Suann Boates
Suann has worked with Kids Action Program (KAP) team since 1993. She began as Outreach and Support Coordinator and program facilitator and became Director in Kings County in 2014. Suann has now taken the position of Executive Director.
Suann has a BSc in Biology, minoring in Psychology. She has been a certified and practicing Doula and Prenatal Instructor for more than 35 years. She is privileged to have extensive training and certification in Attachment Theory, Circle of Security Parenting, Roots of Empathy (ROE), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and is a neuro-linguistic programming practitioner.
Suann’s work ethic and commitment is a testament to her coworkers and the families she serves.
Kim Burns
Kim Burns was born, married, raised my family and lived herwhole life in Hants County. She works as the Director of Programming for Hants County. She coordinate programs and leads staff in the Hants North area. You may find her at a Caregiver and Tot group, driving a participant to an appointment, facilitating a parenting group, at the food bank, providing outreach and support or connecting with people on the phone or social media. The boards and committees she is involved with have an affect on those families I work with. I am the chair of the Hants North Food Bank, board member of Hants North Recreation and Development Association, member of the standards committee with Feed Nova Scotia, member of network council; Food Banks Canada and the East Hants Early Years Working Group.
Kim enjoys exploring our province, country and the world! She says, ‘I love this community and know that I am privileged to work and live here!’
Donna Ellis
Donna, Director of Kids Action Program in Kings County, began working for the Annapolis Valley Hants Community Action Program for Children (AVH-CAPC), now known as Kids Action Program (KAP), in 2001.
Originally a volunteer with the Great Beginnings Food box program, Donna continues to fill the role of Community Food Mentor, teaching cooking workshops, facilitating the S.O.U.P. (Saving Our Unappreciated Produce) Program, and supporting the Great Beginnings Food Box Program.
When she’s not wielding a wooden spoon, Donna is busy documenting the daily ins and outs of the Kids Action Program, planning programs, trouble shooting and supporting staff.
She considers herself fortunate to experience and participate in, all aspects of working for the Kids Action Program.
Bokyung (Bo) Sung
Bokyung has been working for Kids Action Program since Summer 2022. She is the coordinator of the Great Beginnings Program in Kings County and also contributes her time to many other programs offered by KAP.
Bokyung was born and raised in South Korea and immigrated to Canada in 2011 with her husband. She is the proud mom of one young child and is passionate about cooking and arts n crafts, always exploring new expressions of creativity and picking up new creative skills. She has been trained as a woodworker.
She loves people and enjoys many different aspects of community-building and outreach as well as providing support to new and expecting moms. She loves babies, exploring nature with kids and families, and reaching out wherever support is needed.
Bo says, “I love my job because I like people and I like helping.”
Mark Crouse
Born and raised here in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, Mark is a graduate of the Nova Scotia Teachers College- Child Development Services Program. He joined us in 1996, as the instructor of the Jump-Start program. Since those early days he has grown to become a valuable resource and team member as our Children’s Program Co-ordinator in Kings County.
In 2013, Mark partnered with CentreStage Theatre as one of the Artistic Directors of the summer theatre camp programs. He has written, produced and directed 7 children’s plays for the stage since that time. His photographic work also is featured heavily throughout this website. We truly appreciate his artistic talent and energy! Mark says, “One of the greatest opportunities we have as children’s program staff is creating lasting positive experiences and memories.”
Over the pandemic Mark’s role changed a bit. He would often be seen out on the road delivering food donations, doing food bank pickups for our participants and delivering testing kits. At one time he was maintaining ‘5’ Facebook pages and writing a daily post for the Kids Action Program Facebook page. Anytime there was a chance to get outside with families and children he has been in the forefront planning and the delivering the programs. Mark continues to coordinate the children’s programs, monthly Food Box for Great Beginnings and is one of our Program Administrators for Kids Action Programs.
Diane Hennigar
Diane has been the primary children’s programmer in Hants since 2009. She has organized many cooking workshops and worked hard to connect those in need in the community with local supports. She has provided a variety of outreach and often does food bank deliveries to many families.
Diane is passionate about working with children and creating fun inclusive programs. She loves getting families outside and connecting with nature.
Ashley Wadden
Ashley has been working for Kids Action Program for over 2 years now. She has been the lead with the Great Beginnings Program since she began and is currently the Interim Director. Ashley has a BA in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies. Ashley is a Roots of Empathy Instructor and also certified Car seat Technician and would be happy to help you and your family with any car seat safety questions you may have.
Ashley has been working hard to network with other organizations, to bridge our community outreach programs together with the goal to reach as many families as possible. Ashley see’s the importance of connectivity and works to promote our programs and source
Delaney White
Delaney was just recently hired with Kids Action Program and has been fitting in quite nicely. Delaney’s role is Program Coordinator Support and Outreach Support Assistant. Delaney has also been working on networking with surrounding Mi’Kmaw first nations communities.
Delaney is a certified Early Childhood Educator and is passionate about working with children. Delaney see’s the value in play for learning development and works hard to create new types of sensory play in our programming.
