About Every Kid Rox
Our Story
Bev and Pedro are the driving force behind Every Kid ROX.
Raising 5 children and managing their own family's complex needs has given Bev and Pedro an abundance of life experience in this field. After a difficult 4 years adopting 3 of their middle children, they now have a house full of complexities to contend with - most notably ASD, ADHD, FASD, Mild Intellectual Disability, Sensory Processing Disorder, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Sensory Modulation Disorder, Anxiety and instances of violent and reactive behaviour.
Despite all this adversity, the couple's optimism and zeal for helping other caregivers has kept them going; it is this shared responsibility that led to founding Every Kid ROX - a platform for sharing information and providing tools that make the challenging pathway of complex need caregiving much more manageable. Ultimately, they hope to create a caregiver-focused community that gives individuals the encouragement they need to thrive.
Bev Gavilanez
Co-Founder
Pedro Gavilanez
Co-Founder
Our Leadership Team
We believe that every child is wonderfully complex.
Will Glover
Board of Directors Chairman
Born and raised in a rural farming community on the outskirts of St. Thomas, I have dedicated much of my life to helping those in need. Following teacher’s college, I spent 15 years in education - always drawn to helping the most misunderstood students. During this time, I worked alongside countless families struggling to navigate the educational system, specifically the families of children with complex needs. My career in education culminated when promoted to vice principal. In a serendipitous turn of events, I have returned to my farming roots, but am blessed to have been given the opportunity to join the Every Kid ROX board of directors. With this new tie to families in need, I am so excited to see the positive change we can drive here in our community. As a famous dreamer once said - “To infinity and beyond!
Monique Clark
Board of Directors Treasurer
Monique Clark lives in St. Thomas with her husband, and is mother to a son, daughter, and 3 step-daughters. She is a board member and treasurer for EKR.
In the 80’s and 90’s, she grew up with a brother diagnosed with de Grouchy Syndrome (chromosome 18q deletion) and Autism. Her parents were major advocates for him in a system that was hard to navigate due to inability to access information relying heavily on medical and social services to help. Monique is excited to be part of EKR to help others be able to navigate the system for their loved ones.
Marisa Kohler
Board of Directors Secretary
Marisa owns The Joy Soap Company, works in admin at LifeHouse Church & homeschools her three children. She loves being involved with various groups of people and what she learns from each group. Marisa loves hearing a person’s story and helping wherever she can with her skills and abilities. She is excited to see how Every Kid ROX helps caregivers and their children have a smoother experience navigating our world.
Darlene Siddall
Board of Directors Member
My work and career has been about working with special needs children and adults in various situations; from a private nursing home, school, children's group home and supported apartment living. This has led me to my current position as a Family Support Worker. This by far has been one of the most rewarding positions I've had with Community Living Elgin. My core belief is respecting family's rights to define their needs and helping to design the responses to those needs.
William Vanraes
Board of Directors Member
As a graduate from Mohawk College, I have spent the majority of the past 10 years developing my career in the developmental services field. I have worked in multiple positions, from front line, advocacy, facilitating workshops, and more. I quickly moved into a leadership position in the field. I have had the opportunity to develop programs and bring additional funding into agencies I worked for to help improve services. Working in multiple positions has given me the ability to understand the importance of being a part of the community and giving back. Working as a first responder with the Hamilton Fire Department as well as supporting people with intellectual disabilities, I have realized that my passion is working with, and helping people. As a volunteer firefighter from 2012-2018 with Hamilton Fire, and currently with Aylmer Fire, I work with many people in their most vulnerable times. This experience helps me as it provides a better understanding of how to treat everyone with respect and dignity. I have extensive experience in a helping profession working in developmental services for the past 10 years. In these positions I have worked with families and community partners improving the quality of life for adults and youth with intellectual disabilities. I have also been in a leadership role, managing day programs, 24 hour residential homes, as well as taking on program development positions. Currently I am the owner of Inclusive Communities Consulting & Life Skills. This is a program that provides support to adults and youth with intellectual disabilities.
I decided to join the Board of Every Kid ROX because I strongly believe in what Every Kid ROX stands for. They are dedicated to making it easier for youth to receive support by connecting caregivers and youth with community supports. More support is needed for youth with complex needs, and Every Kid ROX is helping fill the need in youth support.
Have Questions? Give us a shout!
Everyone has questions because caring for a loved one is hard. We'd love to connect and help direct you to the information you are looking for. Fill out the form on our Contact Page or email us at hello@everykidrox.com
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