Koala Place Holds Annual General Meeting

Koala Place – Child and Youth Advocacy Centre held their Annual General Meeting on June 25th 2015. Koala Place, a charitable organization, opened its doors on January 6, 2014. A highly confidential environment, Koala Place provides children, youth and the non-offending family members a safe and neutral setting to disclose their stories. Partner organizations such as Police Services, Child Protection Services, Medical Services, Mental Health Professionals, Health Services, Prosecution and Victim Services, collaborate to provide expert, integrated and wrap-around services to victims or witnesses of physical abuse, sexual abuse or maltreatment. From January 2014 to March 2015, the Centre accommodated 147 interviews, which represents a total of 91 child abuse cases in Cornwall, S.D. & G., and Akwesasne.

Koala Place Board of Directors is responsible for the financial and strategic oversight of the organization. This volunteer board is made up of community leaders and representatives from partner agencies.

We are pleased to announce the following members who will lead the organization for the 2015-2016 fiscal year:

Patrick Finucan, Chair

Shawna Spowart, Vice-Chair and Inspector - Cornwall Community Police Service

Claude Legault, Treasurer

Rachel Daigneault, Secretary and Executive Director - Children's Aid Society of S.D. & G.

Chief Dan Parkinson, Cornwall Community Police Service

Raymond Houde, Executive Director, Counselling & Support Services of S.D. & G.

Diane Plourde, Executive Director, Victim Services of S.D.G. & A.

Inspector Detachment Commander Brendan MacDonald, Ontario Provincial Police

Chief Jerry Swamp, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service

Diane Hume, Retired Detective - Ontario Provincial Police

Carole Cardinal, Probation Manager, Youth Justice Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Dan O'Rourke, Assistant Executive Director, Laurencrest Youth Services Inc.

Father Claude Thibault

Suzanne Farag, Lawyer, Legal Aid Ontario

Sheila Tallon, Manager, Victim/Witness Assistance Program (Community Resource)

Robert Hawkins, Probation Officer, Ministry of Children & Youth Services (Community Resource)

Patti Gauley, Director, Health Promotion & Prevention, Eastern Ontario Health Unit (Community Resource)

During the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors recognized the commitment and dedication of staff members:

Elyse Lauzon-Alguire (Executive Director), Suzanne Villeneuve-Fitch (Executive Assistant) and Jen Baker (Accounting Clerk).

The Koala Place Board of Directors and Staff would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all of our partners for their outstanding dedication, support and contribution to the successful operation of Koala Place. We are proud to be working in collaboration with so many dedicated individuals, to ensure children, youth and families are protected from abuse, and are offered the best support in order to move forward and lead safe and healthy lives.