Our Team
Samantha Bellefeuille
Director & Founder
Samantha is a RECE, Family Partner in Research, a Behaviour Technician and a Special Needs Instructor. Having a younger brother with CDKL5, and doing respite for over thirteen 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!
and Voilà!
Fostering Forever Friendships was born on September 9th, 2019!
Board of Directors
Samantha Bellefeuille Chair 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. |
Emily O'Donnell Secretary Emily is in her fourth year at the University of Ottawa completing her Criminology and Women's Studies Degree. She works as an Outreach Worker and has been working in the Social Services field for over two years now. Emily also works 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. |
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. |
Dawn Bellefeuille Treasurer Dawn has been married 29 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 14 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. |
Program Staff
Harriet Harriet has been working with people with exceptionalities since she was in high school. She went on to graduate with a BA in psychology from Concordia University, where she also volunteered at a centre that provides art therapies to adults with exceptionalities. She has acted as and continues to work 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 and social services. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and writing, and she is very excited to work as a casual staff member and to be a part of the FFF team! |
Katie Katie is a recent graduate of the Recreation and Leisure Services Program at Algonquin College. She has a passion for mental health, and sees recreation as being an integral part. When Katie isn’t with her Fostering Forever Friendships friends, she can be found riding her horse, kayaking, or hanging out with her dog. |
Tomas Tomas is a second-year student at Carleton University for Media Production and Design who has been working with children, teens and adults with exceptionalities for the past three 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 two years in programs and summer camps with the Inclusive Recreation department at the City of Ottawa. Tomas was our Summer Camp Coordinator last summer and continues to work as a Casual Program Staff throughout the school year. |
Kate Katie has spent most of her life as an advocate and teacher on the importance of inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Currently a student completing her Business Administration Degree at Trent University, Katie has spent the past 5 years working in various group homes for individuals with disabilities in Ontario. She has a younger sister with an intellectual disability and has worked to ensure that they both get the same opportunities in life. Katie is ecstatic to be working with Fostering Forever Friendships , a program that aids in teaching the life skills required to have those opportunities. |
Margaret Margaret is a Biomedical Science student at the University of Ottawa who is passionate about helping others. She is a certified National Lifeguard, and in her spare time, Margaret enjoys playing piano, ice hockey, field hockey, and ultimate frisbee. Margaret started off as a volunteer with Fostering Forever Friendships and is very excited to work as a staff member and continue to be apart of the FFF team! |
Ruby Ruby has been a primary caregiver for her sister since the age of twelve. After high school, she decided to pursue the DSW program at Algonquin College graduating in 2019. She is in the process of completing her Therapeutic Recreation certificate and works full-time as an overnight staff at a residential group home. Ruby loves plants, cats, shopping and going to the gym. Ruby is excited to join the Fostering Forever Friendships team. |
Adriana Adriana is a second year student in the Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics program at the University of Ottawa with over 6 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. |
Emily Emily is in her fourth year at the University of Ottawa completing her Criminology and Women's Studies Degree. She works as an Outreach Worker and has been working in the Social Services field for over two years now. Emily also works 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. |
Photo by Mike Giovinazzo
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Volunteers
Marisa
Marisa is a student at Colonel By Secondary School who enjoys helping people and having fun. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching movies, and taking photos. She has been around and worked with children and adults with exceptionalities since she was very young and is very excited to join the Fostering Forever Friendships family!
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!
