Chris has been supporting CSA survivors for over a decade and now works as a counsellor. As a survivor and co-founder of The Ironwood Project, Chris brings a unique and empathetic approach to his work at Ironwood. He is currently hosting our Men's Support Group and our Partners and Parents Support Group.
Jodi is a counsellor a with Bachelor of Applied Arts, a Bachelor of Education, and Emotional Health Practitioner certification from Trent University. Jodi is a co-founder of The Ironwood Project and currently she is hosting our Partners and Parents Support Group.
Sabrina is a Registered Social Worker with an Honours degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has spent 18 years working in community corrections. Throughout her career Sabrina has supported clients affected by trauma, abuse, neglect, addictions, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Melissa Loyer is the owner of Balance Meditation Coaching and a certified meditation coach. Melissa brings mindfulness, humour and a holistic approach to supporting her clients' wellness. Melissa can also be found at Cornerstone Health where she works in patient services.
Gennie has been supporting CSA survivors for over a decade at The Gatehouse and The Ironwood Project. She brings her experience in healthcare and currently hosting support groups.
Katie is an HR professional with over twenty five years experience in retail management. Katie brings her expertise leading Canadian Tire and Home Depot teams to success.
The Ironwood Project is a not-for-profit organization based in Halton Hills, dedicated to improving the lives of survivors of childhood sexual abuse, supporting their families, and protecting children from future abuse. We believe every survivor deserves compassion, support, and a safe space to heal.
In 2025, Ironwood expanded its reach through a range of free, trauma-informed programs and community initiatives. Survivors benefit from weekly support groups, held three evenings a week, creating consistent opportunities for healing and peer connection. Recognizing the impact of trauma on families, we also host monthly partner and parent support groups, strengthening the resilience of the survivor's support system.
Specialized workshops provide practical tools and healing opportunities, including Self-Defence for Trauma Survivors, Introduction to Somatic Therapy, Intimacy After Trauma for Women, Intimacy After Trauma for Couples, and Introduction to Equine Therapy. Creative expression is fostered through Art Nights such as mosaic glass and pottery workshops.
Prevention and education are equally central to our mission. In June, we hosted a Sexual Abuse Prevention Night at the John Elliott Theatre, while our presence at the Georgetown Farmers' Market helped raise awareness and reduce stigma. We also supported professionals through ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and provided trauma education for Halton Regional Police Victim Services.
Ironwood additionally serves as a “soft space” for police to conduct victim interviews, ensuring compassion during critical moments. By offering all programs free of charge, we remove barriers, empower survivors, strengthen families, and advance community-wide prevention of sexual abuse.
Since its founding in 2019, The Ironwood Project has implemented innovative, community-centered practices to address the unique challenges faced by survivors of child sexual abuse and their families. What began as a single weekly peer support group has grown into a wide range of programs, including specialized workshops, art nights, prevention initiatives, and family-focused supports. This expansion reflects both the evolving needs of survivors and Ironwood's commitment to meeting those needs with creativity and compassion.
A key innovation lies in how Ironwood integrates traditional peer support with specialized, trauma-informed programming. For example, workshops such as Self-Defence for Trauma Survivors, Introduction to Somatic Therapy, and Intimacy After Trauma provide survivors with both practical tools and opportunities for healing. Art Nights use creative expression to reduce barriers to participation, allowing survivors to engage in recovery in a non-clinical, welcoming environment.
Ironwood also partners closely with the broader community, blending prevention and education into its mission. Initiatives such as the Sexual Abuse Prevention Night at the John Elliott Theatre, public outreach at the Georgetown Farmers' Market, and training for police and mental health professionals represent innovative ways to address abuse not only at the individual level but also through systemic change.
The organization's model has earned wide community recognition, including being named the 2025 Chamber of Commerce Association of the Year - Not For Profit and being voted Best Charity in Georgetown in 2023 and 2024. In addition, The Ironwood Project was recognized with funding from 100 Women Who Care Halton Hills (2023) and 100 Men Who Care Halton Hills (2025). These honours underscore Ironwood's role as a trusted, innovative resource advancing healing, resilience, and prevention.
The Ironwood Project has built meaningful community partnerships that extend the impact of our work beyond survivors and their families to strengthen the entire Halton Hills community. These collaborations allow us to expand our reach, share resources, and create safer, more informed spaces for healing and prevention. A key partnership is with the Halton Regional Police Services. Ironwood provides a “soft space” for victim interviews, ensuring survivors of sexual and violent crimes are supported in a trauma-sensitive environment. We also contribute to police training and collaborate with the Victim Services Unit, reinforcing a community-wide approach to victim care. Local businesses and service providers are another vital part of our partnerships. With CircaFit, we co-hosted a Self-Defence for Trauma Survivors workshop, blending physical empowerment with trauma awareness. We regularly partner with local artists for our Art Nights, offering survivors creative, accessible ways to process their healing while supporting the local arts community. Ironwood also plays a role in community education and prevention. Collaborations with organizations like the Northwood Collective enable us to host a Sexual Abuse Prevention Night, while outreach at the Downtown Georgetown Farmers' Market helped us raise awareness and reduce stigma in everyday community spaces. These partnerships reflect Ironwood's culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and community responsibility. By working alongside local organizations, businesses, and professionals, we not only empower survivors but also advance our mandate of prevention and education—ensuring that the entire community plays a role in protecting children and supporting healing.
The Ironwood Project has grown year after year because the need for our services is undeniable. In Halton Hills, one in three women and one in six men are survivors of child sexual abuse. These numbers highlight both the depth of the issue and the vital importance of the work we do.
Our mission is to provide survivors with a safe, supportive space where they can heal, rebuild, and develop lasting strength and resilience. The most meaningful measure of our impact comes directly from those we serve. Their voices, experiences, and stories reflect the hope, healing, and long-term change that The Ironwood Project makes possible.
“Ironwood has been a lighthouse in the storm of my life not the buoy which barely kept me afloat not the ship that came to save me from drowning, but rather the shining light they provided a path and gave me courage to be my own saviour. I will forever be grateful for the immense and transformative impact and support this organization its participants and hosts have brought to my life.”
“Ironwood has quite literally saved my life. It's a safe place to come and know I will be heard.”
“In this community, I have found understanding, support, education, and lifelong friendships. It's the one place where I can show up as just me, and trust that that is enough. It is my safe place.”
“I am so grateful to have found a community where I am understood, supported, and appreciated. I don't know where I would be without it. I am so appreciative to have this opportunity to heal, and live a more balanced life."
“I look forward to being able to serve and support this community in return for the rest of my life. These are my people, and I am eternally grateful for their kind, unwavering commitment to survivors."
"Walking through the door for my first group session is one of the hardest things I've ever done. But it's also one of the best. It is here that I learned I am not defective. That all the guilt, pain, shame and myriad of other things I've struggled with my whole life are what Chris calls, “A reasonable response to an unreasonable situation”. These words are a gift, they are my freedom. Every time I share my story with the incredible people involved with this group, I see heads nod in solidarity, and am met with overflowing compassion, understanding, and support. I have attended Ironwood for four years, and in that time, I have done more healing than I have in my entire life. This group quite literally saved my life. From the bottom of my heart, to all the donors and supporters who make Ironwood possible, thank you. You are changing lives in ways immeasurable and profound."
