Board of Directors & Staff
We are governed by a board of directors, who at least half are young alumni in or from care between the ages of 18 and 24, and half are alumni from care over the age of 24. Our board makeup ensures balance of skills and experience necessary to provide effective governance for the organization
Our 2009/2010 Board of Directors…
Jessica McFarlane, President, SK
I am the Provincial Outreach Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Youth In Care and Custody Network. I’m also a student majoring in Justice Studies and a mom of 2.
Samuel Platel, Vice-President, QC
I am a former youth in care from Ottawa currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in theatre and philosophy. I live in Montreal now, and I get involved in plays and gigs. I've been involved with the Children's aid society since I was 10 years old and lived the majority of my time with them in a group home. I graduated high school in 2005 and went to university. I have been involved with the National Youth In Care Network for over two years and I stay involved because I am for changes for a better system and better care.
Marie Christian, Treasurer, MB
I am Marie Christian. This is my second term on the board of the NYICN. I look forward to hearing from you- youth in care and alumni of care: your thoughts on child welfare issues, your ideas on how to create a better system of care for our younger ‘siblings’. Don’t hesitate to use your voice! It is the most powerful tool at your disposal.
Amanda Bennett, ON
Hello! My name is Amanda. I would love to hear from you and be able to represent your voice on the board of the NYICN. I am currently a Youth Policy Advisory and Advocacy Group member, Ontario’s youth voice for youth in care issues! You can learn more about this by checking out www.ontarioyouthcan.org. I am passionate about making sure youth’s voices are listened to, not just heard!
Amanda Keller, QC
Amanda is an alumna of care and a former "group home kid". She has a bachelors degree in psychology and a masters degree in psychiatry. She advocates for change in the mental health treatment of youth who reside in residential care as well as change for youth who are aging out of the system.
Parveen Khtaria, British Columbia
Hello. My name is Parveen Khtaria and I am a former youth in care. I spent 5 years in BC’s child welfare system, in and out of a total of 10 different homes. I aged out of the foster care system and went on to complete a Diploma in Operations Management. Currently I am pursuing a degree in Child and Youth Care through TRU/UVIC, ultimately working towards a career in the system that I grew up in. Helping it grow to a more accountable, quality child welfare system in which the outcomes are the same for a child that grew up with their parents as opposed to someone else. I look forward to my first year as a board member of National Youth In Care Network.
Amanda Sutherland, Nova Scotia
Amanda is a Rotary Peace Scholar and completed a dissertation on children’s international victimization through war crimes. She completed a Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford, UK. Her personal donation of $500 to the Nova Scotia Council for the Family inspired the council members to found the Amanda’s Gift Bursary Program to support former youth in care to pursue their educational goals. Among many achievements, Amanda was most recently a recipient of the Outstanding Young Persons of 2007 award from the Junior Chamber International Halifax. Amanda won in the Contribution category which recognizes outstanding contribution to children, world peace, and human rights. She has been invited to speak locally and nationally to educate others on her personal and professional experiences of grief recovery.
Delia Tassell, Prince Edward Island
My name is Delia Tassell. I am a former youth in care from Prince Edward Island currently working as the Coordinator of the PEIYICN. When I was 17, I became Secretary of the National Youth in Care Network Board of Directors. I remained a board member for the next several years. Throughout this time, I was able to be a part of building the Network into an active, youth focused, and highly motivated group of people. At this stage in my life, I am grateful to have such an opportunity again. My personal knowledge of the Child Welfare system in PEI, as well as my experiences as a Child and Youth Worker, will be of great benefit to the organization. I am passionate about the work and commitment of NYICN and look forward to the opportunity to be a part of this again.
Staff
Our staff are at the heart of our organization. They are the ones that take the vision of our board and members and make it real. Staff can be emailed directly by clicking on their name.
Yvonne Andrews, Interim Executive Director
I was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and immigrated to Canada with my parents as a young child. At the age of 13, I was placed into the care of Metro Toronto Children’s Aid Society and was a Crown Ward until my 18th birthday.
In 1987, I joined the Pape Adolescent Resource Centre, fondly known as “PARC”. My involvement with the PARC Network group offered me the kind of support I needed as a teenager to learn, heal and grow. This eventually guided me to a career of advocating for the rights of my peers in and from care across Canada, and worldwide. In 1996, I joined the National Youth In Care Network as National Development Officer and from 1999 to 2002, I was a board member of the International Foster Care Organisation.
Since 2000, I have lived in beautiful British Columbia where I have focused on meaningful engagement opportunities for youth in care, and street involved and homeless youth. In 2008 I returned to the NYICN as Director of Research and Education and recently, moved into the Executive Director role for a one year term. I am honoured and excited about this opportunity to help strengthen and lead the Network into our 25th year
As a member-driven organization, we are committed to bringing your voices front-and-centre in matters affecting you directly. The only way for us to do this of course, is by our members getting involved and telling us what matters most!
I look forward to working with all of you and encourage you to contact me directly with your questions and suggestions atyvonne@youthincare.ca
In Friendship
Yvonne (Yve) Andrews
Angie Cross, MultiMedia Storytelling Coordinator
An Alumna of care, Angie has supported the development of many networks throughout Canada and the USA for 16 years. She has been an active and founding member of several youth/ alumni networks, including the FBCYICN and Foster Care Alumni of America. Along with this work, she served four years as an executive board member of the National Youth In Care Network. Recently Angie left her NYICN position, as the Director of Communications and Social Engagement, to return to University. A few months passed and she was thrilled when the NYICN asked her to come back on a part-time basis so she could work while continuing to be a successful student. Now in her new role as the MultiMedia Storytelling Coordinator, she can focus on developing the MMS program. Additionally, Angie runs a consulting business, is an active volunteer in her community, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Nicole Herbert, Conference Coordinator
Born and raised in British Columbia, Nicole is an Alumni of foster care who spent 13 years working for the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks. Nicole also sat on the Board of Directors for the National Youth In Care Network from 2006 until she moved to Prince Edward Island and resigned as a representative of BC in July 2010. Most recently, Nicole joined the NYICN team as Conference Coordinator to assist in the planning and facilitation of the up-coming national event. As Secretary of the International Foster Care Organisation (IFCO) Board of Trustees, Nicole continues to create opportunities for information exchange at the international level. With a passion for meaningful engagement, education and advocacy, she enjoys writing, developing resources, facilitating training and event planning. No stranger to organizational and political change, her extensive experience in community and Network development has honed her leadership skills in the area of inclusive, effective and accountable decision-making processes.
Olivia Lasting, Administrative Coordinator
I am a former youth in care from Vancouver, BC. While in care, I attended Simon Fraser University and completed a Bachelor of Psychology degree with the assistance of post majority funding from Social Services. In 2008 I completed a Master of Social Work degree from the University of British Columbia. I have spent the last 15 years working with street-involved, at-risk, and mentally ill youth. My experiences in the foster care system on both sides of the desk, so to speak, have motivated my desire to provide direct service to youth as well as to engage in individual and system-level advocacy. My most recent project is parenting a beautiful, happy, and healthy little girl. I am excited about this opportunity to work with all of you here at the National Youth In Care Network.
Sarah MacDonald, Research Associate
Sarah was born in beautiful Maple Hill, Prince Edward Island. At age eleven, Sarah came into care. By age fifteen she started to think about the importance of belonging. She spent the last fifteen years trying many different ways to help people to find belonging and acceptance. Sarah has served as a NYICN Board Member and participated in several NYICN research projects. Currently, she works with youth in Toronto who are experiencing homelessness. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Psychology and Minor is Neuroscience. Over the last 14 years, Sarah has worked in group homes and community centers. She lives in Toronto with her partner Jill, her cat Boo, and hedgehog Mr. Eyebrows.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
In 2010, the NYICN will announce several new part time and full time contract positions. Please visit this page over the next few months to view job postings and other opportunities for our members to get involved!
Contract Staff
Chris Bentzen, Design Consultant
