Executive Director
Barb has spent the last 30 years working with children and youth in the fields of outdoor recreation, summer camping, and event planning. She brings experience as a General Manager and Executive Director in the not for profit sectors. Barb spent 20+years managing an ancillary recreation centre at Seneca College where she developed an outdoor adventure camp and integrated children and young adults with special needs into the programs. Since moving to the Blue Mountains Barb has volunteered for Big Brother Big Sisters Georgian Triangle and the Beaver Valley Outreach. Barb’s passion is working with people and making a difference in her community.

Program Director
Shelley Higginson is the Founder and Program Director at Events for Life Centre. (EFL) Starting in the summer of 2013, Shelley had a vision and together with two friends, began this “grass roots organization” at her farm in Meaford. Shelley realized that once students with special needs graduated from high school at the age of 21, there wasn’t anything for them to do. For two summers Shelley ran a summer program providing recreational activities, social skills and lifelong learning for the students. The word got out, the numbers went up and the program expanded to the basement of the United Church in Thornbury. In 2017 EFL became Incorporated as a Not for Profit charity as was generously gifted the use of the farm house, garage/workshop and use of the trails at Beaver Creek Farms in Thornbury. Shelley has an extensive background and certifications in special education. Formally trained as an Educational Assistant at Georgian College, she has worked as an EA at Georgian Bay Secondary School, supporting youth with special needs in skill development and academic improvement. Shelley represents the architect for progressive growth. She has enhanced program offerings and established community partnerships, while pivoting with grace and integrity to ensure that each individual participants and their family members are respected and honoured for their unique strengths, gifts, and lifestyle. Shelley manages 2 full time staff, occasional part-time staff, seasonal coop students and trains over 30 volunteers from the local community. By completing the Crestcom International Bullet Proof Management course Shelley has, elevated her leadership expertise and enhanced communication for continuous improvement and growth. Shelley continues to live on her farm with her husband and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren Bo and Blake. Shelley is living proof that when you have a vision and are driven to succeed, dreams to come true.

Support Staff
Brenda has a background in the education field as an Educational Assistant. Brenda is a calm and compassionate person and she brings these qualities to the EFL program. She has seen the need for programs like EFL in our community and jumped at the opportunity to be part of the program. She finds it to be one of the most rewarding experiences in her career of helping people with special needs.

Office Manager
Katrina has spent the last 11 years raising her two boys and the last 4 of them being the part-time Office Manager at The Bowering Lodge and Eagle Maxadventures. Katrina has lived in the community of Thornbury for 30+ years and loves to see how it has come together to support EFL. Prior to having children, Katrina volunteered at a turtle refuge and hostel in Costa Rica, the Georgian Bay Animal Rescue, worked as Program manager at Sail Georgian Bay and worked in the banking industry for 6 years. Katrina is thankful to join such a great team who is making a difference in our community.

Support Staff
Ernie has been with us since May 2022 and is currently finishing school as a DSW. He has a background as a chef and brings a plethora of knowledge with him that has helped grow our culinary goals. He has been involved with Special Olympics from a young age and is currently our Meaford/Thornbury Fireballs bowling teams head coach. He is a young leader that is looking forward to helping grow our team and expand our possibilities in the future.

Support Staff

Kait is from the Markdale area and has been with EFL since April 2022. Kait has supported people from Children to Seniors. She has also been a Personal Support Worker for over 10 years. Kait brings her experience in care, compassion and helping others achieve their personal best to our team at EFL.
She enjoys camping, sports and spending as much as she can with her nieces and nephews.