Raquelle brings over 20 years of senior-level managerial roles from some organizations such as: BridgeWay Family Centre, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre, WellFort Community Health Services, the National Nursing Assessment Service, and RBC Royal Bank (to name a few). These diverse experiences have equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, especially in privacy, compliance, serving marginalized communities and promoting equity.

Her skill set includes risk management, strategic planning, stakeholder relations, business development, and public speaking. Raquelle is a thought leader in her field, she has contributed to editorials in the Canadian Journal of Public Health and presently serves on the Advisory Board for the Black Healthcare Professionals Network.

Raquelle was also a Certified Accreditation Reviewer with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA), holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification, and has a Change Management certificate. Her continuous learning and certification journey speak volumes about her commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Beyond her professional career, Raquelle has a strong commitment to volunteerism, serving as a volunteer management consultant with MAS, (Management Advisory Service – an agency that provides pro bono consulting for not-for-profit organizations), for over 10 years, specializing in operations and HR. More recently, Raquelle volunteered with the Black Opportunity Fund as a Team Lead Program Adjudicator. Her dedication to community service and organizational excellence aligns perfectly with our mission at FEC.

Academically, being committed to life-long learning, Raquelle is nearing the completion of her MBA with a specialization in HR, at the Australian Institute of Business. She also holds a Business Communications Certificate from the University of Toronto and has studied Public Administration at Ryerson Polytechnic University

What word(s), do others use to describe you? Outspoken.. but funny. 
What is your favourite moment while working with FEC?: I can’t list one. Everyday that Im out representing FEC is a great day. I honestly have awesome moments all the time. 

What’s your favourite parenting resource? My favourite parenting resource is the book, The 5 love languages of children. This will help you to adopt healthier ways of disciplining your child with love.

What’s one piece of parenting advice that is my go to? As a parent, lead with grace and limit your judgement as you interact with your kiddos of any age. Being approachable will allow your kids to open up freely. Buckle up!

EMAIL: executivedirector@familyedcentre.org

PHONE: 905-452-0332 x308

Jessica joined the Family Education Centre in 2015, and is responsible for Fundraising for the organization. Jessica has an MA in Communication Studies, working most recently as Senior Coordinator, Government and Foundation Relations at the Toronto International Film Festival.

What word to others use to describe you? Reliable

What is your favourite moment while working with FEC? Being out in the community at a booth telling people about the work FEC does in the Region of Peel.

What is your favourite parenting resource? First Meals: Fast, Healthy and Fun Foods for Infants and Toddlers by Annabel Karmel. A cookbook with approachable kid-friendly recipes that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

What’s one piece of parenting advice that is your “go to”? Don’t try to fix everything. Young children need to be given the chance to find their own solution to a problem.

EMAIL: jessica@familyedcentre.org
PHONE: 905-452-0332 x305

Paula joined the Family Education Centre (FEC) team in January 2016, however prior to that she led and worked on several projects with FEC including coordinating the Family Futures program, the Parent Educator training program, and online resource design and development. She continues to develop programs and resources (virtual/classroom/eLearning) through partnerships and as needed throughout the community.

Paula has worked for over 25 years specializing in instruction design, curriculum, and program development as well as program management in the corporate sector for companies such as Scotiabank, Desta Communications and JALC English Services.

What word do others use to describe you? Loyal

What is your favourite moment while working with FEC? When a participant shares a lived experience of using a skill or strategy with a positive outcome, especially an improved relationship or interaction between child/youth and parent.

What is your favourite parenting resource? The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey

What’s one piece of parenting advice that is your “go to”? Pick those “teachable moments” carefully because not every mistake or problem needs my interference. Providing guidance at the right moment is far more effective in helping children develop the life skill of problem solving than solving everything for them.

EMAIL: paula@familyedcentre.org
905-452-0332 X225

With an introduction to Community Services as a student through the City of Brampton with Malton Neighbourhood Service (MNS), Princess received her Community Service Worker Diploma. This opened the door to Family Education Centre in December of 2022. Princess then started part-time with FEC in June of 2023 as a Community Parent Mentor and then moved into a full-time role in March of 2024 as a Community Family Leader. Princess is the liaison for FEC partnerships with schools in the area and coordinates the parent workshops for these partnerships. She also works with other community partners to coordinate Chew-n-Chat drop-in workshops.

What word do others use to describe you?
Enthusiastic

What is your favourite moment while working with FEC?
Facilitating my first workshop where I was able to share my knowledge with other parents and learn about many parenting cultures.

What’s your favourite parenting resource?
FEC website

What’s one piece of parenting advice that is your “go to”?
“Whose Problem is this”, figuring out who owns the problem and when and how to intervene when needed.

EMAIL: Princess@familyedcentre.org
PHONE: 905-452-0332 x226

Christine began working with the Family Education Centre in 2023. Over the span of her career, she has worked in many different organizations and has worn many different hats including a Community Program Developer, Youth Employment Counsellor, HR professional at a large insurance company and is finally back working in her favourite place, the non-profit sector. She spent eight years at Roots of Empathy in Toronto as a Parent Volunteer with her two children, worked as a Volunteer Instructor at various Toronto District School Board schools and then as a Mentor supporting new volunteers across Ontario, She is now a Parent Educator/Facilitator at Family Education Centre working as a Community Family Leader delivering programs to various organizations across the Peel region.

What word do others use to describe you? Supportive

What is your favourite moment while working with FEC? When I contacted one of our agency managers and told her we were bringing back one of our programs post-COVID, she was thrilled and shared that several parents had been asking about when it would be returning. This was extremely motivating and keeps me working hard to bring our programs to as many parents as possible.

What’s your favourite parenting resource? Daring Greatly by Brené Brown.

What’s one piece of parenting advice that is your “go to”? For me, parenting has been about getting to know myself and becoming more aware of my triggers and reactions. When I make a mistake with my family, I apologize, and we work through it together. My kids need to see that adults are not perfect and can own up to things they have done wrong and be able to move forward understanding each other on a deeper level.

EMAIL: Christine@familyedcentre.org
905-452-0332 X306

Nadine’s introduction to Family Education Centre (FEC) was as a volunteer at the Rama Gaming House in Mississauga in 2023. As she learned more about FEC and began meeting other volunteers and staff members, Nadine’s interest steered her on a path to become a Parent Educator and a new member of the FEC staff in July 2024.

Nadine brings extensive experience as an Office Manager and Program Coordinator to her role as the Parent Support and Information Coordinator at Family Education Centre.

What word do others use to describe you? Kind

What is your favourite moment while working with FEC?My favourite moment so far would have to be the culmination of our Parent Educator training with our in person final presentation. It was such a wonderful supportive family atmosphere that made a lasting impression on me.

What’s your favourite parenting resource? My favourite parenting resource is Top Card as I feel that identifying a child’s personality makes it easier to communicate, understand and is a wonderful tool in parenting.

What’s one piece of parenting advice that is your “go to”? In my experience, parenting is ever changing depending on the age of the child, personality, situations etc. What works with one child doesn’t necessarily work with another so parenting needs to be customized and flexible.

905-452-0332 X307