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Linda
Perry, our Executive Director, oversees
development and management of Vela Microboard Association's
work. As well, she provides direct support and facilitation
to many Vela Microboards. Linda's other responsibilities include:
project development; consulting support to families and organizations
outside of B.C.; providing workshops and presentations; and,
initiating networking opportunities with other like-minded
organizations.
Linda was the 1999 recipient of the Community Living Institute's
Leadership Award, and was a 2006 finalist for the YWCA's Women
of Distiction Award for Community Development. Linda has advocated
and worked for/with people with disabilities for over thirty
years. It was Linda who developed Vela's first Microboards
in 1989, and whose unparalleled commitment and leadership
ever since has been pivotal and central to Vela's growth and
development. Vela's many successes can be attributed to her
nearly twenty years as our Executive Director.
Family
and friends play an integral role in Linda's life. She is
the proud mother and grandmother to her daughter, Brandy,
and granddaughter, Samantha, both amazing people with special
needs. Linda is also foster mom to four exceptional and
delightful children. Here entire family is a source of joy
and inspiration for Linda.
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Jeanette
Holder is the parent of three children, two of
whom have disabilities. Jeanette has been involved in advocating
for the right of all children to be fully integrated into
their community and for families to receive financial support
from government, in three provinces.
Jeanette developed a
Vela Microboard for her own daughter, Jennifer, who lived
in her own home with a roommate for two and half years before
passing away in 1998, at the age of twenty-two.
Now that her other two children have moved away from home,
Jeanette has more
spare time. She enjoys gardening, hiking and cooking with
her husband.
Jeanette has supported the development of Microboards on
Vancouver Island
since 1992. She brings a wealth of practical knowledge and
skills to her
position as a facilitator with Vela Microboard Association.
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Lori Emanuels is a facilitator as well as a trained Licensed
Practical Nurse, who has lived in the community of Cloverdale for 22 years
with her husband and two sons. Lori has recently joined Vela's
facilitation team, and previously worked for Vela's very first Microboard.
She is a powerful advocate and spokeswoman for individuals with autism
and their families. Lori, along with family and friends, support her
eldest son Chuck, with a Vela Microboard. |
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Shelley Nessman is
a facilitator. Shelley began her career in Community
Living in 1979 working at Woodlands in the school. Since then,
she has supported the evolution of the sector and believes
that Microboards are an integral part of that evolution.
Working as a change agent for Vela
has been the most satisfying and exciting job she has had to date. In
addition to working at Vela, Shelley is involved in a number of
projects including the Family Focus conference, and the Imagine
conference.
Shelley lives in Steveston with her
husband Ricky and her daughter Hayley who keep her grounded and
laughing all the time. |
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Doris Singh has been
coordinating our volunteers and assisting with a variety of
office supports for many years. Doris's behind the scenes
assistance has ensured that we have the right people, in the
right place, at the right time. |
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Kim
Thomas provides administrative support to the
Vela Team. Kim believes strongly in the work being done
by Vela and is dedicated to helping others. Kim brings a
diverse set of personal and management skills to complement
the Vela team. Kim's background is in office administration
and service management and she is a trained Medical Office
Assistant (MOA).
Kim grew up in Burnaby and
now lives in Surrey with her husband and daughter. Kim is
a past commissioner and longtime Guide Leader as well as
a fundraiser for the local school. Kim spends much of her
time caring for her ailing father and volunteering at his
assisted living residence. Kim maintains her strength and
motivation through her valued relationships with family,
friends and colleagues.
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