Tina L. Vale, Founder/Manager

Grace Home for Youth is the dream becoming the reality for it's founder. Tina has always had a passion for caring for others. Her career began in Early Childhood Education. Tina obtained her E.C.E. Diploma from Niagara College in Welland in 1995. Tina ran day care from her home, where she provided care for children which included educationally and developmentally appropriate activites, provision of nutritious meals and snacks and close working relationships with the families to meet the children's individual needs.

Tina took a break from the day care business to assist her (late) husband with his business. During this time, she honed her organizational and customer relation skills, among others, as an Office Manager for eight (8) years. Tina also trained staff and supervised co-op students. In 2008, Tina returned to her preferred career path and began working privately for a client with MS. In April 2008, Tina began work with the Canadian Red Cross as a Community Support Worker, where she still works at this time, visiting clients in their homes to provide personal care, respite care, meal prep etc.

Through her Community work, Tina has direct experience with various age groups and various conditions including, but not limited to Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, general dementia, COPD, CVA, Lesch-Nyhan Disease, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Asperger's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Acquired Brain Injury, transverse myelitis, cancer and behavioural issues such as ADHD and ODD. Tina has also provided compassionate care to palliative clients.

Over the years, Tina has continued her education through Niagara College with various counselling and psychology courses. She also has plans to enrol in further courses including pharmacology. Through her training, Tina has become knowledgeable in many areas, including, but not limited to, cognitive and physical development, ethnic and cultural diversity, individualized care planning, illnesses and the effects on families, medications awareness, nutritional needs, basic care skills, lifts and transfers, charting and reporting, range of motion (ROM) exercises, abuse awareness and detection and effective communication with clients and families. Tina has achieved her PA+2 Status (with Honours) and is currently finishing the program to obtain her PSW certificate.

Tina is a life-long Niagara resident. Tina's passion for caring also extends to the animal world, having fostered animals for the Lincoln County Humane Society and Animal Assistance.

Through all of her career and educational pursuits, Tina's most important aspect of life is her daughter, Monica Grace, for whom the home is named. Monica is 20 years old now and pursuing her own education in the Psychology field, though she is also involved with the home.

Monica G. Vale, Assistant Manager

Monica has spent the past 1 1/2 years as a Night Manager in the food service industry. Through this experience she has honed her training and supervisory skills, as well as customer relations. Monica was also employed previously as a Personal Assistant to a client with MS, in which she provided personal care and meal preparation duties and gained experience using a track lift.

Currently, in addition to assisting with Grace Home, Monica is pursuing her education at Niagara College in the field of Psychology.

PSW Staff

Grace Home for Youth will seek certified PSWs to work with us. Hands on experience is an asset, as well as demonstrated leaderships skills and effective client and family communication and interaction. Interested applicants are welcome to forward resumes, keeping in mind that the home is slated for opeing in Fall 2010. In the meantime, interested applicants are welcome to volunteer assistance in the planning and preparation stages.