**LIVING SPACE NEWS RELEASE**

The Board of Directors for Living Space is pleased to announce Jason Sereda as the organization’s new Executive Director.

Jason takes on this new role after serving as the Coordinator of Living Space since November 2018. Previously, Jason has been employed with the Canadian Mental Health Association: Cochrane-Timiskaming Branch in various front-line roles, including; Release from Custody Case Manager, Concurrent Disorders Case Manager, and Housing First Case Manager. Jason’s experience in the fields of homelessness and poverty reduction spans over 15 years throughout Ontario, the last 6 of which were spent developing homelessness supports and networks in Timmins. Jason is the founder and current Chair of the Homeless Coalition of Timmins, a member of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Hunger Coalition of Timmins and is actively involved in the community.

“I am eager to begin this new role and to fully devote my time, energy and experience toward ending homelessness in Timmins,” said Jason. “The goal of ending homelessness, while lofty, is not unsurmountable. Success requires the coordination of the many unique organizations who are already providing quality support. The partnership developed between Living Space and the Timmins Native Friendship Centre to respond during cold alerts, is but one example of the change coordinated effort can attain,” said Jason.

“Living Space was created via a partnership of key agencies with the goal of coordinating and securing services to end homelessness in Timmins and the Cochrane District. To deliver on the intended objectives, Living Space requires a strong leader with a deep understanding of the issues related to homelessness. Jason is the right person for the job,” said Brian Marks, Chair – Living Space.

Jason will assume the Executive Director position effective February 11, 2019.

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