The Board of Directors consists of professionals from across Canada who have extensive experience in working with children. Each person on the Board of Directors has first- hand experience in working with children who have experienced complex trauma. They have listened to adults, youth and children and have reflected on in what we need to do to help children.
Prevention and Early intervention are the key for so many children in order to provide hope, the opportunity to dream, provide a sense of love and belonging, and confidence in life.
Our Board
Melody Foster
President of the Board of Directors - S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home
Clinical Director for NewLife Options Inc.
Founder
“All of these years I have learned from amazing professionals in the field and most of all I have learned from adults, families and children who I worked with.
They have told me their stories and allowed me into their lives. S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home is to let you know I was listening!”
Melody Foster, is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and Mediator, and has worked in the Mental Health field with children, adolescents and adults for over 40 years.
Throughout her professional career Melody has always advocated for Children’s Rights and was the voice for many children.
She always believed that we as a society are not doing enough to help children who are so vulnerable. Her message to anyone who she encountered is, “We need to do more to stop the cycle of intergenerational trauma”.
Her dream was to create a community resource that would provide early intervention and treatment to help young children suffering from emotional trauma to prevent re- traumatization. This community resource will be replicated across Canada. Melody decided to take action! S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home was conceptualized.
Melody and Barry Foster, founders of NewLIfe Options Inc., along with Lisa Portelli-Robinson, the Executive Director of NewLife Options Inc. in Fredericton, have decided to begin developing this specialized Therapeutic Home for Children in New Brunswick.
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Worked on The Child Psychiatric Assessment Unit at the Health Science Center in Winnipeg.
Received specialized training in mental health for children and adolescents. through the Health Science Center in Winnipeg. This training consisted of being mentored by Family Therapists, Psychologists, Neuropsychologists, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists and Special Education Teachers. This prepared Melody for working in the Northern Communities in Manitoba. It was there that she identified the vast needs for children who were experiencing trauma. She participated on Child Abuse Committees, provided Critical Incident Debriefings for Communities who experienced suicides. murders and tragic deaths.
Help develop an Assessment Unit for Youth at the newly built Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Center (MATC). She moved into the position of Director of Community Resources where she supervised Community Mental Health Workers and the Intake Process to the Center which had 24 beds for Youth who had a Psychiatric Diagnosis, assisted and coordinated therapeutic interventions for all three units and developed the community outreach component for MATC. She participated in developing the Suicide Prevention and Intervention Program for Manitoba.
In Saskatoon she worked as a Mobile Crisis Worker and then as the Coordinator for the Therapeutic Pre-school Assessment Program at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. She was a Member of the Saskatoon Child Abuse Committee and a Team Coordinator for the Saskatoon Tragic Response Team Suicide.
Melody returned to Manitoba and started a private practice in Brandon, Manitoba. Her company, Foster Counselling Services, became the largest counselling services in the Western Manitoba Area.
Melody employed 12 full-time counsellors who provided services for Blue Cross Employee Assistance Programs, Victim’s Assistance, 4 other major employee assistance programs, First Nations and Inuit Health, the military and others. Services were provided to 6 Indigenous Communities
Assisted in developing the Annual Wellness Event for all grade 10s in Brandon. She was the Chairperson of this endeavour for 10 years.
Developed a Social Skills Program which was delivered to 32 rural schools (Kindergarten to grade 8). This was to help children develop problem solving skills, emotional well-being, acceptance, and combating bullying.
Provided Mediation services to community agencies, families and court ordered situations. She provided court report for children who were involved in child custody/access issues.
Provided numerous workshops for The City of Brandon, Regional Health Authorities, Churches, Not-for-Profit Agencies, and Schools.
Supervised Brandon University Students from the Bachelor of Aboriginal Counselling, Bachelor of Mental Health Studies and Masters of Psych. Education Programs.
Supervised Mental Health Workers for First Nation Communities.
Developed 2 – 13 bed Emergency Receiving Homes for children 12 and under in Saskatoon. She provided Clinical Consultation for various communities across Canada in regards to working with children who have Autism and mental health issues.
Received an award from the College of Registered Psychiatric Nursing Association of Manitoba for “Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing Practice” (having made a significant contribution to an area of Clinical Practice and having exhibited a high degree of Professionalism) – 200
Sue Ellen English
Executive Director for S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home
“From a very young age, I wanted to make a difference where I saw there was hurt or brokenness around me. I have seen the impact that trauma has had on so many lives.
When I became aware of S.T.A.R.S., I knew this was the difference maker and wanted to be a part off. I am beyond thrilled to work with local organizations, businesses, individuals and institutions to make a difference with children and our communities.”
Sue Ellen English provides S.T.A.R.S Children’s Home with her experience in fundraising, grant writing and networking skills. Her ability to motivate and inspire people to help others in need is astounding. Sue Ellen has experience and knowledge in how trauma has affected people in their lives. She wants to ensure that S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home will make a difference for many children in the province.
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Certificate Program in Basic Counselling
Chaplaincy Certification Professional Fundraising Training
Certified Grant Writer Certified Coach
Practitioner Strategic Management
Certification-International Business Management Institute, Berlin, Germany
Teaching English as a Second Language
Worked in her family business for many years and together with her family developed a Foundation which helps many throughout New Brunswick.
Volunteered with “Village of Hope” and Children’s Sunday School Program.
National Director of Development Prison Fellowship Primary responsibilities were fundraising, community and government engagement and special projects. Helped write many of the grants nationally for Prison Fellowship.
Interim Executive Director SPADE (Sunrise Partnership for Agriculture Development and Education) June 2017 to March 2018: Responsible for coordinating an entry level work training and placement program on farm-based sites, in cooperation with Social Development and PETL. (post secondary education training and labour).
Helps support families who have immigrated to Canada.