Our Team
Samantha Bellefeuille
Founder
Samantha is a Family Partner and sibling voice in Research, a Behaviour Technician, a certified special needs 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 for a decade, 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 then 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.
Governing Board of Directors
Samantha 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 Treasurer &DIRECTOR Dawn has been married 32 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 17 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. |
Kerrin DIRECTOR Kerrin has worked and volunteered with children for over 15 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology as well as a Bachelor of Education. She and her husband welcomed their own little girl into the world this past summer and are enjoying every second of being new parents. She is excited to join the board of directors at FFF and help the organization continue to grow. |
Rocco DIRECTOR Rocco and his wife have been married for 27 years and have 3 children. Their youngest son was born with multiple medical conditions, and has lifelong developmental and cognitive challenges but remains a happy and caring individual. Rocco was a co-founder and treasurer of the Little Troopers charitable foundation which provided financial assistance and medical equipment to over 100 local families with chronically ill and disabled children in the community. He currently works as a manager for the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. |
Emily 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
Heather
Office Admin
Heather has been married for 22 years and is Mom to a 21-year-old daughter with exceptionalities. She has worked at various careers including hair stylist, co-owning a salon for 5 years, Hallmark Canada and retail fashion, as well as a not for profit for the past 3 years. Heather has volunteered with numerous boards at CHEO including Family Forum, Pediatrics and Rehabilitation.
She is excited to join FFF as the office administrator with the opportunity to continue working with a not for profit organization.
She is excited to join FFF as the office administrator with the opportunity to continue working with a not for profit organization.
FFF Day Program Staff
Samantha Program 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 the Inclusive Recreation department. Samantha wanted to create a Day Program where participants learned daily living skills while being "On-the-Go" such as exploring public transportation while touring the City! |
Harriet Program Coordinator 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. Harriet started off as a casual worker in 2021 and has been with us for 3 years now! |
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Alexa Alexa is currently attending Algonquin College for the Developmental Service Worker program. She is someone who finds joy in the little things, like baking up a storm in the kitchen or hitting the slopes for some winter fun. Pink is her favourite colour, and she's all about staying active, whether it's working out or playing sports in the summer sun. Alexa never misses a chance to celebrate birthdays with her loved ones as family time is precious! Alexa can't wait to jump in and get started on this exciting journey with FFF! |
Ruby Ruby graduated from the Developmental Services Worker program at Algonquin College in 2019. Since then she has worked with adults with exceptionalities in many different environments; including group homes, day programs and long term care facilities. Ruby enjoys spending time with friends and family whether it be outdoors exploring or inside playing games and watching a movie. She is very crafty and loves music and painting for fun too. Ruby is excited to continue to work with the FFF team and looks forward to connecting with everyone again! |
Cassidy 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. Cassidy is also our Volunteer Lead for our FFF Volunteering Program! |
Fiona 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 four years and in her free time, enjoys reading, travelling, skiing, and being outside. Fiona has been with FFF since 2022! |
Mariam Mariam is currently a psychology student at the University of Ottawa, she’s worked with various individuals for over a year now including adults with exceptionalities. In her free time she enjoys cooking and watching movies with her family and friends. She is excited and looking forward to her journey at FFF! |
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Sokhna Sokhna is currently a Biochemistry student at the University of Ottawa. She has worked in the mental health field in the past with 988 Canada. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching K-dramas and spending quality time with her friends and family. She is very excited to join the team ! |
Marisa Marisa is a recent high school graduate who is passionate about art and creativity! She plans to pursue studies in business and arts management in the near future. She enjoys theatre, photography, fashion, dance, and helping other people. She fills her free time with her many hobbies including reading, baking, crocheting, and listening to music. She has volunteered with Fostering Forever Friendships Summer Camp since 2021 and is excited to join the team as a staff member this year! |
All Program Staff are fully certified in BMS, 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 three years now! Ben worked for the Inclusive Recreation department with the City of Ottawa as a Program Leader for the Social night programs for adults with special needs as well as 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, overnights and more! |
Margaret Margaret is a second year medical student after graduating from TMM (Translational and Molecular Medicine) in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. She is passionate about helping others and is 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. 
Chef Lil Lil has been teaching people how to simplify life in the kitchen for over 19 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 7 years. |
Adriana Adriana is a Master's Student in Physiotherapy at the U of T! She previously graduated with an Honours degree in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa. Adriana has over 9 years of experience working with children and adults with exceptionalities. She has volunteered with Special Olympics, Motionball, 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, playing wheelchair basketball and of course being a part of the FFF family! Adriana first started at FFF in 2021 and has been part of the FFF family ever since! We look forward to seeing her for overnights, special days and more! |
Thank you to our staffing volunteers for hosting our 3rd Annual Trip to Circle Square Ranch!
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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 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 wanted 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!
Upon Samantha meeting the Co-Founder, Kendra 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 wanted 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!