Team
Ruth Taverner
Executive Director
Ruth has worked with children in Alberta and BC for over 20 years in various capacities, including teaching visual arts in public and private schools and working as a birth and postpartum doula, supporting new families in their homes. She has four grown children, and a fur baby (dog). In her spare time, Ruth enjoys knitting, hiking in beautiful BC and watching British dramas.
Diane Castillo
Program Coordinator
Diane joined the Richmond Family Place team in 2018. She has been an Early Childhood Educator since 2007 working in various roles and capacities in the ECE field. She has known at an early age that she had a passion with working and teaching children and knew this is what she wanted to do. Diane strongly believes that learning should always be fun, she loves finding new ways to motivate and excite the children into loving to learn. When given time and opportunities, children can do amazing things! In her spare time, you can find her either crafting, outside gardening, refurbishing or building something, or having movie marathons and game nights with her family.
Maha Abdelhamid
Team Lead
Early Years Bridging Project
Maha, a resident of Canada for 25 years, holds a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from the University of Assiut. Passionate about supporting families and young children, she brings extensive experience from her roles in the Richmond School District and the Richmond Family Place. With over 7 years as a Family Support Worker for refugee families, Maha is adept in trauma-informed parenting and mental health wellness. Her journey includes starting as a Peer Support Worker in 2007, and she served as an Educational Coordinator at Iman School for 17 years. Outside work, Maha indulges in her love for reading and enjoys walks through Richmond’s parks and trails.
Valerie Allen
Administrative Coordinator
valerie@richmondfamilyplace.ca
Valerie joined Richmond Family Place in 2021, after volunteering in the thrift store for several years. She has a background in business and marketing, as well as office administration. Valerie speaks French and English. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and travelling.
Rachel Gilder
Family Support Worker
Rachel has supported families in Richmond since 2013 through her work at Richmond Family Place. While studying at Simon Fraser University, Rachel completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology. Rachel enjoys travelling, trying new restaurants and spending time outdoors!
Nada Ghanim
Family Support Worker
Early Years Bridging Project
Nada has great experience working with children and was a teacher for several years. She currently teaches Arabic on Saturdays and enjoys walking and exploring nature with her daughter.
Emily Yacobian
Family Support Worker
Emily loves being around kids and helping people. She has been with Richmond Family Place since 2017. She started as a peer support worker and in 2019 she became a family support worker. She has a background is in psychology. She is always open to learn new things in order to support families and children better. Emily can speak both speak English and Spanish fluently. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and going to the beach.
Cecilia Manriquez
Parent Connections Team Leader
cecilia@richmondfamilyplace.ca
Cecilia is a Parent Connections Team Leader. She has a degree in Business Management with a major in Tourism.
Cecilia learned about RFP 18 years ago when she started taking her first daughter to their Play & Learn programs. Shortly after, she started volunteering with RFP for a few years and later on joined RFP’s team as a Parent Support Worker.
Cecilia is passionate about developing connections, serving, orienting, and supporting families in their day to day family life.
Hoda Gouda
Outreach Worker
I began my journey with Richmond Family Place in 2013 as a volunteer. In 2016, I completed my peer support training, which opened the door for me to start working on call. A year later, in 2017, I earned my culture broker training and have continued in that role. Two years ago, I transitioned into the role of an outreach worker. I love interacting with people and kids, and in my free time, I enjoy learning, reading, cooking, and sewing.
Crazila Stephan
Family Support Worker
Early Years Bridging Project
crazila@richmondfamilyplace.ca
Crazila started working with children and families in 2014. She has lived in Canada since 2005. Crazila’s background is a journalist covering special needs and social matters. She enjoys writing, reading and walking with her family.
Lyka Reyes
Family Support Worker
Lyka joined Richmond Family Place in 2022 as a practicum student and volunteer as part of her Social Services diploma. She is passionate about building meaningful connections with families and fostering a supportive community. Her key advocacies include child and youth welfare, animal welfare, and promoting cultural competence in social services. In her spare time, Lyka enjoys spending quality time with her family and her dog, Loaffie.
Jerovh Hayuhay
Family Support Worker
Jerovh joined the Richmond Family Place team in the Summer of 2024 as a Summer Worker and transitioned into a Family Support Worker. He is an eager learner and thrives in environments where he can make meaningful impact and positive change. Outside of RFP, Jerovh commits his time in working with charities that support transplant children and their families. In his free time, he practices his passion for photography, enjoys listening to music and watching fast cars race around the world.
