Meet The Team
Bita - Director - Front Line Program
Bita, director of frontline services.
coming up on my 10th year at head and hands, i came into this work after almost two decades of community organizing that focused on migrant justice, supporting victims of police violence and childcare advocacy. what continues to inspire me here is the incredible team i get to work with, our worker empowered structure and of course all the people who come through frontline for a snack, a coffee, in a crisis or just to chat.
Maggie - Intervention worker
Yapping with you since October 2024!
Maggie is deeply committed to building connections with ALL of our community members. Come find them at the front desk and grab a coffee, grab some snacks, learn about resources, vent, show them your selfies, talk about your hometown, make them watch your standup routine, request a song--they're here for it!
Joan - Director - Legal
Hello! My name is Joan, and I have been with Head & Hands for 2 years, as a Legal Director and Admin Assistant. I am super passionate and proud of the work we do at this crazy cool organization - it has changed me inside & out!
Kat - Director - Medical Program
Dog lover + health advocate
Shavonne - Medical Assistant
Hello, my name is Shavonne, you may recognize me from pacing the hallways of the medical clinic or the pathway to the front desk! I started at Head and Hands in the summer of 2020 doing harm reduction outreach/street work, but have since pivoted to the role of health navigator. I believe that proper and adequate free or affordable healthcare is a human right, so count myself lucky that I get to help serve the Head and Hands community! When I'm not working I love to lollygag in water, listen to talk radio, experiment in the kitchen, and play and watch sports!
Kat - Director - Mental Health Program
I am a Canadian certified counsellor, somatic practitioner and I have a master’s degree in creative arts therapy. I have been working at Head & Hands for 4 years, first as a full time counsellor and now as the director of the mental health program.
My main tasks at the moment are to deliver counselling sessions to youth individually and to coordinate group programming and workshops aimed at nourishing the mental health and wellbeing of marginalized youth with the help of trained interns and facilitators. The youth in this program are my greatest teachers. It’s an honour to hold space for the sheer power of their life force, their joy, their intelligence, their unshakable desire for a life worth living, and the courage they demonstrate in bearing witness to the depth of their own feelings.
Xavier - Director - The REC NDG
Junior - Director - The REC NDG
Erica - Executive Director
For Erica, the work starts with people. It means listening to young people, families, staff and community members, understanding what is happening in their lives, and then figuring out what Head & Hands can actually do to help.
Since joining Head & Hands, Erica has focused on strengthening the organization while also looking closely at how its programs can grow and respond to the needs of the community today. That includes Head & Hands’ health and medical services, legal advocacy, harm reduction, food security, support for young parents, and the programs and activities offered through REC NDG.
She is especially interested in the spaces where these programs connect. A young person who comes to Head & Hands for one reason may need support in several other areas of their life. Erica believes they should not have to figure out those connections on their own. Head & Hands should be a place where someone can walk through the door, be welcomed as they are, and know that there are people willing to help.
Her work also extends outside the walls of Head & Hands. Erica is committed to rebuilding and strengthening relationships with community organizations, businesses, residents, volunteers and other partners who share a commitment to young people and the NDG community.
She is not afraid to try something new, ask difficult questions or challenge the way things have always been done when there is an opportunity to do better.
Most importantly, Erica believes that young people deserve to be heard, respected and given real opportunities to participate in decisions that affect them. Her goal is to make sure Head & Hands continues to be a place that shows up for young people and the community, not only in words, but in what it actually does every day.
Tasha - Director - Finances
Tasha Zamudio is the Director of Finances and has been at Head & Hands since 2021. She is passionate about camping, going to the park and drinking coffee every day.
David - Fundraising - Consultant
Born in St Lucia, educated in London UK.
Worked for Banardo’s UK as head of a street fundraising team for several years.
Founded Phoenix Alley in Montreal Quebec in 2015, feeding and clothing the homeless around Montreal each winter.
Founder & President of The St Lucia Canada Foundation
Founder & President of The Afro Canadian Alliance, an alliance of 13 Montreal Based Community Organizations.
Always willing to help to raise funds and assist the less fortunate.
Outgoing. Enjoys Mixed Martial Arts, a huge motorcycle and motor sport enthusiast. Loves to travel, enjoys cooking. Proud to be The Fund & Resource Development Consultant at Head & Hands