ABOUT EMPOWER EDUCATIONAL & COUNSELLING SERVICES
We are committed to wellness training that empowers personal growth. We provide comprehensive support for children, teens, and the adults in their lives, offering guidance and assistance in navigating their unique challenges.
Comprehensive Support for Children
We understand the diverse needs of children and teens, and our programs are designed to provide them with the tools they need to thrive. Through our workshops and tailored sessions, we create a nurturing space where young individuals can explore their emotions, develop resilience, and cultivate essential life skills.
Guidance and Assistance for Teens & Young Adults
We believe that supporting children and teens extends beyond their individual journeys. We offer guidance and assistance to the adults in their lives, including parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals. Through workshops, consultations, and resources, we empower adults with insights, practical tools, and strategies to better understand and meet the unique needs of those they care for.
We combine wellness training and empowerment to create a supportive community where growth and well-being are nurtured for individuals of all ages.
Simma Bakare, Founder & Managing Director
Simma is an inclusive educator and counselor specializing in creative and equitable approaches to learning and mental health. She integrates culturally sensitive, arts-based, and trauma-informed pedagogy into her practice, using natural appraoches like storytelling and visualization to stimulate understanding. Simma helps families develop strategies to address challenges related to dyslexia, executive functioning, and the critical emotional wellness issues that today’s youth face.
Aside from lived experience, she holds an M.Ed. with a specialization in Indigenous Education from Queen’s University, a B.A. in Psychology, and teaching certifications in humanities and psychology. Additionally, Simma is an Orton-Gillingham practitioner and a designated counsellor. With her diverse expertise, she is committed to empowering individuals and families to meet their collective and individual goals.
Diwue Joe Blom, Advisor of Education & Mental Health
Joe has a PhD from University of Minnesota, BA & MSW from UBC, MThS from Huron University College. He was Director of Social Work at York Psychiatric Center, prof of Human/Family Development, adjunct prof at UBC School of Social Work, president of Ontario Association of Marital, Family Therapists.
Joe’s written, published, lectured internationally on mental health, family therapy, psycholinguistics, spirituality, narrative analysis.
Jaidyn Sandhu, Orton Gillingham
Jaidyn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Social Sciences, majoring in Psychology, from Simon Fraser University. As a support worker with the Canucks Autism Network, she creates inclusive environments that empower individuals with autism to thrive. Passionate about fostering growth, learning, and connection, she is furthering her education with training in crisis intervention and dyslexia-specific instruction. With over a decade of soccer experience, Jaidyn has used the sport as a tool to inspire confidence, teamwork, and physical literacy in children aged 18 months to 7 years through her coaching role at Little Kickers. Loved by her students, Jaidyn brings dedication and purpose to every role she takes on.
Melissa Mintoft, Orton Gillingham
Melissa has navigated the world with dyslexia her entire life, gaining a deep understanding of the challenges and unique needs associated with it. Her journey is enriched not only by her own experiences but also by those as a parent, where she’s supported her child through similar challenges. This dual perspective has shaped her compassionate approach to helping others, and she is committed to empowering young learners to succeed in ways that work best for them. Driven by empathy and experience, Melissa dedicates herself to creating supportive, tailored learning environments that foster confidence and growth.