Danielle
Dang
Executive Director
Lina
Melchiorre
Finance and Operations Coordinator
Maria
Rea
Program Coordinator
Jessica
Noftle
Independent Living Specialist & Individual Support Plan Coordinator
Maria
Bove
Job Coach Chocolate Concepts
Vicki
Douangphachanh
Program Facilitator
Lani
Soriano
Program Facilitator
Rachel
Perricciolo
Program Facilitator
Sabrina
De Freitas
Program Facilitator
Mariah
Castro
Program Facilitator
Luana
Da Silva
Program Facilitator
Serrina
Castro
Program Facilitator
Megan
Ventura
Program Facilitator
Michael nyim-asare
Program Facilitator
Leadership Team
Danielle Dang
Executive Director
Danielle has over 16 years of progressive leadership experience within the healthcare sector and has a proven track record of successfully planning and implementing large-scale projects. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, a Master’s in Health Administration, and is a certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Danielle was an accomplished occupational therapist for adults and seniors in the areas of mental health, acute medicine, palliative and community care settings. She further reinforced her clinical skills in the United Kingdom working within the National Health System (NHS).
As a Senior Planner for the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Danielle led the French Language and Aboriginal Services and contributed to the planning of seniors’ services.
During her role as Senior Director of Planning and Care Initiatives at Lumacare, she was accredited with leading the organization through extensive growth and innovation. Her portfolio included Business Development, Quality and Risk, Programs & Services, and IT. She briefly held the position of Interim Agency Lead during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Executive Director for Creating Alternatives, Danielle is fully committed to lifelong learning and looks forward to bringing the organization to new heights.
Lina Melchiorre
Finance and Operations Coordinator
As the Finance and Operations Coordinator, Lina uses her knowledge of financial management to ensure organizational flow and to optimize day-to-day functions. With a well-rounded knowledge of the organization from her beginnings in an all-encompassing administrative role, Lina has been an integral part of the Creating Alternatives team since 2011. As a Leader, Lina brings her positive energy and encouraging attitude to the staff team. Lina truly enjoys every aspect of Creating Alternatives.
“It’s not how much you have that makes people look up to you, it’s who you are” – Elvis Presley
Maria Rea
Program Coordinator
Maria’s 30 year history in developmental and mental health services has garnered her a wide variety of skills in developmental disabilities, dual diagnosis, adult education, non-profit organizations and crisis intervention.
Since joining the Alternatives family in 2011 Maria’s determination for social justice, advocacy, collaborative approach, and exceptional interpersonal strengths has established trusting relationships with her families, participants, and colleagues.
Program Team
Jessica Noftle
Independent Living Specialist & Individual Support Plan Coordinator
Jessica is the Individual Support Plan and Customer Service Coordinator at Creating Alternatives. Graduating in 2017, Jessica is a University of Guelph-Humber Alumni, with an Honors Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences, and a Social Service Workers diploma. Jessica joined Alternatives in 2015, and has been a dedicated and evolving part of our team ever since. She is passionate about promoting equality, encouraging independence and ensuring the goals of all persons are met without barriers. Jessica brings a keen eye to detail, artistic media creation and innovative programming, to the Alternatives family. Using her charismatic, approachable and non-confrontational personality, Jessica strives to create a constructive and welcoming team environment.
Maria Bove
Job Coach- Chocolate Concepts
Maria has been a devoted member and friend in the Creating Alternatives family for over 16 years. Maria provides ongoing assistance, encouragement and support while working as a job coach at Chocolate Concepts. She possesses a wide range of business skills obtained from business management courses and previous job experiences. Her greatest satisfaction is giving the gift of teaching essential skills that can be carried throughout the lives of the individuals she supports.
“I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do” – Jana Stanfield
VICKI DOUANGPHACHANH
Program Facilitator
Over the past 9 years, Vicki has been a dedicated member of the Creating Alternatives family. She is a Sheridan College Alumni, graduating in 2010, with a social service worker diploma. As the Fitness and Nutrition Program Facilitator, she is passionate about living and promoting a healthy active lifestyle. Her values lay in building honourable relationships with participants and families, while working in an open and communicative environment. Vicki’s exceptional organizational skills bring collaboration and determination to the team.
Currently on Maternity Leave.
Lani Soriano
Program Facilitator
Lani graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education and was able to teach in public high school for more than 15 years before immigrating to Canada. She was able to get her Personal Support Worker Certificate and worked in Nursing Home for 7 years simultaneously, gladly joined at Creating Alternatives later.
Lani has been is an essential member of the Creating Alternatives family for over 9 years. Lani is highly skilled at coordinating multiple everyday activities. Lani is extremely committed, reliable and enthusiastic in maintaining safe, clean, and positive environment. She is compassionate in assisting the participants’ personal well being with independence and self-respect. Her passion in art and cooking are well manifested in her community-based activities that are preferred by all participants.
Rachel Perricciolo
Program Facilitator
Starting in 2014, Rachel has been a dedicated member, friend and confidant in the Creating Alternatives family. Rachel is a 2018 Seneca College Alumni , graduating with a Social Service Workers diploma. Rachel has a passion for culinary arts, promoting independence as well opportunities for all participants to reach their full potential. Using her creative, and adaptable mentality, Rachel strives to create strength based programs for individuals.
Currently on Maternity Leave.
Sabrina De Freitas
Program Facilitator
Sabrina is the Community Connections Program Facilitator at Creating Alternatives. Graduating in 2019, Sabrina is a University of Guelph-Humber Alumni, with a Bachelor of Social Sciences, and a Social Service Workers diploma. Sabrina joined the Alternatives team in 2019, and has become an integral part of our team since using a person-centered and strengths based approach in her practice. Sabrina is passionate about promoting inclusivity and has extensive experience in advocating for individuals who live with a disability. Sabrina strives to provide individuals with ample opportunities for vocational and volunteer experiences within the community, and to build on skills for success.
Mariah Castro
Program Facilitator
Luana Da Silva
Program Facilitator
Serrina Castro
Program Facilitator
A 2019 graduate, Serrina found her passion for helping others through completing her Social Service Workers diploma at Humber College. Since joining the team in 2021, Serrina shows her dedication and passion to the team by building meaningful relationships, encouraging members to put their very best efforts forward, and promote a diverse and safe environment for the Alternatives community to grow and develop as a family. Serrina values a strong and encouraging environment where she can collaborate, openly communicate and succeed with a team. Her enthusiasm and commitment to aiding all individuals to achieve their own levels of success is a driving force each day.
Megan Ventura
Program Facilitator
Joining the team in 2021, Megan brings a fresh new perspective to the Alternatives family. Graduating with Distinction from the University of Guelph-Humber focusing on Psychology, Megan strives to promote awareness and kindness to all within the organization. With a high level of compassion, Megan works to implement facets of her academic career within program, focusing on mental and physical well-being. She believes that all individuals should have the knowledge to live a healthy and happy lifestyle, without barriers.
MICHAEL NYIM-ASARE
Personal Support Worker, Program Driver