Spirit Space is the children’s education program at Fairlawn,
Sunday mornings 10:30-11:30 am (continues all through the summer)

It’s all about encouraging imagination, wonder and living out faith in our choices and actions. We offer an innovative, multi-age, choice-based program for children up to grade 8 with a variety of programs including videography, poetry, visual arts, dance, and dramatic arts to engage children to explore their spirituality and develop kindness to others.

Spirit Space is under the direction of

Whitton Daley

Fairlawn’s Children, Youth and Lay Ministry Facilitator

Whitton manages and builds on our existing Children and Youth programming. He also works with our Lay Ministry teams, providing guidance and support, and finding opportunities to incorporate Children and Youth programming where appropriate. His experience includes roles within his church of Youth President, Sunday School Teacher, and volunteer at the Jamaican Baptist Union’s national children and youth summer camps. Whitton spent time at the United Theological College of the West Indies.
416 481 6848, extension 27

Here are our exciting, talented Program Specialists working with Spirit Space

Samentia Keen

Hi, I am Samentia Keen. I have been with the Spirit Space team since its inception in 2015. I currently work with the Tweens of the Spirit Space Dream Team (SSDT). We tackle the tough questions pertaining to spirituality and living our best life, these questions are coupled with a new sense on responsibility as we look at who we are in the big picture and how small actions can have a big impact using a social justice framework.

I have over 7 years of experience working with children and youth of various ages in the capacity of Youth/Dance Leader, mentor and teacher. I posses a Bachelor of Arts: Labour Studies/Communication, Food Handlers Certification, CPR/First Aid Level C, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Certificate and Indigenous Cultural Sensitivity Training. I am a Community Award Recipient – Community Engagement Empowerment (CEE).

My passion is dance and community. I have had the opportunity to work with approximately 20 females between the ages of 8 and 36 in a variety of art forms mainly dance, we “danced to inspire” and did that one performance at a time.

Jennifer Elliott

My name is Jennifer. I began my career in Children’s Ministry in 2010 as the Church School Superintendent for St Andrew’s Toronto. I have been a member of the Spirit Space staff at Fairlawn since 2015. I have been involved with our mulit-age group and over the past few years I have the unique honor of nurturing children’s spiritual growth and personal development.

I have studied in Child and Youth Development and Crisis Intervention and I have worked with families in various settings including residential care, childcare and mental health facilities. In 2012, I completed a certificate in Christian Faith and Life through The Ewart Center for Lay Education at Knox College.

Outside of church, I spend my time working as a Background Artist for Film and Television. I am a nature lover and enjoy spending days alone in the woods – using it as an opportunity to re-connect with God. During the Spring and Summer, I can be found on a field coaching Gaelic Football. I am a mother of two daughters who have a strong passion for the arts and we enjoy exploring our creativity together.

Andre Keen

My name is Andre Keen. I have a passion for ministry to kids. This passion has led me to be a part of the exciting program at Fairlawn Avenue United Church, Spirit Space. I have over 10 years of experience working with children and youth of various ages through an after school program with the city of Toronto. I have a high school diploma and I am trained in First Aid/CPR trained.

When I am not engaged in shaping the lives of our future generation I can be found doing what I love, which is traveling and swimming. I am happy to be part of this innovative and transformative Kids program at Fairlawn.

Katherine Wainman

I am Katherine Wainman I live in North Toronto. I am a recent graduate of Bedford Park and I am currently attending Loretto Abbey. The eldest of three children, I am known as the “activities director” in my family because of my superior creativity and organization. I attend many drama classes mainly because I love to express myself in speech and movements.

I thoroughly enjoy spending time with children. I have been a member of Fairlawn for 9 years where I participate in choir, Spirit Space, youth group, and most recently the Toddler Room. I value safety above all to the extent where I have attained many qualifications, such as a babysitting course and Bronze cross, which includes the standard emergency first aid training and CPR.

In my spare time, I enjoy canoeing, swimming, skiing, and overall fitness. I love to spend time with my family. I do enjoy baking and cooking for my family and playing a mean game of Stratego with my brother.

Andrea Huibrechtse-Berndorff

Nursery Caregiver

I have worked with children since I was young and have always enjoyed caring for children. I was recently a counsellor at an overnight camp working with ages 9-11. I have worked with children of all ages, infants to school-age children, and I worked in the nursery last year.

I have an updated CPR-C and Standard First Aid certificate and have completed the National Lifesaving course certifying me as a lifeguard. I have also completed a “Leader In Training (LIT)” course as well as a babysitting certification course.

I love to be creative with the arts. I enjoy singing, acting, and dancing, and I enjoy teaching them to others.

I am a caring and hardworking person who is passionate about childcare. I am a high-spirited individual who takes the utmost time to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children I am working with. I am level-headed, and I work well in chaotic and stressful situations.

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Find out more about Spirit Space