Stacey Beaveridge, MSW, RSW
Clinical Director

Hi, I’m Stacey, and I’m the Clinical Director at the Durham CYAC. I completed my Master of Social Work with a clinical focus on high-risk youth, and I’ve spent most of my career supporting children’s mental health in hospital settings across Durham Region.

Prior to my work in Durham Region, I had the opportunity to work in school social worker, child protection, and live-in treatment environments. Each of these roles has strengthened my ability to collaborate creatively with diverse service providers to support children, youth, and families facing complex challenges.

Through these experiences, I’ve learned that strong advocacy and meaningful relationship-building are essential to making a real difference for the people we serve.

Outside of work, I’m married to a dedicated sports fan, and I’m a big sports lover myself. Together, we have two teenagers who keep us on the go with their own activities. If we’re not at a rink or baseball diamond, you can usually find us outdoors, enjoying time by a lake somewhere.

Kira McDonald
Child Victim Witness Worker

As advocates with the Child Victim Witness Program, our role is to provide help, support, and information to children and youth under the age of 18 to help them understand and participate in the criminal court process once a preliminary hearing or trial date has been set. This includes, meeting in the community or at the court house to provide general information and getting to know the child in order to identify how best to provide support, arranging preparation meetings with the crown to review evidence, accompaniment in court, and support and guidance for their caregivers through the process.

I love dogs and have two terrier mixes. I’m a big fan of nearly all supports but am passionate about supporting the Toronto Blue Jays, Lewis Hamilton, the Spanish National Soccer Team, the Toronto Scepters, and unfortunately, the Toronto Maple Leafs. If I’m not at work, I’m probably running and listening to Taylor Swift.

Akanksha Akanksha, BA Psych. (Honours)
Intake, Prevention, and Outreach Worker

Hi, I’m Akanksha, Intake, Prevention, and Outreach Worker at CYAC Durham Region in Oshawa, Ontario. At CYAC, we support children and youth who have experienced abuse by offering a single, safe, child-friendly platform where they can share their story once—in an environment designed to reduce re-traumatization. In my role, I conduct compassionate intakes, deliver community prevention education, and connect families to trauma-informed resources for healing and safety. I bring experience from the Violence Against Women sector, supporting women and children fleeing abuse and building essential life skills. My background includes a Bachelor’s in Psychology (Honors), a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, and a Mental Health and Addiction Worker Diploma. As part of the BIPOC community, I actively advocate for equitable access to culturally responsive and safe services for children, youth and families in Durham Region. Outside work, I recharge with movies, series, workouts, art, dance, and cooking.

If you need support or want to collaborate on prevention efforts, reach out through CYAC. I’m here to listen/support.