Supervisor

Barry Waldman

The day-to-day operations of EPIC and the projects it oversees are handled by Barry Waldman, founder of EPIC. Barry’s experience in teaching, educational administration, proposal writing, community development and working in Native and African-Nova Scotian communities has sensitized him to marginalized youth and the negative consequences which can occur when funding isn’t available to continue important programs. It was this concern that catalyzed his development of EPIC in 1996.

As a volunteer, he supervises all EPIC projects and programs, including the Youth Peer and Parents PEACE programs. He works as an Educational Consultant for the Eskasoni First Nations School Board for whom he fostered the innovative Aboriginal EMPATHIC Program program among others. As well, on a volunteer basis, he oversees the financial operations of EPIC and ensures and manages funding for all initiatives, while still finding time to dream up creatively unique ways for EPIC to fulfill its purpose.

YOUTH PEER STAFF

Co-Director

Barb Donovan

Becoming Co-Director in 2009, Barb has been Director of Youth Peer in its various stages since EPIC adopted the program in 1998. Before coming to EPIC, she was Volunteer Coordinator for Island Community Justice where she still works as a volunteer and serves on the CATCH management team. She guides Youth Peer with soft, but steady hand and is the heart and soul of this successful program. We hope she stays for another dozen years at least!

Co-Director

Brian Dwyer

Brian is a recently retired educator and educational administrator who couldn’t stay away when given the opportunity to work with students as Liaison, in the Give Right Back project initiated in the fall of 2008. In September 2009, we welcomed him as Co-Director, working hand-in-hand with Barb to oversee the entire program. Brian had a successful career with the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board serving as Principal of Memorial Junior High and Sydney Academy.

Volunteers Coordinator

Noella Fitzgerald

Noella joined the Youth Peer team in January 2009. As Volunteer Coordinator, Noella is in charge of recruiting and managing the volunteer mentor/ tutors. In addition Noella works with the staff to ensure smooth functioning of the daily student/volunteer matches. Noella comes to Youth Peer with a wealth of experience as a youth crisis work and caseworker at both the Department of Justice and Community Services.

Educator, Student Wrap-Around Support

Elizabeth Broderick

Elizabeth joined Youth Peer in September 2007 as a “wrap-around” Educator, after retiring as a career teacher with the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School District. In 2009, she added the B.O.L.D. project to her portfolio, as well. A woman with energy to spare and a generous volunteer spirit, Elizabeth brings her contagious enthusiasm and positive attitude to every task she undertakes.

Facilitator, Parents PEACE Program

Blair Hill

Blair comes to EPIC with 20 years of community experience working with families. He is a Family Resource Worker at Family Place Resource Centre. He also serves as co-chair of the Inter-agency on Family Violence. Parents have said that Blair is the best thing about the weekly sessions. This is not surprising as he has created an atmosphere of camaraderie, learning and fun.

Youth Peer Assistants
September 2009 – May 2010

Our Youth Assistants are invaluable!

Kayla Wood

We are lucky to have Kayla back with us for a third year!

Their job is to work with the Volunteers Coordinator as well as all tutors and students to see that every session runs smoothly.

Catherine Ross

Catherine is back for her second year.

The Assistants strive to ensure all students and mentors are matched each day; they provide tutors with assistance when necessary; they make snacks, organize activities, and clean up the mess when it’s all over!

Danielle Gardiner

We welcome our newest assistant

All our Assistants—who are usually students or recent grads of Cape Breton University—are former volunteer tutor / mentors so they know better than anyone else how to help make those matches the best possible experience for both student and mentor.

Creative Arts and Guitar Instructors

Susanne Donovan

Susanne is at Youth Peer three afternoons a week to provide all youth and their mentors with a wide range of fun, enriching and educational creative activities. She holds a Fine Arts degree from Mt. Allison University, New Brunswick, Canada.

Emile Conn

Emile has been working with Youth Peer since 2004. He provides private guitar instruction to any interested student two afternoons a week.

Staff and Volunteers had a party to welcome Noella to her new job – January 2009