Focus: The importance of social and community connections, addressing the state of social services, the erosion of the social safety net, and the lack of community planning for recreational and social activities.
Objectives:
Discuss the link between social connectivity and health.
Identify gaps in social services, particularly child welfare.
Explore community planning approaches to enhance social engagement and support networks.
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Amy began her career as a frontline worker, providing critical support to vulnerable youth. Her dedication to community well-being has led her to take on key leadership roles as the Executive Director of Our House Youth Wellness Centre that includes the creation of the Barrington Community Care and Recovery Centre. This pioneering community initiative, built on the belief that healthy communities foster strong families and youth, reflects an innovative approach to community health.
With a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma in Child and Youth Care, Amy has a deep understanding of youth development and education. Her expertise allows her to design and implement programs that address the unique challenges facing young people and increases their support networks in Shelburne County.
In the fall of 2024, Amy was elected as a municipal councillor in District #2 in the Municipality of Barrington, furthering her commitment to public service. Beyond her professional work, she actively participates in community initiatives and mentors emerging professionals. Her passion for community service is evident in every aspect of her career.
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Born and raised in Whitney Pier, Chester attended Eastmount Elementary, Whitney Pier Memorial Junior High and graduated from Sydney Academy 1983. He is a proud graduate of the Child and Youth Care Program, Holland College, PEI. 1995 and the first African Nova Scotian Student Support Worker hired by the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board in 1999. Chester has volunteered with the Children’s Aid Society as a mentor, foster parent and a respite parent. For the past 20 years, Chester has been the Executive Director of BGC Cape Breton, formerly known as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cape Breton and the Whitney Pier Youth Club.
He has received the Jonathan Skeete Community Spirit Award in 2007, CBRM Tom Miller Human Rights Award and Carl “Campy” Crawford Leadership Award in 2014, Sydney Academy Alumni Honour Roll Inductee in 2015, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2024, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025.
Chester is married to Bernadette and has three adult children. He enjoys all sports, having played baseball in the Canada Games in 1985 Saint John NB, and in the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League. Chester was named NSSBL MVP in 1993 and attended walk-on camps in 1982 in Florida with the Saint Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chester stated “I have enjoyed working with children and youth over the last 44 years and giving back to a community that has given so much to me”.
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Matt spent 10 years in the Navy where he deployed to Libya with HMCS Charlottetown and then became a submariner until ‘retiring’ in 2018. In 2019 he completed his Bachelor of Journalism from the University of King’s College. Matt is an almost award winning opinion writer and has been a city hall reporter covering Halifax's city hall since 2020 first with his own publication Committee Trawler and for The Coast since 2022.