Lauren O’Neill is here for Lansdowne Children’s Centre families

Lauren O’Neill, Lansdowne Children’s Centre’s interim Family Engagement Coordinator, wants client families to know she’s here for them.

“I'm really passionate about bringing back the programs that had been serving them and listening to what they need for their well-being within my capacity here for programming,” Lauren said.

In the past, events like Caregiver Craft Night and Coffee and Chat were a way for families of babies, kids and teens receiving services through Lansdowne – and those on a waitlist – to get a bit of respite, and support and connection with each other at the same time.

"I can offer attentiveness and a good listening ear in a non-judgmental space”

to families, Lauren said.

As a former doula and now a mom to four – one teen, one preteen, and twin toddlers – Lauren said she knows firsthand how drastically people’s lives can change once kids enter the picture.

Of course, that’s not the only time of upheaval someone might experience in their lifetime.

“You can't go through life as quickly when you have little ones, or your own health issues going on, etc., and the systems just aren't quite there yet to make enjoyable experiences for everybody,” she said.

This is something she knows in an anecdotal sense, as well as an academic one. 

Lauren started her position at Lansdowne immediately after completing her master’s degree in Community Psychology; her research was focused improving services for people with FASD and their caregivers.

As a research assistant with the Ishkode Interdisciplinary and Indigenous Pathways to Wellness Research Group and a research coordinator with the Child & Adolescent Research and Education lab, she supported partnered projects and/or program evaluations with the Ontario Association of Young Parent Agencies, The New Brunswick FASD Centre of Excellence, Starling Community Services of Waterloo, Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services, and the YMCA, while also co-developing the annual Youth & Community Connections conference at Laurier.

She greatly enjoyed working with multiple interest holders to improve perspectives and programs for youth and families across Canada, and is grateful to have experiences that nurtured both her fascination with child development and societal impacts on family wellbeing. With extensive background in client relations through hospitality, marketing, and birth work, Lauren is excited to be back in a role with an element of public and direct client engagement.

Lauren said she has always believed that

“Everybody has the right to an enjoyable life and access to all the benefits that being part of society brings without having to have all those barriers that limit your life experiences.”

Broadly speaking, right now she feels “society isn't quite there yet with accessibility and understanding,” as far as supporting those with physical, communication and developmental needs and their families, to their detriment.

“It's society that can limit things; not the individual,” she said. “I'm very passionate about the work that can be done to flip that script.”

That’s why when Lauren was looking for a job, she specifically sought a position that would give her an opportunity to help address the systemic gaps she saw.

“Being a long-term resident of Brantford and knowing the history of Lansdowne, the impact that it's had on the community, Lansdowne was a dream place to be,” Lauren said.

“I love kids …

"Ultimately, I just want to see kids thrive and be the best versions of themselves that they can be, and grow into adults with amazing lives,”

she said.

Lauren invites Lansdowne families to reach out to her to have a conversation about what supports or programming from Family Engagement they would find beneficial. She also wants to hear from families how to best offer programming at the Haldimand and Norfolk sites, and the preferred days and times for programming.

“I’m hoping to get some clear input from families,” she said, adding that while she knows this will be a new resource for families who have just recently connected to Lansdowne, she doesn’t want those who have been with the organization for a long time to be concerned that everything will be overhauled. “I don't want to change anything too drastically … I just really want to get the services back to the families that would appreciate them.”

And even if a family hasn’t been able to access services yet because they’re still on the waitlist, Lauren wants them to know, “We're here for them, we are invested, and we have programs for them that can help provide a well-rounded experience.”