Ontario Child and Youth Workers Receive Krista Sepp Memorial Awards

MARKHAM, ON, April 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Ontario's finest Child and Youth Workers/Counsellors will be honoured at the 23rd annual Krista Sepp Memorial Awards Celebration Luncheon on Thursday, May 1st at the Richmond Hill Country Club.

During the week preceding Children's Mental Health Week (May 4-10, 2014), non-profit organizations dedicated to helping children and youth in Ontario will gather to recognize this year's nominees and recipients.

A total of 30 child and youth workers/counsellors (CYW/CYC) were nominated by their peers from across Ontario for the Krista Sepp Memorial Awards this year.

The Krista Sepp Memorial Awards were established by Kinark Child and Family Services in 1991 to honour the memory of Krista Sepp, who lost her life on February 3, 1989, while performing her duties as a child and youth counsellor. Each year, the Krista Sepp Memorial Awards are held to recognize the high quality work and dedication of CYW/CYCs from across Ontario.

Michelle Gavin from Kinark Child and Family Services is the recipient of the 2014 Horizon Award, which recognizes excellent work of direct service staff with up to five years of experience working in the CYW/CYC or relevant social services field. Michelle is an Intensive Services Worker delivering intensive short-term services to families with children and youth who face serious behaviour challenges in school, at home and in the community.

This year's Mentoring Award recipient is Joseph James from George Hull Centre for Children and Families. The Mentoring Award honours the ongoing excellent contributions of direct service staff with more than five years of experience in the CYW/CYC or relevant social services field. Joseph is a front-line Child and Youth Worker who currently works at the Boys House residential treatment centre. He works as part of a multi-disciplinary team that is responsible for developing and implementing treatment plans with the youth and their families. He specializes in program development, particularly experiential outdoor adventures.

What:	Krista Sepp Memorial Awards, recognizing the high-quality work
	and dedication of child and youth workers/counsellors from across Ontario.
When:	Thursday, May 1^st, 2014 at 12 p.m.
Location:	Richmond Hill Country Club
	8905 Bathurst St.
	Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0H4

SOURCE: Kinark Child and Family Services

or to arrange an interview with the recipients, please contact: Kim Humphreys, Senior Communications Specialist, Kinark Child and Family Services, 905.474.9595 ext. 365 or Cell: 647-248-6941; [email protected]