Heal From Within Our Mission
We inspire hope and healing for people in the Ottawa Region grieving the loss of a loved one
Our Values
Empathy | Patience | Kindness | Compassion | Courage | Companionship | Self-Care
"Our ongoing commitment to all those involved with BFO Ottawa is to listen and learn and then lead through our actions in order to build and support an organization that is diverse, equitable and inclusive for all".
History
We have been operating in Ottawa since 1978 when two mothers came together through a common experience of losing a child.
We are part of a provincial network : Bereaved Families of Ontario.
Our Wonderful Office Staff
Nicole
Office Manager
Nicole joined our team in February 2021. Nicole is a fully bilingual, experienced administrative professional who has strong organizational, communications, and computer skills and experience. She has previously worked for the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, Bruyère Continuing Care, and the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, among other positions. She manages administrative projects to support our programs and Board priorities.
Jane
Program Manager & Bookkeeper
Jane has been involved with BFO Ottawa since 2004 following the death of her daughter Emily. She is a grief support facilitator, Program Manager and a previous Board member. Jane retired as a financial analyst after spending her career at Calian and The Ottawa MacDonald Cartier International Airport Authority.
Our Dedicated Board of Directors
Micheline Lepage
Board Chair
Sponsorships
Micheline retired from a career in information technology in 2019. She joined our Board in January 2021. Micheline held positions with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC), among other companies. She participated in BFO Ottawa's programs after the loss of her son Bruce to cancer in 2014. She is a trained facilitator who supports others who have lost a child.
Althea House
Board Co-chair
Althea is a nurse who comes to the BFO Ottawa Board from a career in the federal public service. Her nursing career has also included primary health in urban, rural and remote areas of Canada. She graduated from University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing/ Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner degree. Althea has volunteered with BFO since 2011 after the suicide of her grandson at which time she received tremendous support from BFO programming and staff.
Sean O’Brien
Treasurer, fundraising
Sean retired from a successful career with Bell in project management in 2019. He joined the BFO Ottawa Board in May 2019 to support the organization that helped his family heal after the loss of their 20-year-old son in 2014.
Stéphanie Fragman
Fundraising
Stéphanie has joined the BFO Ottawa Board, bringing with her over 20 years experience in the non-profit sector. Since 2014, she has been the Director of family services at the Vanier Community Services Centre in Ottawa overseeing a wide range of children, youth, and family programs. She is fully bilingual and has lived experience with bereavement having lost her spouse in 2001.
Sandra MacDonald-Rencz
Provincial liaison
Sandra comes to the BFO Ottawa Board from a career in the health care system, spanning from direct patient care to senior leadership roles both within national non-government associations and government. Sandra has a degree in nursing, a graduate degree in education, is a Certified Health Executive, and has served on multiple charitable Boards in the past.
