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
Jack Miller
Chair
Sports Director, Quinte Broadcasting Ltd., Mix 97, Rock 107, 800 CJBQ, QuinteNews.com
Cynthya Schmidt
2nd Vice-Chair
Retired - Owner/Operator
McDonald's Restaurants
Quinte West, Brighton, & Campbellford
Kim Caletti
Director
Lawyer
Patricia Guernsey
Director
Owner/Operator
Guernsey Team Real Estate
Allyson Williams
Director
Chief Operations Officer
Williams Hotel
Cassandra Bonn
Past-Chair
Account Executive, Quinte Broadcasting Ltd - Mix 97, Rock 107, 800 CJBQ, Quintenews.com
Alyssa Parks
Secretary
Programs Manager
Engineering Operations
Paul Fleming
Director
Managing Partner
People Minded Business
Sheri Meeks
Director
Deputy Chief
Belleville Police Service
Sarah Rozema-Seaton
1st Vice-Chair
Founder and CEO of Big Red Bow Digital Marketing
Leslie Pallant
Treasurer
Clinic Manager
Samantha Foley
Director
Entrepreneur, Registered Nurse
Rick Phillips
Director
Retired - Reeve of Tyendinaga Township and Warden of Hastings County
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 Manager
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.
Operations Support
Kelly Noakes
Kelly brings a diverse and dynamic background to her role as Operations Support, with experience spanning healthcare, customer service, insurance, and small business management. She plays a key role in supporting organizational operations through her strong skills in administration, data management, and community engagement.
Kelly has a proven track record in fundraising and event planning, as well as in donor and volunteer relations. Her attention to detail, excellent communication, and understanding of health and safety protocols are rooted in her past roles, including as a licensed Insurance Broker and a professional Embalmer in the UK, where she provided services with compassion, discretion, and professionalism.
In addition to her work at The Children’s Foundation, Kelly runs her own part-time business as a Body Contouring Technician and SMU Artist. This entrepreneurial experience has strengthened her client relations, marketing, and outreach skills—further enhancing her ability to connect with stakeholders and support the Foundation's mission.
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.