Meet the Team

  • Kayla Nyp

    Program Manager

    Kayla is a graduate of the Bachelor of Psychology Program at the University of Waterloo.  She has 3 years of experience working with children between the local schoolboard as an EA and in outdoor education doing summer camps.  Kayla loves Rainbows because she believes that every girl deserves to feel seen, valued and empowered to explore, create and express herself with confidence and Joy.

  • Kelly Mills

    Assistant Program Manager

    Kelly is graduate of the first Personal Support Worker program offered in The County through Loyola Community Learning Centre.  She has 20+ years of experience providing quality care to seniors in our community.  Kelly is a long-time resident born and raised in PEC, growing up in Milford and spending time on Big Island and Point Petre with family.  She is a single mother, an artisan and going into her 6th year working with Rainbows.  Kelly loves Rainbows because we offer opportunities for building self-esteem, creating positive peer and adult relationships, sparking imagination, learning self-regulation and having the courage to challenge themselves in a non-judgmental, supportive environment.

  • Beth Lafay

    Executive Director

    Beth Lafay is a graduate of the one of a kind Bachelor’s Program in Community, Economic and Social Development from Algoma University.  Her 15+ years of experience has ranged from working in education, First Nations communities and women and children experiencing violence.  Beth loves Rainbows because she sees role modeling healthy relationships as a preventative model for girls experiencing violence as they grow and learn in life.

A sense of belonging and empowerment grows when we are connected with people who are compassionate, encourage us to be brave, strong and confident. Rainbows does this for girls because staff and volunteers ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk’.

Board of Directors:

Reaching for Rainbows is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors. The members of the Board provide vital governance, strategic direction, and oversight for the organization to keep the Reaching for Rainbows vision sustainable and moving forward. They believe that girls deserve the same opportunities in life to thrive.

Meet the Team

  • Jeff Phinney

    Chair

    Jeff is a proud member of the local community, having grown up here and developed a lifelong connection to the people and place around him. After spending 35 years in the IT and Cyber security field, Jeff followed a new path focused on wellness, connection, and service. He is now a yoga instructor and Reiki Master with Serendipity Yoga.

    Jeff joined the Board of Directors a year and a half ago and currently serves as Chair. He is honoured to contribute his time and experience to an organization that supports young girls in the community. For Jeff, being part of this work is an opportunity to give back, help strengthen the community he grew up in, and support programs that help young people feel valued, confident, and connected.

  • Amanda Flude

    Vice Chair

    Amanda brings over 20 years of strategic communications experience to her role on the Rainbows board. Since joining in 2021, she has welcomed the opportunity to combine her passion for volunteering with her recognition that a strong sense of belonging during formative years is crucial for children to learn and grow. She and her husband are raising their two daughters in Prince Edward County, and joining the program felt especially poignant as she deeply feels that healthy self-esteem in young girls is essential for letting their light shine confidently and brightly! 

  • Katrine Ellingsen

    Treasurer

    Katrine has worked in global business development for a professional services firm and in technology sales. Now living in Prince Edward County and in the hospitality industry. she would have so loved a program like Rainbows when she was in her early years. Supporting young girls is essential!

  • Natasha Patel

    Secretary
    Social Media/Communication

    Natasha is an artist and graphic designer, residing on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg, Wendat and Haudenosaunee Peoples and adjacent to the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) community of Tyendinaga (Prince Edward County, Ontario).

    She is passionate about protecting animals and children, hoping to make valuable contributions to Reaching for Rainbows, a vital support system for the little girls of the community.

  • Gillian Orton

    Gillian is the Director of FreeSchool Co-op in Demorestville. She is a graduate of Early Childhood Education from Sheridan college. She loves Reaching for Rainbows because she has a passion for supporting children’s development through play, exploration, and community support. Every child matters!

  • Debbie Rankin

    Debbie hold an Honours Degree in Physical Education from Queens/University of Toronto.

    She has spent her professional career working in the Life Insurance industry. Working with a global company (Sun Life Financial) provided her with opportunities to work with clients across the globe.

    She was born in The County, moving to Toronto after grade three. She moved back to the County in 2009 and have held many volunteer roles. She is excited to be joining the Reaching for Rainbows team. She believes in the value Rainbows provides to young girls and truly thinks we can change lives for the better.

Volunteers

Our staff is supported by a team of dedicated volunteers who generously give their time and care to  provide support in the playroom. These  volunteers have helped change the lives of over 200 girls and their families and it is their presence and skill in the playroom supporting the work of the staff that makes Reaching for Rainbows the unique program that it is. 

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in volunteering!

Please fill out our volunteer form and we will be in touch.

VOLUNTEER