Yvonne Kelly, MSW, RSW

Co-Chair, Social Planning Council of York Region

Chair of Social Planning Network of Ontario

Community and Partnership Developer, York Region District School Board

Co-Lead, KNSWB, Community of Practice on Equity and Inclusion for Low-Income Students/Families 

Yvonne is a Community and Partnership Developer with the Inclusive School and Community Services Department of the York Region District School Board. Yvonne has 25 years of experience in community development, social justice, advocacy and equity work, largely in school based settings. She is currently a Co-Chair of the Social Planning Council of York Region, the Chair of the Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO) and Lead for the SPNO’s CoP on Equity and Inclusion for Low-Income Students and Families. Throughout her career, Yvonne has participated on the steering committees of several organizations and grassroots coalitions advocating for adequate income, equity and fairness for all. Yvonne is passionate about social justice and is committed to working across the spectrum of networks and groups and bringing people together to find common purpose.

Gurneet is a resident of Vaughan and a friend of SPCYR since starting a summer intern job jointly with YRFN in 2020. Over the past couple of years, she has worked on food security projects and youth engagement initiatives, leading to her co-founding the Youth Food Committee, a working group under the York Region Food Council. She has recently co-led CivicSchool GTA to engage youth in civic action during the 2022 municipal elections. Gurneet also volunteers with the South Asian and Tamil Women's Collective (SATWC) in programming support to create spaces and places for representation into action. Altogether, she brings her passions from food and social justice to move the community with dignity and creativity at the forefront.

Sharon Simpson is employed by Labour Community Services which is a project of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council in partnership with United Way Greater Toronto. Sharon has been working in the not-for profit social services sector since the early 80s.

Lori Yaccato has been a Social Worker and Educator for 25 years.  She specializes in supporting women, people with disabilities and low income residents to achieve financial independence and quality of life.  As an educator she teaches people with disabilities reading / writing comprehension, and life skills for people with complex disabilities.  Recently she completed a contract at Inn from the Cold as a front line worker.  Presently she is working hard at launching  The Affordable Housing Coalition with the Social Planning Council, mobilizing groups to increase the supply of affordable housing for low income residents in York Region.

I have been an Elementary Teacher with the York Region District School Board for 25 years.  I completed my Masters of Education in 2002, acquired a Specialist in Special Education (Social Adjustment), many Additional Qualifications such as, Reading Recovery and my Principal’s Qualifications and was an Executive Member of the Elementary Teacher’s Federation on Ontario – York Region (2002). I have lived and worked in Richmond Hill since 2000 and am the parent of two daughters who were adopted from China. Both of my daughters attended Public School in York Region. My vast experience as an Elementary Teacher has enabled me to perform a wide spectrum of duties and render varying responsibilities throughout my career with the YRDSB.  Some of my involvement encompassed program development and delivery, consultation and liaison with community partners, and research and evaluation. My passion is to see equity and inclusivity for all and to stomp out social injustice.  I have chaired and been an active member of many Equity and Inclusivity Committees as well as Social Justice Committees throughout my teaching profession. I understand how difficult and intimidating it may be for newcomers to Canada to navigate our education system and am willing to lend my support in any capacity. I have been an Active Board Member of Social Planning Council of York Region since 2016, serving as Recording Secretary for the past 3 years.

Kelly Dunn has been a high school History and Social Science teacher for 23 years.  She is interested in education, environmental issues, and community advocacy.  Kelly lives in Markham with her husband and three children.

Rebecca Pacheco graduated with a Masters of Social Work from Ryerson University and has lived in York Region for 25 years. She has over 5 years research experience and has led and assisted on many research projects. She is driven by her passion for gender equity and intersectional feminism. Her research interests include technology-facilitated sexual violence and gender-based violence. She completed her undergrad in Social Development Studies at the University of Waterloo where she minored in political science and specialized in social policy and social action. Rebecca currently works at YWCA Canada as a Research Coordinator where she supports projects about women's economic empowerment, and sexual-violence on post-secondary campuses in Canada.