Board of Directors & Staff
We are governed by a board of directors, of whom 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 the balance of skills and experience necessary to provide effective governance for the organization.
Our 2010/2011 Board of Directors
Delia Tassell, President, Prince Edward Island
Hi, my name is Delia and I am a former youth in care from Prince Edward Island. I'm also the Coordinator of the PEI Youth in Care Network formed in February 2010. The PEIYICN steering committee is made up of 7 youth, 3 youth workers, and me. We have 6 main initiatives: our luggage project, alumni group, bi-monthly newsletter, monthly events that bring together every youth in care aged 14-21 from across PEI, our project group, and an advisory group.
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 felt fortunate to be able to be a part of a team that helped build 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. I feel my personal knowledge of the child welfare system in PEI, as well as my experiences as a child and youth worker, network coordinator and long-term NYICN member, are of great benefit to the organization. I am passionate about and committed to meaningfully engaging youth, alumni and champions in the work of the NYICN.
Jessica McFarlane, Past President, Saskatchewan
Hey! My name is Jessica McFarlane and I am the past president of the NYICN Board of Directors. I am also the Outreach Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Youth In Care and Custody Network. I have been involved in the youth in care movement for 10 years. In 2004, I received the Child Welfare League of Canada's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Leadership for my work advocating for youth and my committment to making their voices heard. Aside from my work within youth in care networks, I am also a Human Justice student at the University of Regina and a proud mom of 2.
Samantha Pothier, British Columbia
Hello fellow Networkers! My name is Sam Pothier and I am a former youth in care from BC. Currently, I work for the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks (FBCYICN) as a Youth in Care Program Manager in charge of the Education and Leadership Programs. My biggest responsibility is to make sure young people in and from care have their voice heard in the organization, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and in their lives. My other responsibilities at the FBCYICN include distributing funds to youth in and from care for post-secondary school and skills development. I also hired a young person and supported them to create an education workbook which helps young people in and from care transition from high school to post-secondary school.
In terms of what I bring to the NYICN, firstly, I believe it is crucial that the membership of organization should steer the direction of it. In other words, it is my job as a board member to make sure your voice is heard! Other skills I bring from my 10 years of experience working with and for youth in and from care include strategic planning, budgeting, youth engagement, communications, program development, and event planning.
Currently, I reside in Vancouver, BC, and I am a recent graduate of Simon Fraser University with a degree in International Studies with a concentration in Security and Conflict. If you would like to know more about me check out my digital story on the NYICN Youtube channel!
Serinah Frederickson, Saskatchewan
My name is Serinah. I’m 24 and going for my Bachelor of Social Work. I was placed in my first foster home when I was eleven years old. I had lived with my father until I was seven and my mother till I was fourteen, when I was made a permanent ward. However, for the years passing until I reached fourteen I went through one group home and three foster homes going back and forth between my mother’s and the youth care system. When people discover(ed) that I was a foster child that realization was met with a judgment that I MUST have done something. Some of the foster homes I lived in were unstable, judgmental and isolating. Homes my peers had been in were unimaginably worse. Many homes were crowded and other youth were often from backgrounds I couldn’t possibly understand. Once I turned fourteen I went through three more foster homes. My best experience was in a therapeutic home with three kids. I believe the foster care system needs to be readjusted to smaller homes and youth matched to parents that will benefit them holistically rather than medicating and isolating them. I hope to hear more success stories and to decrease prejudice by being a voice for youth of the NYICN and working together with board members to reach for a better youth care system.
Kihaw Fox, Saskatchewan
My name is Kihaw Iskwew Night Fox. I was born November 14th, 1991. I am Cree from the Piapot First Nation. I am a strong and empowering young native woman. I am going to the University of Regina for my Human Justice degree. I graduated from high school in 2009 and continued my education at SIAST for Aboriginal Police Preparation class. I have been in care for my entire life. I have had a hard life. I have experienced many trials from a small child growing into an adult. I have conquered all. I have risen and broken the chains of stereotypes. I have been involved with Saskatchewan Youth in Care for 2 years now. I love education, and I love to work and help improve my community. Coming from a disadvantaged home full of abuse & domestic violence, I choose to stand up against it. I choose to help others make this life a better life. I believe everyone has their own story of heartache and happiness. I am not invincible, and I recognize that one day I will leave this world. When I leave it I want to be happy and knowing I helped with other lives and that I made an imprint on them. I want to join together with other youth to strive for that happiness and justice in the foster system. I want change, and I'm ready to make it with the right team behind me!
Shimon Segal, Manitoba
After growing up in the child welfare system for most of his life, Shimon Segal was asked at the age of 19 to come work for the provincial government to enhance their ability to work with children and families. Shimon works for the General Child and Family Services Authority and is a Youth Advocate and Policy Advisor for all non-Aboriginal child services delivered in Manitoba.
Some highlights of his work include providing sensitivity training to social workers and working closely with his former agency Jewish Child and Family Service among others. Shimon has been involved in youth networking since attending the World Forum 2006 in Vancouver, BC. Shimon’s passion for advocacy work started as a child (wanting to be heard) but now with an official capacity, Shimon’s work has been recognized as ground-breaking by the government oversight bodies in Winnipeg and in Manitoba.
Shimon’s commitment to networking extends outside of his billable hours and he has volunteered countless hours developing inner city outreach programs and youth networks across Canada. Shimon is distinguished by his appreciative language use and his abilities to meaningfully engage and captivate an audience.
Shimon recently filmed a commercial for Child Find Manitoba denouncing child sexual exploitation and through a tour of public speeches helped to generate a 60% increase in new and prospective foster placements for his agency of origin in Winnipeg.
To continue his life of advocacy work, Shimon will be attending law school in September of this year.
Jainna Cabral, Manitoba
Hi there! My name is Jainna, and I was first connected to the Mantoba Youth in Care Network in the '90s after I tried to lead a youth revolution in my gorup home. I deiscovered the rights we have in care and was mentored by great leaders at the local level and National Youth in Care Network. With adult support, I held positions on the executive steering committee, presented at various youth confrences, and contributed to the creation of the monthly newsletter and its distribution. We aptly named the newsletter The Screamer because back in those days, youth in care had to scream to be heard. I stepped down from networking in order to pursue an education but always hoped I could return one day. Currently I am pursuing a degree in social work and actively participate in my local network VOICES (MYICN). As a Primer facilitator and a youth engagement specialist, I am honoured to bring the voices and needs of youth in care and from care directly to policy makers and caregivers in Manitoba. I am confident that my combination of work experience, education, child welfare wisdom, and community involvement has prepared me to make an immediate contribution to the board of the NYICN. I look forward to making stronger connections with youth from across Canada, and I am enthusiastic about the journey.
Adam Diamond, Ontario
Adam is a former youth in care and Crown Ward from Ontario. Growing up in and out of care, he was involved with multiple Children’s Aid Societies. Adam lived in foster homes, group homes, and bio family placements. After high school, Adam attended a French program at the University of Montreal and then pursued Community Work at George Brown College in Toronto.
In 2006 and after aging out, Adam was one of the pioneers of YouthCAN (Communications, Advocacy, Networking), the current youth in care network in Ontario. YouthCAN is a unifying voice for youth in care and is the driving force behind many positive changes that continue to happen! In 2008, Adam was one of two recipients of the Child Welfare League of Canada’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Youth Leadership.
Today, Adam continues to live in Toronto and work as a YouthCAN Program Coordinator. He co-chairs 6 regional YouthCAN groups and a provincial youth policy advisory and advocacy group (YPAAG). YouthCAN also maintains a website, distributes a quarterly newsletter, and hosts an annual youth in care conference on a college campus for approximately 250 youth and staff from Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies.
Every year Adam meets with hundreds of youth in care from every part of the province. He strives to empower individuals to find and use their own voice as everyone is an expert from their own experience! Adam is passionate about youth issues and is dedicated to working to improve services and supports provided to youth in care in Ontario.
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.
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.
Olivia Lasting, Primer Program Manager
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. 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 venture 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. Together we can make change!
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
In 2011, 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
Susan McIntyre, External Evaluator
