Our Team
Samantha Bellefeuille
Director & 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. |
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. 
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 &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. |
Program Staff
Katie Recreation Coordinator Katie graduated from the Recreation and Leisure Services Program at Algonquin College. She sees the power in play, and how it can build and develop skills in individual empowerment. Katie enjoys riding her horse, kayaking, hanging out with her dog and scootering around Ottawa. Katie joined the Fostering Forever Friendships team as a Program Support worker and we are very excited to have her as our new Recreation Coordinator! |
Tomas summer Camp Coordinator 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 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 three 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. |
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 Full-Time staff member and to be a part of the FFF team! |
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! |
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. |
All Program Staff are fully certified in NVCI, Standard First Aid, CPR and AED!
Fostering Forever Friendships Road Trip to Kingston/Brockville 2022! Volunteer Photo!
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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! |
Ben Ben is an elementary school gym teacher who has been volunteering with Fostering Forever Friendships for over a year 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 join the FFF family as a volunteer on outings, special days and more! |
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!
