About Us
The Children’s Foundation (TCF) has been helping children and youth in Hastings County since 1991 and in 2015 expanded to include Northumberland and Prince Edward Counties.
The Children’s Foundation is an independent organization governed by its own Board of Directors and is the charitable arm of Highland Shores Children’s Aid (HSCA). TCF also supports families who have no affiliation to HSCA with funding and access to resources in their local communities.
Our Mission
The Children’s Foundation provides and funds programs aimed at ensuring all children and youth in Hastings, Northumberland, and Prince Edward Counties have social and physical opportunities to explore, learn, play, and thrive.
Our Vision
No child or youth will do without positive experiences and equal opportunities to help them realize their potential.
Meet the Team
Board of Directors
Cassandra Bonn
Chair
Account Executive, Quinte Broadcasting Ltd - Mix 97, Rock 107, 800 CJBQ, Quintenews.com
Sarah Rozema-Seaton
2nd Vice-Chair
Founder and CEO of Big Red Bow Digital Marketing
Liz Lehtinen
Director
Occasional Teacher, Hastings Prince Edward District School Board
Leslie Pallant
Director
Clinic Manager
Sheri Meeks
Director
Acting Deputy Chief
Belleville Police Service
Mike Callaghan
Past-Chair
Retired, Chief, Belleville Police Services
Alyssa Parks
Secretary
Shopify Coordinator
Rick Phillips
Director
Reeve of Tyendinaga Township and Warden of Hastings County
Jess Uddenburg
Ex-Officio
Executive Director, Highland Shores Children's Aid
Jack Miller
1st Vice-Chair
Sports Director, Quinte Broadcasting Ltd., Mix 97, Rock 107, 800 CJBQ, QuinteNews.com
Cynthya Schmidt
Treasurer
Owner/Operator, McDonald's Quinte West, Brighton, & Campbellford
Suzanne Hunt
Director
Partner, Templeman Menninga LLP
Allyson Williams
Director
Chief Operations Officer, Williams Hotel
TCF Staff
Executive Director
Melanie Cressman
Melanie has over 20 years of experience as a small business owner providing programming to children and at-risk youth in North Hastings. No stranger to the non-profit sector, she worked with United Way Hastings & Prince Edward for over 5 years in the role of Director of Strategic Operations as well as Director of Donor Relations. She has extensive experience in leadership, strategic development, communications as well as a proven track record of leading successful fundraising initiatives.
Programs & Outreach Coordinator
Donna Wood
Donna is a Records and Information Management specialist, and she also holds a diploma in Web Design and Development. She is a dedicated professional with a passion for organizing and streamlining information systems.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Donna is committed to making a difference in her community and is excited to be part of the team at The Children’s Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her spouse and exploring all that Hastings County has to offer.
Community Engagement & Events Coordinator
Dreya Richardson
Dreya is a recent university graduate with degree in social work and a minor in Sports Management. Dreya is supporting TCF's grant-writing initiatives to ensure that funding is available for children and youth to have equitable access to sports, camps, mental health supports, and more. Her first-hand experience supporting children involved in child welfare as well as her passion for helping kids succeed makes her an excellent fit for the TCF team.
Loyalist College Intern - Social Service Worker Program
Priju Neupane
Priju Neupane is a 22-year-old Program Support Intern at The Children’s Foundation, where she actively helps and supports the team in delivering essential programs for children and families in need. Originally from Nepal, Priju is an international student passionate about applying her skills to foster positive change in the community while still learning about the local culture.
Throughout her placement, Priju has embraced opportunities for learning and growth within the field of social services, which she finds both interesting and different from her experiences back home. She provides comprehensive support for various initiatives, focusing on organization and assisting with administrative tasks. Her strong work ethic and collaborative spirit allow her to contribute effectively to the team.
Passionate about advocating for children's needs, Priju is committed to creating a nurturing environment for those served by the Foundation. She approaches her work with enthusiasm and seeks to expand her skills, looking forward to enhancing her abilities as a future social service worker.