Our Team | Grandview Kids
A member of Team Grandview smiles at the camera while wearing a medical mask.

Our Team

This talented group of individuals helps every child and youth live life at their full potential.

 

Team Grandview includes volunteers, staff and students alongside our Board of Trustees, Family Advisors and Youth Advisors.

Our Staff

Grandview Kids has experienced significant growth in the number of staff onboarded in the past two years. As our locations have grown to include seven satellite sites, we have found new ways of connecting — such as a wellness challenge, Mission Possible accreditation event, and monthly all-staff meetings to get informed and reconnected. Above all, the staff has shown empathy, respect and kindness when faced with challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year we are bursting with gratitude for our team and their dedication to the clients and families they serve.

A screenshot showing Team Grandview members on Zoom, wearing sunglasses as part of the Mission Possible Accreditation Event.

Volunteers

The Grandview Kids volunteer team enriches client care and support for families by adding extra care and “sparkle” to their Grandview experience.

Our outstanding volunteers returned to support Grandview’s Vaccine Clinics and assisted with keeping a safe environment by screening and greeting families and visitors attending Grandview locations. Volunteers also helped monitor chats at virtual workshops, assist therapeutic recreation groups, and limit other therapy sessions.

Volunteers demonstrate that their contributions are “a work of heart,” and we are so grateful for their commitment to Grandview.

Volunteer Spotlight : Natalie Bedrossian

Volunteer since 2019

Natalie has been volunteering on a regular basis with Grandview Kids for more than three years and has provided an astounding 400 hours of service. Natalie assists our Speech Therapy team and is a regular weekly volunteer at the Welcome Centre in our Ajax location.

When asked how the volunteer opportunity at Grandview has affected her, Natalie explained that “Volunteering has had a major impact on my life in many ways. Although I can positively say that volunteering has allowed me to grow in ways that I believe no other setting would have, I also attribute my weekly contribution as a way of allowing myself to become more certain of the path I would like to take on as my future profession. I started volunteering for Grandview when I was in second year of university and like many, were somewhat uncertain of what I wanted for my future. It was through volunteering that I was able to learn about such various rehabilitation therapists and therapy assistants and the impact such services have on children and youth.”

Grandview Kids Volunteer, Natalie, smiles at the camera.

Volunteering has had a major impact on my life in many ways. Although I can positively say that volunteering has allowed me to grow in ways that I believe no other setting would have

Natalie Bedrossian, Volunteer

Grandview Children’s Centre Board of Trustees 2021-2022

Denise Jones
Chair, Board of Trustees

Jeremy Harness
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Erin Watson
Secretary, Chair of Governance Excellence Committee & Trustee

Terry Caputo
Chair of Finance & Facilities Committee, Treasurer & Trustee

Catherine Switzer
Chair of Priorities & Performance Committee & Trustee

Natalie Sims
Trustee

Leo Plue
Trustee

Kalyan Chakravarthy
Trustee

Leisa Davie
Trustee

Maria Grant
Trustee

Bryan Yetman
Chair of the Board of Directors, Grandview Kids Foundation

Finance & Facilities Committee

Terry Caputo
Chair & Treasurer

Kalyan Chakravarthy
Trustee

Denise Jones
Board Chair

Leo Plue
Trustee

Jonathan Dixon
Community Representative

Maria Taylor
Community Representative

Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann
CEO

Harry Deeg
Director of Finance & Administration

Kelly O’Connor
Recorder & Executive Assistant

 

Governance Excellence Committee

Erin Watson
Chair

Leisa Davie
Trustee

Marie Grant
Trustee

Lindsay Coolidge
Community Representative

Carolyn Treadgold
Community Representative

Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann
CEO

Taryn Eickmeier
Director, Strategic Communications, Partnerships & Engagement

Kelly O’Connor
Recorder & Executive Assistant

Priorities and Performance Committee

Catherine Switzer
Chair

Natalie Sims
Trustee

Jeremy Harness
Trustee

Audrey Andrews
Community Representative

James Ibbott
Community Representative

Barbara Scott
Community Representative

Raquel Shaw-Moxam
Community Representative

Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann
CEO

Leslie Suite
Director of Client & Clinical Services

Alfred Ng
Director, Quality,
Risk & Continuous Improvement

Andrew Marsden
Performance Evaluation Specialist

Kelly O’Connor
Recorder & Executive Assistant

Grandview Children’s Foundation Board of Directors 2021-2022

Executives
Bryan Yetman
Chair

Steve Leslie
Secretary/Treasurer

David Toswell
Director

Directors
David Toswell

Mike Forman

Steve Curry

Marina Hunt

Denise Jones
Grandview Children’s Centre –
Chair

Finance Committee
Steve Leslie
Chair

Steve Curry
Director

Sean Donaldson
Community Member

Steve Rowlands
Community Member

Governance Excellence Committee
David Toswell
Chair

Steve Leslie
Director

Bryan Yetman
Director

Mike Forman
Director

All these efforts clearly prove that the love of a child knows no bounds and often helps build a community.

Family Advisory Council

Grandview’s Family Advisory Council (FAC) is a 12-person formal council that hosts parents and caregivers of current Grandview kids or Grandview Grads. The FAC aims to provide advice and guidance from a client and family perspective on programs, services and policies that affect families within Grandview Kids and the broader paediatric health care system.

In 2021-22, an external facilitator guided the FAC through four workshops, which resulted in purpose-driven recommendations to improve (1) families’ experiences while waiting of services; (2) communication within a child’s circle of care; and (3) the preparation of transition from preschool into school-age programming. Many recommendations have been actioned by Team Grandview and many more are underway through the commitments of the FAC working groups.

Family Advisory Council

Alyson Eamor
Beth McBarnett
Claudia Nossier
Colin Mills
Debbie Smith
Jenny Cantwell
Krista Ormsby
Lindsey Stevens
Seana Haley
Shona Casola
Taju Punnoose

Youth Advisory Council

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) continued to connect virtually in 2021-22, though they were able to come together for a spooktacular haunted house event in October. The YAC volunteers wore their best costumes and handed out treats and candy to Grandview families.

The YAC is also making a big impact on inclusive work environments. This year, the YAC entered into an agreement with the Durham Work Authority to help contribute their knowledge and experience about finding and maintaining meaningful employment.

Thank you, YAC, for sharing your insight and creativity!

Youth Advisory Council

Nicholas Barry
Mia Belanger
Emily Petrik
Sam Keane
Andrew Neufeld
Kurt Snow
Eliott Smith
Darren Thorogood
Adam Whittick
Taylor Willis
Claire Whittick
Shayaan Quereshi

YAC Support
Brad Sexton, Peer Navigator

Networking and Education Working Group

This wonderful group of volunteers has been busy planning our Inclusive Resource Fair. The Education and Networking Working Group are tasked with putting together events for The Grandview Kids community. If you like to plan and be part of hosting events, this is the working group for you. This group has big plans as we look forward to reconnecting in person. Much appreciation for our members Mary Sarginson, Natasha Mills, Annette Neufeld, Bobeth Mcbarnett, Krista Ormsby, Leanne Osborne and Lindsay Stevens.

Members of the Group

Mary Sarginson
Natasha Mills
Annette Neufeld
Bobeth Mcbarnett
Krista Ormsby
Leanne Osborne
Lindsay Stevens

Quick Hits Working Group

This working group is made up of some true go-getters. The Quick Hits Group is tasked with giving input on a wide variety of projects. Their feedback ranges from the website to new steps after referral. Volunteer members of this working group are knowledgeable and passionate giving feedback. Thank you to our members, Lindsey Stevens, Mary Sarginson, Krista Ormsby, Seana Haley, Debbie Smith and Alyson Eamer.

Members of the Group

Lindsey Stevens
Mary Sarginson
Krista Ormsby
Seana Haley
Debbie Smith
Alyson Eamer

New Build Working Group

Already this working group has contributed to the planning of our new Grandview Kids in Ajax. Their contributions going forward will allow for family input, and accessibility needs to be beyond expectation. A huge thank you goes out to our members Krista Ormsby, Amanda Wallace and Seana Haley.

Members of the Group

Krista Ormsby
Seana Haley
Amanda Wallace

Community Committees

 

A special thank you to Claudia Nossier for representing Grandview Kids at the Durham Catholic District School Board Special Education Advisory Council. Thank you for donating your time and voice to advocate for the families of Grandview Kids.

Family Leaders On Team Grandview Commitees

 

Thank you to Barbara Sparks, who participates in the Grandview Kids Quality Performance Improvement Committee. Barabara brings her lived experience and provides thoughtful recommendations on how the managers of Grandview Kids can provide high-quality services that meet the needs of all families. Thank you, Barbara, for your continued support!

Grandview listens to us and our wishes for Alden.

 

Meet Alden, a story told by Natasha Mills

After enduring a difficult, high-risk pregnancy, my third child, Alden, was born premature and required stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and support from the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic (FUNN) at Lakeridge Health. In his infancy, we had concerns around his development, such as his ability to make eye contact, hand flapping and toe walking tendencies and speech delay. He was referred to a developmental paediatrician at Grandview Kids and just shy of his second birthday he was diagnosed as Autistic
and non-speaking.

My husband and I didn’t know anything about Autism. With so much paperwork and contradictory information online, we felt lost. Grandview’s Online Parent Support (OPS) group quickly became our support system and we were immediately part of a community of parents and staff who understood us, willing to hold our hand and walk us through our journey. Grandview Kids embraced our family goals of total communication whether it was through signs, gestures, a speech aid or his voice. Through speech therapy, Alden learned to communicate by using Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and also has a speech device now. Occupational therapy has helped him work on his fine and gross motor skills.

At Grandview Kids, we have a local community where we receive all these services in one place. Now Alden has words, meaningful and beautiful words that fill our hearts every day. Grandview Kids listens to us and our wishes for Alden. They are giving us the tools to help Alden succeed in a world that struggles to accept anything different. Alden has taught us that Autism is beautiful and it is a whole world that we are invited into and we welcome you into it as well.

Grandview Kids embraced our family goals of total communication whether it was through signs, gestures, a speech aid or his voice.

Natasha Mills, Alden’s Mother

THANK YOU

Thank you for making a profound impact on Grandview kids’ lives, helping them move, play, learn, communicate and connect in ways their families never thought possible. We are excited for this next chapter as we journey together towards a bold new beginning of hope, belonging, discovery and celebration of Grandview Kids and paediatric excellence in our community.