Who We Are
Victim Services Toronto provides trauma-informed support and advocacy in the moment for any person in Toronto who has experienced crime or sudden tragedy. We also work to prevent violence through community engagement.
Executive Officers
Paul Khawaja, Chair
President, OnX Enterprise Solutions
Jay Hutchison, Vice-Chair
Office Managing Partner GTA & Chief Development Officer, EY
Lorne Kalmar, Treasurer
Real Estate Associate, Equity Research Analyst, Desjardins
Lisa Street, Secretary
Vice President Human Resources, Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Directors
Gerry McNeilly
Consultant: Alternative Dispute Resolution
Jennifer Ménard-Shand
CEO, Staff Shop Inc.
Abhay Raman
Sr. V.P., Chief Security Officer, Sun Life
Alex Krawczyk
President, Krawczyk Family Foundation
Pamela Schott
Vice President, Procurement Integration, BMO Financial Group
Barbra Miller
Senior Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP
Brandon Marek
Managing Partner, Harlo Entertainment
Paula Hodgins
VP, Worldwide Cloud Sales, VM Ware
Leadership
Carly Kalish
Executive Director
Carly is the recipient of the Toronto Police Services “Leading the Path Award,” Toronto Foundation’s “Vital People Grant,” and Attorney General’s “Victim Services Award” for her dedication to working with survivors of gender-based violence. Carly holds a Master of Social Work from the City University of New York. She attended the Non-profit Management Program at Harvard University.
Kiran Brar
Associate Executive Director
Joining Victim Services Toronto in 2009, Kiran now has over ten years of experience in the social services sector. She speaks five languages and holds a diploma in social work, a degree in Business Management, and specialized training in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and harm reduction. Kiran sits on various committees to implement an emergency response protocol.
Darlene Coppens
Crisis Response Program Director
Darlene graduated with her Child and Youth Diploma from George Brown College in 2000 and returned to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Worker with a minor in Family Support and Community Practices at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2009. Darlene's 24 years of unwavering commitment and passion to supporting clients in the sector include mental health, addiction, transitional age youth, seniors, residential, supportive housing and doing innovative work with Campus Mental Health. Darlene has shared the last 15 years leading teams and working in partnerships with post secondary schools, the City of Toronto, and TCH to address gaps in the system and build innovative strategies to support underserved community members experiencing mental health. Darlene's passion is to support people experiencing trauma and ensuring that they have their voices heard and receive services in a dignified way.
Julie Moore
Anti-Human Trafficking Program Director
Julie is a dedicated advocate with over 13 yrs experience working with survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. With extensive front line experience, she recognizes the importance of immediate and seamless supports being available for survivors to access. Julie has had the privilege of supporting many resilient and courageous individuals as they navigate their journey of healing. Julie works from a trauma informed strength based perspective to empower survivors to rebuild their lives. Julie is an active member on multiple community committees focusing on advocacy, collaboration and education to support individuals impacted by human trafficking.
Wendy Castanha
Director of Finance
Wendy has extensive experience in the Education, Healthcare, Government, and Social Services sectors. She holds an MBA, is a certified CPA and holds a degree in Accounting Science.
Alyson Joseph
Program Director
Alyson has extensive front-line experience in various social services roles, and is passionate and intention in affecting lives through her many interactions. She now serves as Director of Neighbourhood Client Services, and leads Victim Services Toronto’s program, Exit Route, which focuses on gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. Alyson holds a Social Service Worker Diploma from Centennial College and a BSW Honors Degree from York University.
Lindsay Upton
Program Director
Lindsay joined Victim Services Toronto in 2007, and has extensive experience in crisis intervention, assisting clients navigate complex bureaucratic systems. Lindsay holds a degree in social work from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is an active volunteer and has served on numerous committees, public speaking engagements, and is dedicated to developing community partnerships and response protocols that challenge barriers experienced by vulnerable populations.
Tasmine Fraser
Manager of Community Programs and Projects
Tasmine develops and leads numerous projects and committees that enhance response strategies to cyberviolence, human trafficking and community outreach and management strategies. She supports the T.E.A.R.™ Program and Trauma Dog Program. Tasmine holds an Honours BA in Criminology from the University of Toronto and a SSW Diploma from Humber College. She is currently completing her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Windsor.
Jacqueline Thorsen
Manager of Students, Volunteers, and Compliance
Jacqueline uses her extensive experience in violence against women, addiction and mental health, child welfare and victim-facing work to support the communities that Victim Services Toronto serves. Jaqueline holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and she fills educator roles, fostering inclusive and safe learning environments. Jaqueline brings this work to over 100 volunteers at Victim Services Toronto, mentoring the next generation of social workers.
Jasminder Sekhon
Policy Advisor, Stakeholder Relations and EDI
Jasminder is a gender justice advocate through an intersectional feminist and trauma-informed lens. She is a graduate of the University of Oxford’s MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice and has a double degree in Political Science and Criminology from the University of Toronto. Jasminder has extensive experience working in the field of gendered violence prevention, including the areas of human trafficking, “honour”-based violence, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence. She has extensive experience leading and assisting research and policy analysis, through work experience at the Ministry of the Attorney General, Blue J Legal, and Community Legal Education Ontario, to name a few. Jasminder is also passionate about driving change through policy, and has worked as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition, and Critic for Seniors and Long Term Care. Her lived experience as a South Asian woman who is a survivor of gender-based violence inspires her to work through an equitable and anti-oppressive framework in everything she does.
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Crisis response, intervention and prevention services for victims of crime and sudden tragedy in Toronto.
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Charitable Number: 89409 3467 RR 0001
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