Our Staff

Karen Mocherniak

Karen is a lifelong advocate with a passion for supporting vulnerable communities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education, and a Social Work degree. Early in her career, Karen served as a victim’s advocate in the criminal justice system, working closely with women and children. Her dedication contributed to the development of a pilot project for a specialized domestic violence courtroom at Old City Hall, known as “K” Court.

Following this, Karen worked in Child Welfare, taking on various roles including Family Support Worker, Legal Assistant, and Child Protection Worker. Her commitment to child and family well-being later led her into the field of education, where she spent seventeen years teaching a range of elementary grades.

As an educator, Karen created inclusive and supportive spaces for students by leading several extracurricular initiatives, such as the Rainbow Program for grief and loss, as well as reading and art groups designed to foster peer and teacher connection.

After retiring from teaching, Karen managed a community thrift store, with all proceeds supporting the Uxbridge Hospital. She later relocated to Muskoka, where she continued her community service as a volunteer Donations Coordinator and briefly worked as a Relief Shelter Worker at the Lighthouse Shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness.