A dedicated team of young adults
Each bringing lived experience and critical consultative input.
Jess Baldachin
“I have chosen to volunteer with EP because I believe that when constructing an institution based on building resiliency, recovery and skills in young people, it is crucial to have youth help with its programing and development. From our personal experiences, we can use our perspective to help with decision-making and ultimately create a better environment for youth to flourish and settle into their communities post-treatment.”
Jessica is a psychology graduate of Queen’s University and is now working in marketing and advertising. Jessica has been involved in mental health advocacy for numerous years and is currently sitting on the Eli’s Place Peer Advisory Board. She enjoys promoting community-based resources, practicing wellness based activities and spending time outdoors.
Carmen Li
“Sometimes navigating your mind feels like competing in a triathlon without knowing how to walk, run, jump, swim, or all the fun bits you were already supposed to know already. Know that you don’t need to go about it all on your own.”
My name is Carmen; nice to meet you! I am currently working as a graduate student in oral immunotherapy clinical trials for children with food allergies. You can usually find me at SickKids Hospital. In my spare time, I enjoy trying new recipes and rereading the Sandman by Neil Gaiman.
Jake Bradshaw
“I’ve chosen to volunteer with Eli’s place because young adults who are struggling with severe mental illness are not getting the help they need.”
After taking a semester off of university and struggling with mental illness himself, Jake became heavily involved with mental health advocacy. Jake has advocated for mental health through public speaking, writing and community organizing alongside organizations such as MindBeacon, Jack.org, Bell Let’s Talk, RBC Future Launch, Eli’s Place and the Youth Secretariat. Jake is now working at Greenspace Mental Health to help improve access to mental health supports and services for post-secondary students across Canada.
Charlotte Johnston
“I’ve chosen to volunteer with Eli’s Place because there is an enormous gap in residential treatment services for young folks with severe mental illness, something I have witnessed both professionally and personally. I am eager to see this change and appreciate that EP is including the voices of young adults with lived experience in their program development.”
Charlotte (she/her) is a mental health clinician working with young adults with mental health challenges in community practice in Toronto. Charlotte completed her MSW at the University of Toronto, and BAH and BEd at Queen’s University. Charlotte’s work is informed by lived experience navigating the mental health system, work in peer support and workshop facilitation, and experiences working with children and youth in educational settings. Charlotte is passionate about advocating for access to support for young people that are anti-oppressive and trauma-informed.
Emma Little
“I’ve chosen to volunteer with Eli’s Place because I wanted to ensure young people had a voice in the development of the program and more importantly, I believe that Eli’s Place is going to transform the mental health system for young adults in Canada.”
Emma Little graduated with her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2022. Her focus was on Social Change and Innovation. She is starting a new position at St. Anne’s Family Services in Los Angeles as a Learning & Development Specialist.
Lucksini Raveendran
“Eli’s place will be a safe space where young people with diverse mental health needs and challenges can call home while providing them with the recovery-centered supports needed to one day transition back into the community.”
Lucksini is a first-generation Tamil-Canadian and a health policy professional. Her interests are focused on improving equitable and sustainable access to health service delivery for priority populations, including Indigenous Peoples, racialized populations, seniors, those facing homelessness, among others. This also includes addressing knowledge gaps to better bridge scientific evidence and public policy through timely engagement with different levels of government. She is passionate about the need to incorporate a health equity, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens in the implementation of future policies across Canada’s healthcare system.
Stephanie Wang
“When I think of Eli’s Place, it’s an approach I wish I had access to for my recovery as a young person with lived experience.”
A passionate advocate for relatable and recovery-orientated supports for mental health
