Board and Volunteers

Brenda has been a long-time advocate for inner city issues, after years of involvement with the Parent Advisory Councils in two Vancouver inner city schools. She was a founding member of Vancouver Inner City Parents, an advocacy group which worked toward equity in school funding in Vancouver. She has been involved in several non-profit community boards in east Vancouver and has extensive experience in fundraising and organizing events.

Brenda joined the CLICK board because she understands firsthand how local neighbourhood programs can contribute so much to children’s lives, and that finding money to support these programs is often a struggle for organizers.

Brenda is a Manitoba native and has lived in east Vancouver for over 30 years. In 2002, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and in 2012, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her community service.

Shane holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and is working towards his CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation.

He works at a public practice accounting firm in downtown Vancouver and enjoys the variety and challenges that come with the range of clients he has in public practice.

In his spare time Shane likes to run the seawall or catch a movie. He’s also a big Canucks fan.

Shane was inspired to join the CLICK team because growing up in south Vancouver he attended school with economically disadvantaged students. He saw that they didn’t have the same life opportunities as he did and wants to work to change that situation through CLICK.

Annie is a Toronto native who has lived in Vancouver since 1972 and in East Vancouver since 1986. She became involved at her daughter’s inner city elementary school was a founding member of the advocacy and advisory group Vancouver Inner City Parents Group. Annie also served as chair of the parent advisory councils at both elementary and secondary levels and has been a representative and chair of the Vancouver District Parent Council.

Annie volunteered in her community in schools and neighbourhood houses, and joined the CLICK board soon after its launch. In 2002, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for her community service. Annie is a firm believer that all children deserve to have access to the support and resources that will bring out their best selves.

Catherine co-founded CLICK in 2001 with Alva Jenson, a former inner city teacher and consultant at the Vancouver School Board. Catherine was a single mother for many years and raised her two sons in the inner city. She observed first-hand the struggles of working poor families, and the effects of poverty on their children’s opportunities and self-esteem.

Serving as CLICK’s president for 10 years, Catherine is passionate about making Vancouverites aware of the plight of local children living in poverty. She has seen how programs supported by CLICK make a real difference in the lives of inner city kids, and has deep admiration for the mentors and angels that touch the lives of these children every day. In 2017, Catherine was a YWCA Women of Distinction Awards nominee for her work with CLICK.

Catherine has worked for almost 35 years in print and broadcast journalism, as well as in communications in the private sector and government. Her volunteer experience includes working on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside; assisting immigrants and refugees to integrate into the Lower Mainland; and serving on committees in housing cooperatives.

Catherine and her partner have four children who’ve all flown the coop but come back often. Her interests include running, hiking, gardening and choral singing. She has lived in six different Vancouver neighborhoods and loves to set off from her current residence near Main Street to explore the city on her bike.

Growing up in a multicultural household, Angelina learned important values and principles - notably fairness and selflessness. This inspired Angelina to work within the community to close the gap between economically disadvantaged youth and families and those who can support them.

Angelina joined the CLICK board after initially volunteering to work on CLICK’s social media platforms. As she learned more about CLICK’s work, she was struck by the significant difference CLICK makes for inner city kids in
Vancouver. Angelina understands the hardships and financial barriers facing working poor families, having been raised by a single mother. At a young age she dealt with serious challenges that resulted in her maturing more quickly
than her peers. Angelina recently became a licensed realtor and hopes to use her connections with individuals, organizations and businesses to spread awareness of the need to help children living in poverty.

Outside of her realtor duties, Angelina has been volunteering at her church’s “Food4Life” program for over five years – which has allowed her to serve and connect with her fellow Richmond residents. Angelina’s mom is her
best friend and they enjoy many activities together, including working out, going on nature walks and trying new restaurants.

Mike Evans has worked at Britannia Secondary School since 1980; he was the Counseling Department Head and the Night School Administrator until 2002. Since 2002, he has worked as the Community Education Coordinator, providing out-of-school opportunities for kids, with a focus on planning special events and leading community development projects. He also regularly attends meetings of the Britannia Board of Directors.

Mike really believes in the power of sport as an agent for positive change. For the past 15 years, he has coached the Britannia Senior Girls basketball team, leading them to win the city championships for the last three years, as well as “AA” Provincial Champions in 2012.

Mike attended Washington State University on a track scholarship and competed at the national level in both track and field and rugby. Mike has won several awards for his involvement in the community including the “Caring for Kids” award as well as a Lifetime Achievement in Coaching Award.

Mike considers it a privilege to work at Britannia, and credits the fantastic kids and families as the pillars of the Britannia Community. Mike is married to Pat and the father of Kristin —a new teacher in Vancouver!

Cynthia immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in 1993 and has been involved in inner city school issues ever since. When her son entered Kindergarten at Strathcona Elementary School, she became involved in the Parent Advisory Council, and soon took on the role of chairperson. When her child moved into high school, Cynthia continued her leadership as the chair of the Britannia Secondary Parent Advisory Council.

Cynthia was a founding member of Vancouver Inner City Parents Group. She also sat on the Vancouver School Board’s ESL and Inner City Advisory Committees, and was a Parent Advocate for the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council. In 2002, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for her community service.

Cynthia joined CLICK to support its mission and contribute to the lives of inner city children and youths. She continues her involvement with school-aged children in her role as a Supervision Aide at Elsie Roy School in downtown Vancouver.

Karen has devoted her life’s work to educating young children. Her dedication to fostering equitable learning is evident in the many years she spent as a teacher in the Vancouver School District. She received an MA in Education from UBC and was subsequently invited to return to UBC as an adjunct professor. She now puts her skills to use educating future teachers in the best ways to educate young students.

Karen’s experience as a former inner city student turned educator makes her a unique and highly valuable member of CLICK’s board of directors. She understands the environments inner city students come from and the challenges they face in school and in life. Karen is a strong advocate of accessible learning and believes in removing barriers to equality. In her spare time, Karen likes to ski with her husband and two daughters. She also enjoys spending time with her two kittens, Little Buddy and Sintra.

Growing up in East Vancouver, Lisa witnessed and experienced firsthand the positive impact that CLICK has made and continues to make on children and youth living in poverty in Vancouver- supporting healthy development for inner city kids in a wide range of ways. For Lisa, CLICK has played an essential role in shaping who she has become by removing financial barriers and providing her with opportunities to participate in various athletic and extracurricular activities. As a result of CLICK’s support, Lisa was immersed in numerous community programs and learned skills and qualities that helped her through her studies at the UBC Sauder School of Business. Those skills continue to help her in her current career as an HR professional at Vision Critical.

Lisa is ecstatic to be a part of the CLICK team and help positively impact the lives of other youth in the same way that CLICK impacted her life.