IN 1922

A young Ottawa judge believed that the direction of a boy’s life could be diverted through a positive camp experience. Instead of punishing delinquent boys, he offered them an escape from the city and a chance to learn about the outdoors, friendship and responsibility. Judge John F. McKinley envisioned a retreat for these boys, away from the hot city streets, whose secret of success would be in “giving the boy responsibility, handling him with friendship, teaching him the general principles of good citizenship and doing so with the help of the open air.”

IN 1958

Dr. Dan Offord became Camp Director. Christie Lake Kids programs were largely developed under the guidance and direction of the late Dr. Dan Offord, renowned child psychiatrist and Founding Director of the internationally recognized Offord Centre for Child Studies located at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Before his passing in 2004, Dr. Dan, as he was affectionately known, was volunteer summer camp Director for 47 years and co-director of the pilot PALS program in Ottawa that led to the development of the CLK STAR program. In 2001, Dr. Dan’s work in research, at Christie Lake Camp, and as an advocate for all Canadian children earned him the Order of Canada.

IN 1985

A STAR was born. The STAR (Skills Through Activity and Recreation) program offered skill-development opportunities at inner-city community centres to both boys and girls from low income families. The founders of Christie Lake Kids always intended to keep in touch with campers throughout the year. But winter get-togethers were sporadic through the 1940s and ’50s. In the ’60s and ’70s, a modestly funded Winter Program was formalized, and began to incorporate Dr. Dan’s structured skill development that was becoming the basis of the camp program. Brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbours of our summer campers became involved.

GOVERNANCE

Our Board of Directors

Christie Lake Kids is delighted to benefit from the professional and personal contributions of a dedicated and hard-working Board of Directors. These committed community leaders bring wisdom, business acumen, vision, and hard work to the table. Thank you to our Board and committee members. You make us immeasurably stronger.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Owen Mahaffy
Chair

Until his retirement in 2017, Owen was Director, Engineering and Asset Management, Hydro Ottawa. His professional life as an engineer in the electrical utility industry spanned more than three decades and many technical and management roles but none more rewarding than his contributions to building Hydro Ottawa's award-winning community investment programs, especially its partnership with Christie Lake Kids. 

Peter Melanson
1st Vice Chair

Until his retirement in 2019, Peter was Director, of Federal Sales for Microsoft. Peter brings 35+ years’ experience in sales management, operations and marketing. He is the Past President of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in Canada, with 13 years of service with the organization in various capacities.  His community service was recognized by HRH Prince Edward in 2012 with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for volunteerism.

Tim Hodgins
2nd Vice Chair
Inspector- Criminal Investigations Directorate, Ottawa Police Service

Tim has been a member of the Ottawa Police Service for 30 years. Tim is a results-driven leader with a strong background in organizational change, police operations and investigations, and strategy development. Tim's community engagement and volunteer work have included coaching youth sports, working with Candlelighters, the Snow Suit fund and the Union Mission. 

Wes Richardson
Treasurer
Director of Finance, Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa

Wes has more than 30 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector. He brings extension experience in financial reporting, internal controls, strategic planning, property acquisition, construction, management, and pensions. Wes has overseen the growth of Youth Services Bureau’s budget to $30 million.  In his spare time, Wes has volunteered with his children at Scouts Canada, as well as Kanata Youth Basketball. Wes is currently Chair of Christie Lake Kids' Audit & Finance Committee.

BOARD MEMBERS

Arni Ahronson
Sr Human Resources Executive & Consultant, Ahronson & Associates People Solutions Inc. 

Arni is driven by the opportunity to positively impact the life of employees at work, and is motivated by opportunities to create innovative HR programs that enhance employee engagement and performance.  Successfully implementing organization change initiatives in national and global organizations spanning sectors such as energy, health, retail, education, policing, and aviation. Arni has been recognized as a Transformational Leader with an ability to simplify HR strategy, bring the consistent value needed from HR programs to enable business strategy. He enjoys spending time with his young family at his cottage, as well as coaching and watching his children in numerous sporting activities.  Arni is active in his community and prides himself on volunteering in coaching sports.  Arnie is currently Chair of the HR and Governance Committee.

Melanie Green
Sr Advisor - Community & Indigenous Engagement, Enbridge

A native of Quebec’s Lower North shore, Melanie started her career in the natural gas industry in the greater Toronto area 2004, now currently working in Ottawa. Melanie holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Sheridan college and an advanced diploma in Civil Engineering from Algonquin College. Melanie is an advocate for women in engineering and member of FEMINEN committee at Enbridge Gas. Melanie is excited to be a part of helping kids gain the best childhood experiences that CLK has to offer. Melanie also volunteers her time with CLK events.

Adeola Onafuwa
Policy Analyst, Government of Canada

Adeola has a degree in Political Science from the University of Windsor. He offers experience in community liaison, youth development programing, and human resources. In his experience working in development programming to improve the trajectory of youths in his community, Adeola appreciates the values of mutual respect, strong community, and equity of opportunity. Born and raised in Nigeria, Adeola has also lived in other countries which has provided an abundance of experience in appreciating and adapting to cultural perspectives and challenges. When we appreciate that the sky is big enough for everyone to fly, collaboration becomes a culture.

Hatav Shalileh
Policy Analyst, Government of Canada

Hatav is a Master of Social Work graduate with over 15 years of experience in local not-for-profit organizations and public sectors. As a first generation immigrant and racialized person; Hatav, through her and her family’s experiences, was naturally inclined to adopt a critical perspective in societal processes of marginalization. Leveraging her love for camp, and programming to produce positive, long-lasting outcomes for children and youth, her social Work background in exploring supports, opportunities, and the overarching context Christie Lake kids and service-users find themselves in, she will draw on personal and professional skills, interests and experiences to support Christie Lake Kids’ capacity to make meaningful change in children and youths’ lives.

Anthony Rasoulis
Assistant General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary, NAV Canada

Anthony has over 15 years of legal experience. He is currently the Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary at NAV CANADA. In addition to providing general day-to-day legal advice, he is the lead counsel for the Company’s Finance, Pension Investments and Treasury Departments. He is also a member of the Board Secretariat Department. Prior to joining NAV CANADA, Anthony worked at two national law firms and at one of Bermuda’s leading law firms where he had a general commercial and securities practice with an emphasis on corporate finance and M&A. He also advised clients on corporate governance, regulatory and stock exchange compliance matters.

Julie Taggart
VP Operations, Taggart Realty Management

Julie is part of the Taggart Group of Companies; a family business stared in 1940’s. Julie holds a Business degree from Bishop’s University. She joined the Taggart Group in 2000 and has over 15 years of Real Estate experiences. Julie oversees the operations and leasing of the retail, residential and office portfolio, as well as all new development projects for Taggart Realty.

Ted Charette

Until his retirement in 2020, Ted was Assistant Director for Mental Health Services, Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa. Ted has been supporting youth and their families in Ottawa for more than 30 years.  He managed mental health services providing counselling and crisis supports in our community.  A former Christie Lake staff for 5 summers, Ted is excited to give back to the organization that helped him get his start in the helping profession.

Annual Reports