ABOUT US
Tami Bovaird,
Program Manager
tami.bovaird@crmhaa.ca
Tami has been with CRMHAA since early 2019, and has been in multiple roles as she has grown within the Agency.
She comes to Let’s Work with a wealth of work and lived experience. She has Certification as Career Development Practitioner, Motivational Interviewing, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST and other certifications related to Let's Work.. Tami studied Psychology at St. Thomas University and also has a Human Services Counsellor Certificate, with Honours.
Tami completed Traumatic Loss Support Group Facilitator Training, and co-facilitates CRMHAA's Loss Support Group.
She has vast experience in working with many vulnerable populations such as with children, at-risk youth, families, and shelter work.
Tami enjoys the practice of mindfulness and has certification in MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction).
In her work life, Tami enjoys having conversations around reducing stigma & increasing awareness around mental health, and conversations around the grief & mourning journey.
For work-life balance, she thoroughly enjoys family time, time spent with friends, forest bathing, meditation practice, diving into great books, music, attending therapy, cross-stitching and spoiling her rescued cat.
Fun Fact about Tami: she has an identical Twin sister.
Prashamsa GC,
Senior Employment Counsellor
prashamsa.gc@crmhaa.ca
Prashamsa is currently working as Senior Employment Counsellor on the Let’s Work Team. Originally from Nepal, she has years of experience in working with people coupled with a passion for empowering individuals by providing support and guidance whenever needed. Being able to work with the individuals to assist them achieve their self-identified employment goals while upholding their sense of personal autonomy, self-respect and dignity; and making their employment journey an encouraging experience is something she truly enjoys about her role. Prior to working as a Senior Employment Counsellor, Prashamsa worked as a Trainer for Workplace Essential Skills (WES) Program that provided her with the opportunity to gain more skills on training and facilitation. Prashamsa also worked as the Manager of Grace House, a homeless shelter for women, and has a great interest in the issue of homelessness and the factors that may impact the city's most vulnerable.
Prashamsa is also a certified Traumatic Loss Support Group Facilitator and is currently co-facilitating the Loss Support Group that is being delivered by CRMHAA, which is an 8-session support group for those who experienced a loss and are on a grief & mourning journey.
Apart from this, Prashamsa is an active part of Fredericton's Anti-Racism task Force and is currently serving as the Secretary for the group. The purpose of the Task Force is to provide recommendations to the City Council on ways to combat systemic racism and racial discrimination in Fredericton. Additionally, she is also an active member of Nepali Cultural Association of New Brunswick (NCANB) and is involved in their various projects like conducting language classes, dance classes, organizing various cultural events, etc. Prashamsa has a passion for dance and thoroughly enjoys teaching different Nepali dance forms to people and the exchange of culture that takes place through dance. In her free time, Prashama loves to listen to music, podcasts, go for a hike, and snuggle with her cat.
Shannon Scott,
Employment Counsellor/Social Media Creator
shannon.scott@crmhaa.ca
Shannon is in her 2nd year as part of the Let’s Work Team . Coming from a family with a history of mental health challenges, she went directly towards the Psychology department when she began her studies at St. Thomas University. While completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, she found explanations for what she had witnessed others experiencing and things she was personally experiencing as well. As she was exploring a second major in Native Studies, Shannon was invited to join a book collaboration, completing a chapter as her Honours thesis. Following graduating with distinction, Shannon worked as an Employment Counsellor for several years, supporting Indigenous clients living off-reserve. She brings a wealth of experience, along with expertise in cover letter and resume creation, job searching techniques, a passion for career decision making, and personable client services. Taking her personal history and combining it with her education and work experience, Shannon brings a unique perspective to our team.
In her down time Shannon enjoys spending time in nature, often stepping away from the hustle and bustle of life to enjoy the peace of the wind in the treetops on a hike.
Heidi Leighton
Employment Counsellor
heidi.leighton@crmhaa.ca
Heidi recently joined the Let's Work team in April 2023. Originally from New Brunswick, she has always had a strong sense of curiosity about people from different walks of life, as well as a deep compassion for those facing any form of personal or systemic barriers.
Heidi studied at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work. It was in Ottawa where she began her journey working primarily with adults experiencing income insecurity in the downtown core.
Now with more than a decade of frontline experience, Heidi has enjoyed working in drop-in centres, shelters, supportive living and residential recovery. In her previous role, she worked closely with several of Ottawa's Community Health Centres, as well as with medical students from the University of Ottawa. Among these experiences, Heidi has particularly enjoyed working with individuals facing challenges such as trauma, loneliness, difficulties related to mental health and/or substance use, as well as systemic barriers to income security, including living with a disability and challenges seeking or maintaining employment.
Heidi also spent time in Northern Norway where she attended Nord University, graduating with a Master of Social Work. This opportunity to study among international students and professors from around the world provided her with invaluable knowledge and insight and, most importantly, a wide variety of perspectives on mental health and socioeconomic issues.
Outside of work, Heidi enjoys travelling, exploring, astrology, digging in the dirt, music, dancing, stargazing, sitting in the sunshine, watching the birds with her cat Pico, planting seeds (and watching them grow), creating art, writing, poetry, comforting TV shows, mindfulness, lifelong learning, animals, languages, daydreaming, a good ghost story, challenging the norm, cultural differences, an epic sandwich, space, authenticity and practicing radical acceptance
Jodee Fearn,
Employment Counsellor
jodee.fearn@crmhaa.ca
Jodee is a valued addition to the Let's Work team, bringing with her significant experience as a dedicated Family Support Worker in Fredericton and surrounding communities. Her exceptional track record in assisting vulnerable individuals and families in achieving their unique goals positions her well for her current role as an Employment Counsellor. Following her graduation from St. Thomas University in 2020 with a double major in Philosophy and Criminology, Jodee actively pursued opportunities to effect positive change within the community. Driven by her deep-seated commitment to illuminating the lives of the most vulnerable, Jodee has ambitious plans for continuous education, aligned with her long-term objective of making a meaningful global impact. In her leisure time, she finds solace in nurturing her indoor 'jungle' and indulging in contemplative walks amidst nature and the local community, which she affectionately refers to as her 'mental health walks'.
Marilyn Almeida,
St. Thomas University Internship Student
lets.work@crmhaa.ca
Marilyn is an intern Community Job Developer at Let's Work, who strives to raise program awareness and reduce mental health stigma through meaningful conversations. She collaborates on social media content creation and finds joy in city exploration, cooking, baking, evening walks, picnics by the river, and reading. Marilyn is passionate about Let's Work, considering it an excellent chance to contribute to mental health advocacy.
