Samantha Roberts – Chairperson
Heather Courchene – Treasurer
Riley Parker – Secretary
Sandra Tower-Pace – Member at Large
Cass Ilchena – Member at Large
Julie Remillard – Member at Large
Asta Carvalho – Member at Large
Savannah Hyra – Member at Large
Hello! I am Coral Kendel (she/her), Executive Director at Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre. I come to Survivor’s Hope with a fierce passion for working in mental health, with gender-based issues, and from trauma-informed, Feminist perspectives.
I am a registered social worker and have experience working in mental health program delivery and development in the Interlake-Eastern region of Manitoba, where I also reside, and strongly believe in the power of these communities. My hands and mind are always busy knitting, watching horror movies, and raising two adventurous children.
I hope that alongside this incredible team at Survivor’s Hope, we can further grow our programs to provide accessible, inclusive, and timely support to many more individuals as we work towards ending sexual violence.
I’m LP (they/them), the SARAH Program Counsellor and Coordinator. In this role, I work with people to achieve their definition of healing from sexual assault trauma and find hope together.
I come with 15 years counselling experience, and use systems, trauma informed, empowerment and anti-oppression lenses.
I am a big fan of finding self-care that fits each individual; for me it’s been yoga, rotating kinds of exercise, getting into nature, making okay art, cat cuddles, plant based cooking, tattoos and finding that perfect song to dance to.
Hello, my name is Nina (she/her). My family and I came to Canada in 2022, after the war in Ukraine began. Before settling here, I lived in Poland, where I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. My thesis focused on evaluating the psychological well-being of Ukrainian children affected by the war. I gained hands-on experience working in a hostel for people living with addictions, as well as in a nursing home for dementia patients.
As a counsellor, I bring a wealth of experience in supporting families, adolescents and refugees fleeing conflict, particularly those from Ukraine. Being a newcomer myself, I deeply understand the challenges and emotional struggles faced during the resettlement process. My cultural background is incredibly diverse, and I am always eager to learn more about people, cultures, and perspectives. I’m also married into a Nigerian family, proudly embracing the African-Nigerian community. In addition to speaking English and Ukrainian, I’m fluent in Polish, Russian, and currently study French.
My counselling approach centres around empowerment, support and equality, with a strong focus on trauma-informed care. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, gardening, exercising, reading, studying, and immersing myself in nature.
Hello! My name is Kris Lobay (ze/hir). Joining Survivor’s Hope, through our SARAH team as a volunteer in April 2019, truly sparked a new direction. Inspiring my deep-seeded commitment to advocacy, and my passion for empowering the thoughts and voices of others, I accepted my current position as Youth Program Facilitator in September 2019. Embracing this role of many hats, I deliver SADI Workshops in schools, lead the delivery of our SADI Mentorship Program, and coordinate program delivery as the SADI Workshop Coordinator.
Through enthusiasm and creativity, my goal is to create a safe, comfortable, and engaging learning environment that fosters brave learning spaces. I believe in celebrating the strengths and gifts of our young people. I am dedicated to support and walk beside both their individual and collective exploration journeys to discover their authentic selves.
Hello, I’m Natasha (she/her). I joined the Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre as their Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator and recently transitioned to SARAH Crisis Coordinator & SADI Facilitator. I look forward to creating lasting relationships in the community with RCMP, hospitals and centres and look forward to helping expand our resources to the western side of the Interlake. I also schedule volunteers, provide information, create packages, help recruit new volunteers, and facilitate SADI Workshops.
I have a Bachelor of Human Ecology in Family Social Sciences with a concentration in Family Violence. I have always been passionate about helping people which led me to this type of schooling. I enjoy reading, hiking, camping, walks with my dog, spending time with my nieces and nephews and curling in the winter months.
Bonjour/Tansi/Hello My name is Chantal Shibata, (she/they). I recently joined Survivor’s Hope as Reaching Out Coordinator after being a stay at home parent and homemaker for the past few years. My education background is a combo of certificates such as Human Resource Management, Management Development, Health Care Aide, and Herbalist studies.
As a survivor of abuse and mental health issues, I am excited to be of assistance in helping to provide information and presentations to our communities and peoples on the amazing programs and support we offer. My commitment to feminist causes, mental health awareness and spreading hope and love to people is why I joined Survivor’s Hope.
I call myself an old soul as you will most likely find me reading, baking bread, drinking tea in the kitchen while cross stitching, playing board and card games with my son and husband or foraging for plants and mushrooms.
Hello, my name is Gillian Schofield (she/her). I have joined Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre as a Finance and Office Administration Clerk after coming off of maternity leave. I am excited to be a part of such a dedicated and compassionate team!
My personal values align closely with the mission and values of Survivor’s Hope Crisis Center. As a mother/stepmother, hobby farm owner, yogi and nature lover, I am passionate about helping others and promoting wellness in all aspects of life. In my spare time, you can find me gardening, exploring in nature and spending time with my family and our little petting zoo.
My experience in Human Resources, Bookkeeping and Office Management has prepared me well for this role. I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to support the important work that Survivor’s Hope does for our community.
I am proud to be part of an organization that provides these essential services to our communities. The dedication and compassion that I see in my colleagues at Survivor’s Hope is truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause.