Who Is Involved?
Steering Committee
The purpose of the inter-sectoral Steering Committee is to:
- Improve access to early childhood services
- Improve the effectiveness of these services through the development of collaborative partnerships among service providers
- Promote positive relationships, partnerships and supports within the community and local government
- Promote an integrated and comprehensive system of Early Child Development
| Membership |
| Rebeca Avendano | CHIMO Crisis Services |
| Diane Bissenden | Richmond Public Health, Vancouver Coastal Health |
| Kathy Champion | Richmond School District |
| Rick Dubras | Richmond Addiction Services |
| Zainab Dhanani | Richmond Child Care Development Advisory Committee |
| Viki Fanous | Scouts Canada |
| Sue Graf | Richmond Society for Community Living |
| Parm Grewal | Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society |
| Kareen Hudson | Family Services of Greater Vancouver |
| Mary Kam | SUCCESS |
| Jason Lee | Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC |
| Virginia McCreedy | Richmond Public Library |
| Jenny Payton | YMCA |
| Dave Phillips | Ministry for Children and Family Development |
| Susan Rechel | Richmond Mental Health & Addictions |
| Lesley Sherlock | Urban Planning, City of Richmond |
| Elizabeth Specht | Volunteer Richmond Information Services (CCRR) |
| Marshall Thompson | Richmond Youth Service Agency |
| Judy Valsonis | Touchstone Family Association |
| Melissa Wilson | Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver |
| Kim Winchell | Richmond Family Place (Host Agency) |
Action Teams
Richmond Children First Action Teams make things happen. Action Teams respond to the priorities in the Richmond Children First Strategic Plan.
Research Action Team
The Research Action Team is responsible for mapping community assets and demographics, data analysis and Early Development Instrument (EDI) interpretation. This research supports the work of the other action teams and the Richmond community.
Current Projects
- Early Development Instrument data analysis
- Neighbourhood demographic profiles
- Community mapping projects
| Membership |
| Alexis Alblas | Cambie Community Centre |
| Marcy Adler-Bock | Speech and Language, Vancouver Coastal Health |
| Belinda Boyd | Richmond Public Health, Vancouver Coastal Health |
| John Foster | Social Planning, City of Richmond |
| Alan Hill | Parks, Recreation & Culture, City of Richmond |
| Rob Inrig | Richmond School District |
| Dr. James Lu | Medical Health Officer, Richmond Public Health, Vancouver Coastal Health |
| Dave Phillips | Ministry for Children and Family Development |
| Chris Salgado | Richmond Public Health, Vancouver Coastal Health |
| Kim Winchell | Richmond Family Place |
Helping Kids Succeed Richmond-Style Action Team (NEW)
Helping Kids Succeed Richmond-Style is a community project that builds on asset development to create a personal village for all children. The Action Team is working on awareness materials for the community.
| Membership |
| Alexis Alblas | East Richmond Community Association |
| Kirsten Hamaoki | Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC |
| Hala Kapani | Richmond Family Place |
| Haidee O’Brien | Richmond Public Library |
| Henry Jiun-Hsien Yao | City Centre Community Association |
| Lily Zhou | SWIS Program, Richmond School District |
Children's Charter Action Team (NEW)
One of the strategic directions of Richmond Children First is to develop an inclusive community vision for children. This Action Team is exploring how we can develop a children's charter, through children's voices, to ensure that Richmond is the best place in Canada to raise a family.
| Membership |
| Elizabeth Ayers | City of Richmond |
| Larry Antrim | Richmond School District |
| Sue Graff | Richmond Society for Community Living |
| Dr. James Lu | Medical Health Officer, Richmond Public Health, Vancouver Coastal Health |
| Marcia McKenzie | Richmond Child Care Resource and Referral Centre |
| Jenny Payton | YMCA |
| Dave Phillips | Ministry for Children and Family Development |
| Chris Salgado | Richmond Public Health, Vancouver Coastal Health |
| Judy Valsonis | Touchstone Family Association |
| Kim Winchell | Richmond Family Place |
Richmond Family Place: Host Agency
As a community initiative, Richmond Children First must have a host agency that provides financial accountability, administrative support and a strong link to the community. At a community forum in 2003, Richmond Family Place was selected as the host agency for the initiative.
Richmond Family Place is a community based family resource agency that has worked with children, families and caregivers in Richmond for over 30 years to enhance strengths, build capacities and promote healthy child development. Richmond Family Place delivers a range of services guided by principles that focus on building supportive relationships, facilitating growth, respecting diversity and furthering community development.
Helen Davidson: Implementation Manager
Helen Davidson is the Implementation Manager of Richmond Children First. Reporting to the Steering Committee, her responsibilities are to:
- Facilitate the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project
- Build individual capacity and community commitment to support early child development
- Manage the Richmond Children First community initiative
Helen has worked for many years in the field of early childhood and community development. She has an educational background in non-profit administration and has worked in the Richmond community for over 15 years. She lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a Steveston housing cooperative.
