THE NIGHTINGALE CENTRE FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A skilled not for profit leader, Jodi Pereira brings 20+ years of experience to this new role
GUELPH, ON | February 2023 — The Board of Directors of The Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth, and Families is pleased to announce the appointment of Jodi Pereira as The Centre’s new Executive Director. The interim Executive Director position was previously held by Susan Lambden, Chair of the Board and founding member of The Nightingale Centre since January 2022.
Jodi was appointed following a comprehensive selection process with significant consideration given to the skills, experience and expertise needed to successfully guide The Nightingale Centre in its next phase of growth.
“Jodi brings tremendous experience, expertise and energy to her new role as our Executive Director”, says Susan Lambden, Chair of The Nightingale Centre’s Board of Directors. “Her experience spearheading successful programs and collaborations in the grief and bereavement space, coupled with her passion to build supportive and compassionate communities, makes her the right fit to lead The Nightingale Centre into its next chapter.”
Jodi has worked in, and with, community not for profits for over 20 years. Most recently, Jodi held a Director position at one of the largest community hospices in Ontario. During her tenure, she created and implemented the HUUG (Help Us Understand Grief) Program, a one to one group support program for children and families living with illness, grief and death. Since its development, the HUUG program has been adopted by other hospices across the province. Jodi also championed a regional grief collaborative called the Children and Youth Grief Network (CYGN), which became the catalyst for the development of a national collaboration — the Canadian Alliance for Grieving Children and Youth (CAGCY). In addition to her new role as Executive Director of The Nightingale Centre, Jodi is also the Director of Camp Erin Toronto, an overnight bereavement camp for children and youth.
Settling into her new role, Jodi says, “In all of my past and current roles, I have seen the benefit that connection and community have on overall wellbeing. I am so grateful to the Board of Directors and the team at Nightingale for their passion and commitment to children, youth and families living with grief. I look forward to working with them and the amazing Guelph-Wellington community to build our program offerings with a goal that no child, youth or family grieves alone.”
Jodi joins The Nightingale Centre at an exciting time with the completion of a recent Children’s Grief Awareness Month fundraising campaign, with a focus on how donor support can continue to raise awareness of the painful impact that the death of a significant person in the life of a child can have, while ensuring that the grieving children and families in the community receive the support they need.
The Nightingale Centre’s Grief Support Programs are available for children and youth ages 6-19, and parents and caregivers of participants. If you or someone you know is looking for more information in the Guelph and Wellington County area or has questions about child and youth grief and bereavement, visit www.nightingalecentre.org for more information.
ABOUT THE NIGHTINGALE CENTRE
The Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth, and Families is a nonprofit organization providing grief and bereavement support to children, adolescents, and their families in the Guelph and Wellington County area who have experienced, or are anticipating, the death of a significant person in their lives. Through dedicated bereavement services including family and youth group support, education, consultation and grief counselling, The Nightingale Centre gives hope to grieving children, youth, and their families.
Website: www.nightingalecentre.org
Facebook: @TheNightingaleCentre
Instagram: @nightingalecentre
LinkedIn: The Nightingale Centre
CONTACT:
Madison Lambden | The Nightingale Centre
Email: madison@nightingalecentre.org
Phone: 519-994-1912
