Announcing the retirement of Executive Director Maureen Mackell
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the leadership team, and staff, we wish to thank Maureen for her vision and impact throughout her 13 years as Executive Director. During her tenure Maureen played a pivotal role in the transformation of the organization, taking it from its 15-bed mat program at the old firehouse behind Squamish Public Library to the now full-scale centralized health and housing organization it has become through the vision and construction of the Under One Roof facility on Third Ave.
For this cutting-edge project Maureen inspired strategic collaborations with BC Housing, the District of Squamish, the Squamish Food Bank and Vancouver Coastal Health to bring the unusual vision for housing and support services to life. Since the doors opened in 2020, the team at SHHS has engaged new partners to also incorporate health services at Under One Roof. This has meant the addition of a Primary Care Clinic staffed by local doctors; a Pain Management Program with onsite clinicians; and Harm Reduction Services. The Board is sincerely grateful to Maureen for her transformative and visionary leadership over these last thirteen years. We will miss her and wish her the very best in her retirement endeavors.
Maureen leaves Helping Hands and the work in general, after more than 30 years in the social services/social justice sector. Prior to Helping Hands, Maureen worked locally at the Howe Sound Women’s Centre as well as at the Ministry of Children and Family Development. In July of 2022 Maureen was honored for her work in the community with the Paul Harris Fellow award, Rotary Club’s highest award given to a non-Rotarian. She leaves Helping Hands with the intention of slowing down, spending time with her husband and family, and hopefully having more time to travel.
The Board of Directors for the Society is launching the search for a new Executive Director. We are seeking an experienced leader to guide the organization into its next chapter. Information about the position and how to apply can be found on our website.
