Deacon Randy Matters of Burlington, Ontario started Shifra Homes after learning about the prevalence of youth homelessness and teen pregnancy in Halton from one of his parishioners. Our service as a maternity home was the first proposed and the only one to date operating of its nature in the entire region of Halton. Our necessity in the community and creation is predicated upon statistics which indicate that annually there are over 200 teen pregnancies in the Halton region.
OUR MISSION
Shira Homes’ vision is to provide a safe haven and an empowering environment that promotes dignity and a sense of hope for young, homeless pregnant women. We aim to provide support and resources, and to protect and nurture new life.
OUR VISION
To see young pregnant women healthy, supported, safe and empowered, and equipped with the necessary life and relationship skills they need to
build happy successful lives. To see a decrease in the number of homeless pregnant teens and young women in the
Halton region.
OUR VALUES
We believe women have the right to personal dignity and the right to feel safe. We
believe these women have the right to personal autonomy in making decisions, and act to guide and support them in planning for the future. We believe that creating a supportive environment for these women is essential.
MEET OUR TEAM
NANCY ROMIC
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Nancy Romic has successfully grown Shifra Homes since 2012 through her tireless effort and passion for this cause. Her background as the owner of an Oakville nursing agency has given her the business and social service background to change lives. Under her leadership the home’s programs and reach has continued to grow and expand.
Nancy Romic’s accomplishments & awards include :
-Paul Harris Fellow Recipient
-2017 Canada’s 150 Exemplary Women
-2019 Business Excellence in Non-profit winner-Chamber of Commerce
-2021 YWCA Nominee for Lifetime Winner- Community Leadership
-2022 YWCA Women of Distinction Winner- Community Leadership Halton
-2022 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Hero Award
-2023 Burlington Chamber of Commerce- Business Excellence Awards- Women Business Leaders Winner
-2024 Canadian- Croatian Chamber of Commerce- Social Impact Award
-2024 Nominee Business Excellence in Non-Profit- Chamber of Commerce
AMY RAYMOND
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Amy Raymond started as a student in the Social Service Worker Program at Sheridan College and quickly became an integral Program Manager and than became the Program Director for the home. Her vibrant positive attitude and empathetic approach has helped Shifra’s residents find their true value and hope for the future since 2013.
EMILY RAGAN
PROGRAM MANAGER
Emily Ragan started as a student in the Child & Youth Care Program at Sheridan College. She became our Program Manager as our second home opened.
Emily’s warm and loving demeanour has been able to facilitate positive growth & change in residents lives since her time being here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Deacon Randal Matters- Founder, In Memoriam (1961-2023)
Deacon Randy Matters was the founder of Shifra Homes, established in 2006, and was deeply passionate about supporting young mothers and their babies. His mission was to offer a safe haven to young, pregnant women during their most vulnerable moments. How fitting that Randy passed away on Mother’s Day in 2023, a day that reflects the very heart of his life’s work.
Randy envisioned Shifra as more than just one residence—he named the organization Shifra Homes. He always hoped to open multiple homes for vulnerable young women in need. In September 2022, Randy’s vision became reality when Shifra opened its second home. While his passing was a profound loss, we take comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on in every life touched by Shifra.
As a successful high-level executive in a global company, Randy brought wisdom, respect, patience, negotiation skills, and kindness to everything he did. He never hesitated to share his faith openly. He was ordained to the Diaconate within the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton on June 10, 2006, and it was during this formation that he felt the calling to establish Shifra Homes.
Randy’s compassionate spirit, foundational role and unwavering vision continue to guide our mission every day.
Geoff Cauchi (Acting President)
Geoff Cauchi, a lawyer, joined Deacon Randy’s original group of founding members of Shifra Homes Inc., in 2004. He volunteered his legal skills to help the organization get established.
Geoff presently practices law in Mississauga and resides with his wife and daughter in Georgetown. Geoff is active in his Church and local, provincial, and national organizations that advocate on behalf of children and their mothers.
Jordan Matters CPA, CA, CIM (Treasurer)
Jordan is a lifelong Halton resident and is a partner with Leyland & Matters Private Client Insurance Advisors. He joined the Shifra Board of Directors in 2016 and now strives to help continue his Dad’s legacy through extending the impact of Shifra along with all of those who are involved in making this mission successful. He attended Brock University earning a Bachelor of Accounting and then his CPA, CA while at a regional public accounting firm. In addition to serving as the Treasurer of Shifra Homes Inc., he is also an active member of the Estate Planners’ Council of Halton.
Heather McDougall (Secretary)
Heather joined the Shifra Homes board of directors in 2016 at a time when her personal and professional life allowed her the time to do some charity work. Heather had been following Shifra Homes for several years prior to joining the board. She grew up in a mining town in northern Ontario and moved south after completing school to start a career. Professionally, she is an IT professional currently working for an international company in the education sector as a Managing Consultant.
Antoinette Mendes de Franca
Antoinette got involved with Shifra Homes in 2016 where she met the Executive Director, Nancy Romic at fundraising event in Oakville. At the time, Antoinette was looking to volunteer with a Charity in the area but was not sure which one. After she heard Nancy speak about Shifra Homes and what they were about she knew immediately it was where she wanted to volunteer. What Antoinette loved about Shifra was that it meant working with young women and their babies to make their lives better and enrich our world with new life.
Antoinette has retired from A.J. Gallagher formerly Buck Canada HR Services Limited in Mississauga and was with the company for 18 years. She was the Administrative Coordinator where she assisted with operations and office management and worked closely with the administrative groups in Canada & India. Further, she was the Canadian point person working with the India office to collaborate on processes. She also sat on the Joint Health & Safety Committee for Canada.
Antoinette has sat on the HCC60 Condo Board of Directors for 8 years. Most of those years have been in the capacity of President overseeing/chairing and guiding the board & management at monthly/annual meetings and in making important daily decisions regarding the operation of the corporation. Antoinette was just currently voted back on the Board of Directors for another 2 terms.
Joanne Matters
Joanne provided support to her husband, Deacon Randy Matters, during the founding of Shifra Homes in 2006. And, now, taking an active role on the Board of Directors, upon the passing of her dear husband, Joanne continues to live out her dedication to moms and babies in need of support, love and a safe haven. Joanne’s care for those in need played out in her work as a Personal Support Worker, Executive Director of a local charitable organization, as well as her passion for wellness as a Nutritionist, while raising three children and now enjoying her seven grandchildren.