Team | Loving Hands

Worked in the field of seniors and disabilities for over 37 years, Moving from New Brunswick to Calgary in 1996 Heather began her career journey, initially , as a psych nurse in 1982, Attained her Certification of Human Services Counsellor in 1988 and completed her Recreation certification in 2014. Heather opened Loving Hands Partners In Care in Airdrie January 2016, relocating to Calgary April 1, 2021.

Hello everyone, I am a social worker and have worked with people in vulnerable situations since 2010. I have been fortunate to be able to work for the last 3 years with special needs people. I am characterized by being a creative, loving, and gentle person; I am also a positive person, and I want to share my smile with you. I am from Colombia; therefore, I have the possibility to teach Spanish at a native level, providing a multilingual learning experience for you. In addition, I love technology and I think it is important to build skills that can push us to connect with others. All these will help you to develop important tools for the future which will allow you to explore what the world has to offer.

Tanya Bastarache
Director of Operations

Hi!

I’m Tanya! I have worked in the field of disabilities for over 25 years and carry a diploma in addictions and community health services! I have worn many hats over the years, specializing in complex needs. Working at Loving Hands has been a fun experience!

Eden Nicdao
Team leader

I have been in the medical field for 15 years and had a brief experience working in an environment with mentally challenged individuals in the Philippines. I, with my family, made a big move here to in Canada last 2021. I speak Filipino and I am willing to impart this beautiful language to whoever wants to learn about it. Positivity, empathy and calmness are among my strengths. This career path is the best choice I have ever made because I have met beautiful people, challenged or not. It is my privilege to be given tasks which could help individuals reach their full potential.

Paul Lacroix
Team Leader

Hi!

My name is Paul. I have been working in this field for 2.5 years. My passion is to elevate the fun level to its optimum potential and hold it there for as long as I can. I place a high degree of value on smiles and laughter! At Loving Hands we celebrate the moment everyday! I am continuously strengthened by the love and support of all who make up the Loving Hands family! I greatly value that the focus is truly on the beautiful people who are our members. Loving Hands is the place to be!

Andrew Senior
Personal Support Worker

Hello!

I have been serving people for over 40 years in many ways. Ten of those years have been spent supporting adults and children with disabilities. Caring for others seems to come naturally, the reward is the joy, the kind words and the smiling eyes and faces of the people I work with. I am a very active and creative person, looking to create memories with you!

Nicole Kinsella
Personal Support Worker

Hi my name is Nicole and am so proud to be the newest member of the loving Hands Family..I am a mom to 3 busy boys and live in Airdrie. Although I have nor formal training, I have worked in the demographic of disabilities almost since birth as my mom has worked in the field for 45 plus years . we have always supported special needs friends in our home. I have attained a wealth of knowledge and experience over the years and feel very comfortable isn this chosen fieldI am excited to learn and grow at the Loving Hands center

Hilda Bih
Personal Support Worker

Hello, I’m Hilda. I might be new to Loving Hands but I already feel accepted and included. I have a background in Social Science, Early Childhood Education and have been in the medical field for about 7 years now. Being a very outgoing and friendly person I enjoy working with people of all abilities and backgrounds. I am originally from Cameroon and can cook very delicious and spicy African dishes. I am willing to teach you if you enjoy trying new things. I also love dancing and am happy to teach a few dance moves if you are interested. I believe learning is a life-long experience and I’m happy to be learning new things already at Loving Hands. This will help empower me and give me all the tools needed to better assist our clients.

Michelle McBee
Personal Support Worker

Hello!

My name is Emperatriz, however, I go by Michelle. I live in Calgary, Alberta and I have worked at Loving Hands Partners in Care for two and a half years. I absolutely love working at Loving Hands! I arrived here as a Human Services practicum student and I was taught many things by Ana and Heather when I joined the team in 2021.

My passion is to help individuals with cognitive development learning disabilities and continue to take my passion somewhere else and embrace it for others. For me, helping others means improving someone’s life and I want to empower these individuals to be the best version of themselves. I will always be learning something new in this field, I am beyond grateful to Ana and Heather for helping me build a steady foundation for my future & allowing me to pass that on to others. I speak multiple languages, giving our clients a multilingual and multicultural experience.

I look forward to continuing sharing my passion with others!

Estrella
Personal Support Worker

Hi, my name is Estrella, I have been in the Educational field for 7 years in Philippines and over 1 3 years in hospitality Industry. I finished my study in East west college(canada)as community Social Worker and did my Practicum at Loving Hands Partner in Care.

Being happy, calm, enthusiastic, patience, helpful, and loving are some of my assets to work with our special needs clients. I love cooking, dancing and singing. I have the ability to adapt and adjust to changing situations. As a new member of loving hands I am willing to learn and develop more skills as needed.

Mesfin Gebremariam
Personal Support Worker

I am Mesfin and took Community Support Services at East West College. InNovember 2023 marked the beginning of my journey with Loving Hands Partner in Personal Care, and it has been an incredible opportunity for me to become a part of this exceptional center and its dedicated staff.

Joining Loving Hands has been more than just a job for me; it’s a platform perfectly suited for nurturing my profound passion for aiding others. The environment here resonates deeply with my values and provides me with the ideal space to exercise my commitment to helping those in need.

In essence, being a member of the Loving Hands Partner care team has brought immense joy and fulfillment into my life. I am grateful for the chance to contribute positively to the lives of those we serve and to work alongside such compassionate individuals.

Editha Catayong
Personal Support Worker

Someone said that there are two most important days in a man’s life – the day they are born and the day they find out why.

Born in the Philippines, I am a chemical engineer by education and a pastor by vocation. My formal formation in theological college here in Canada, complemented by my twenty-plus year experience as a pastor, led me to discover my life’s ‘why’ – or the proverbial purpose for living.

I’ve always loved serving others, and my certification as a ‘Plan to Protect’ trainer in the organization where I serve made me understand that I especially value caring for the vulnerable.This newfound passion for the protection of children, youth, and vulnerable adults inspired me to finish my studies as a community service worker. Those who have need in life must have more in care. This is my discovery at this stage in my personal life journey. Professionally, I hope to continue doing this at Loving Hands.

Nelyn
Personal Support Worker

My professional life started with me working as a waitress, providing excellent assistance to our guests. Later moved to a supervisor position inputting strategies to generate well-performing. As my family migrated to Canada I began working as a support worker. I loved this wonderful experience so much that I decided to study and specialize in Community Support Services. “Learning is a never-ending process”, people say.

I have an extensive background working with people from the hospitality industry to people with disabilities, it has been almost 10 years since I first started in the field, and today, I am proudly with Loving Hands as a Community Support Worker.

Getting to work and being able to help people and show compassion is a marvelous, golden opportunity for me. The physical and emotional support that I provide is something natural to me, my goal is to bring light and joy to the people I work with every day.

Ma Eden
Personal Support Worker

Mabuhay!

I am Eden, born and raised in the Philippines. I specialized in providing care services starting at an early age. My experience in the field has been built up over the years, despite not having any formal training. I have an aggregate of 9 years of care service experience, 4 years in Hong Kong, and 5 years here in Canada. In all these years, I provided meaningful work to the career while feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.

Outside caregiving work, I am a bubbly friend, a caring daughter, a loving wife, and a doting mother of three. I can also cook and can do a variety of Filipino dishes which I have learned over the years.

Christopher Clarke
Personal Support Worker

Hello!

I’m Chris, an artist passionate about music, with a diverse creative journey from my teenage garage band days in Newfoundland to my current roles as a singer-songwriter and street musician. I also lead the studio project APEX TREMOR. Beyond music, I’ve been deeply involved in vocational humanitarian work for 30 years, focusing on empowering the disabled community. My artistic expression extends to abstract art, where I convey my unique perspective, aiming to inspire through creativity and advocacy.

Lisa Drabik
Personal Support Worker

Hi!

My name is Lisa (A.K.A Auntie Zebra). I live in Calgary with my husband and three special daughters.

I love using creative energies to help the people at Loving Hands.

Christie Krause
Book Keeper

Hello!!

I’m Christie! I am happy to be a part of the Loving Hands family keeping finances organized!

Roli is a Professional Musician from the University of Lethbridge with many, many years of experience. With his band, he had travelled to many places all over Canada and internationally. He is a very kind and funny instructor, characterized by his great patience and understanding of what makes us unique. He loves country music and Rock & Roll. Roli is excited to share his time and music knowledge with all his Loving Hands friends.

Roli Mack
Music Instructor

Ron Simon

Ron has been a Singer/Musician/Song Writer/Entertainer since the 70’s. Ron hailed from Drumheller where he entertained for a number of years also wrote a song about Drumheller on it’s 50th Birthday called ”Drumhellers Home” which in the time of records, became the Largest 45 in Alberta, not the most played but the largest. Moving his family in 1985 to Airdrie with TransCanada Pipelines where he worked until 2000 when he started his own Company “Full Score Sound” a DJ & Live Sound Enhancement Company. Ron also participates in a live Duo (John Beer Boys) & also a Nostalgic 60’s/70’s/80’s Band (Ronnie & The Fixations). In 2009 Ron wrote and recorded Airdrie’s 100th Centennial song “Airdrie Home To Me”

Fiona Graham

Hello to all! I have been practicing yoga since 2014 and teaching since 2020. I have tried numerous styles of yoga and my favourite is traditional yoga (Hatha). Yoga has had such a healing impact on my life both mentally and physically, and I am excited to share my knowledge and love of yoga with others. I believe that yoga is for everyone and there is always a place to start. You are never too old or too young for yoga! I am so excited to meet you all!

Katya is a full-time artist who has travelled around the world, soaking in all the different cultures she experienced, and landed in a small, quiet town in Alberta, Canada. She believes that creativity is one of life’s largest purposes, and is constantly seeking for and discovering new things. What does that mean for her artistic journey? It means she studies new techniques, explores new genres, and experiments with as many facets of art as she can, especially the performing and visual arts. (Learn more about Katya’s performing art journey here). Katya’s art does not fit one specific style or discipline, but her work is united by her love of life and everything that encompasses. Painting makes her happy, and she considers it a great honour to be able to share this happiness with you.

Kiara Hills
Social Worker, program and Admin Assistant

After volunteering for three months with an international organization in impoverished areas of the Philippines, her passion was ignited to use her caring and empathetic characteristics to provide help and hope to those in vulnerable and challenging circumstances. She strives to see the lives of others enriched through community and is committed to offer support in any way she can. She believes everyone has unique strengths and qualities that should be encouraged and celebrated in all phases of life. As a new member of our team at Loving Hands, Kiara will be running our crafts program as well as assisting with other programs and bookkeeping work. She is so excited to be joining us for the summer and to have the opportunity and privilege to get to know all of you!