Homegrown
Connections
MEET OUR WORKERS
Lisa Murray
Founder, Support Worker
Lisa recognized her passion for working with individuals with developmental disabilities at a young age. She has found that the individuals she supports have made an immeasurable positive impact on her life, and she feels blessed to have found her calling working in the Developmental Services field. Through Lisa's experiences in group homes, day programs, the school board and her private support work with families and individuals, Lisa has noticed that some changes need to be made in order to provide better, longer lasting and more meaningful supports.
Since the launch of Homegrown Connections, Lisa has been busy not only matching families with workers, but also providing individual and family support as much as possible herself. Lisa has been spending most of her time providing individual job coaching and lifeskills training specific to each young adult she supports. Lisa also enjoys hanging out with her buddies within the community and participating in a multitude of various activities; softball games, concerts, fairs, going to visit friends, double dates, going to the beach, shopping, etc, etc.
Lisa has become extremely passionate in supporting individuals and their families and advocating for their futures. Lisa is committed to the families she assists and hopes to continue to develop those connections through the years. Lisa's dream for many years has been to create her own organization to ensure the best care for the individuals she supports. She is so excited to begin this journey and looks forward to connecting with you!
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Kris Wilson
Support Worker
Kris is a graduate of the Developmental Services Worker Program from Algonquin College, and is currently enrolled in Queens University completing his undergrad in psychology. Kris plans on continuing his education in pursuits of obtaining his Bachelor of Education degree. Kris has been working in the field for the last 6 years in various positions. He has experience working in multiple capacities in the field, including, but not limited to: Educational Assistant with the OCSB (current full time job), group homes, day programs, summer/March Break camps, as well as private respite. Kris has supported many individuals; children and adults, with Autism, and various developmental delays, including challenging behaviour. Kris is a firm believer in lifelong learning, and has become passionate to help facilitate learning with the individuals he supports, as well as their families.
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Margaret Feltham
Support Worker
Margaret Feltham has been working with children with disabilities since she was 16 years old. She started off by providing respite support for a young boy with autism. Due to that inspiring experience she decided she would pursue a career in the Developmental Services field. She went to Algonquin College and received her Developmental Services Worker diploma in 2011. Out of college she began working in a group home for adults with challenging behaviours, which is ultimately what she thought she wanted to do. Eventually she decided to try working as a supply educational assistant in the school board. She loved it and ended up with a permanent position last year. She currently works in a classroom for children with autism at Sir Winston Public School, and she is hoping to pick up some respite work on the side. In her time off, Margaret likes walking her dog, going for hikes, lifting weights, playing sports and travelling. Margaret is excited to be a part of the team and is dedicated to helping the individuals seeking services through Homegrown Connections.
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Liz House
Support Worker
Liz has been a certified teacher for one year working for the OCDSB as well as the OCSB. This past year she has been supplying teaching throughout both boards, as well as specially in the Behavior Intervention Program as well as Special Education Classrooms. In addition to classroom teaching throughout the year, she has spent two summers working as an Educational Assistant at Crystal Bay Center for Special Education Summer Learning Program. She has taken additional qualifications in special education and plans to continue these qualifications until she has received her specialist.
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She has done all of her schooling with the University of Ottawa, and will be continuing her education through a Masters Of Education Post Graduate Degree this fall.
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Aside from teaching Liz has been working for the City of Ottawa for 6 years teaching both hockey and skating programs for children and adults. She has also been coaching a special needs skating program (SNAP) for 6 years with the City of Ottawa.
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Liz loves the outdoors and sports, and she spends most of her time doing athletics and spending time outside! She hopes to develop useful skills and experiences through respite work and looks forward to meeting those in need.
Sherry SImpson
Support Worker
Over the past 25+ years, Sherry has enjoyed a fulfilling career working with and supporting persons with special needs as well as their families in a wide variety of settings. Sherry has been employed as an educational assistant at Crystal Bay Special Education Centre since 1997, where she has honed her interpersonal skills to build lasting and valuable connections with students with a range of different special needs. Students on the autism spectrum as well as students with visual impairments, hearing impairments, developmental delays, medically fragile conditions (seizure disorders), and other special needs have all benefitted from Sherry's caring manner and approach. Sherry has extensive knowledge in sign language, as she initially began her career at the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf located in Toronto. In this position she worked with hearing impaired/developmentally delayed young adults in a vocational workshop setting.
Sherry has also gained many years of experience as a respite worker with numerous families of special needs children and young adults. Sherry feels strongly that her own life has been deeply enriched by the connections she has made with these special children and young adults over the years. She is excited with the opportunity to make new connections in the future with families who are looking for a mature and caring respite worker to support their family needs.
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Shawna Bayne
Deafblind intervenor, Support Worker
Shawna is a dedicated and passionate human services professional, with
volunteer and work experience in various communities. She holds a Diploma in
Human Services with a specialization in Therapeutic Recreation in addition to
being a recent graduate of the Intervenor of Deafblind Studies program at
George Brown College. Shawna has been employed with the OCDSB since May
2016 with special focus on sign, braille, two hand manual, and interpersonal
communication skills.
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Shawna has extensive experience in providing support to individuals with
developmental and physical disability and has a deep understanding and
appreciation of the multifaceted nature of special needs care. During her seven
years at L’arche, Shawna was responsible for creating and implementing leisure
activities and structured group programs with the intent on improving and
maintaining the general health and well-being of each individual resident.
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Katelyn Trotman
Support Worker
Over the last 11 years, Katelyn has really enjoyed a fulfilling career of working with persons with special needs and their families. Currently Katelyn is finishing her DSW apprenticeship program while as a residential care worker. Upon Graduation from the Developmental Service Worker apprenticeship program, Katelyn’s goal is to work as an educational assistant in the school board while continuing her passion working in the Social Services field.
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Katelyn is a hard working, very creative person who is always thinking of new fun activities and thinking outside the box for new DIY projects. She has a huge passion working with children and adults with special needs and has many years experience working in group homes, summer camps and volunteering in the field. Katelyn also enjoys going for long drives and being outdoors i.e. Being at the beach, walking her puppy and discovering her
community. She loves learning new things and is open-minded.
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Katelyn is extremely excited to be a part of the Homegrown Connections and cannot wait to start helping more people in need. She is really looking forward to building great new relationship with your family and helping your child succeed.
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Sarah Belair
Support Worker
Sarah is a well-educated young woman who has a true passion for children and adults with exceptionalities. Her keen interest is in adapting challenges in both academic and daily practices(life skills) to best suit individuals with special needs. Throughout her life, she has had a wealth of experiences in many circumstances that bode well to handling the unpredictability of life. Whether it be a day trip to a farm outside of the city or a simple walk to the park, she loves to engage in community life while experiencing a “go with the flow” type of mentality!
Dylan Samuel
Support Worker
Dylan not only has a love for working with people from all backgrounds, but his ability to communicate, understand and express himself has led him to build strong and lasting relationships with many in the community. This skill, combined with an attitude in which he approaches every day with excitement and optimism rubs off on others, helping to provide care and lasting friendships which are a great source of his pride. These friendships have extended through his many hobbies, particularly his interest in sports, academics and other volunteer work.
Now, with the completion of a BA in Communications, Dylan is looking to gain more valuable experiences in many other areas before going back to complete his masters in the fall of 2017. Dylan’s formal work experiences have been with a great range of groups, from coaching soccer to toddlers and young adults, providing care for the elderly and extensive time spent working with those living with disabilities.
Not only is Dylan looking forward to working with such an outstanding individual in Lisa but also the team she has assembled. The vision Lisa has for Homegrown Connections is profound and something desperately needed in all communities.
Meagan Metcalfe
Meagan has studied at Algonquin College taking the Nursing Unit Clerk and Personal Support Worker Programs. Meagan has worked for over ten years in the Developmental Services field in many capacities: group homes, respite in the community as well as in her own home. In her spare time, Meagan likes to go camping, hiking with her dog and cycling. Her hobbies are knitting, painting and making crafts. Meagan enjoys enriching the lives of those who she supports and focusing on their interests. She is looking forward to meeting with you!
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Shelly Wang
Support Worker
Shelly grew up in a home that cared for individuals who had a wide range of disabilities and special needs. Interacting and assisting seniors and young adults was a normal part of her everyday life and has helped cultivate her love for all people. As a teen she worked with children with disabilities in camp settings. For two years she worked full-time as a therapist with autistic children. This job often included experience at schools where she developed a passion helping kids integrate into new learning environments and social situations.
While she holds a Bachelor of Arts she is currently working on her Developmental Services Worker diploma while serving as a Lunchtime Monitor and emergency Educational Assistant in the school board. As a mother of three young children she is preparing to transition back into fulltime work. She is excited about new opportunities providing respite care to families who are in need of extra support. She loves being outside with her kids, walking her dog and finding ways to serve her community.
Heidie Mathews
Support Worker
Heidie Mathews has worked in the field of Developmental Services for the past 16 years, and graduated from the DSW program at Algonquin. She has had the privilege of working in many group homes, as well as day cares, and has been working for the OCDSB for the past 6 years with the Early Learning Resource Team providing support to their youngest learners. Heidie is passionate in providing support, promoting self-advocacy and collaborative problem solving. Heidie's hobbies and passions include cooking as well as re-finishing furniture and sometimes finding time for yoga.
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Jennifer Mumford
Support Worker
Jennifer was born with Cerebral Palsy which affects her lower limbs and uses a manual wheelchair. Having a disability, she has a particular empathy and understanding towards those she works with. She realizes and is a firm believer in the importance of independence, advocacy, integration, and living a fulfilled life. While she has succeeded at all of these aspects in her own life, she wants to help others achieve these things so that they can overcome their challenges and enjoy their lives to the fullest! She is very much aware of what each of her family member went through having a child/sibling with a disability and can relate to parents and siblings on that level, as well. She has also been a client of different services for people with disabilities and through these client experiences, she knows what it takes to be a great and dedicated worker!
Jennifer realized her passion for working with people with disabilities at a young age, through volunteering and working at day camps and overnight camps. Her passion lead her to the Developmental Services Worker program at Algonquin College, where she graduated with Honours in 2004. Her experience includes working with people of all ages with a wide range of physical and developmental disabilities and in a variety of environments. These enviroments include elementary and high schools, college classes, day programs, group homes, and recreation programs. Jennifer has always strongly felt that working with people with disabilities was her passion and this passion continues to grow with every unique experience she has.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and friends and being out and about in the community. She also enjoys being outdoors, whether that be a walk, the beach, or trips to the cottage.
She is very much looking forward to working with people with disabilities and their families and building strong and lasting connections with them. She hopes to have an enlightened impact on them, as she knows the families will have on her, as well!
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