Kyoko is a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Hong Kong, and a Master degree of Science in Marketing from Ireland. With more than 20 years of social work experience, she is fully committed to serving persons with developmental disabilities and children with special needs. Her expertise includes operating adult and children services for various abilities and ages; from adult day activity centre, adult hostel, shelter workshop, supportive employment for disabilities, special child care centre for preschoolers, to self-financed social services projects. Kyoko continued her mission in serving children with special needs in a managerial role, starting from a front-line manager in a special child care centre, supervising interdisciplinary professions, and overseeing regional projects and collaborating with the government. Accredited with her outstanding performance and visionary in services, Kyoko was advanced to the position of General Manager, who headed up the agency’s self-financed services for children of special needs before she immigrated to Canada.
In Canada, Kyoko joined Cherish Integrated Services in 2018, as a Program Officer, then was promoted to be the Program Director in overseeing new projects and service coordination. After a short break of work, Kyoko re-joined Cherish in 2021, and replaced our late founder, Annie Leung, as the Executive Director of Cherish Integrated Services. Kyoko’s dedication and commitment in serving persons with developmental disabilities allows her to be profoundly knowledgeable and visionary towards the needs of persons with disabilities, their families, and the community. Her passion is to enhance the quality of life by giving them choices and opportunities, and promote the limitless potential and uniqueness of each person. Kyoko thanks Annie’s trust and nourishment in Cherish, and is committed to continue her mission and legacy in bettering the quality of life of those with developmental disabilities.
Esther graduated with Masters of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work degrees in Canada. She brings over 5 years of experience in directing children’s summer camps, over 3 years of experience in youth work, and professional counseling experiences to Cherish. Esther uses her passion for social justice and community development to support the growth of Cherish. She has worked with the Cherish team since 2018, initially working directly in the children and adult programs, then taking on increasing management responsibilities including intakes, fundraising, partnerships, and exploring resources for initiatives and special projects. She is dedicated to advocating for the needs of each trainee and the organization, as well as innovating new programs and projects that enhance the well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities. As Service Manager, Esther is responsible for new project management, volunteer coordination, fundraising, and service liaison.
Connie has more than 20 years of teaching experience in the educational field for students with various developmental disabilities. She completed a Bachelor of Education, Master of Education, and a Certificate Course for Teachers of Children with Special Educational Needs, with Specialisation in the Education of Children with Learning Difficulties in Hong Kong. She can effectively apply her knowledge and teaching skills to address the needs of each student. Her mission is to develop the talent of her students, and she is committed to providing quality structured teaching programs for the adults’ Daily Living Enrichment Program, as well as the children’s Personal Growth Enhancement program at Cherish. She is enthusiastic, dedicated, and professional. As a Program Supervisor at Cherish, Connie is responsible for guiding the training team and overseeing the quality of training programs for both adults and children.
Charles Kan - RSW, BSW / Program Officer
Charles is a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Hong Kong. Now, he is also a Registered Social Worker in Ontario, Canada. He brings over 2 years of experience volunteering in social community service, over 3 years of experience working with children and youth with Special Educational Needs, and professional individual counseling skills to Cherish.
Charles joined Cherish in 2023 as a Program Officer. He is responsible for the Daily Living Enrichment social program, one on one Personal Growth Enhancement service for trainees who require intensive emotional and behavioral management, and Youth Connect social program.
Charles is a considerate, organized and innovative person who aims to work with trainees in enhancing their independent living skills, stress management, adequate communication strategies, and social skills.
Stanley graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a Higher Diploma in Textiles Technology, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business from South Australia University. He has over 5 years of experience volunteering in social community programs, involving coordination and running of events and sports competitions. He is passionate and enthusiastic about community services and always has a kind heart to help persons with special needs in advancing their daily living skills and quality of life. He believes each person has unique potential and worth, and if given the opportunity, faith, and patience, they could live to their fullest potential and dignity. Stanley joined Cherish Integrated Services in 2018 in the capacity of Program Officer, and he is responsible for the Daily Living Enrichment Program for adults with developmental disabilities.
Andrea is a Developmental Services Worker (DSW). She has ample experience supporting individuals with a wide range of abilities in residential, clinical and community settings. Previously she worked as a Mental Health Nurse in Forensic Psychiatry which impassioned her to advocate for the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities. Furthermore to promote optimum health and wellbeing so that individuals have the opportunity to have a high quality of life and achieve their personal goals.
She is an old soul with a deep love and compassion for all people, throughout the lifespan, across all cultures and abilities. Her hobbies are as extensive as her curiosity including the arts, sports, cooking, travel and being in nature.
Monica is very passionate about social services, she has several years of experience serving with people in different fields, including children, teenagers, the elderly, and the visually impaired. She is highly experienced in organizing innovative projects and psycho-social-spiritual care programs in both profit and non-profit organizations. She is caring and kind hearted and has joined the Cherish team since 2022. Her goal in serving people with developmental disabilities is to give them opportunities to unlock their full potential in a loving environment.
Rain, a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from Hong Kong. She is an experienced and passionate worker with over 7 years of frontline experience in social services.
Throughout her career, Rain has worked with various groups including seniors, sexual minorities, ex-offenders, and youth.
She is dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering environment where disabled individuals can thrive and reach their full potential.
Mr. Li graduated with Master of Arts in Social Service Management and Bachelor of Social Work. He is a Registered Social Worker in Hong Kong since 1998. Nelson has more than 30 years of frontline and supervisory experience in social services, including services for the seniors, youths, visually impaired and people with mental disabilities. He has been a Service Manager before moving to Canada. Nelson joined Cherish Integrated Services in 2022, as a Program Officer. He is responsible for the Daily Living Enrichment Program for adults with developmental disabilities. His mission is using his life to enrich the lives of people and to create an environment for people to develop their uniqueness and be their best selves.
Maisie is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Children, Childhood and Youth, and a Bachelor of Education as well. She has worked with the Cherish team since 2020 and works with children and adult trainees in group settings, as well as in the Personal Growth and Enhancement Program. Maisie has over 5 years of experience working with children within a camp and a school setting and strives to promote a positive and inclusive environment for all individuals.
Kenisha Wint is an OCT teacher with the York Region District School Board. She has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, a Degree in Child Development, a Graduate Certification in Special Education for Children with Autism and Disabilities, and a Master’s degree in Education. She has over 15 years of experience working one on one with children with Autism and other disabilities. She has worked with children on the Autism Spectrum in schools and in personal one-on-one therapy in their homes. She has worked as a Personal Growth and Enhancement Programmer with the Cherish team since the summer of 2018.
Vania has been working with children with special needs for 15 years. Before graduating in Canada, she was educated in England. Whilst studying in the UK, she was trained to work in the field of recreational therapy specializing in adaptive swimming for children, music, and art therapy for both geriatric and pediatric wellness. She is enthusiastic and committed to giving quality learning and life skills-building programs to all individuals according to their needs. She also enjoys volunteering in different social services, rehabilitation centres, and hospitals.
Through 5 years of volunteering at a camp for families with children with special needs, Sin Sze found a passion in serving this community. She strives to use the variety of skills and knowledge she has to help people with developmental disabilities while learning more about how each individual uniquely sees the world. Sin Sze contributes to Cherish’s promotional work through photography and graphic design and leads the Saturday Social Club program aimed to enhance the interpersonal skills and independence of the trainees.
Simon has a great passion for social services and four years of experience as a program worker in Hong Kong to lead and design programs for the seniors. Simon possesses expertise in healthy lifestyle enrichment, community integration, and stakeholder collaboration with the mission of improving people’s lives and empowering individuals and communities. Since 2023, Simon has been responsible for the Daily Living Enrichment social program and one-on-one Personal Growth Enhancement service as a program officer at Cherish Integrated Services.
Patsy is a Registered Social Worker in Hong Kong and graduated from Hong Kong Metropolitan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences. She is a dedicated social worker with over 8 years of experience with seniors and the disabled.
Her goal in serving people with developmental disabilities is to expect trainees to learn, grow and develop their potential in a loving and inclusive environment.
Myra is a MBA graduate from the University of Hong Kong with more than 20 years of experience working in the business society. She is outgoing, good in communications and has passion in helping people who are in need.
Myra joined Cherish in 2022 and she has contributed her experience in organizing the administration works as well as the marketing events in Cherish. Her mission is to make Cherish feel like a home for those who come here for learning and also for those who work here for contributing their love to our trainees.
Huda graduated from Centennial College with a diploma in Social Service Work. She has experience working and volunteering in different professions, giving her a sense of various settings and environments. She now uses this knowledge in her job. She has a strong enthusiasm for assisting others and helping them to reach their greatest potential.
Her goal is to support a welcoming environment for everyone while assisting people with developmental disabilities to thrive and learn.
Jessica is an experienced accounting professional with over 10 years of experience. Committed to community service, she is passionate in helping those in need. During her time at Cherish, she has supported the staff to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment for trainees. Her goal is to utilize her expertise to support the staff in creating an atmosphere that promotes inclusivity and enhances the overall experience of program participants.