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Our Programs at the Community YWCA of Muskoka

 

 

Latest People and News

       

Beth Ward- Executive Director
Watch for Beth's bio in the near future

  YWCA Muskoka Welcomes New Executive Director

  Click here for announcement (PDF format)

Lynda Hutt - Employment Programs Coordinator

Lynda Hutt brings to the YWCA experience in self-employment training and coaching throughout Northern Ontario for government organizations, not-for-profit and private businesses. After moving from rural Alberta to Ontario in 1983, she has worked in small businesses throughout Northern Ontario, following a trail from Thunder Bay to Manitoulin Island. She also operates her own home based upholstery business.

Since moving to Muskoka almost nine years ago, Lynda has been working with individuals who wish to remain in their own communities, yet seek viable, meaningful work. A passion for rural communities and the people who live in them continues to be an underlying theme to her work.

Lynda is coordinator and facilitator for employment programs.

Cath Armstrong - Program & Curriculum Development

Cath Armstrong joined the YWCA team in October 2003 on a part-time basis as a Community Access Program youth worker. That role evolved into a full time position as the Youth Program Coordinator, taking the lead in program planning and implementation for all youth programs offered by the YWCA in Muskoka.  Cath returned to the YWCA in a part-time capacity during May, 2006. Now responsible for program and curriculum development, Cath is currently editing, writing and revising lessons plans for all of the YWCA programs, and formatting them into manuals. Cath is also excited to be returning to the Girlz Unplugged program for her fifth year as a group facilitator. She also guest facilitates for the Women in Business program, leading sessions on learning styles, Excel, and Internet and computer safety.

With an undergraduate degree from Trent University, and a degree in education at the junior-intermediate level from Nipissing University, Cath brings several years of experience working with children and youth in a variety of venue including childcare settings, classroom teaching, and outdoor education. She believes that in order for kids to learn, it needs to be fun, and it needs to be done in a safe environment where participants can be encouraged to explore the world around them.

Hannah Lin - Youth Programs Coordinator

Hannah came to YWCA Muskoka as a facilitator for Girlz Unplugged in 2005 and never left!  She is passionate about her work, helping young people overcome challenges and realize new opportunities.

Hannah brings to the YWCA over 20 years experience in working with youth. She has sat on youth councils, been a camp counsellor, literacy tutor and educator, and directed international camp programs for 17/18 year olds.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Cultural Studies from Trent University. In addition to her role at the YWCA, Hannah is a textile artist and arts educator and trained at the Kootenay School of the Arts.

Hannah coordinates Girlz Unplugged, Boys Quest, Girlz Choice, the Careers Speakers series, and Encore.

Kim Irvine Albano - Program Facilitator

Kim began her relationship with the YWCA as a student of the WIB program in 2003 while building her practice as a psychotherapist and bodyworker, before joining the YWCA in 2004 as a popular and very creative guest instructor.

Kim has a B.A. in psychology from McMaster University, and is also a certified Reflexologist, a certified Psychodramatic Bodywork® practitioner, and a student at the Toronto Centre for Psychodrama and Sociometry. In addition, she has studied Massage, Therapeutic Touch and Quantum Touch. She is currently completing her Masters in Transpersonal Psychology. 

Kim brings to the YWCA 15 years of experience in program instruction and facilitation with diverse populations, including abused women and children, people in psychiatric facilities, people with diagnosed mental illnesses, and oppressed populations Kim spent several months in rural Japan traveling, learning the culture, and teaching English and then relocated from the Niagara Region to Central Ontario, and worked in Women’s Shelters for 10 years prior to opening her own practice. She enjoys living a gentle homesteading life with her family, and her chickens, goats and gardens, in South Muskoka.

Kim facilitates classes in Women in Business, Girlz Choice, Girlz Unplugged, and Georgian College Hairdresser Pre-Apprenticeship programs. She is a guest presenter with Quest for  Boys, Men’s Programming, Careers on and Off the Beaten Path and Girls Space national conference.

Lee Ann Waterman - Executive Assistant

Lee Ann Waterman joined the YWCA Muskoka staff team as Executive Assistant in April 2008, after crossing our path as a participant and graduate of the Women in Business Program and subsequently as a guest instructor. In addition to providing essential executive support, Lee Ann coordinates the Women in Business Luncheon Speaker Series and Muncheon Mingle and is a guest instructor in YWCA Muskoka employment programs. Lee Ann has a B.A. in Sociology and Social Welfare from Nipissing University, acquired as an adult after raising five children. She is a qualified instructor in True Colors®, and Career Occupational Preference System®. Previous employment includes adult education and employment services where she encouraged many to follow a career path that fit their values and goals as well as their skills. Lee Ann believes in walking her talk and finds this balance in her work with YWCA Muskoka. Lee Ann has been a resident of Muskoka for 36 years.

Sandra Rosewarne - Program Facilitator

Sandra Rosewarne brings tremendous business expertise in the areas of training, coaching and mentoring.  Joining the YWCA in October 2009 as the Facilitator of the Women in Business Evening Program, she is also a 2007 Women of Distinction award nominee.    

Sandra is an inspiring and enthusiastic entrepreneur. In 2003, she launched Career Discovery, a career transition coaching business providing one-to-one coaching across Muskoka and beyond. She helps people discover what they really want to do.  Sandra also coaches new entrepreneurs in the areas of business plans, marketing and networking.  Coined Muskoka’s ‘Networking Queen’, she promotes the value of creating supportive relationships to create job and life success.

Sandra is always striving to use her gifts working and volunteering at secondary schools, correctional institutions, women’s support organizations, new entrepreneur programs and her church.  More recently, she’s excited about helping launch a Girls’ Club in Kenya – helping teenagers dream big and explore their career goals. Born and raised in Bracebridge, Sandra enjoys a simple lifestyle of hiking, snowshoeing, music, fluffing, and making time for loved ones.

Erin Thomson - IT Eco Intern

Erin is a recent graduate of the Desaultels Faculty of Management Bachelor of Commerce program at McGill University.  Joining YWCA Muskoka in November, 2009, Erin brings her technical and strategic expertise in order to improve existing information systems.  Having completed McGill’s rigorous BComm program with concentrations in Information Systems and Entrepreneurship as well as a minor in Economics, Erin is passionate about working with small-to-mid-sized organizations to develop systems and policies to support efficiency and future growth. 

As an outdoor enthusiast, Erin is also adamant about the role of technology in reducing negative environmental impacts.  In addition to enjoying all sorts of outdoor sports Erin loves rock climbing and singing.  

 

Girlz Unplugged Facilitators

Marcy Hill, Youth Program Facilitator:

Marcy Hill first came to the YWCA as a participant in the Women in Business program. A mother of three boys, she provided daycare in her home for 7 years.  In addition to facilitating programs at the YWCA, Marcia works at the ski hill with children and volunteers her time organizing community events.  Here is what Marcy says about Girls Unplugged: "The Girlz Unplugged program gives girls a venue to be together on a level ground with no need to be anyone but themselves. They learn to be friends and enjoy each other not for status but for who they are. The girls learn to value the amazing person that they are inside and take the focus off trying to make the outside perfect.  I really believe in this program and I am very proud to be on the team." Marcy leads programs in Irwin Public School and Huntsville Public School.

Heather McFadyen, Youth Program Facilitator:

Heather came to Bracebridge in 2003 after spending 11 years overseas traveling, volunteering and working in development and advocacy work in several countries, including Scotland, South Africa, Vietnam, and Australia. She joined the YWCA staff team as coordinator of the Women in Business program in 2003-2004 and in 2008 we welcome her return as a facilitator in the Girlz Unplugged program. Heather is a Psychotherapist in private practice and a Registered Yoga Teacher. In addition to working with the YWCA, Heather has worked with Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services and Muskoka Victim Services. Her overseas experience greatly inform her work and play, believing that everyone deserves space to explore them self - mind, body and spirit. Heather leads programs in VK Greer Public School, Evergreen Heights Education Centre, and Pine Glen Public School.

Elise Muller, Youth Program Facilitator:

Elise Muller joined the YWCA staff team in 2006, facilitating in the Girlz Unplugged program. Elise studied art at Ballyfermot S.C. in Dublin and McMaster University, and has her B.A. in Culture and the Arts from Nipissing University. She recently completed a post-graduate certificate in Expressive Arts from Sir Sandford Fleming College. Elise is a stone carver and has facilitated several creative workshops for both children and adults, including recent workshops at the Kaleidoscope Children’s Festival and the Bala Guild of Arts and Crafts. She operates Stone Tree Studio in Dorset where she showcases her stone sculptures with Cirvan Hamilton’s wooden furniture. Elise facilitates programs in Spruce Glen Public School and Riverside Public School.

 

 
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