We’re thrilled to welcome Mel Burns, our new Peace Program Coordinator!

Mel Burns resides in New Brunswick on the traditional lands of the Wolastoqiyik, where the Wolastoq River and the Bay of Fundy meet.  She has a background in Social Work and is currently at the Thesis stage of her Masters degree with a focus on Religion, Peace, and Justice. Mel has spent years working with refugees and newcomers to Canada, managing a wide variety of case management and programming. Prior to that, Mel worked in New Zealand for an Indigenous organization providing support to youth beneficiaries and young parents.

Mel is passionate about peace education and depolarizing by building a culture of compassionate communication. She has experience facilitating workshops on a variety of topics related to both social work and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Mel believes that all life is created equal and that each human we encounter has the ability to teach us a unique and valuable truth, if only we take the time to pause and pay attention. “Attention is the rarest, and purest, form of generosity.”—Simone Weil.

Mel is the co-parent of a rambunctious toddler, an avid walker of an equally rambunctious dog, a proud member of the queer community, a regular tree-hugger, a donut connoisseur, and a lover of continuous learning.

Learn more about CFSC’s peace work. Get on the wait list for free peace skills workshops facilitated by Mel.