Michelle Knoll (RECE) – Executive Director
Michelle joined the Centre in 2000 as a parent and volunteer. In 2004 Michelle was hired as the Executive Director. Michelle has diplomas in Community Work and Early Childhood Education. She has been a community advocate for the last 42 years in the areas of neighbourhood capacity building, family support, poverty issues, tenants’ rights and inclusion. Michelle believes that a community has all the gifts and talents it needs to meet the challenges within that community if people are given the opportunity to connect and contribute.
Phone: 905-257-6029 ext. 101
Email: michelle@opnc.ca
Paige Lauer (RECE)- Early Years & Community Support Manager
Paige holds a BA in Family and Child Relations and is an RECE. She comes to Oak Park with many years of experience planning and developing inclusive programs for children and their caregivers. Her passion for programming is contagious. She is skilled at making connections, building relationships and earning the trust of her clients. Paige consistently produces engaging, entertaining and educational programs featuring essential aspects of early literacy, knowledge of child development coupled with creativity, spunk and enthusiasm. A recipe that stimulates, educates and inspires. Paige embraces opportunities to grow and evolve and is looking forward to connecting with the Oak Park community.
Phone: 905-257-6029 ext. 105
Email: community@opnc.ca
Lisa Brown – Food Program and Engagement Manager
Lisa and her family have lived in Oak Park since 2002 and have been supporting and engaging with the Neighbourhood Centre for many years. She is a graduate of Sheridan College, where she holds a diploma in journalism. Lisa loves to talk with people and hear their stories because she believes that everyone has a story worth sharing. Lisa values peace and compassion and lives a simplistic lifestyle. She is thrilled to be a part of the team at OPNC and is excited to serve the community.
Phone (905) 257-6029 ext. 100
Email: hello@opnc.ca
Vesna Rabba (RECE) – Preschool Lead Teacher
Vesna is an RECE with over 15 years experience in the field. She has worked with various age groups over the years, from toddlers to JK/SK’s. In 2015 she was promoted to Supervisor within her childcare organization and ran her own full-day Toddler/Preschool program as well as a before and after school JK/SK and School Age program. Vesna is passionate about language and literacy and was a member of the Early Literacy Hamilton committee. After many years of admin duties, Vesna is excited to be back in the classroom again.
Phone: 905-257-6029 ext. 104
Email: preschool@opnc.ca
Alison Lee – Preschool Assistant
I have seven years of experience with children from infancy to school age, along with over 15 years in developmental services. My goal as a preschool teacher is to create an environment where curiosity thrives through games, music, and hands-on activities. I encourage children to explore their interests while developing essential social and cognitive skills. By celebrating their milestones, I aim to build confidence and instill a lifelong love of learning, ensuring each child feels valued and excited about the world around them.
Rochelle Hedman – Youth Program Manager
I’m a fun-loving, hardworking, empathetic, sport and fitness enthusiast with a passion for helping the future generations succeed! With over 10 years of experience (in a school setting, daycare, coaching kids, summer and sports camps, as well as running a recreational martial arts after school program) working and caring for children between the ages of 18 months up to 17 years old! I graduated from the University of Guelph-Humber with a major in Kinesiology and minor in Fitness & Health Promotion. I believe in creating a structured and stimulating daily routine for the children; incorporating educational activities, silly moments and outdoor play to keep the children happy! Being able to support your family through school work, after school extracurriculars and events, as well as any other community work is ideal for me!
Phone: 905-257-6029 ext. 102
Email: youth@opnc.ca
Karen Buck – School Age Care Leader
I am an ECE with 25+ years’ experience. Originally born and educated in Scotland as a Kindergarten teacher, I found the urge to travel in my 20s and lived in France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and finally Switzerland. In each country, I worked in an international school setting teaching from kindergarten to teens including many years dedicated to teaching children with special educational needs. I get an immense amount of pleasure and joy from my daily interactions with all children, helping them thrive and navigate their daily journey
In 2023, my husband and I decided to look for a new challenge. After settling into Oakville, I am delighted and looking forward to joining the wonderful team at Oak Park Neighborhood center.
Phone: 905-257-6029
Email: bacare@opnc.ca
Blair Young- School Age Care Leader
I am a psychology student with over five years of experience working with children and teenagers, primarily in athletic environments. Known for my dedication, work ethic, and compassionate approach, I strive to bring diligence and integrity to every role. With nearly a decade of experience in martial arts as both a participant and instructor, I’m skilled in teaching and motivating young learners, fostering discipline, and promoting a positive mindset. I take pride in building authentic connections and creating supportive, growth-focused environments for those around me.
Phone: 905-257-6029
Email: bacare@opnc.ca
Heather Tompkins – Hope Support
Heather has worked vocationally as a school teacher and leader in a variety of charitable organizations. Heather established a Canadian micro-enterprise to provide practical support for the urban-poor in the Philippines. In frontline programming and as a board member for a Community Centre Heather has used her leadership skills to train, equip and encourage others. As a chaplain for 20 years with a bereavement support centre Heather provided leadership and multi-generational counsel to individuals and group support for the grieving. Over the years Heather has volunteered in many local and international faith-based organizations including work with Romanian orphans.
Email: hope@opnc.ca
Nurali Mukhi – Community Financial Worker
Is a Bsc graduate and has completed Financial Service Essentials from Seneca. He has over 12 years of experience in Tax, financial services, and sales industries. He is able to communicate in English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Urdu. Nurali has also volunteered in community tax clinics. He looks forward to working alongside the OPNC team. He hopes to create a positive impact in the community by providing financial literacy.
Phone: 905-257-6029 ext. 106
Email: taxes@opnc.ca
Maye Abdel Shafy – Tawasul Community Connector
Maye came to the centre in 2012 looking to build a social network and to make new friends for her little ones in her new hometown. With a BA in English literature and a career in education, she sees every individual as a unique story and a chance to learn something new. She quickly became one of the active members of the Centre, chiming into its tune of community support with an initiative to help newcomers and refugees and thus our program “Tawasul” was born.
Email: tawasul@opnc.ca
Latifah Thompson- Churchill Community Navigator
Latifah is a Registered Social Worker with a master’s degree in social work. She has a special interest in newcomer experiences, vulnerable populations, and working with folks from marginalized communities. She incorporates Indigenous worldviews into her daily delivery of services by locating herself and acknowledging her own privilege and power as a racialized settler that is situated in the Town of Oakville which resides on the treaty lands and traditional territory of the Mississaugas, Wendat, and Haudenosaunee. As a non-Indigenous person, Latifah acknowledges her own privilege and power as an African Canadian who is a guest on these lands. She practices critical self-reflection which helps her reflect on her experiences with service users by processing what she did right, what she did wrong, the power dynamics that were at play, her biases in the experience, assumptions, and her social location.
Phone: 905-257-6029 ext. 109
Email: navigator@opnc.ca
Charlene Abrahams- Inclusion Specialist
Charlene joined OPNC in 2006 and has provided supports for families and children with complex needs for over 25 years. Charlene is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, adult and community learning specialist and family educator. She brings experience and training in the areas of supportive parenting, developmental ages and stages, stress management and anxiety, and wellness for children and adults with complex needs. Charlene enjoys being active outdoors, long bike rides and exploring thriller novels in her spare time. Charlene is excited to work collaboratively with OPNC families and students in our before/afterschool programs, preschool and supporting program staff with strategies and accommodations. She is eager to be part of supporting the inclusion of children in programs to ensure they flourish alongside their peers and teachers and thrive at school and in the community.
