Volunteers

Program Volunteers

Where would a nonprofit organization be without volunteers? They are the backbone and the foundation of every organization. Laing House is no exception.

Program volunteers like Kat and Phi, the therapy dog, truly make Laing House a home. Their weekly visit results in smiles on the faces of youth members as echoes of laughter fill the house. Phi has unconditional love enough to share with everyone that invites his attention.

The Laing House Family Support program is facilitated by a volunteer a mother who experienced mental illness with her daughters. Dani Sue Himmelman is a dedicated advocate, at Laing House and in the community, for youth living with mental illness and their families. The Family Support Group meets once a month at Laing House and is open to any family member with a young person from adolescence to 30 years of age who is living with a mental illness. This outreach ensures that each family members needs are recognized, validated, and addressed on the road to recovery.

Volunteers like John Dunsworth assist with Drama programming sharing professional tips and life experiences with Laing House youth. Community partners and leaders facilitate workshops on various topics. Pro bono law students work with our youth on issues such as tenancy rights. Other volunteers give of their time to help with reading, writing, and math skill development.

The strength of our model and our programs rests on the professional staff team and the volunteers that generously give of their time to sustain them. Please contact Peter Duke if you have a talent that you want to share with our youth members (902-425-9018, ext. 228).

Volunteer Committees

Communications Committee

Drawing on the expertise of industry professionals, the volunteers of the Communications Committee are working together to create and execute a communications plan for Laing House. From that plan will come awareness building and education components designed to increase knowledge and understanding of youth mental health issues in our community. Laing House will be highlighted as a resource for families and youth dealing with mental illness. Laing House is privileged to have experts in this field lending their time, talents, resources, and experience to further the work of Laing House.

Keith Ackerley, Ascenta Health, Chair

Wendy Ackerley, Executive Director, Foundation, Laing House
Tim Clarke, Final Impressions Graphic Design & Production
Kevin Colborne, Transcontinental

Fergus Deardon, Laing House Member
John Hillis, NSCAD & True Faux Films
Daphne North, MSVU PR Student
Ron Patterson, Comunity Support & Outreach, Laing House
Lara Ripley, Lara Ripley Graphic Design & Illustration

Julia Rivard, Norex
Meg Vis, Time + Space Media

James Ingram, Jive Photographic - Ball Photography
Andrew Murphy - Black & White Photography