About LakeCity
Welcome to LakeCity Works!
LakeCity Works supports people living with mental illness to build on their strengths, take on responsibilities, and access work experience, education, and employment empowering each person to reach their full potential.
As a charitable organization, LakeCity Works connects people living with mental illness to paid employment opportunities and career navigation coaching services to support their journey towards employment.
On average, LakeCity serves approximately 300 people per year through various programs, activities and skill building opportunities, such as employment, job coaching, recreation and therapeutic volunteer activities.
Our Vision
Whole Person
Impactful Opportunities
Inclusive Communities
Our Purpose
To empower people to be their best selves and thrive.
Our Mission
LakeCity Works supports people living with barriers to mental health to build on their strengths, foster wellbeing, and access training, work experience, and employment.
Our Values
Empowerment
Positivity
Teamwork
Accountability
Impact
Our History
Launched in 1972, under the Dartmouth Activity Centre, LakeCity Works officially became a registered charity in 1982. Originally founded as a drop-in center for clients of mental health support services, LakeCity Works has always been deeply rooted in therapeutic woodworking, community support and social innovation.
At the time, clients identified work as an important means to reintegrating the community, and so, a wood shop and retail business were developed alongside woodworking activities. Our organization has seen a continuous evolution over the years, evolving from LakeCity Industries in 1982 to LakeCity Employment Services Association in 1986 and most recently, to LakeCity Works in 2018.
At every turn, we have been leaders and innovators in the field of mental health – supporting individuals living with mental illness wherever they may be in their recovery process.
The Board
“Our board members bring a wonderful mix of skills, experience and ideas to LakeCity Works. We are continuously seeking to complement the group with new perspectives that challenge and expand our ability to advance our goals. We are committed to the vision of “Whole Person + Impactful Opportunities + Inclusive Communities” and believe LakeCity Works has the people, heart and smarts to make it happen.”
— Donna Rubenstein, Member at Large
Sophie Eld
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sophie holds a degree with honours in Business Management from The University of Sunderland. Sophie has held multiple leadership roles in the U.K. before moving to Canada in 2017. Sophie has contributed to Nova Scotia through a range of business coaching and consultancy roles, supporting non-profits, social enterprises, and commercial organizations. When the opportunity came to support LakeCity Works during the onset of the pandemic, Sophie was delighted to take on the role of Director of Business Continuity, and eventually succeeding the outgoing Executive Director in June 2021.
Cristina Firmini
CHAIR
As a native of Bedford, Cristina received her Bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s University and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. Cristina joined the LakeCity Works Board in 2018 and currently practices law as in-house legal counsel with Halifax-based I.M.P. Group Limited. She also acts as I.M.P.’s chief privacy officer. Cristina currently volunteers with the Canadian Bar Society’s local Corporate Counsel Association.
Tim Sullivan
TREASURER
Tim Sullivan graduated from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and started at MNP LLP (Formerly WBLI Chartered Accountants) in Business Advisory and Assurance. He earned his CPA designation and transitioned to the tax department full-time in 2017. His areas of focus are personal taxes and the taxation of trusts and estates along with corporate reorganizations. He is currently enrolled in CPA Canada’s In-depth Tax program. He also volunteers on the board of the Halifax Estate Planning Council.
Jim Simmons
SECRETARY
Jim studied at Dalhousie University, obtaining a science degree in Biology and the Technical University of Nova Scotia, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering.Jim Simmons is a professional engineer and Fellow of Engineers Canada (F.E.C.) who provides consulting services to the recycling industry in Nova Scotia. He worked as an environmental professional for 37 years practicing scrap tire recycling, sustainable community development, renewable energy, water resource engineering, and environmental investigations.
Ron Sherrard
MEMBER AT LARGE
Ron Sherrard graduated from the University of King’s College with a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours). He has worked as a reporter and producer at CBC Radio, Halifax, and has been involved in provincial and federal politics. He was Government/Caucus Liaison in the Nova Scotia Premier’s office. He continues to be involved in politics, primarily at the municipal level, working to improve life in his Dartmouth community. He also volunteers at the Churchill Academy Board, an independent, not-for-profit school specializing in a curriculum aimed at meeting the educational needs of students with learning challenges.
Lori Smith
MEMBER AT LARGE
Lori Smith leads the team of professionals responsible for RBC’s community marketing, internal and external communications, and corporate citizenship across the Atlantic Provinces. A strong believer in community, Lori has given her time and expertise to a number of local charities and causes, including the Canadian Red Cross, Ski NS, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halifax. She currently sits on the boards of LakeCity Works and Children’s Wish.
Dr. Kiran Pure
MEMBER AT LARGE
Dr. Pure earned her Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD in Clinical Psychology) from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and has worked in a number of public and private health care settings over the past 30 years. Kiran Pure Ph.D. is a registered psychologist with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners of Psychologists (NSBEP), and a member of the Association of Psychologists in Nova Scotia (APNS) and Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). Dr. Pure provides supervision and consultation to other psychologists regarding professional and ethical issues as well as training and supervision to Ph.D. level residents/interns, psychology candidate registrants for NSBEP, and undergraduate students completing co-op placements. Dr. Pure is active in her community and volunteers her time to sit on a variety of Boards, and do presentations and workshops for parents, children/adolescents, and professionals when requested.
Maria Simmons
MEMBER AT LARGE
Funders & Community Partners
Creating a more accepting & inclusive employment community.
As a successful social enterprise, LakeCity Works independently generates a significant proportion of the organization’s operating budget. However, our service to the community would not be possible without the ongoing support of donors, funders and community partners, including:
We are open to partnership and collaboration with a diverse range of people and organizations to create a more accepting and inclusive employment community.