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Our Story
Journey Home Support was born from love and from loss.
Its founder, Renee Moor, a Buddhism based psychotherapist, meditation teacher and end of life doula, knows the terrain of grief from the inside. Walking through the deaths of both her father and her husband, she found something unexpected alongside the pain: the healing power of mindfulness and true, compassionate presence. She also found the gaps.
A culture that treats death as a medical event to manage,
rather than a sacred passage to be honoured.
Renee saw what was missing, and she built it. Journey Home Support exists to offer the emotional, mental and practical care that helps people meet dying not as something to simply survive, but as an experience that can be held with peace, meaning and even beauty.
Because dying is not separate from living. It is part of the same journey.
Our intention is simple, and it is everything: to help create peaceful, meaningful memories,
in life and in death.
Our Board
Bonnie Frenette, Chair of Board
I recently retired as the Director of Ontario Works in Hamilton. I was fortunate to have a fulfilling 35-year career in various social services roles.
My philosophy has always been to focus on a person-centred approach to supporting people, and I am honoured to bring my experience and knowledge to supporting Journey Home.
Dr. Alexandra Farag, Director
I am a Palliative Care Physician and Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University. I have been honoured to care for patients and families with life-limiting illnesses and teach the next generation of physicians about compassionate care.
My goal is to help demedicalize and demystify death and dying, and help all people with serious illness receive the support that they need in their communities.
Dr. Ine Wauben, Director
I work at McMaster University, where my career has focused on aging research and organizational management with the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), Canada’s premium platform for research on aging, and McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA).
I am inspired by the life stories of older adults and what matters most in life: meaning, connection, and shared experiences. I am honoured to support Journey Home’s mission.
Tina Burgess, Director
My background includes working with young children at the YMCA, radio broadcasting, and leading a dedicated team of fraud and payments analysts for a travel-focused tech company.
I have developed the skills to communicate effectively with anyone about any topic, while also considering their concerns and needs to create a tailored plan of action.
James Maggs, Director
Since 2014, I’ve had the privilege of working with families through every stage of life, guiding them through the often overwhelming world of real estate with clarity, strategy, and care at each phase.
I'm proud to support Journey Home and its mission to provide compassionate education and guidance for those navigating end-of-life transitions. Just as I aim to bring peace of mind to my real estate clients, I believe in the importance of creating dignity and support for all of life’s transitions.
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Jodi Harrison, Secretary
I have over 20 years of experience in administration and studying Thanatology, and I am currently pursuing my master's in eco-psychotherapy. I look forward to supporting Journey Home Support in the mission to bring death back to the hands of compassion and community.
Join Our Board
Journey Home Support is being built from the ground up, and that means the people who join us now don't just support the vision. They shape it.
We're looking for mature, mission-driven people ready to help lead real change in how our community meets illness, dying, and grief. If you believe death deserves dignity, and that Hamilton deserves to be the place that proves it, there's a seat at this table for you.
This is early. This is real work. And it's a chance to leave your own imprint on something first of its kind.
Interested in learning more about the board?
Staff
Renee Moor, Founder and Executive Director
My life’s work has been rooted in service, healing, and transformation; as a 20-year Behaviour Therapist for children with autism, a Buddhism-based Psychotherapist, a yoga and meditation teacher, and a certified death doula, I am deeply committed to supporting others through life’s most profound transitions. I find joy in helping people cultivate peace within themselves and in their relationships with the world around them.
When we meet life with compassion and awareness, even the most difficult moments can be pathways to love. I founded Journey Home Support to offer that possibility, helping others find peace in the face of change and ensuring that no one has to navigate life or death alone.
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Committee Members
Lori Lawson
I have been a registered social worker for the past 36 years, with experience both in community and healthcare settings. As a leader in health and social services, I bring a deep commitment to person and family-centred care and advocacy for vulnerable and equity-deserving groups.
I believe every person deserves the right to live and die with dignity. It is with deep respect and compassion that I support Journey Home Sanctuary in its mission to establish a non-medical community-based space where families and loved ones can be with peace and meaningful memories at end of life.
Allen Tedjo
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and the founder of True Health Therapy, a wellness clinic in Hamilton focused on integrative mental health and mind-body healing. My clinical work is grounded in cognitive and behavioural therapy, mindfulness, trauma-informed care, somatic therapies, and a deep respect for the wisdom of many states of consciousness.
It is an honour to support Journey Home's vision of restoring dignity, meaning, and empowerment to the end-of-life experience.
Chantel Boyd
I'm an IT professional who has worked for large technology companies, consulting firms, and the public sector. At work, I enjoy leading teams and analyzing and solving challenging situations.
Working with Renee and Journey Home this past year has inspired me to evaluate my life intentions, which is what I'll be focusing on personally this year.
Tony Velenosi
As an Advisor, I'm passionate about helping people make informed choices to build savings and help protect assets. With 15 years of experience as a Financial Planner, I understand the role I play in clients' lives. My valuable advice is meant to provide clarity and insight towards your financial future.
Working with Journey Home enables our community members to receive financial planning education for end-of-life care, empowering them to make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones.