Bobbie McMurrich graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a major in Psychology and a minor in Social Work in 1985. After working briefly at Hamilton Psychiatric Acute Care and Hamilton/Wentworth Detention Centre’s Social Services Department, Bobbie spent two years travelling in Africa, South Asia, and Australasia and then settled in Toronto.
Bobbie began her career at Victim Services Toronto in 1991 as a Relief Crisis Counsellor. After a short time she promoted to a full-time permanent Crisis Counsellor position where she remained for the next 11 years. Bobbie then became the Volunteer Coordinator and one year later was promoted again to Director of Programs overseeing operational functions of the agency including supervising all direct service staff members.
Kiran Brar
Program Director
Kiran Brar started her role with Victim Services as a Social Work student placement in 2009 and was hired as a full time Crisis Counsellor in 2010 upon completion of her placement. In 2015 Kiran became the program manager for the Crisis Response team and is currently managing one of the largest HR portfolios within the agency.
Kiran has over ten years of experience in the social services sector, speaks five languages holds a diploma in Social work, a degree in Business Management in addition to Crisis Intervention, De-escalation and Harm Reduction certificates. Kiran continues to volunteer, sits on various committees to implement an emergency response protocol and is excited to be the newest addition to the leadership team.
Sarah Rogers began her career with Victim Services Toronto as a placement student in September 2005 and was hired as a relief crisis counsellor upon the completion of her placement in 2006. Sarah became a full time crisis counsellor in 2007 while developing the T.E.A.R.™ Program. She was eager to expand her skills and joined the management team in 2010. Her current responsibilities include: managing the T.E.A.R.™ and volunteer program, supervising placement students, grant writing, developing and implementing new innovative projects.
Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and skills in program development, public speaking, leadership and social media. She holds an Honours BA in Sociology from McMaster University and an SSW Diploma from Seneca College.
Lindsay Upton has been working in her role as a Program Director since June 2007. She has extensive experience in crisis intervention and assists clients in navigating complex bureaucratic systems. Her responsibilities include managing a dedicated group of case coordinators who are responsible for providing timely emergency financial aid and case management services to victims of violent crime and sudden tragedy. Her team links clients to community resources and works alongside clients to challenge individual and systemic barriers.
Lindsay holds a Social Work Degree from Ryerson University. She is an active volunteer, has served on numerous committees, engages in public speaking engagements and is dedicated to developing community partnerships and community response protocols that challenge barriers experienced by diverse and vulnerable populations. Lindsay is also a recipient of the 2016 Attorney General’s Award of Distinction.
