OUR ROOTS

Direct Abundance became actively involved with Holy Cross Primary School in 2006.  Our first donation to Holy Cross was a small donation of toys we purchased ourselves. Upon returning home, we continued our mission and  received donations from Dreammakers and the Toronto Transit Commission.

Since starting Direct Abundance, we have received donations from schools in three different school boards, in both Canada and the USA and have hundreds of supporters who single handedly help raise awareness, funds, and donations for Direct Abundance. We are presently organizing Mission trips for persons wanting to help.

The work is not over.  Within the year we are hoping to expand our contributions.   We will continue to grow to support  the community of San Mateo and have recently expanded our work into Jamaica.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joanne O’Brien
With a desire to assist others in need,  Joanne O’Brien founded Direct Abundance. After a visit to Central America, Joanne realized the needs that stretched far beyond the borders of Canada and her dreams were to expand internationally.

Joanne is using both her formal college and university education and experience as a front-line worker in Toronto Shelters, Addiction Centers and Social Services to expand Direct Abundance and improve the lives of disadvantaged people in developing world communities. Her current projects include offering assistance for many social issues that  persons who are living in extreme impoverished areas of Jamaica struggle with on a daily basis.  She is currently leading  the “BUY A BLOCK – BUILD A CLASSROOM “project in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica  and facilitating donations drives for schools and small communities in the Caribbean.

Joanne has been actively involved in volunteer organizations for the past 20 years, in areas such as planning, organization and fundraising. Joanne strongly agrees with the age old proverb “You cannot do a kindness too soon, because you never know how soon it will be too late.”

Heather Zwicker

Heather is a co-founder of DirectAbundance. She is passionate and dedicated in supporting all  communities. Her several years experience working with children in needy communities within Toronto has taught her to see the strengths and resourcefulness within each individual.

Heather is passionate about the environment and dedicated to  conservation.   She has an interest in Waste Water Gardens and Composting Toilets as a viable solution for communities living in extreme poverty. She is excited about bringing people together who can facilitate such a project. She has created awareness throughout schools and has actively been involved in organizing several fund-raising efforts.

Heather has experience working with several NGO’s, non-profit organizations and has been involved in multi-cultural studies and awareness campaigns. Heather is effective and highly motivated to the success of DirectAbundance. She believes her favourite quote “Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be, and he will become as he should be” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Natalie Persad

Natalie Persad joins the DirectAbundance team with great enthusiasm and 20 years of Social Service Management experience.

She has completed an Honours B.A. in Social Work.  Natalie has been at the forefront of many groundbreaking projects enhancing community development and support.  Her desire to serve others has placed her on various organizational boards, committees and advisory positions.

Her compassion and leadership skills makes her a vital asset to helping DirectAbundance achieve the goals of reducing poverty and community development in struggling countries.

Terri Shomo

Terri Shomo has recently joined Direct Abundance as a Global Ambassador.  Terri has a B.A and an M.A. in English and has worked teaching English to college students.  Terri also has experience working with abused women and with the needy of her community.  Terri has served as a lay-leader of her church and is currently the church secretary and works with the local Food Pantry.

Her goal in life has always been to leave the world a better place and she strongly believes that we all can make a difference if we work together.  One of her favorite quotes is Jesus speaking from Matthew 25:45 — “I assure you, as often as you neglected the least of these my children, you neglected me.”