The root causes of homelessness in our community are complex and not fully visible. What we see in our community is just the tip of the iceberg. Come learn how ShelterCare can help people experiencing homelessness become healthier, find permanent housing, and end the cycle of homelessness for good.
Presented in partnership with House of Friendship.
Founded in 1939, House of Friendship serves community members impacted by poverty or addiction, by walking with those who need housing, food, addiction treatment or resources in low income neighbourhoods across Waterloo Region.
Speaker Profiles
Carmen Able (Executive Director, Youth in Conflict with the Law/Waterloo Region Bail Program)
Carmen holds a Masters Degree in Psychology from California Coast University and a BA from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has worked in the field of mental health and addictions for more than 37 years. She has worked extensively in the Region of Waterloo and County of Wellington in a variety of areas including crisis services, mental health and justice, supportive housing, employment and case management. Carmen also teaches at Conestoga College in the Advanced Police Foundations and the Bachelor of Community and Criminal Justice degree programs. As the Executive Director of the Waterloo Region Bail Program/Youth in Conflict with the Law, Carmen is responsible for providing leadership and operational direction for the organization. She mediates complex service issues, facilitates planning, develops policy and evaluates services for effectiveness, risk and quality. “What mental health needs and substance use needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.”
Jessica Bondy (Housing Services Director, House of Friendship)
Jessica Bondy works as the Housing Services Director at Housing of Friendship, a non-profit in Waterloo Region. Through innovation, problem solving and partnerships, Jessica has been pivotal in piloting a new “ShelterCare” model by providing healthcare and housing supports within an emergency shelter environment. As Housing Director, Jessica engages in program oversight and advocacy work on supportive housing, affordable housing and emergency shelter. Previously Jessica worked at the University of Waterloo in student and housing services.
Michele Kennedy (Addiction Services Director, House of Friendship)
Throughout her career, Michele has aligned herself with organizations whose mission, vision, values and purpose is to serve others, to improve outcomes, to build communities and to inspire hope. As a helper, Michele has dedicated 23 years to listening, advocating and walking along side those seeking change. As a leader she believes in transparency, collaboration and the power of teamwork. Michele brings experience with transformative and operational change, development and implementation as well as a focus on building pathways to more accessible care in our community. Michele started her career in Addiction’s and Mental Health with a focus on Substance Use Treatment. She has worked in Withdrawal Management, Residential Treatment, Acute Psychiatry, Concurrent Disorders, Education, and Service Coordination. The 2021 Ontario Provincial Standards for Withdrawal Management Services, LHIN GAIN Q3 Development and Implementation, Ontario Perception of Care Implementation and the execution of new health care programs across the Province brings her to her current role as House of Friendship’s Director of Addiction Services.
Programmer: Emily
