LEADERSHIP UPDATES & STATEMENTS
MEET BELINDA MARCHESE
As Executive Director of The Jean Tweed Centre, Belinda Marchese is proud to lead an organization rooted in compassion, resilience, and community.
Now in her fifth year with the Centre, the organization has experienced meaningful growth — expanding from 21 to over 34 programs, while strengthening community awareness, advocacy, and access to care through gender-informed, trauma-informed support for women, children, and families.
Over the past five years, the Centre has also advanced a number of special projects and initiatives that continue to move the mission forward — made possible through the trust and support of dedicated partners, grant funders, and a committed and growing community of donors — both longstanding supporters and new champions of the work.
Last year alone, The Jean Tweed Centre impacted the lives of over 20,000 individuals — a reflection of both the growing need for services and a continued commitment to advancing population health and well-being.
This impact is made possible by an incredible team of staff, front- line workers, volunteers, and a dedicated Board of Directors. Guided by a mission-first approach, a belief that all people matter, and a commitment to continuously learning and evolving, the team works together to support women, children, and families, and to strengthen communities.
Together, Belinda and her team are continually inspired by the strength and resilience of the women and children the Centre serves.
We cannot do this work alone. The team is deeply grateful for the tremendous growth in support over the past few years, and to the longstanding circle of support that has stood behind the organization for over 43 years.
With over 30 years of experience in health, community, and social services, and a foundation as a front-line social worker, Belinda remains deeply connected to the mission — helping ensure every individual is met with dignity, care, and opportunity.
Together, we continue to build stronger, safer communities — grounded in resilience, empowerment, and hope.
As Executive Director of The Jean Tweed Centre, Belinda Marchese is proud to lead an organization rooted in compassion, resilience, and community.
Now in her fifth year with the Centre, the organization has experienced meaningful growth — expanding from 21 to over 34 programs, while strengthening community awareness, advocacy, and access to care through gender-informed, trauma-informed support for women, children, and families.
Over the past five years, the Centre has also advanced a number of special projects and initiatives that continue to move the mission forward — made possible through the trust and support of dedicated partners, grant funders, and a committed and growing community of donors — both longstanding supporters and new champions of the work.
Last year alone, The Jean Tweed Centre impacted the lives of over 20,000 individuals — a reflection of both the growing need for services and a continued commitment to advancing population health and well-being.
This impact is made possible by an incredible team of staff, front- line workers, volunteers, and a dedicated Board of Directors. Guided by a mission-first approach, a belief that all people matter, and a commitment to continuously learning and evolving, the team works together to support women, children, and families, and to strengthen communities.
Together, Belinda and her team are continually inspired by the strength and resilience of the women and children the Centre serves.
We cannot do this work alone. The team is deeply grateful for the tremendous growth in support over the past few years, and to the longstanding circle of support that has stood behind the organization for over 43 years.
With over 30 years of experience in health, community, and social services, and a foundation as a front-line social worker, Belinda remains deeply connected to the mission — helping ensure every individual is met with dignity, care, and opportunity.
Together, we continue to build stronger, safer communities — grounded in resilience, empowerment, and hope.
A JOURNEY OF HOPE, HELP & HEALING
As we reflect on another year at The Jean Tweed Centre (JTC), we are reminded that meaningful change is built through relationships, trust, compassion, and a shared belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to heal, rebuild, and move forward with hope.
This year, that collective commitment allowed us to reach more women, children, and families than ever before. Across seven locations and over 34 programs, 3,889 women were served in 2025-26, alongside a 30% increase in total client connections from the previous year. Nearly 70% of the women who come to JTC self-refer, reinforcing the importance of maintaining direct, accessible pathways to specialized women’s services.
Since 1983, The Jean Tweed Centre has understood that women do not experience challenges in isolation. Trauma, gender-based violence, substance use, mental
health, housing instability, poverty, parenting, justice involvement, disability, stigma, and other systemic barriers often intersect in complex ways. Our gender-responsive, trauma and violence-informed approach recognizes the whole person and meets women where they are, without judgement and without expecting their lives to fit neatly within the boundaries of a single service.
As we look ahead, our responsibility is clear: to continue removing barriers, strengthening partnerships, advocating for change, and ensuring women can access the care they need when they need it.
Together, we will continue building pathways toward safety, stability, recovery, and possibility, creating a future where every woman has the opportunity not simply to survive, but to heal and thrive.
LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Thank you for walking alongside us and for your unwavering support of our mission to provide hope and healing to women, children, and families.
Because of your generosity, compassion, and shared belief in our work, we are able to offer a safe sanctuary for those navigating substance use, mental health challenges, and trauma.
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
You can make a difference in the lives of countless women and their families.
THE JEAN TWEED CENTRE
215 Evans Avenue
Etobicoke, ON, M8Z1J5
PHONE: 416-255-7359
EMAIL: info@jeantweed.com
FAX: 416-255-9021
CHARITABLE REGISTRATION #: 118973528 RR0001