Introducing the Alberta Friend 2 Friend Team
The Autism Calgary Association Friend 2 Friend team continue to commit countless hours of passion and dedication, making this program a huge success. Our presenters provide unique insights while delivering each presentation due to the personal impact Autism Spectrum Disorder has had on their own families. With a personal connection to Autism coupled with their complementary professional backgrounds, they are delivering first rate performances!
Marie-Claude Osterrath (M.C.)
M.C. was born in Montreal and moved to Alberta in 1992 to teach. She is the mother of two amazing kids who have been her greatest teachers as to what is important in life. She has been involved in the Friend2Friend program since it came to Calgary in 2006. When M.C. is not busy playing with puppets, she dreams about sailing and travelling. One of M.C.’s favourite things about the F2F program is when she gets to witness first hand the children developing empathy and understanding towards their peers.
Candace Taperek
Candace was thrilled to join the Friend2Friend team in 2010. Her previous experience as a performing artist, educator, and mother of two wonderful sons, (one on the Autism Spectrum) made the choice to become part of this amazing team, a no-brainer! Although she thoroughly enjoys the camaraderie and support of her cohorts, her greatest reward comes from the comments and questions she receives from the schools and communities across Alberta. Knowing that this program helps to foster empathy, understanding, mutual respect, and friendships is truly inspirational!
Erin Zilavec
Jeff Dewar
Jeff was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He is currently attending Mount Royal University, studying Computer Science. Jeff has always enjoyed giving his dolls and plushies voices, and really enjoys working with the puppets in the Friend2Friend program. He has Asperger’s Syndrome, an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and feels that his work in the schools is helping people like him. He had difficulty in school, and hopes to make things easier for others.
Marc Allard
One of the newest members of the Calgary Friend2Friend program, Marc also enjoys playing with fire as a member of the Calgary Fire Department. Born in Oshawa, Ont. but raised in Montreal, Marc came to Calgary in 1996 to follow his dream. He has four beautiful kids and an amazingly supportive wife. Being part of a program that has such a positive affect on the acceptance of the condition that effects his family has been an incredible experience for Marc. He looks forward to many years with Friend2Friend, and to being part of such a great group of people.
Christine Marayag
Christine was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Calgary with her family in 1989. She is a proud mother of two boys and loves outdoor activities from mountain biking and hiking to ATVing and tobogganing. She joined Friend2Friend in 2011 after a 14 year career in Research and Development in the Petro-Chemicals Industry. Her great experience with the Friend2Friend program is defined by the wonderful people she works with, the eye-opening activities and overwhelming sense of connection and family she feels with everyone around her. She enjoys watching the classroom come alive as the children’s faces light up when the puppets perform.
