Shelley Harris Director of Education and Settlement, YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin
Tel: 519-631-9800 x233
Email: sharris@ywcaste.ca
Shelley is the Director of Education and Settlement at the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin with the responsibility of overseeing Adult Education, Settlement Services, English Language Classes, the St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership (STELIP), and the Skills Connect Employment Project. She was the 2013 provincial winner of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award and supports client-centred programming.
She began her career in Northern Ontario working with Aboriginal learners and has worked with individuals living in poverty, women’s groups, newcomers, and multiple barriered learners.
The YWCA has a long and solid history of leadership in community building and Shelley embeds this spirit throughout her programming.
Shelley is the mother of three beautiful daughters and a grandmother. She enjoys watching them discover their gifts, talents, and individual paths.
Petrusia Hontar Project Manager
Tel: 519-631-9800 x 241
Email: phontar@stelip.ca
Petrusia Hontar has been a member of the STELIP team since it started in 2011. She holds an M.Sc. in Economic History: Demography, and an M.Sc. Society, Science, and Technology. In the few years living in St. Thomas, she has also supported the Pathways to Prosperity project to help increase Economic Security for Women, instructed children between the ages of 9 and 12 in the YWCA Kids Creative Cuisine Classes, is an Ambassador of Elgin County and is on the Executive Committee of the Elgin Business Women’s Network.
Outside of St. Thomas and Elgin County, Petrusia strives to maintain strong ties to her Ukrainian Culture, and is the an active member of the Ukrainian Youth Association.
Leta Keating Project Facilitator
Tel: 519-631-9800 x239
Email: lkeating@stelip.ca
Leta is the newest member of the STELIP team. She is excited to share her passion for community and personal development. Leta has always had a strong desire to help others, which motived her to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. During the more recent years, she transitioned into the preventive side of our current health issues, inspiring and supporting women to reach their health and fitness goals.
As a new mother, Leta is very excited to be re-entering the workforce with this new position, where she will broaden her knowledge and skills while utilizing her creativity and eagerness to learn.
