Jessica moved from Guelph to Peterborough with her family in early 2020 and now lives in East City with her 6 year old, 2 year old and partner. She was raised in the Warsaw area and much of her extended family still lives in the area. She has been involved in diverse spiritual communities, from baking for a Jewish community to meditating with Buddhist communities to participating in ceremony and drumming circles with Indigenous communities. And also living as part of a yoga and arts community and practicing Capoeira with a diverse community.

Most recently in Guelph, her family found a spiritual home in an inclusive and social justice oriented intergenerational service called Manna at Harcourt United. She comes with over 15 years experience in experiential learning, working with children and young adults locally, nationally and internationally. Her silly, fun and engaging ways of working with children first took root while working as a counsellor at Trent Summer Sports Camp. Then later as camp director at an inclusive and diverse camp in downtown Toronto, and then volunteering with Camp Ten Oaks and Project Acorn, programs for children and youth from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families, and communities. She has studied Human Rights, Political Science and critical development studies at Carleton University and the University of Guelph. Jessica also has extensive training in inclusive communities, anti-racism, accessibility, anti-oppression, Indigenous teachings and gender and sexual diversity.

Jessica is really excited to join the Peterborough UU community as Director of Religious Exploration, and is looking forward to getting to know members and discovering ways she can best serve individual and family needs.