The Team

Our Multidisciplinary Service Team

Snowflake Place operates and is designed on the premise that child abuse is a multifaceted community problem and no single agency, individual, or discipline has the necessary knowledge, skills or resources to effectively respond to the needs of victims and their families.

In common with other children’s advocacy centres, Snowflake Place shares the belief that the combined wisdom of professional knowledge and disciplines will result in more complete understanding of the case and the most effective child and family-focused system response.

Snowflake Place is a child-focused model where police, child and family services, and victim services workers come together in one child-friendly location to work collaboratively.

• Snowflake Place for Children and Youth
• Winnipeg Police Service Child Abuse Unit
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
• All Nations Coordinated Response Unit (ANCR)
• Manitoba Justice, Victim Services
• Child Protection Centre (CPC)
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinators (SANE)

Chantal Lacoste

Chantal Lacoste is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Snowflake Place for Children and Youth. Before working for SFP, Chantal launched Mealshare in Winnipeg, a social enterprise working to help end youth hunger locally and internationally. In 2017, Chantal received her bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Winnipeg. While attending university, Chantal volunteered and supported community resources, non-for profit organizations including, Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba, Willow Place, and Soup Sisters. She has received continuing education and trauma-informed skills from organizations including New Directions, Klinic, and MDAM. Chantal now holds a certificate as a Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner and is a certified Peer Zone Peer Support Facilitator.

Chantal is a compassionate advocate in supporting children, youth, and families who’ve experienced trauma and abuse and is passionate about helping individuals who are on their journey towards hope, health, and healing.

Karen Chymy

Karen Chymy is the Director of Operations at Snowflake Place for Children and Youth.  Prior to joining the team, Karen was employed for 11 years with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection as the Director of Operations.  During her time at the Canadian Centre, Karen oversaw the day-to-day work of the Cybertip.ca program, the communications and design team, and then the Child Safety and Family Advocacy Division.  She was involved in program and policy development; ensuring programs and services were functioning effectively and efficiently.  Karen played a central role in advancing innovative solutions to better protect children from sexual exploitation and harm, including expanding the Canadian Centre’s support services for survivors.  Prior to working with the Canadian Centre, Karen worked for 7 years in the Manitoba child welfare system, including as a Supervisor within the Abuse Investigations program.