The current team involved in developing the trans-LINK Network include:
Project Director
Janice Du Mont
Senior Scientist, Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital
Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
(she/her)
Janice Du Mont is a senior scientist at Women's College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital and professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She is a recognized leader internationally in research focused on gender-based violence, particularly in the context of those who are under-researched and marginalized (e.g., trans persons, older women, women living with disabilities).
Principal Knowledge User
Sheila Macdonald
Director, Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres
(she/her)
Sheila Macdonald is the Director of the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres and a global leader in acute care provided post sexual assault, most recently co-leading the development of trainings on trans-affirming practices and elder abuse care post victimization.
Collaborators
Allie Dafoe
Program Coordinator, Quinte West Youth Centre, Trenton
(she/her)
Allie Dafoe is Program Coordinator at the Quinte West Youth Centre where she created the Spectrum program for LGBTQIA2S+ youth in the area. Spectrum is a weekly program that gives the youth of the Quinte West region a safe and welcoming place to connect with peers, make new friends, and discuss current events and personal lives.
Brigitte Richard
Care Facilitator, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa
(she/her)
Brigitte Richard is the Care Facilitator at the Sexual Assault Program, CHEO in Ottawa, a pediatric acute-care and teaching hospital, providing direct clinical care to diverse survivors of sexual assault. She has more than 15 years’ experience in this role and through the Sexual Assault Program, she has worked closely with out-patient services, including the adolescent health and gender diversity clinic. CHEO offers care, support, and assessment to children and teens who have been maltreated, as well as their non-offending caregiver.
Dr. Brittany Jakubiec
Director of Research, Egale Canada
(They/them)
Dr. Brittany Jakubiec (they/them) is the Director of Research at Egale Canada. Egale works to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQI people in Canada and global response to 2SLGBTQI issues by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education, and community engagement.
Jakki Buckeridge
Family Services Manager, Indus Community Services, Mississauga
(she/her)
Jakki Buckeridge is the Family Services Manager at Indus Community Services, including the Intersections Program for 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers, anti-human trafficking, and family court support. She has an academic background in anti-violence and political advocacy and has more than 25 years experience in the anti-violence and justice sectors as well as experience in strategic planning, and program development with an emphasis on inclusion. Indus Community Services provides a safe space for newcomers to receive responsive personalized counselling support and information regarding settlement, strengthening social networks, and decreasing isolation with a 2SLGTBQ+ positive lens.
Jasper Smith
Education Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Resources & Community Health (ARCH), Guelph
(they/them)
Jasper Smith is the Education Coordinator of the Trans Peer Support Program at ARCH in Guelph. They are an experienced service coordinator, project manager, and human resources specialist with a strong interest in projects that support under-represented communities. They specialize in integrating technology into not-for-profit organizations to increase capacity, reduce workload, and improve access. They also a sought after educator, community leader, and programming logistics specialist, focused on cultivating a sense of meaning, strength, and resiliency through research and education. ARCH offers programs, services, education, and support to persons living with, affected by, and at risk of HIV and AIDS in Guelph, Wellington County, Dufferin, Grey, and Bruce Counties. ARCH also offers a variety of peer-led trans support services and a trans health clinic.
Jessica St. Peter
Manager, Public Education, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, Kitchener
(she/her)
Jessica St. Peter is the Manager of Public Education at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region. She has been involved in violence prevention programming for over 11 years as a community activist, passionate feminist, and strong believer in everyone’s ability to make the world a better place. Through employment and volunteer activities, Jessica has been dedicated to supporting those who have been impacted by gender-based violence. The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region offers support services for survivors of sexual violence, including a 24 hour support line, counselling, support groups, public education, referrals, and a court support program.
Michelle Turner
Manager, Mental Health and Addictions Program, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Sioux Lookout (she/her)
Michelle Turner is the Program Manager for the Mental Health and Addictions (MHAP) and Assault Care and Treatment (ACT) Programs at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC). Michelle is passionate about mental health and creating safe and inclusive spaces for healing. As a Centre of Excellence in First Nations Health Care in northwestern Ontario, SLMHC is excited to be collaborating with the trans-LINK Network to improve education, advocacy, and care for all trans people.
Yasmeen Persad
Facilitator, Education & Training, The 519, Toronto
(she/her)
Yasmeen Persad is the trans program coordinator for the Trans People of Colour Project (TPOC) at the 519. She is also the research coordinator for the Trans Women HIV Research Initiative (TWIRI) at Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital. She has worked over the past 15 years with trans intersectional communities and service providers to create access for trans folks to social services across the province. The 519 offers a meeting place for LGBTQ communities and social and recreation programs for all ages, including a wide variety of trans-specific programs.
Staff
S. Daisy Kosa
Project Coordinator, July 2019 -
S. Daisy Kosa (she/her) works as a research associate for the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres. She holds a doctorate from McMaster University in health research methodology and provides administrative, methodological, and analytical support to the trans-LINK network’s research activities.
Taha Arshad
Project Coordinator, July 2023 -
Taha Arshad (he/him) holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour from McMaster University and has diverse experience in research and community engagement. He works as a Research Coordinator at Women’s College Research Institute and Women’s College Hospital, supporting the activities of the trans-LINK Network.
Emily Dickson
Outreach and Communications Coordinator, January 2021
Emily Dickson (she/her) is a graduate of the Public Relations certificate program at Humber College and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from McMaster University. She works as the Outreach and Communications Coordinator for the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres and, among other activities, supports the design and implementation of e-learning curricula and designing and maintaining the webportal for the trans-LINK Network.
Emma Kelly
Project Coordinator, July 2022 - July 2023
Emma Kelly (she/her) is a master's graduate from the University of Guelph’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy program with experience with research and non-profit work related to gender-based violence. She worked as a Research Assistant II at Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, supporting the maturation activities of the trans-LINK Network, as well as other projects.
Joseph Friedman Burley
Research Assistant, September 2020 - September 2021
Joseph Friedman Burley (he/him) is a master’s graduate from the University of Toronto’s Public Health program with an extensive background in community-engaged research, evaluation, and policy development in 2SLGBTQI+ health. He worked as a research assistant for the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, among other projects, coordinating the formative activities of the trans-LINK Network.
Megan Saad
Research Assistant, January 2019 - September 2019
Megan Saad (she/her) is a master’s graduate from the University of Toronto’s Public Health program with experience in curricular development in enhancing supports for those who have experienced violence. She worked as a research assistant for the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, among other projects, coordinating the trans-LINK Network's planning activities.
Peer Leaders
Angelina Grace
Angelina Grace (she/her) is a long-time trans activist and peer mentor in the Windsor-Essex Region. She has worked to advocate for trans employees facing challenges in the hospitality sector and has collaborated with University of Windsor law students to open a pro-bono clinic for trans persons aiming to change their names and/or pronouns on government-issued ID.
Sydney Brouillard-Coyle
Sydney Brouillard-Coyle (ney/nem) identifies as queer, nonbinary, and asexual. Ney are currently studying a Bachelor of Music at the University of Windsor with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Ney have been an educator and activist in the field of queer and trans* studies (both within the Anglican church and nir local community) for the last five years.
Suru
Suru (he/they) is a trans disabled immigrant of colour with experience in peer consulting and anti-oppression work in and around Mississauga. Suru is very excited about this project and for the prospect of applying their life experiences and background to this peer leadership role.
Partner Organizations
Bloom Clinic, WellFort Community Health Services, Brampton
The Bloom Clinic at WellFort Community Health Services provides holistic care for individuals, families, and communities as the first full Community Health Centre in the region of Peel. The clinic offers a range of programs, services, and initiatives in the areas of community capacity building, health promotion, and primary health care.
Chantel’s Place, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga
Chantel’s place serves survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity. Sexual assault services are offered 24 hours a day at the Mississauga Hospital Emergency Department for adults, adolescents, and children, and domestic violence services are offered to those 16 years of age and older.
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Peterborough
The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre serves survivors of all gender expressions affected by sexual and gender based violence, offering individual and group counselling, workshops, peer support, prevention education, and professional training from a feminist, anti-oppressive/anti-racist framework.
Lanark County Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program, Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital, Smiths Falls
The Lanark County Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program, located at Perth & Smith Falls District Hospital, provides a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary response to domestic violence and sexual assault, while offering immediate crisis intervention, counselling, safety planning, follow-up, referrals, advocacy, and forensic evidence collection.
Lumenus Community Services, Toronto
Lumenus Community Services provides mental health services to children, youth and families including ongoing and walk in counselling at no cost. The organization offers specific supports to 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth and their families, including drop in, outreach services, and counselling.
Moyo Health & Community Services, Brampton
Moyo Health and Community Services provides a growing array of health promotion, education, social and support services for people living with, affected by, and at systemic risk of HIV for communities in Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. 2SLGBTQ+ programming includes community interventions focused on supporting cis and trans queer men, women and gender non-conforming folks, as well as those who identify as same gender-loving.
NorWest Community Health Centre, Thunder Bay
NorWest Community Health Centre provides services for individuals who identify as LGBT, including healthcare, counselling, and support groups for individuals/family members. NorWest also offers transition-related medical support and trans peer support groups.
Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS), Oakville
SAVIS provides free, confidential, and nonjudgmental 24-hour support to all survivors of violence, including women, men, and members of the trans community (24-hour crisis support, advocacy, counselling, drop-ins, and support groups).
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre, Scarborough Health Network, Scarborough
The Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre at Scarborough Health Network provides care for men, women, and trans individuals who are 12 years of age or older and have experienced sexual assault and/or intimate violence. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Waterloo Region Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre, St. Mary’s General Hospital, Kitchener
The Waterloo Region Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre, located at St. Mary’s General Hospital, responds 24/7 to the needs of individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. The centre offers emergency and short-term follow up care to those accessing the team of nurses and social workers, and operates through the emergency departments of St. Mary’s General Hospital and Cambridge Memorial Hospital.
Trans Wellness Ontario - Trans & Queer Community Health and Support Centre
Windsor-Essex is full of diverse people with different life experiences and journeys. Here at Trans Wellness Ontario, we support individuals who are questioning their gender identity or who identify as part of the queer and trans* community. Additionally, we are here as an educational resource for families, friends, and allies who want to learn how to best support their loved ones throughout their journey.
Women's Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County, Pembroke
The Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County serves women over the age of 16, and their family members or partners, who have experienced sexual violence. The centre offers workshops, information, referrals, and a support and crisis line.
WebPortal design by: Kavi Parameswaran