Cindy Desbiens

As the Ontario Central Regional Program Co-ordinator for the Letters, Sounds and Words™ program, Cindy is responsible for supporting program partners, providing Volunteer Coach training, overseeing program implementation, and building community relationships. Cindy is a passionate advocate for children and families in both healthcare and education. She has been serving Strong Start since 2018 as both a Volunteer Coach in elementary schools and a seasoned trainer of volunteers in the Letters, Sounds and Words program. She has also worked as an Assessor in the Get Ready for School program. Cindy has held the role of Family Advisor with the Hospital for Sick Children since 2016 where she has also co-chaired the Patient and Family Advocacy Committee for the Heart Centre. Working with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, she also has a seat on the Congenital Heart Disease National Advisory Committee. Cindy has volunteered within her children’s schools holding positions of school council member and co-chair. Additionally, she has served as a member on the school’s Safe, Caring and Inclusive School Team (SCIS), mandated by policies of both the Ministry of Education and the Waterloo District School Board. Most recently, Cindy worked as an emergency supply teacher with the WRDSB. Please contact Cindy if you have questions or inquiries about the Letters, Sounds and Words program in the Waterloo Region and Wellington County.