About
Our Vision
A north Durham where no person experiences poverty.
Our Mission
To provide support for those who are living in poverty within the communities of north Durham.
Our Values
North House was created in June of 2004, when people saw a need in their community. They were starting to see that their neighbours and friends were struggling to make ends meet. Some were under-housed, others couldn’t pay their bills and some had nowhere to live. Together, as a community, it was decided to create a resource that could help with some of those problems. And that, was the genesis of North House.
Now that they had the idea, and the people willing to help, they needed a physical space to work. It was then that St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Beaverton donated the use of their office space to conduct meetings and give the formal structure the organization needed.
One full-time staff person was hired through the help of a grant, to work with the community and start to build the reputation of the organization.
North House was fortunate to receive funds from the government to purchase a house, which would be used for transitional housing for people in the community. The house had four apartments and a small room in the rear which was used as the office.
Today, 24 years later, we still deliver on the very idea of helping those in our community who need it. We connect them to resources and help them through the most trying times in their lives.
Meet Our Team
Nathan Gardner
Executive Director
(he/him)
Nathan joins North House with extensive leadership experience across the social services, health and community development sectors. He brings a strong track record of collaborative leadership, strategic thinking and building responsive, person-centred services that support individuals and families facing complex challenges. A value-driven leader, Nathan is known for fostering strong partnerships, supporting teams and working alongside communities to develop practical, compassionate solutions. His approach reflects a deep commitment to equity, dignity and strengthening the systems that support people experiencing poverty. Nathan is excited to bring his experience and leadership to North House and to work alongside the team, partners and community to build on the organization’s impact. He is committed to helping advance North House’s vision and ensuring the organization continues to respond to the evolving needs of the community.
Jennifer MacKay
Manager, Housing Services
(she/her)
Jennifer has over 13 years experience working in the developmental service and housing sectors. She has worked front line in support services, outreach and advocacy, before transitioning to leadership roles in housing stability, case management and housing first. Jennifer is passionate about serving her community and leads with a client-centred, inclusive and socially just perspective. She believes in empowerment through skill building and education with a focus on tenant rights and responsibilities. Jennifer has fostered strong relationships with community partner agencies and been instrumental in the development of programs and services in her past roles. Jennifer is excited to bring her knowledge and skills to serve the north Durham community that she calls home.
Courtney Munn
Office Manager
(she/her)
Courtney is a graduate of Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and brings a strong background in administration and community-focused work. She supports the day-to-day operations of the organization and works behind the scenes to help keep things running smoothly. Having lived in north Durham her entire life, Courtney is proud to use her skills and experience to support the community she calls home. She enjoys being part of a team that works together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Courtney is excited to contribute to North House’s continued growth and the positive impact it has on the community.
Quinlan Cowie
RSW
Service Navigator
(she/they)
Quinlan is a recent graduate of Trent University’s Social Work program. Her professional practice includes a trauma-informed care lens and anti-oppressive standards. She is dedicated to providing not only support, but also tools and resources to help individuals take autonomy over their wants and needs. Quinlan has worked in transitional housing and shelter spaces, allowing her to recognize barriers in housing accessibility. Her goals and dedication are focused on creating meaningful partnerships between North House and service users.
Andrea Ryall
RSW
Housing Retention Caseworker
(she/her)
Andrea is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Social Work program at Algoma University. She brings experience working with grassroots organizations in Costa Rica and Fiji, as well as in Human Rights and Advocacy within the university sector. In her practice, Andrea draws on anti-oppressive, client-centered, trauma-informed, and two-eyed seeing approaches. She is passionate about advocating for individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities or who have experienced systemic barriers, and is committed to ensuring clients’ voices remain the centre of every conversation.
Taryn Federici
RSW
Housing First Caseworker
(she/they)
Taryn is a graduate of Trent University’s Bachelor of Social Work Honours program and holds a Social Service Worker Diploma from Durham College. Throughout her professional experience, she has primarily focused on an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and client-centred approach. Taryn has experience working with individuals experiencing housing insecurity, individuals with disabilities, individuals with exceptional needs, and women fleeing violence. Taryn is dedicated to helping individuals who experience barriers to social determinants of health to have their needs met. She is passionate about helping others improve the quality of their lives and advocating for clients’ voices, choices, and best interests.
Elizabeth Van Ee
MSW, RSW
Housing First Caseworker
(she/her)
Elizabeth is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier’s Masters of Social work program and holds a bachelors degree from King’s University College in Social Justice and Peace Studies as well as Thanatology. She is dedicated to empowering marginalized individuals to achieve their goals and use their voices to combat systemic oppression. She comes from a client-centred, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approach. Elizabeth has experience supporting women fleeing abuse, individuals who use substances, sex workers, and individuals experiencing housing insecurity. She is passionate about supporting clients in reaching their goals, helping them navigate the barriers they face and empowering them to build the life they want.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Ron Houston
Chair
(he/him)
Ron brings a proven track record for leading teams to co-create next generation capabilities and execute strategic IT initiatives to deliver business value. Ron has held numerous management positions in the Information Technology area with a primary focus on people leadership, team building and leading software development for loyalty solutions. Ron lives in nearby Sunderland, with his wife Kerri-Anne, children Courtney and Aidan as well as three cats and a dog.
Mitchell Flagg
Vice Chair
(he/him)
Mitchell Flagg is a lawyer with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. From 2003-2018, he worked as a prosecutor in Durham Region. Since 2018, he has worked at the Serious Fraud Office dealing with cases of complex wrongdoing. He is a problem solver who cares deeply about serving the community and supporting people who are vulnerable – for many reasons – to losing their housing.
Michelle Lee
Director
(she/her)
Michelle is a CPA, CA whose professional career included working with not-for-profit organizations and registered charities to navigate their operational, financial, and governance needs. Since moving to Uxbridge, she has become increasingly engaged in the town’s community initiatives and has dedicated her time to understanding and addressing the needs of its residents. Michelle is deeply committed to making her community a more equitable, accessible, and sustainable place for all.