Hi there,

Are you as thrilled as we are that the warmer temps are finally here? Its springtime and our news and programs are blooming! We have a new Strategic Plan, refreshed mission and vision, our autism social skills groups are back, we just wrapped a jam-packed Mental Health Week, and a fun scavenger hunt fundraiser starts May 13th!
Plus, Debora Hume, Board Chair at Woodview, shares an announcement below.. 👇🏽
Executive Director Announcement
Woodview's Executive Director, Cindy I'Anson, Announces Retirement
The Board of Directors of Woodview extends their gratitude to Cindy I’Anson, Executive Director, as she announces her retirement effective September 30, 2022. Cindy has dedicated 27 years of her career to Woodview with 15 of those years in the role of Executive Director. Congratulations, Cindy! As part of a thoughtful succession plan, it is our sincere pleasure to announce that Flora Ennis has been appointed Woodview’s new Executive Director effective September 4, 2022... Read more.
What's New at Woodview
Unveiling our new Strategic Plan 2022-25

We’re pleased to announce that we have a new Strategic Plan for 2022 – 2025! It was a very comprehensive process that engaged many stakeholders including our community partners, funders, clients, and staff. We've also refreshed our mission, vision, and values!  Read more...
Community Hub Proposed for Brantford

Woodview is one of ten agencies behind a proposal for a community hub in Brantford that would house local health and social service providers under one roof. Leslie Josling, Executive Director of Willowbridge Community Services, who led the group spoke at the Council meeting during Mental Health Week saying the hub would serve about 27,0000 community members annually and employ about 800 people.
Mental Health Week Highlights
Kick-Off Event at Harmony Square

Thank you City of Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis and County of Brant Mayor Bailey for your support, to all our community partners, and to all who braved the drizzle and cool temps to get loud for mental health! Woodview is proud to be a part of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Mental Health Week Planning Committe and thanks all our partners for their invaluable support. 😃 Congratulations to the STRIVE winners and the inaugural Jen Brown Memorial Scholarship recipient, Lian Lo! Read more...
Halton School Fairs

On May 4th, Steve Kovar of our Youth Overcoming Depression & Anxiety Program (YODA) was at St. John elementary school in Burlington. Students learned about mental health and empathy. Many of our Halton programs participated at a variety of wellness fairs at local schools for MHW.
Photo (L-R): Michael Benin, Executive Director, CMHA-BHN, Mayor Kevin Davis, City of Brantford, Flora Ennis, Director (Brant) Woodview, Lill Petrella, Team Lead, CMHA-BHN, Christine Dragojlovich, Clinical Manager, Woodview, Mayor David Bailey, County of Brant.
Symposium on Culturally Relevant Care

On May 5th, Woodview hosted a virtual Symposium on Culturally Relevant Care for Mental Health Week.  The virtual panel discussion featured Guest Speakers who brought a perspective on how experiences of race, ethnicity & immigration impact care! The discussion was moderated by Genelle Pollydore, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator at Woodview. Thank you to the amazing panel of speakers and to all who joined and submitted questions!
(L-R): Genelle Pollydore (Moderator), EDI Coordinator at Woodview, Dr. Mohammad Zubairi, McMaster Children's Hospital, Neeran Kuni, Director at South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC), Simone Donaldson, Clinical Social Worker & Founder of Agapé Lens Consulting and Therapy, and Mike Simon, Program Manager, YMCA Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford.
Upcoming Events
Smilezone Grand Opening in Brantford: May 18th
We're excited to share that our Smilezone Grand Opening has been rescheduled to May 18th, 2022! We'll be celebrating the grand opening of five new Smilezones at our main Brantford location with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony on May 18th at 10 am.
The five new Smilezones have been generously donated by the Smilezone Foundation, with support from the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund, Bank of Montreal, Rotary Club of Brantford, and The Harold E. Ballard Foundation!

* Please note that due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions we are offering the livestream for everyone to enjoy.
Job Fair in Paris: May 12th
We'll be at the Job Fair in Paris tomorrow! We're hiring for a number of positions in Brant:

  • Respite Worker (P/T)
  • ABA Therapist (P/T)
  • Outreach Worker 
  • Office Cleaner & Maintenance (P/T)
  • Social Worker

Live in the County of Brant? Drop by the Woodview booth for a chat - and bring your resume! View our current job opportunities and apply today!

Thursday, May 12th, 2022
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Brant Sports Complex (944 Powerline Rd, Paris, Lafarge Hall)
Learn more at pariscoc.ca/JobFair
Our Programs
Brantford Autism Social Skills Groups: Spring & Summer Registration

We're pleased to offer in-person social skills groups for kiddos in Brantford! Our team has created a variety of small social skills groups to further develop your child’s communication skills and daily living skills by learning and practicing through fun and exciting activities each week!

  • Play ‘N’ Learn– Ages 4-6
  • Social Chameleons – Ages 7-9
  • Social Squad – Ages 9-12
  • Blast Off to School (Grades 1-3)
  • Blast Off to School (Grades 4-6)

Brantford autism social skills groups take place at 25 Bell Lane (separate entrance). To register, please call Jessica Gallino, Intake Coordinator at (905) 689-4727 ext. 115 or email brantfordautismservices@woodview.ca
Discover Brantford Autism Services!

Check out the new video showcasing our autism services in Brantford! Congrats to Lauren Moulton, Program Manager, for leading this project - & narrating!

We have immediate openings available! If you're wondering where to begin, schedule a free consultation! Call Jessica Gallino, Intake Coordinator, at 905-689-4727 ext. 115 or email us at brantfordautismservices@woodview.ca.
In Case You Missed It
Talking About Bad News With Kids
There's a lot of bad news on TV and online - and children are being bombarded with it! How in the world can kids process this kind of uncertainty? On March 15th, Kelly Bryant, Child & Youth Worker, and Nicki Straza, Engagement Lead spoke with RogersTV #BrantLife Host Dave Carrol to share ideas on handling conversations with kids about the bad news that they're seeing.
Celebrating our Board
National Volunteer Week took place the week of April 24th making it a perfect time to celebrate and thank Woodview's volunteer Board of Directors, for their dedication, leadership, and outstanding contributions to Woodview!  

  •  Debora Hume, Chair
  •  Dwain Burns, Vice Chair
  •  Sandra Karpis
  •  Lynn Wilson
  •  Sherri Lojzer
  •  Neelam Bhella
  •  Kim Ann Laush
  •  Kyle Aquin
  •  Kim Delahunt
  •  Mike Reid
Fundraising Challenge
Join the Fun! Scavenger Hunt Challenge Starts May 13th!

The Rotary Club of Burlington North has organized an exciting '99 Missions' fundraising challenge in support of Woodview and other mental health agencies in Burlington*! 99 Missions is about being active and having a blast. We included a few Woodview challenges too, so keep an eye out & have FUN!

Get ready for 11 days of great memories - the game starts this FRIDAY, May 13th!

It's easy to play!
  1. Create a team of 1 to 5 players
  2. Register your team
  3. Download the Goose Chase App to see all the missions!
*Don't live in Burlington? No problem! You can still get involved as many challenges are virtual! Learn more.
Newsletter Survey & Draw for $50 Gas Card
Share your feedback!

As warmer temps are finally here and we shake off the pandemic blues, we want to do some spring cleaning on what you're reading right now - the Woodview News! We want to improve YOUR reading experience and learn what content is most valuable to you. Please tell us what you'd like to see change and what features you'd like us to carry on with! Complete our 5-question survey and you could WIN a $50 gas card*! Hurry, survey closes May 25th!
Now you're all caught up with Woodview News! Thank you for reading, and please feel free to reach out anytime with comments or suggestions.
Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services
Charitable Registration Number: 119303923RR0001