Our Team.

Gord Unsworth is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPPC) who received his certification in 2017 from the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) in San Rafael, California. Gord became a Registered Occupational Therapist in 2007 (College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, Reg. No. G0707075) after receiving his MSc from Queen’s University in 2007 and a BA from Brock University in 2005. Gord has worked as an Occupational Therapist, Professional Practice Leader and Manager in the field of mental health since 2007 and as a clinician has provided individual and group therapy, assessments, consultations, and education. Gord has worked in hospitals and in the community and continues to demonstrate his desire to be a leader in health care.

Gord has also been an adjunct lecturer and clinical supervisor with the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University since 2008. 

Sarah Collins is the Program Director at The Salvation Army London Centre of Hope and has worked in the Social Services Sector for 14 years. Sarah has been involved in many projects in community to support research regarding homelessness and transitioning from homelessness. 

Marlo Jastak works for Addictions and Mental Health-KFLA as a Case Manager with the Intensive Case Management Team. Marlo has worked in the Social Service field for 25 years. Marlo has worked with the Housing First Program, Criminal Justice team and Crisis team in her 16 years at AMHS. Marlo joined the CAB shortly after it began offering her assistance to recruit clients for the research portion. Marlo enjoys working with clients to help them build the skills they need to better manage their wellness journey. Marlo has experience facilitating groups, managing finances, and teaching others to be self-sufficient.

Terry Landry is an Occupational Therapist and the Vice President – Community Teams and Long Term Care with Providence Care in Kingston, ON.  He is currently completing the Doctor of Science – Rehabilitation & Health Leadership at Queen’s University.

His professional experience has focused on delivering mental health services in the community, acute care and tertiary care, trauma, and in Acquired Brain Injury.  Terry is an Adjunct Professor with Queen’s University School of Rehabilitation.   His areas of research are: mental health and addictions, homelessness, recovery, social inclusion and primary care / mental health collaboration.

Sophie Kiwala was a former Member of Provincial Parliament for Kingston and the Islands where she served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport, and concurrently as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children and Youth, and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

During her time in office, Sophie tabled Motions and Private Member's Bills on: missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, providing more support for students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and their teachers, making identity documents free for individuals who are unable to pay for them, and 'banning the bots' or the Ticket Speculation Act. She has a keen interest in youth homelessness, the drug poisoning crisis, social and physical infrastructure development, and mental health.  Prior to being elected, Sophie worked in the federal constituency office in Kingston as a Manager and then later as a Chief of Staff.  She is currently working as a Chief of Staff to an Member of Parliament in Ottawa.  

Sophie was the Chair of the Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope for several years in Kingston, she was the Associate Director of Kingston Artsfest, a former Vice-Chair and Interim Chair to the Tett Centre, she developed a large charity vegetable garden at the onset of Covid, and she is also a Rotarian. Sophie organized a collaborative working group to support the vulnerable sector in Kingston at the onset of COVID. Sophie lived in Turkey and France for 5 years and has travelled extensively in Africa and Europe.

Lesli Schonberg (she/her), is an experienced Women's Counsellor, supporting women and children who have experienced domestic violence/homelessness. Lesli is also a Rehabilitation Support Worker, reintegrating clients who have an Acquired Brain Injury into their community. Lesli brings over 25 years of experience working in the social services field in eastern Ontario, with a wide array of client bases;  working with seniors, adults with physical impairments, cognitive diseases, brain injuries, and survivors of domestic violence. The empathetic care worker is how she is described, with a sensitive approach to cultivating a trusting, stimulating therapeutic relationship with clients. In her spare time, she enjoys geocaching, cooking, going to the beach, swimming, and spending time with her family. Lesli has been living in the Kingston area for over 20 years with her partner and three children.

Rebecca Murray is a Registered Social Service Worker at Providence Care Hospital in Kingston, ON. She attended Queen’s University in Kingston, ON and received her B.A. (Hons) in History and English in 2013. Rebecca focused on Canadian Social History which included the study of mental health and the history of institutionalization. After graduation, Rebecca attended St. Lawrence College and completed the Social Service Worker Program in 2015. She began working with individuals with experiences of homelessness after graduation from college and has remained in the field since. The the beginning of her career, she worked within the homelessness system and is now supporting individuals with discharge planning from hospital. She has diverse experience within the medical field since 2021 and has supported individuals in the rehabilitation programs of: Complex Medical, Forensics Mental Health, Musculoskeletal, Acquired Brain Injury, Stroke, Transitional Care, and Geriatrics.

Bhavana Varma is the former President & CEO of the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac. Lennox and Addington, a role she was in for 24 years before retiring on September 1, 2023. During this time, this United Way’s fundraising campaign grew dramatically, and it is now one of the Top 100 rated charities in Canada. 

Bhavana has worked on local collaboratives and shared community plans. Her passion is helping the non-profit sector, providing workshops, facilitation and coaching to help leaders be the best they can be.

She has received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal, Queen’s University Alumni Association’s Jim Bennett Achievement Award, a Legacy Award from the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Canada’s award of staff excellence, the George Hart Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Pin Award. Bhavana is honoured to have been appointed Honorary Colonel of the 77th Line Regiment and most recently was appointed to the Order of Ontario. 

She has volunteered for a number of organizations and has been on the Board of Directors of the Kingston Symphony Association, and the Kingston Frontenac Public Library. She currently sits on the Board of Providence Village and co-chairs the Diversity Council of the United Way of Canada, the local Homelessness Collective Impact Committee, and Kingston’s Anti-Racism Task Force.