Our Team
YWCA Muskoka facilitates Circles® which is led by a diverse team of passionate and dedicated people.
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Kelly Jones
Circles Muskoka Coordinator
She/Her
Kelly brings exceptional facilitation and public speaking skills to YWCA's poverty reduction programs. Her personal experience growing up in poverty gives Kelly a unique ability to bridge gaps with people of low-income and the community resources needed to help transform lives. Kelly has facilitated Bridges out of Poverty workshops for hundreds of community leaders across The District of Muskoka, including local politicians, OPP, health professionals, business owners and service clubs. Kelly's focus is to help others believe in their value and purpose and to help the community seek value in human connection through the intentional friendships Circles® Muskoka creates.
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Gillian Thomas
Circles Coach
She/Her
Gillian has been working in Muskoka as a professional facilitator for 12 years, focussing on therapeutic recreation and personal empowerment. Gillian’s focus is to create a safe space where people can overcome their fears, experience personal growth and self-acceptance in community with others. Using music as a tool and deep listening as a method, her participants range across diverse groups: adults with addictions, troubled youth, sexual assault survivors, students in school and seniors with dementia, to name a few. She’s provided independent programming for the YWCA over the years and now joins the team with Circles North.
Gillian trained as a circle facilitator in Toronto before moving to Muskoka. She studied Sociology, Communications and Philosophy and History at U of T and York University. She is a proud member of her local Lion’s Club. In her free time she enjoys camping, hiking and playing music with friends.
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Justin Richardson
Getting Ahead Coordinator
He/Him
Justin joined the YWCA team in 2020, bringing with him experience supporting young people, underserved and marginalized communities in the District of Muskoka, Toronto, and in a remote community in North Western British Columbia. He has been fortunate enough to serve at government agencies, community arts spaces', social purpose enterprises and Band-run charter schools. Justin strives to approach his work and service from a client-first perspective, and is passionate about anti-opressive principles, inclusion and contributing to equitable solutions for service-users, clients, and participants.
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Volunteer Coordinator
she/her
Madeline is a graduate of the Community Worker program at George Brown College and Volunteer Management Leadership certificate at Humber College. She is also currently finishing a degree with the University of Guelph.
Madeline possesses experience working as a volunteer coordinator in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. She strives to create positive and fulfilling volunteer experiences within a supportive environment. Madeline also has a passion for providing community support while upholding anti-oppressive practices.
Madeline was born and raised in Orillia, Ontario. She enjoys exploring the outdoors and trying new things.