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4th Joint Annual General Meeting June 19, 2013, UCC Building - University of Western Ontario with:

• Anago (Non) Residential Resources Inc.

• Craigwood Youth Services

• The Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System

• Merrymount Children's Centre

• Vanier Children's Services

• Western Area Youth Services

For more information, please click here.

Register on-line at Eventbrite

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Click on the Bounce Back logo for more information:

Mental Health Awareness Week

Won't you take a moment to watch these videos?

May 6 - DAY 1 - What is Bounce Back?

May 7 - DAY 2 - I Bounce Back

May 8 - DAY 3 - We Bounce Back

May 9 - DAY 4 - You Bounce Back

May 10 - DAY 5 - Bounce Back Stronger

KRISTA SEPP MEMORIAL AWARD

Vanier employee wins the 2013 Krista Sepp Horizon Award!

Jelisa Clarke, Child & Youth Worker graduate of Fanshawe College, and Child & Youth Counselor at Vanier Children's Services was recognized this year by the annual Krista Sepp committee as the provincial Horizon Award winner.

The Krista Sepp Memorial Award was established in 1991 in memory of Krista Sepp, who lost her life on February 3, 1989 while performing her duties as a child and youth counselor.  As a young child and later as a youth counselor, Krista was determined to make a difference in a high risk and often undervalued industry.  In her work, Krista consistently demonstrated empathy, enthusiasm, idealist, a thirst for knowledge, and a keenness to apply theory to practice.

The Krista Sepp Awards provide a forum for annual recognition of the high quality work and dedication of front-line CYCs/CYWs across the province and continues to promote awareness of children's mental health issues and a commitment to service excellence.

The Horizon Award celebrates young child & youth counselors who exemplify enthusiasm with colleagues and clients; empathy towards co-worker, clients and their families; creativity in providing service to children; and initiative in striving to make a difference for children and youth.  Jelisa was nominated by three CYC colleagues and supported as the Vanier nomination. Jelisa certainly fills and exceeds this description and we were thrilled to hear of Jelisa's success!  Read more.

The Krista Sepp committee also awards the Mentoring Award - honouring the on-going contribution of a CYC with more than five years experience.  Vanier was proud to submit Angie Deeks as our nominee for this award!  Angie has been a CYC at Vanier since 2005 - she is described by her peer nominators as a leader and inspiration to Vanier front-line staff and children!  In an outstanding field of 20 other nominees, Angie's commitment to making a difference and excellence in child & youth counseling skills confirms her as a winner in the eyes of Vanier!  Read more.

Angie Deeks & Jelisa Clarke

On Thursday, May 2, 2013, 24 Vanier colleagues and family members of the two nominees attended the 22nd Annual Krista Sepp Awards Celebration Luncheon in Toronto.

Very proud Vanier staff who attended the Krista Sepp Awards celebration to support their colleagues!

Vanier Children's Services has a new Director of Clinical Services!

We are very pleased to welcome Leo Desjardins back into the Vanier fold on February 6, 2013, as the incoming Director of Clinical Services.  Leo previously worked on the Community Mental Health Service team (formerly the Family School Team) for many years, providing bilingual family counselling services.  During this time, Leo deepened his practice in trauma work, specifically with immigrants and refugees who had experienced political/war trauma.  Leo initiated Vanier's Francophone crisis-Intake Service and was instrumental in advocating for additional bilingual mental health services for children and families in our community.  He has provided fee-for-service bilingual counselling to the agency during the past year.

Leo Desjardins was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario.  He completed a B.A. in Psychology at Laurentian University and an M.A. in Sexology at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal.  Leo pursued his studies in marriage and family therapy at the Interfaith Pastoral Counselling Centre in Kitchener - Waterloo and at the family Service Thames Valley in London, Ontario.  Leo brings to Vanier a rich work experience in the area of child, couple, and family therapy.  He has considerable knowledge in the area of male victims of sexual abuse, and fatherhood.  He has also been a strong advocate for the development of French language services and has been a community member with the Mother Reach Coalition.  Leo has worked in the field of children's mental health both in his home town of Sudbury and previously at Vanier Children's Services.  For the past five years, Leo pursued private practice and his artistic endeavours.

The Management and Staff are delighted Leo will be contributing his unique perspectives and clinical acumen to Vanier in February 2013!!

Joanne Sherin, Executive Director
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A very special lady,

On December 14, 2012, a very dear lady to Vanier passed away. Bev Boam was the first face you saw when you came to Vanier for over 30 years!

Anyone who knew Bev knew of her love of automobiles...so to remember her, we are setting up a Memorial Fund to purchase a new van for the Vanier residential program in Bev's name.  All donations made to this fund will be gratefully received and enjoyed by the children receiving services at Vanier.

Donations can be mailed to:
Vanier Children's Services
871 Trafalgar Street
London, ON   N5Z 1E6
Attention: Sue Giles

on-line at

OR   Vanier Donation Form (pdf)

Joanne Sherin receives John Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award

Recipients Sarah Scanlon, Joanne Sherin and Louise Pitre

The 2012 John Robinson Awards were handed out at the London Music Club on November 22, 2012.  Presented annually for outstanding achievement in ending violence against women, the awards are given in honour of the late Inspector John Robinson of the London Police Service. In recognition for his tenacious spirit, leadership and creativity, the LCCEWA established the award in 1988, with Inspector John Robinson as the first recipient.

The award recognizes either individuals or agencies that reflect Robinson's spirit, leadership and creativity aimed at ending violence against women.  We are very proud to announce Joanne Sherin, Executive Director of Vanier as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Other recipients included Louise Pitre, Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Centre London - Member Award and Sarah Scanlon, former Public Education Coordinator for SACL - Community Partner Award.

Features on our website

Bonnie's Blog - This great resource for parents of challenging and exceptional children tackles issues, getting support and how to advocate for your child.

Our Stories - Learn more about Vanier -- the families we help, the people behind our work and the organizations who support us.

Photo Gallery - Ever wonder what it's like to visit Vanier? Check out our photo gallery for a virtual tour.