Jessica Campbell (Bkin, MPT)
Physical Coach & Coaching Resource Coordinator
As the Physical Coach, Jessica collaborates with the CONNECT team and the people we support to develop Life Redesign Plans in line with their goals, and to help them realize their full potential. She provides assessments on the current physical status of the people we support and develops strategies and plans to progress their functional and physical abilities. Jessica is also one of the Coaching Coordinators in Langley and collaborates with our team, people we support, and their families to achieve their personal goals and find the necessary supports and services they need to build a life that is meaningful to them.
Sarah Starodub (B.Arts, MOT)
Independence Coach
Sarah’s role is to work with the individuals Connect supports to help find ways for them to gain meaningful independence in all areas of their lives. She works on a variety of tasks that can range from self-care (ex. dressing, bathing), life skills (ex. cooking, scheduling appointments, navigating the community), building relationships with others and work/volunteering opportunities. She works to adapt the task or the environment to allow the individual to participate, which can also include the use of adaptive equipment. Seeing individuals reach their goals is one of the highlights of her role at Connect.
Michael Garing
Resource Coach - CONNECT Langley & Richmond (Facility Manager)
Working with brain injury for over 20 years completely redesigned how Mike supports people in his personal and professional life. Mike loves technology and supports the houses in Langley and Richmond with their IT needs. His focus as a Resource Coach is ensuring the people we support have a smooth transition while moving to CONNECT. He assists in preparing their rooms, sourcing their equipment needs, finding activities in the community, and generally helping the individual settle into CONNECT. Mike thrives on thinking outside of the box when a challenge is presented. He is also someone who “fills in the gaps” when a house needs extra assistance. Mike is also the Facility Manager for our Richmond location under the Community Care Facilities Licensing with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
Ashley Scott-Dey
Admin Resource Coach
CONNECT Langley (Facility Manager) & Richmond
Ashley started working at CONNECT over 5 years ago as a Life Redesign Coach and transitioned into the Admin Resource Coach role after healing and redesigning her own life from a concussion injury. Ashley’s role includes tasks like financial management for our homes and the people we support, ordering supplies, handling electronic files, event planning, incident recording, and supporting the move-in/move-out process. She is also the Facility Manager for our Langley locations under the Community Care Facilities Licensing with Fraser Health.
Heather Busili
Physical Coach (Physiotherapist)
I work with the people we support, their families and the other coaches to support individuals in their physical mobility. This can be anything from getting out of bed and around the house, to recreational physical activities like rising a bike! I love supporting people to find ways to engage in parts of their lives that are meaningful and bring joy to the day to day!
Gillian Williamson
Health and Wellness Coach (RN)
I am part of a team of two nurses and we work together to assist the people we support in reaching their health and wellness goals. I work with the people we support, their families and my colleagues to develop support strategies for individuals to get the best out of CONNECT and what we have to offer. I monitor medication management, infection prevention and control general health concerns and continuous learning towards safe care. I also support coordinating care with doctors, specialists and pharmacists to ensure that all medical needs are met.
Primrose Bonomale
Site Leader
I am a Social Workers by background. My role is to ensure the CONNECT team has what it needs to support the individuals living here and their families as they redesign their lives after a brain injury or stroke. At the core of what we do is CONNECT’s culture, service philosophy, vision and values.
Ryan Wheeler
Play Coach (Recreation Therapist)
My role focuses on supporting people to find joy in their lives through participation in their recreation and leisure interests. This could be an activity they participated in previously, are currently enjoying, or are interested in exploring. Everyone is looking for something a little bit different when they come to CONNECT. This may include wanting to volunteer, going for a walk in the conservation area, or planning a special event. By meeting people where they are at, and “doing with, not for”, we are able to support each person to participate in activities/hobbies that are meaningful and purposeful to them, while building valuable life skills.
Jennifer Reid
Health and Wellness Coach (Nurse)
My role includes helping the people we support achieve any health and wellness goals which includes ensuring they have the necessary medical interventions required to live a better life after a brain injury or stroke. I frequently engage in health promotion and education with the people we support so they can improve their health. One of my favourite parts about my role is promoting independence in the people we support, for example, working with them so they can take their medication on their own which contributes to better health outcomes.
Hannah Puckering
Independence Coach (Occupational Therapist)
I work with individuals and their families to progress towards any goals related to reestablishing independence and building a meaningful daily routine. Since this looks very different for every person, these goals range from increasing independence with self-care activities, safety in the kitchen, returning to work or volunteering, or increasing ease of community access. I also liaise with community partners and equipment vendors, alongside our Physical Coaches, when determining mobility aid and/or equipment needs for the individuals we support.
Sylvia Szara
Admin Coach
I work collaboratively with Sarah, Joanne and Matt and together we are your trusty Resource Team! I am able to help you with any financial needs, which can range from your day-to-day groceries, ordering supplies, helping with making fun activities our coaches and the people we support have planned happen, and helping the people we support with their finances (i.e. comfort funds). I started at CONNECT Hamilton as a Life Redesign Coach and am able to lend a helping hand whenever you need it. My favourite part o my job is getting to interact with wonderful humans on a daily basis.
Sarah Labrecque
People Resource Coach
My role includes scheduling our Life Redesign Coaches for the work they do supporting people at CONNECT. I also manage holiday time and sick calls . I am part of the resource team serving as a go-to person for the overall operations of the building at CONNECT Hamilton. My focus is to ensure we are fostering a positive, safe workplace culture and staying true to our values.
Matt Hudak
Home Resource Coach
My role involves maintaining CONNECT Hamilton – inside and out! Being the home resource coach also gives me the flexibility to collaborate with the people we support, participate in activities, and help the people we support reach their goals. This fun approach provides meaningful activities by utilizing our Life Redesign Model to help individuals acquire skills and help build confidence through active engagement. My role serves all the people at CONNECT to make their daily lives easier, safer and more enjoyable.
Joanne Trigiani
Service Resource Coach
My role is part of the resource team including Sylvia, Sarah and Matt. I provide all kinds of support to our Life Redesign Coaches, the people we support and the professional coaching team. My favourite part of my day is time spent getting to know the people we support.
Amber Span
Social Wellness Coach (Social Worker)
I work with the people we support and their families to navigate housing options, access financial support, and connect with vital resources in the community. I am also grateful to have the opportunity to encourage and support individuals in overcoming personal challenges and to be a part of the positive change in their lives.
Mark Fleming
Site Leader
My role is to support the team at Lake Country to deliver CONNECT’s Life Redesign Model, while ensuring CONNECT’s culture, service philosophy, vision and values are at the centre of everything we do. My main priority is to ensure that everyone – both living and working at CONNECT – has an amazing experience during their time here.
Chris Acton
Physical Coach (Physiotherapist)
I support the people living at CONNECT, their families and the Life Redesign Coaches to work towards their physical goals. I often work with people on their mobility, using their arm and hand, and physical leisure opportunities like swimming and biking. I use neuroplasticity as the basis of the rehab plan and can often be heard saying, ‘Practice makes permanent!’
Karin Schmidt
Independence Coach (Occupational Therapist)
My role includes assisting the people we support to achieve their independence goals. These can range from basic activities of daily living to more complex activities like volunteer work and community access. I am also responsible for requests for medical equipment like wheelchairs or scooters.
Samantha Sadler
Play Coach (Recreation Therapist)
My role consists of helping individuals achieve their goals through the use of recreation and leisure-based activities. This may include anything from going o a hike to achieve your physical goals or supporting your emotional well-being through art, and everything in between. This I accomplished using a variety of in-hour and community-based activities. My focus is to support everyone’s quality of life, whether that be by discovering new interests, engaging in pre-existing hobbies, or discovering new ways to enjoy old activities.
Ashley Watts
Health and Wellness Coach (nurse)
Together with Amanda, our role includes supporting the people living at CONNECT with all their health and wellness goals and ensuring they have access to medical interventions when required. As part of the interdisciplinary team, we work together to promote the holistic well-being of the people we support and their families.