Cathy Dandy

Director, Parent and Youth Engagement at Kinark Child and Family Services

Cathy Dandy

Cathy Dandy is the Director, Parent and Youth Engagement at Kinark Child and Family Services. She has been a passionate advocate for parent and youth voice for over 15 years. Cathy served for six years as Spokesperson and Coordinator for the Toronto Parent Network (TPN) after gaining much advocacy experience with a provincial group, People for Education. In addition to building a plan of parent and youth engagement at Kinark, Cathy was elected to the Toronto District School Board in November 2006 as Trustee for the Toronto Danforth riding.

Cathy is a strong believer in building systems that support children, youth and families. Her experience as an advocate has taught her that this happens when children, youth and families have a voice. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from York University and has completed course work for her Masters degree at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/ University of Toronto). Cathy also is the mother of a son and two daughters who remind her daily of the diversity of strengths and opportunities children and youth bring us!

Cathy’s extensive experience in children’s mental health, education and the community includes:
Director, Parent and Youth Engagement at Kinark Child and Family Services
Trustee, Ward 15, Toronto District School Board
Spokesperson and Coordinator, Toronto Parent Network (2000-2006)
Toronto Parent Network Representative, Mayor’s Roundtable on Children, Youth and Education (2005-2006)
Board Member, Community Care East York (2004-2005)
Board Member, Everdale Environmental Learning Centre (2004-2005)
Community representative on TDSB Pathways/At Risk Task Force, Environmental Policy Implementation Team, Criminal Reference Check Committee and Workplace Harassment Committee (2003-2004)
Co-chair, Campaign for Public Education (2001-2003)
Board Member, Metro Network for Social Justice (2000-2001)
Steering Committee Member, People for Education (1996-2000)