Jake's House Legends Implementation Team - We are an ad hoc advisory group to Jake's House made up of parents and professionals from across the autism community. Our mission is to provide suggestions for delivering a mentorship program (The Legends Program) in partnership with an existing, well respected national entity. This pilot project is to be a collaborative effort, privately funded and monitored by academic professionals. Our goal is to demonstrate that this program can begin locally and then be readily expanded across the province and across the country.
Of Note: The Board has representation from Autism Ontario; Sick Kids Hospital; Kerry's Place Autism Services and York University.
Chair -Doug McCreary - Parent of two boys with ASD, Chair of AO Possibilities Fund Committee, Past president of Autism Ontario (Dufferin Chapter), Long time volunteer and fundraiser with Autism Ontario, Special Hockey International (Orangeville Wolves).
Cindi Buick - Parent of a sixteen year old son with ASD. Former pension benefits consultant. Over 10 years as a volunteer with Autism Ontario (AO), involved in numerous policy development projects. Past director of Autism Ontario's largest summer camp (York Region). Past President, Autism Ontario, York chapter.
Kathryn Everest - Parent of a soon-to-be 21 year old son with ASD. Senior executive in the IT sector. Over 15 years of volunteer service with Autism Ontario, long time Special Education Advisory Council representative. Member of the Province of Ontario Ministers' ASD Reference Group responsible for the provincial Autism Plan, "Making A Difference - From Evidence to Action" for students with ASD in Ontario Schools. Will be the group facilitator on this project.
Tracy Mansell - - Director, Community Services, Kerry's Place, Central East. Over 10 years of service to the autism community. Skilled at being the liaison between families with ASD children and the provincial ministries (Ministry of Child & Youth Services, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health).
Micole Ongman - Parent of a son with ASD, Manager, Recreation, Department of Leisure Services, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Long time volunteer with Autism Ontario. Currently serves on AO York Chapter Leadership Council and the AO Possibilities Fund Committee.
Heidi Penning - Parent of two boys with ASD, Enabling Change Project Coordinator & Equity Officer, and Queen's University. Long time volunteer with Autism Ontario, former Autism Ontario Board Member, founder and past president of Autism Ontario, Upper Canada chapter.
Jim Preston - Regional Executive Director, Kerry's Place, Central West - Over 20 years of service to the autism community. Serves on numerous policy development committees.
Bill Robertson- Jake's House Board member. Along with a distinguished career in business, Bill has donated a good portion of his life to charity. Past Chair of Reach for the Rainbow, and recently chaired Jonathan Howard's cross-Canada run in support of Autism.
Marg Spoelstra- Executive Director, Autism Ontario since 2000. A lifetime of service to the autism community. Member of the Province of Ontario Ministers' ASD Reference Group that produced the most recent provincial Autism Plan, "Making A Difference - From Evidence to Action" for students with ASD in Ontario Schools.
Jonathan Weiss- Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychology, York University Clinical psychologist and researcher focusing on individuals with ASD. Long time advocate for “inclusion” for those with ASD.