Diversity & Inclusion Working Group Biographies

I have served as an advocate for women and children living in abusive situations. I volunteered for Christian Horizons fundraising including, Dave’s District Dash. I also serve as a Host family provider. I also live with a disability, which has provided me with a different perspective than most Direct Support Professionals. 

My life philosophy is “to treat others the way you would want to be treated and with love” as we are all part of humanity. I have a keen interest in helping to make the workplaces more accepting of diversity to ensure that all employees have a sense of belonging.

I became part of Christian Horizons in 2008 and I am currently serving as the Senior Leadership Executive Assistant. I believe that I can bring diversity representation to the group through my time in various roles in the organization such as Human Resources, Operations and the Executive Office and as an immigrant, I understand how important diversity is to communities and organizations.

I am a Christian Chinese Canadian. I have a Social Service Worker Diploma and work as a photographer/ photojournalist for a local publication before coming to Christian Horizons. I also volunteer at my church on the Production Team as a Video Camera Operator. I live in Ajax, Ontario with my husband, two sons and cat.

We recently started a new program called Prince Albert Community Supports where I now assist in job-finding and goal achieving. I believe that my diverse experience in ethnicity, culture and age can make a positive impact. I also have been fortunate in my life to have had the opportunity to meet and interact many diverse individuals.

I have been a Direct Support Professional in Hamilton for 7 years. English is my second language (instant give away with a heavy accent) appearance and different personality, perspective, and approach of the events, I believe being out of the box thinker, I can contribute. I think that as Christian Horizons supported individual diversification grew, so staff diversification should follow suit in order to complement.

I am an energetic, welcoming person with an extroverted personality. I am a woman of colour who is an immigrant and a part of the Jamaican Association of Moose Jaw also. I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective and unique outlook to the group.

I have worked in the field of disability for 18 years and have identified myself as disabled for 6 years. I believe that we need to actively pursue relationships of difference so that we can better understand each other, and our world. This is how we become the best version of ourselves.

I have worked in the Developmental Services sector for over 15 years and have worked in the community in other roles. I have a BA Degree from York University and will be completing my social work degree in August of this year (2021). I am extremely passionate about working with people and building community and I believe that all people are unique and should be respected and treated equally. I will continue to work for social justice for all people.

I am serving in the role of Director of Recruitment and Retention. I am a 5th generation Canadian who lives with my wife on the Haldimand Tract of the Six Nations, known as the Region of Waterloo. As a Queer Christian I am interested in advocating for the LGBT+ community within the organization and committed to listening and amplifying the voices of marginalized people who use the services of Christian Horizons or are employed or seeking employment with Christian Horizons.

I have always had a heart for unity and belonging which marries well with the culture of Christian Horizons. I also bring formal education in Justice and Indigenous studies.

I currently reside in the Ottawa area. I love my culture greatly from cooking traditional food to listening to music. I am an accomplished self-advocate; I speak to DSW students at Algonquin College every year. I am also Co-President of the self-advocacy group All Voices Matter.

My interests are discussing topics on Social Justice and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in workplace setting.

I want to contribute my input based on my experience working and interacting with people from different parts of the world with differences in ethnicity, religion, and race.

I believe it is the responsibility of those in positions of power to ally with others to increase the chances of their voices being heard.