All about us...
Paula Keirstead
DAWN-RAFH Canada founding member
I have had the great pleasure and privilege of volunteering and working in the disability activist movement for over 30 years. Even while I was finishing my Bachelor of Social Work Degree at the University of Manitoba, I had already learned a great deal about community development from my volunteer and paid work with the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities. My lifelong education also provided me with experience in one- to- one advocacy and systemic advocacy. I have applied and improved my skills at the local, provincial, national and international level. I also have applied my skills and interest to issues that impact women’s health as another important focus of my work.From 1998 to 2007 I have focused on developing my own consulting business geared to community development activities in a variety of arenas. This enabled me to expand my skill base to include more research, mediation, facilitation, training, and policy development experience. Now I have chosen to broaden my work experience beyond the disability agenda and am presently working as a program coordinator of the Community Employment and Income Assistance Program which provides one to one advocacy services, agency training opportunities; and systemic advocacy relating to the social assistance or welfare program in Manitoba.
I have been fortunate enough to have been appointed to a number of different government arms length organizations that have contributed greatly to my knowledge and experience base such as, the Social Service Appeal Board for Welfare, the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba, The Vulnerable Person Commission and the Manitoba Women’s Advisory Committee.
In my personal life I am divorced and was a foster parent for 6 years to a young Aboriginal girl, and out of that experience I have volunteered with a social service agency called New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families as a board member. I have enjoyed this very much. I live in my house with 2 dogs and 1 cat and host international students who come to University to learn English. I enjoy having the young energy around me.
One of the most exciting roles I have played in Canada has been as a founding mother of DisAbled Women’s Network Canada in the 1980’s.
DisAbled Women's Network Canada
Réseau d'action des femmes handicapées du Canada
110 Sainte-Thérèse Street, Suite 505 /110, rue Sainte-Thérèse, bureau 505
Montréal, QC H2Y 1E6/ Montréal (Québec) H2Y 1E6
Phone /Téléphone: 514 396-0009 (QC); Fax /Télécopieur: (514) 396-6585 (QC)
Toll free / Numéro sans frais (Canada): 1-866-396-0074
Phone the toll free number first to arrange a facsimile transmission (Canada) / Téléphonez d'abord au numéro sans frais pour organiser une transmission par télécopieur (Canada)
Email / Courriel: admin@dawncanada.net