Born and raised in Oxford County, Jane Scheel has been living in Norfolk County since 1977.
During her time in the community, she’s worked at a family business in Delhi and in Fanshawe College’s Developmental Services Worker program.
But, it’s her work with the Haldimand-Norfolk Women’s Services team that she’s most proud of.
Scheel, the Executive Director, has been with Women’s Services for over 30 years and joined the team when the shelter was just 2-years-old.
Since joining, Scheel says it’s been great to see the growth in services they provide.
Continuing, she explains that, with 34 staff, they provide a lot of services outside their residential space that people might not know about.
Scheel says that Women’s Services is the lead organization for the Justice for Women Review Team, a collaborative team filled with community partners whose service may relate to domestic violence.
They’re also actively involved with helping children, with two programs with both boards of education.
Star Power, Scheel explains, is in every secondary school in Haldimand and Norfolk County and offers students one-on-one counselling and education through classroom presentations.
The second program is based out of elementary schools which allows Councillors to visit with children who may have witnessed abuse in a safe environment.
Both of these programs have been operating in the community for over 25 years now.
Scheel continues, saying they also offer Women’s Counselling, a Transitional and housing support program, and a sexual assault abuse program.
Along with their programs, Scheel says they’ve been focused on building partnerships in the community, from their female empowerment Girls Power camp to their work with Homes House.
Despite the work they do, Scheel believes there might sometimes be a negative perception of shelters or Women’s Services teams from movies or tv.
She refutes that, explaining that they have a welcoming and safe haven for people in need.
Her full interview can be heard below: