Complimentary Webinar with Franny's Fund Beneficiaries
This webinar is open to all CHW supporters
Join us for complimentary panel discussion with the beneficiaries of Franny’s Fund. Franny’s Fund is supported by CHW’s S.O.S – Starting Over Safely Campaign — a vital initiative empowering victims of violence and trauma in Israel and Canada to reclaim their lives with dignity and hope. Read more below about the speakers from each beneficiary program.
The discussion will be moderated by Steve Benmor, the founder and principal lawyer of Benmor Family Law Group. Steve is a Certified Specialist in Family Law with 30 years of in-depth knowledge.
Learn more about how you are making an impact here in Canada through Franny’s Fund.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14
2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT
VIA ZOOM
Discover how your support is creating safe spaces, new beginnings, and brighter futures for women and children in need.
Together, we can help survivors not just survive — but thrive. Let’s rise, rebuild, and renew — side by side.
Register today and be part of something truly meaningful.
In support of CHW’s S.O.S – Starting Over Safely Campaign to empower victims of violence and trauma in Israel and Canada.
ABOUT FRANNY’S FUND:
Due to the difficulties of navigating the legal system and managing both the financial and emotional strain of being a victim of domestic abuse, Franny’s Fund was created to provide help for parents and families in need of an urgent response, who are unable to access critical services. Thanks to CHW’s support Franny’s Fund is accessible through centres in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Calgary. The early intervention of counselling significantly impacts the success of these participants in the future.
In partnership with Franny’s Fund, administered through the Canadian justice system, at-risk women and children across the country will have access to the necessary support for legal counsel or therapeutic counselling services.
MEET OUR PANEL OF BENEFICIARIES
LUNA CHILD & YOUTH ADVOCACY CENTRE, CALGARY
Karen Orser is a registered Social Worker and the CEO of the Luna Child & Youth Advocacy Centre. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary and an MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads University. Karen has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, and has held leadership roles at the YW Calgary and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary & Area.
With a deep commitment to trauma-informed care and collaborative leadership, Karen oversees a multidisciplinary team that includes law enforcement, medical professionals, mental health experts, and victim services —all working together to ensure children receive comprehensive support in a safe, welcoming environment.
Under Karen’s leadership, Luna has become a national model for integrated service delivery. She has also championed partnerships with institutions like the University of Calgary to advance research and evaluation in child abuse intervention, helping shape a more responsive and evidence-based system of care.
Counselling and Family Service Ottawa, OTTAWA
Léa Gabrielle N’ZI has a D.U.T. in Secretarial Studies with several years of experience and obtained a BA in International Development at King’s College London (United Kingdom) and at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a MA in Feminist & Gender Studies at uOttawa.
Lea is passionate about exploring violence against women and children, whether it occurs in private or public spheres, including marital rape. Lea is interested in analyzing these phenomena and their effects, as well as the means of preventing and tackling them. Together, these issues, which are still widely neglected, have devastating effects, felt both individually and collectively. Since mid-April 2024, Lea has been working at CFS Ottawa on the Child and Youth Court Witness Program (CYWSP) and has gained and continues to develop valuable skills in supporting and assisting victims and their families in their quest for justice. Lea’s commitment to work at CYWSP is deeply rooted in a core belief that every woman and child who is a victim or witness of violence deserves justice.
Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, Toronto
Sarah Axelson serves as Director of Development at Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), where she works to ensure that youth in Toronto who have experienced physical and sexual abuse receive the support and resources they and their families need. With extensive non-profit experience, including previous work at Covenant House Toronto, Sarah leads development initiatives that secure vital funding for CYAC’s trauma-informed care and advocacy services. Passionate about helping others and deeply committed to strengthening her community, Sarah also enjoys spending time with her three boys and family.
Fondation Marie-Vincent, Montreal
Lisa Clowery is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 20 years of leadership in the social and philanthropic sectors. She is currently the President & CEO of the Fondation Marie-Vincent, where she leads mission-driven initiatives focused on both the prevention of sexual violence and support for children and adolescents who experienced it.
Previously, Lisa served as Co-CEO of the One Drop Foundation, where she led global fundraising and strategic partnerships to improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Prior to that, she was part of the senior management team at the Breakfast Club of Canada, where she was responsible for the national fundraising strategy and revenue generation, playing a key role in the organization’s national expansion.
Lisa studied Marketing from Concordia University and is recognized for her inclusive leadership, strategic vision, and deep commitment to advancing social impact.
Treehouse Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, Vancouver
Leah Zille is the Executive Director of Treehouse Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
Driven by a deep commitment to creating safer, healthier futures for children and youth, Leah Zille, B.Comm, is a seasoned non-profit leader with over twenty years of experience advancing systems that protect and uplift vulnerable young people and their families across British Columbia. As Executive Director of Treehouse Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Vancouver, she leads an integrated model that brings police, social work, victim services, and counselling together under one roof, ensuring children who have experienced abuse receive timely, trauma-informed support and a coordinated path to healing.
Leah’s leadership extends beyond Treehouse as Chair of both the BC Network of Child and Youth Advocacy Centres and Child and Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada, and as a Council of Champions member with Children First Canada, contributing to stronger provincial and national responses for children impacted by abuse and violence.
Her extensive community service includes past appointments as a provincial member of the Port Moody Police Board, Chair of the BC Association of Police Boards, Chair of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, and as a national board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. She continues to give back as a volunteer with her local amateur hockey association and as a police-based victim services volunteer with her municipal police department.
Leah holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia.
Homefront, Calgary
Nicole is a High-Risk Management Initiative (HRMI) Case Manager at HomeFront. She graduated from the University of Calgary with her Bachelor of Social Work and went straight into the field of domestic violence, which is her passion. She started at HomeFront as a volunteer before moving into a relief position followed by a full-time Case Manager position. She has now been in her current role as an HRMI Case Manager for two and a half years.
Nicole’s case load consists of files that have been assessed as the highest risk of domestic homicide and check-ins with clients once a matter has been resolved through court, as we know that there is an increase in risk in the first 30 days post-resolution. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her dog Sadie, who is a 14-year-old American Eskimo, and travelling with her partner – the last places they went were Ireland and Scotland, which were both amazing!
MEET OUR MODERATOR:
Steve Benmor, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M. (Family Law), C.S., Cert.F.Med., C.Arb., is the founder and principal lawyer of Benmor Family Law Group, a boutique matrimonial law firm in downtown Toronto.
He is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and was admitted as a Fellow to the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers.
Steve is regularly retained as a Divorce Mediator/Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator.
Steve uses his 30 years of in-depth knowledge of family law, court-room experience and expert problem-solving skills in Divorce Mediation/Arbitration to help spouses reach fair, fast and cooperative divorce settlements without the financial losses, emotional costs and lengthy delays from divorce court.
