Our Team
Samantha Bellefeuille
Founder
Samantha is a RECE, Family Partner in Research, a Behaviour Technician, a certified yoga instructor and a Special Needs Instructor. Having a younger brother with CDKL5, and doing respite for over fourteen years, Samantha has a passion for working in the special needs field. She started working for Ottawa Respite at sixteen years old and has since worked at the Ottawa Catholic School Board, a variety of Respite Programs, coached Special Olympics, worked in residential group homes and worked at the City of Ottawa within the Inclusive Recreation Department. After working as an Inclusive Recreation Coordinator, Instructor and Camp Director for over three years, she saw a lack of On-the-Go Day Programs in Ottawa. Samantha wanted to build a Not-for-Profit, On-the-Go Day Program for adults with exceptionalities....and Voilà!
Fostering Forever Friendships was born on September 9th, 2019.
Fostering Forever Friendships was born on September 9th, 2019.
Board of Directors
Samantha Bellefeuille Chair & Director Samantha has been working in the field since she was 16 years old. She started working for the Ottawa Respite Agency before taking on clients of her own and working in the school board and then residential group homes. She also accepted an Instructor for Special Needs position with the City of Ottawa, and later on, Coordinator and Camp Director for Inclusive Recreation. Samantha wanted to create a Day Program where clients learned daily living skills while"On-the-Go" such as learning public transportation while exploring the City. |
Dawn Bellefeuille Treasurer &DIRECTOR Dawn has been married 31 years to her best friend and is a mother of four. Her youngest son has a genetic disorder called CDKL5. She is a Paralegal with the Government of Canada and has been working there for 16 years now. She has been a treasurer multiple times in the past and is looking forward to embarking on this new adventure. With her knowledge and experience, she is looking forward to being a part of the Fostering Forever Friendships Board of Directors. |
Heather Goelz DIRECTOR Heather is a mother to a 21-year-old daughter with exceptionalities. Through their daughters many medical challenges over the years, she and her husband have firsthand knowledge and experience with epilepsy, global/universal delays and hemiparesis. Heather has volunteered with numerous boards at CHEO including Family Forum, Pediatrics and Rehabilitation, She is currently an office administrator with a nonprofit, RFC, which includes EarlyON programs, Nursery School and Home Day Care Services. She is excited to join FFF as a board member with the opportunity to volunteer once again. |
Ron Jerome DIRECTOR After retiring from a 36 year career with the National Research Council of Canada and Shared Services Canada, Ron is starting the next chapter in his life, giving back to the community in ways that help those who might otherwise be marginalized. Ron is married and the father of a 22 year old child with exceptionalities, gaining first-hand experience with issues and challenges in the field. |
Emily O'Donnell SECRETARY &Director Emily completed her her Criminology and Women's Studies Degree at the University of Ottawa. She works as an Outreach Worker and has been working in the Social Services field for over three years now. Emily worked part-time with Inclusive Recreation at the City of Ottawa as a Program Leader with Special Needs adults. Emily is passionate about helping the Ottawa community and is excited to be a part of Fostering Forever Friendships. |
Office Staff
Lisa
ADmin
Lisa, a married mother of 3 sons and 3 grandkids, has a diploma in TSD from Algonquin College. She worked at Algonquin for 2 years in a program designed to assist adults from Rideau Regional Centre adapt to a group home environment. Motherhood changed her path and she eventually embarked on an administrative journey. She and her husband purchased the printing company they worked for and eventually sold the business. Lisa has been retired for 13 years and is eager to work with everyone at FFF.
Program Staff
Harriet Full-Time Harriet has been working with people with exceptionalities since she was in high school. She graduated with an honours degree in psychology from Concordia University, where she also volunteered at a centre that provides art therapies to adults with exceptionalities. She has acted as a caregiver and support worker to clients with a wide range of needs and abilities, and plans to continue her education in the field of mental health. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and writing, and she is thrilled to be a part of the FFF family! |
Fiona FULL-TIME Fiona has been working with people with exceptionalities since she was 15 years old. She graduated with an honour’s degree in Bio-medical Science from the University of Guelph. Fiona has volunteered in many programs such as Canadian Adaptive Ski Program (CADS), Special Olympics, Best Buddies and a special needs choir where she provided support to children, teens and adults with exceptionalities. Fiona worked as a head counsellor at Camp Opemikon for three years and in her free time, enjoys reading, travelling, skiing, and being outside. Fiona is excited to join the FFF family! |
Tomas Part-time Tomas is a third-year student at Carleton University for Media Production and Design who has been working with children, teens and adults with exceptionalities for the past six years. He has worked in the Best Buddies program, volunteered on many overnight trips as well as at a choir for singers with exceptionalities. Tomas has worked for the past four years in programs and summer camps, including with the Inclusive Recreation department at the City of Ottawa. Tomas has worked two summers as our FFF Summer Camp Coordinator and continues to work as a Part-Time Program Support Staff throughout the school year. |
Cassidy PART-TIME Cassidy discovered her love for working with people from various walks of life as a teen when she started volunteering with children and seniors. Since then, she has volunteered with organizations such as Options Bytown, Ottawa ACORN, The Ottawa Mission and LiveWorkPlay. She recently completed a diploma in Community and Justice services from Algonquin College and is passionate about creating communities where everyone can reach their fullest potential. In her spare time, Cassidy likes to get creative by cooking and doing crafts and is currently going through a major knitting phase. She stays grounded by practicing yoga and mindfulness, as well as going for long walks and the occasional run. Welcome to FFF! |
Margaret PART-TIME Margaret is a TMM (Translational and Molecular Medicine) student in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa who is passionate about helping others. Fluently trilingual (Greek, French, English), Margaret is an accomplished pianist, having completed the final level of the Royal Conservatory of Music with First Class Honours. She is also a certified National Lifeguard, and in her spare time, Margaret enjoys ice hockey, field hockey, and ultimate frisbee. For the past couple of years, Margaret has been a volunteer in the Health and Wellness service at the University of Ottawa, where she supports students in their mental and physical health journey. Margaret first started at FFF as a volunteer and has been part of the staff team since 2020. She is very excited to continue to be a member of the FFF family! |
Adriana PART-TIME Adriana is a third year student in the Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics program at the University of Ottawa with over 7 years of experience working with children and adults with exceptionalities. She has volunteered with Special Olympics, summer camps and choirs for singers with exceptionalities, including at Fostering Forever Friendships. When she’s not in school, she enjoys playing and coaching soccer, and of course being a part of the FFF family. |
All Program Staff are fully certified in NVCI, Standard First Aid, CPR and AED!
Volunteers
Ben Ben is an elementary school gym teacher who has been volunteering with Fostering Forever Friendships for over two years now! Ben worked for the Inclusive Recreation department with the City of Ottawa as well as worked full-time as a summer camp counsellor. We are very lucky to have Ben in our Fostering Forever Friendships family as a volunteer on outings, special days and more! |
Marisa Marisa is a student at Colonel By Secondary School who enjoys helping people and having fun. She is very passionate about photography, fashion and giving back to the community. She has been around and worked with children and adults with exceptionalities since she was very young and is very excited to continue to work with the Fostering Forever Friendships family! |
Chef Lil Lil has been teaching people how to simplify life in the kitchen for over 18 years with a fun and stress-free approach to cooking that anyone, at any age and ability can enjoy. She is passionate about helping friends and family make memories in the kitchen and gather together to cook, eat, talk, and connect! A volunteer with FFF since its beginnings, she has also volunteered with other programs for people with exceptionalities for about 6 years. |
Our 1st Annual Fun Fashion Fundraiser to raise money for Day Program!
Fostering Forever Friendships Hollywood Day at Summer Camp 2022!
Fostering Forever Friendships Road Trip to Kingston/Brockville 2022! Volunteer Photo!
Staff running in the Mud Girl Race to raise money for breast cancer research!
Fostering Muddier Friendships! <3
Fostering Muddier Friendships! <3
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Founders
In September 2019, Fostering Forever Friendships was created as a Not-for-Profit
day program for adults with exceptionalities.
Upon Samantha meeting the Co-Founder, Kendra O'Brien, and working with each other with the City of Ottawa, they realized they shared in the same vision of an on-the-go day program where adults with exceptionalities would learn independence, enhance daily living skills and have fun!
They waned to build something like summer camp; but all year round. Fostering Forever Friendships was created as an on-the-go Day Program where participants learn how to travel on Oc Transpo, work on daily living skills
and have FUN!
In May 2020, Kendra stepped down from Fostering Forever Friendships, to go back to school to become a paramedic. We wish her well in her endeavours!
day program for adults with exceptionalities.
Upon Samantha meeting the Co-Founder, Kendra O'Brien, and working with each other with the City of Ottawa, they realized they shared in the same vision of an on-the-go day program where adults with exceptionalities would learn independence, enhance daily living skills and have fun!
They waned to build something like summer camp; but all year round. Fostering Forever Friendships was created as an on-the-go Day Program where participants learn how to travel on Oc Transpo, work on daily living skills
and have FUN!
In May 2020, Kendra stepped down from Fostering Forever Friendships, to go back to school to become a paramedic. We wish her well in her endeavours!
