Kim McLeister
Co-Chair Staff Representative

Kim has dedicated the last 18 years working at Community Care Durham (CCD) in a variety of roles within the Adult Day Program, most currently as the Day Program Supervisor. She believes that by supporting clients and their care partners in the community, we can enable clients to successfully age in their own homes. Her passion is the Day Program as she sees the impactful benefits for the clients and their care partners. This is evident in the feedback that staff receive daily from not only clients and care partners, but from our valuable volunteers and placement students as well.

Kim has lived in Durham Region for more than 30 years and has watched her three adult children grow and thrive in this community. She became a Nana in 2021 to her granddaughter who is the light of her life. Over the years, Kim has been an active volunteer with school events, coaching soccer, and starting the first La Leche League group in Clarington. Kim is also a care partner to her Mom who is living with moderate dementia in her own home with supports from CCD.

Kim was approached about becoming the Staff Representative and Co-chair for the Client and Family Advisory Committee in 2022. This opportunity aligned with her experience as a facilitator supporting Day Program care partners. Kim is looking forward to working with this group to support future CCD initiatives and to help bring positive change to the organization.

Vincent Chan

Happily married and retired, Vincent is a CFAC committee member because he strongly believes volunteerism breeds an inclusive as well as a kinder, gentler community. Currently, he volunteers with the local food bank, Big Brothers Canada, and facilitates two COPE support groups.

Professionally the bulk of his background was in advertising/research and education. His longest career was with the Toronto District School Board, assigned mostly to schools located in neighborhoods identified with low academic scores and severe socio-economic needs.

For self-care he enjoys jogging, walking and badminton. For leisure, together with his wife, he enjoys movies, travels, trying new cuisine and reading. Watching his two sons grow and mature, and being a full-time father is another important focus for him.

Linda Watson

Linda has lived in Durham Region for 33 years now!

She has two adult children and two grandsons and she’s proud to be their Mom and Nana.

Linda enjoyed a very interesting and exciting career in the insurance industry working in the Claims Department in various positions including management. She handled auto and personal injury, homeowner, and marine and aviation claims.

She became a client of Cope Mental Health in 2017, after suffering from significant mental health challenges. Linda attended various groups dealing with anxiety and depression, Women’s Wellness, and the Social Butterflies Recreational groups. These programs have helped in her recovery journey.

Her desire to volunteer on the CFAC is to pay it forward for others who are struggling and need support in their everyday lives.

Sandra Moore

When the opportunity came up to become a member of the CCD Client and Family Advisory Committee, Sandra was excited to take part.

She worked in sales and marketing for most of her career with a heavy equipment dealership and was involved with clients on a regular basis before she retired. Once retired, Sandra decided to start volunteering in the community. Community Care Durham was a great fit for her. She has volunteered at Foot Care clinics as well as making reassurance calls.

Sandra is also a mother and grandmother and that is a skillset which can translate into being able to see where problems may arise. She also sits on the Board of Directors of her Homeowner’s Association, currently as President, and has undertaken other roles at various times.

Sandra feels that as both a client of CCD and a volunteer, she’s in a good position to make recommendations for new CCD initiatives as part of the Client and Family Advisory Committee. Sandra said her fellow members all have great ideas and the different expertise of the group members, is what keeps it going.

Penelope Williams

Penelope served in the Canadian Armed Forces (Communications) before continuing on to a career to serve and protect the public as a professional engineer. She holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering, Bachelor of Education, and Teaching certificate.

Penelope is the Conservative candidate of record for Don Valley East and is committed to addressing community issues and to supporting local residents to achieve their goals to live independently. She has knowledge and personal experience through friends and family with the services provided by Community Care Durham, and has seen how members of the community have benefited and relied on these important services.

She cares about the good work the organization provides and has seen the incredible leadership demonstrated in delivering high-quality care to the community, working to ensure the community receives the best services available.

Llewellyn Pereira

Llewellyn became familiar with CCD when his 93-year-old mother accessed its services. Since the services offered by CCD are consistent with his belief that the values of a community are measured by how it cares for its young, its most vulnerable and its elderly, he wanted to be an active participant in its path forward.

He is a retired professional engineer having spent more than 30 years in the aircraft and automotive industries. He considers himself very fortunate to have been offered numerous career paths that helped in his professional development.

Llewellyn is an active supporter of Indigenous issues and wants to be an active participant towards reconciliation.  This interest was fostered as a youth where he couldn’t understand how he, as an immigrant to Canada, had more opportunities than its native peoples.

Llewellyn enjoys long walks with his dog, sports, woodworking, cooking and travel.

Sharon Johnston

Sharon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the CCD Client and Family Advisory Committee. For several years she worked as Ward Secretary at a Toronto nursing home.

Prior to that she lived in Darwin, Australia for 5 years. While there she helped set up and operate an office for her son, a successful restauranteur of three restaurants. Sharon said it was a real learning process as money and government regulations are so different than what they are in Canada.

After being a member of CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), Sharon created and ran several support groups for seniors with vision loss. These groups were supported at senior centres and libraries across the Durham Region. Being able to help seniors deal with their loss of sight was very rewarding and gave Sharon a new direction in her life with her own blindness.

A widow of several years, Sharon is blessed with three wonderful sons, three of the best daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.

Her personal passion is discovering family/ancestors by researching genealogy.

Ruth Michaud

Ruth Michaud is happily retired with her soulmate Ray. Over the years the couple have traveled extensively all-over north America in their travel trailer and on several cruise ships.

Prior to retirement, Ruth worked as a financial advisor in the banking industry. Upon retirement she became more involved in her church holding several executive positions with the Catholic Women’s League to promote community, spiritual, and social involvement.

The couple have 5 adult “kids” and many grandchildren who they are fortunate to spend time with.

Over the years Ruth has volunteered as a Boy Scout leader for 9 years, helped with her children’s softball and baseball teams while growing up and was always involved with school council as president, with lots of funday events and fundraising.

Ruth said community is an essential aspect of her life so she will bring meaningful input whenever she can for CFAC.

In her spare time Ruth and Ray stay active with lots of walking, both indoors and outside on local trails in good weather. They also enjoy several Alzheimer’s programs together and Ray attends the Community Care Durham Adult Day Program twice weekly, which he loves.

Myra Arsenault

Myra Arsenault is a disability advocate who works with a community organization for those with disabilities.

They study at Trent University for Health and Wellbeing. They enjoy making differences in peoples’ lives who are unique from “normal”.
When not working, they enjoy spending time in nature. Their favourite place to explore is Lynde Shores Conservation Park. Photos taken are displayed on Instagram with disability education.

Myra also enjoys spending time with friends and colleagues. They admit to having trouble understanding social cues, facial expressions, and figurative language. For those they don’t know, they may seem disinterested but that is not the case. It’s something they are working to improve.

Pronouns: they, them