Our Leadership
The Executive Director provides the operational leadership of S.T.A.R.S. for Children’s Home, working closely with the Board of Directors to carry forward the organization’s mission and vision. Through experience, dedication, and a passion for supporting children who have experienced complex trauma, the Executive Director helps guide programs, partnerships, and daily operations to ensure children receive compassionate, trauma-informed care.
Shelena Gray, MSW, RSW
Program Director
“S.T.A.R.S. represents the opportunity to help establish the kind of system I have long envisioned—one where prevention, early intervention, continuity of care, and interdisciplinary collaboration come together to improve outcomes for children and families.”
Shelena brings a diverse background:
Child Welfare
Child and Family Social Work
Therapeutic Foster Care
Emergency Telecommunications
Crime Reduction Initiatives through the RCMP's Crime Reduction Unit,
Child Advocacy
and Community Program Development.
Working across healthcare, child welfare, public safety, education, and community sectors has given her a unique understanding of how trauma impacts children, families, and communities while reinforcing her commitment to coordinated, collaborative systems of care.
As Program Director, Shelena is committed to helping establish a provincial model of excellence in early childhood mental health and trauma care. She believes that some of the most meaningful opportunities to change the trajectory of a child's life occur during the earliest years and that the moments we invest in today have the power to shape generations to come.
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Early in her career, Shelena studied Business Administration, a foundation that continues to inform her leadership in organizational development, strategic planning, and building sustainable services for children and families.
Shelena completed her Master of Social Work at St. Thomas University, where her studies focused on child welfare, trauma, interpersonal violence, human trafficking, community-based intervention, and the lifelong impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
She continues to pursue specialized training in play therapy, further strengthening her knowledge of developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed approaches that foster emotional healing, secure attachment, and resilience in young children. In recognition of her leadership, resilience, academic excellence, and commitment to improving the lives of others,
Shelena was selected as the national recipient of the 2025 UCBeyond Scholarship.
Throughout her education and professional career, Shelena has developed a strong belief that the greatest opportunity to change the trajectory of a child's life is through early, relationship-based intervention. Her work has consistently reinforced that meaningful healing requires more than responding to crisis—it requires prevention, continuity of care, trusted relationships, family-centered practice, and collaboration across disciplines. She believes that by intervening early and supporting the entire family system, we can reduce the long-term impact of trauma and create healthier outcomes for children, families, and communities.
These principles are what drew her to S.T.A.R.S.
Outside of her professional role, Shelena loves spending quality time with her partner, the children in her life, her animals, and the friends she holds dear. She is committed to lifelong learning and continues to expand her knowledge in early childhood development, trauma-integrated care, play therapy, and mental health advocacy. In her downtime, she can often be found exploring New Brunswick's beautiful trails and waterfalls or enjoying a motorcycle ride along New Brunswick's scenic coastline.
The Board of Directors consists of professionals from across Canada who bring extensive experience working with children. Each member has first-hand experience supporting children who have experienced complex trauma and understands the importance of creating safe, stable environments where healing can begin.
Through listening to the experiences of adults, youth, and children, the Board continues to reflect on how we can better support those who need it most.
The Board believes that prevention and early intervention are key to changing the path for many children. By creating opportunities for hope, belonging, and love, children can begin to dream again and develop confidence in themselves and their future.
Our Board
Melody Foster, RPN
President of the Board of Directors - S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home
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 New Life Options, Inc. took action and launched the S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home initiative in 2023..
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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
Barry Foster
Barry Foster is a psychiatric nurse with over 30 years of experience supporting individuals and communities facing complex mental health and social challenges. Throughout his career, he has provided counselling in First Nations communities, conducted assessments for survivors of the residential school system, and facilitated group counselling for individuals addressing sexual offending behaviours.
Barry has also founded and operated organizations that support adults and youth living with complex needs, including intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges. For four years, he worked as a consultant across Canada developing specialized homes for adults with highly complex needs related to mental health, addictions, and intellectual disabilities.
Barry and his wife Melody are the founders of NewLife Options Inc., operating in New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, and together they founded S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home..
Board Chair
Lauren Reynaert
Lauren Reynaert is the Broker/Manager with Royal LePage Atlantic in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where she leads and supports a growing network of REALTORS®. Alongside her professional leadership, she is deeply involved in community initiatives that support women, children, and families in need.
Lauren has played an active role in organizing and supporting numerous fundraising efforts, including Walk a Mile Fredericton and the Night Light Walk, which raise funds and awareness for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and Women in Transition House. She has also organized initiatives such as Fill a Bus, a program that collects school supplies and non-perishable food items for students and families in need.
Lauren’s passion for supporting children is deeply personal. Having spent part of her own childhood in a group home, she is committed to helping ensure that children have access to safe, supportive environments where they can thrive. Being part of building S.T.A.R.S. Children’s Home in Fredericton is especially meaningful to her, as she believes every child deserves stability, care, and the opportunity to grow in a nurturing environment.
Lauren lives in Fredericton with her husband Shane and their two daughters, who continue to inspire her commitment to building stronger and safer communities for the next generation.
Board Director
Roxanne Droppo, MA, RSW
Roxanne Droppo holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Arts with a focus on Leadership. She is the Executive Director of a non-profit agency in Calgary and has spent more than 35 years working in social services supporting children, families, and seniors.
Throughout her career, Roxanne has held leadership roles in home care, residential and transitional services, Safe Home Assessments, and as a manager with the Boys and Girls Club. She has also led the development of programs designed to empower individuals and strengthen community supports.
Roxanne’s commitment to children and families extends beyond her professional work. She and her family adopted four children at birth, an experience that continues to shape her dedication to supporting safe and nurturing environments for children.
In recognition of her impact in the community, Roxanne was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for her significant contributions to the Province of Alberta.
Board Co-Treasurer
Lisa Collins, LPN
Board Co-Treasurer
Lisa Collins is a Licensed Practical Nurse in Saskatoon and the Executive Director of Choice, Passion, Life Inc., an organization that supports adults living with intellectual disabilities, mental health challenges, and addictions. Through her leadership, the organization provides semi-independent living opportunities for adults who often face barriers to traditional services due to substance use.
Lisa is a recognized leader in Saskatoon’s Harm Reduction Model and has worked extensively across nursing, management, and program development. Her experience includes developing residential homes for adults with intellectual disabilities and children with autism, as well as helping establish two thirteen-bed receiving homes serving Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan.
Throughout her career, Lisa has been deeply committed to supporting individuals with complex needs and advocating for compassionate, practical solutions for those experiencing homelessness and addiction.
In recognition of her dedication and community impact, Lisa was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for her contributions supporting vulnerable individuals during the pandemic.
Carol Reimer, BScN, RN, MSc
Board Secretary
Carol Reimer is a health care leader, educator, and consultant with extensive experience in community and public health. She co-owns Verus Consulting, where she contributes to projects focused on health care access in developing countries, health resource funding models, rural health, and health system comparisons.
Carol’s clinical leadership includes work in community and home health, supporting children, youth, and neurodivergent populations. She is also a faculty member in the Nursing program at the University of New Brunswick, where she teaches courses such as Community Health, Integrated Nursing Practice, Nursing Families in Complex Situations, and Therapeutic Communications.
In addition to her professional and academic roles, Carol serves as a board member of Horizon Health Network, one of New Brunswick’s provincial health authorities, where she has held various chair and committee roles during her nearly ten-year tenure. She also contributes her expertise to several national and local boards.
Carol holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alberta and a Master of Science in Epidemiology and Community Health from the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine.
Christin Swim
General Manager, Skigin-Elnoog Housing Corporation
Advisory Member to the Board of Directors and Executive Director
Christin Swim is an experienced non-profit leader specializing in Indigenous social welfare and community development. As General Manager of Skigin-Elnoog Housing Corporation, she oversees nearly 400 social housing units and manages major renovation initiatives supporting off-reserve Indigenous populations across New Brunswick. Her work focuses on ensuring housing is not only a structure, but a foundation for health, stability, and long-term success for families.
A proud member of Woodstock First Nation Wolastokukew, Christin brings an important off-reserve perspective to her leadership. She understands the systemic challenges Indigenous families face in both urban and rural communities and advocates for culturally safe, community-led solutions that prioritize Indigenous voices in decision-making.
Christin has more than 18 years of experience in the non-profit sector and serves on the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association’s Indigenous Caucus Working Group, where she contributes to advancing the “For Indigenous, By Indigenous” housing strategy at a national level.
Her work and life experience reflect a deep commitment to the well-being of children and families. Growing up off-reserve and earning her degree from St. Thomas University while raising five children, Christin brings resilience, leadership, and a strong belief that stable environments are essential for children to thrive.