extensively in the Region of Waterloo and County of Wellin
gton in a variety of areas including crisis services\, mental health and j
ustice\, supportive housing\, employment and case management. Carmen also
teaches at Conestoga College in the Advanced Police Foundations and the Ba
chelor of Community and Criminal Justice degree programs. As the Executive
Director of the Waterloo Region Bail Program/Youth in Conflict with the L
aw\, Carmen is responsible for providing leadership and operational direct
ion for the organization. She mediates complex service issues\, facilitate
s planning\, develops policy and evaluates services for effectiveness\, ri
sk and quality. &ldquo\;What mental health needs and substance use needs i
s more sunlight\, more candor\, and more unashamed conversation.&rdquo\;\n
Jessica Bondy (Housing Services Director\, House of Friends
hip)
Jessica Bondy works as the Housing Services Director at
Housing of Friendship\, a non-profit in Waterloo Region. Through innovati
on\, problem solving and partnerships\, Jessica has been pivotal in piloti
ng a new &ldquo\;ShelterCare&rdquo\; model by providing healthcare and hou
sing supports within an emergency shelter environment. As Housing Director
\, Jessica engages in program oversight and advocacy work on supportive ho
using\, affordable housing and emergency shelter. Previously Jessica worke
d at the University of Waterloo in student and housing services.
<
strong>Michele Kennedy (Addiction Services Director\, House of Friendship)
Throughout her career\, Michele has aligned herself with or
ganizations whose mission\, vision\, values and purpose is to serve others
\, to improve outcomes\, to build communities and to inspire hope. As a he
lper\, Michele has dedicated 23 years to listening\, advocating and walkin
g along side those seeking change. As a leader she believes in transparenc
y\, collaboration and the power of teamwork. Michele brings experience wit
h transformative and operational change\, development and implementation a
s well as a focus on building pathways to more accessible care in our comm
unity. Michele started her career in Addiction&rsquo\;s and Mental Health
with a focus on Substance Use Treatment. She has worked in Withdrawal Mana
gement\, Residential Treatment\, Acute Psychiatry\, Concurrent Disorders\,
Education\, and Service Coordination. The 2021 Ontario Provincial Standar
ds for Withdrawal Management Services\, LHIN GAIN Q3 Development and Imple
mentation\, Ontario Perception of Care Implementation and the execution of
new health care programs across the Province brings her to her current ro
le as House of Friendship&rsquo\;s Director of Addiction Services.
Programmer: Emily
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