Second Story Women's Centre supports women and gender-diverse people, provides
safer spaces, and advocates for social change.
safer spaces, and advocates for social change.
Stephanie Balcome
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Executive Director
Stephanie graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2008 with an Advanced BA with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business. She joined Second Story in 2015 and was the Centre’s Financial Services Coordinator for a little over 7 years before becoming our Executive Director. A native of Lunenburg, Stephanie has varied experience in finance, project and people management and has always had a passion for helping people, which she has demonstrated in various volunteer roles. Stephanie's pronouns are she/her. Fun Fact: Stephanie is a proud Hockey Mom |
Christine Scott
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Outreach Counsellor
Christine's pronouns are she/her. Christine is our part-time Outreach Counsellor. She worked for many years as a School Psychologist in Ontario and is pleased to be able to continue to work with women, youth and gender-oppressed people here in Nova Scotia. Christine incorporates many principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in her work with both individuals and groups, and practices from a trauma-informed and solution-focused perspective. Fun fact: Now that Christine is partly retired, she is learning woodworking. Her recent projects include a corner cabinet and modern Adirondack chairs. |
Laura Keeler
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Part-time Support Counsellor
Laura (she/her) has been a part of Second Story Women's Centre since 2021, and is excited to be returning as a part-time Outreach Counsellor and Intake Worker. She grew up in Kespukwitk (on the South Shore of Nova Scotia) and loves spending time exploring the nooks and crannies of the area. Laura is a Registered Counselling Therapist who uses trauma-informed and somatic practices to guide her work. Her approach to counselling is creative and integrative, and she shows up curiously and honestly as a therapist. Fun fact: Laura loves playing the fiddle. |
Sally Hutchinson
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Part-time Support Counsellor
Sally's pronouns are she/her and she loves coming to work. She feels honoured and fortunate to work with a team of women as skilled and passionate as her sisters at SSWC. Sally is a Support Coordinator and brings with her 40+ years of working with individuals and groups focusing on the resilience, strength and creativity inherent in all. She started with the Centre in 2004 on contract, co-facilitating pre-employment programs for women and as coordinator of a Women and Gambling grant. Her role today entails sitting with women 1:1 to offer counselling for various issues. She has training in Solution-Focused Counselling, Reality Therapy Choice Theory Certification and she is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Sally believes most of her true learning has come from the women she sits with every day whose courage and resourcefulness never fails to humble her. She believes that true presence and listening deeply can do much to inspire healing. Fun Fact: Sally finds balance and fills her soul by starting most days painting and making art in her family home outside Lunenburg. |
Aliyyah Fazil
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Administrative Assistant
Aliyyah works concurrently at Harbour House in Bridgewater as an Outreach Worker and at Second Story as the Administrative Assistant. Her recent education is in immigration and refugee settlement and holds a bachelor degree in film production and writing from York University. Aliyyah has worked various contracts at Second Story Women's Centre since 2018. Fun Fact: Aliyyah once met Michael Moore. |