Our Story
As a result of months of study and consultation with various agencies in the late 1980s, it was apparent that society was becoming increasingly aware of the plight of abused women. Assistance in crisis shelters throughout our community met only immediate needs of abused women and their children.
After months of negotiating with government ministries, Armagh received approval and funding to proceed with a project, temporary second-stage housing for victims of family violence. A residential wing was renovated to provide eight self-contained apartments for women and their children. In 1991 Armagh welcomed its first residents into the program. It became, at that time one of six, second-stage homes in Ontario.
Today there are approximately 20 second-stage homes, Armagh is the only second-stage housing programme in the Region of Peel, providing supportive housing for this vulnerable segment of the Region’s population.
The name Armagh came from the combination of the Irish word Ard, meaning 'high place' and the goddess Macha of war and fertility, meaning 'Sun of Womenfolk’!
ARMAGH
Mission
Armagh empowers women and children to rebuild safe and independent lives, while advancing community-focused solutions for lasting change.
Vision
Building Lives Free of Violence
Values and Guiding Principles
Safety and Healing:
We believe healing is a personal journey and safety is a foundation. We honour the resilience and courage of everyone. It’s about recognizing the power already within and walking beside those rebuilding their lives on their own terms without fear.Choice is Empowerment:
We believe that change begins with agency. We support decision making, self determination and meet people where they are at. We are committed to providing trauma- informed support that truly honours each unique experience.Community-Centred Change:
We believe real change is powered by community. We hold space for possibility through collaboration with survivors, families, organizations and allies within broader systems to build stronger and safer communities.
Board of Directors
Armagh is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are dedicated to our cause. Armagh also employs full-time, qualified staff who are trained in counselling women in vulnerable situations.
Executive Team
Julie Semak, President
Julie has a 30 year career in the field of Human Resources. She has served in a variety of corporate environments and specializes in the areas of talent management and coaching. Julie has held senior level Human Resources roles in the healthcare, market research and entertainment sectors. Most recently Julie joined The Vector Institute, a not-for-profit organization committed to driving excellence and leadership in Canada's knowledge, creation, and use of AI to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians.
Julie first joined Armagh’s Board in December 2020 and held the position of Executive Secretary. In 2022, she was appointed Vice President of Armagh and has since stepped into the role of President of the Board, where she continues to lead with vision and dedication.
"The clients and residents of Armagh House inspire me with their courage, commitment and conviction to create a better life for themselves and their children. I am also inspired by the passion and dedication of the Armagh House staff and volunteers. Without them, none of this would be possible.
I am excited and honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to such a needed and worthy cause in a meaningful way. I look forward to our journey ahead that will afford more families the opportunity to create the life they deserve free from violence and abuse."
Kirpal Singh, Treasurer
Pending
Mina Kavanagh, Secretary
Pending
Directors
Linda Kern
Pending
Simran Kataria
Pending
Sandra DaCosta
Sandra DaCosta has worked in tax and accounting for over 20 years. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant. She worked at Deloitte LLP and then at PwC LLP. She started her career at Deloitte back in 2002 in the audit and assurance practice and in 2006 moved into the tax practice. She has been a tax professional since 2006 specializing in both Canadian and US expat cross border tax. In 2021 she opened her own tax practice in Toronto. She also completed CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Program and is an alumni of the University of Toronto where she earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree. Throughout her career she has been involved with philanthropic initiatives and volunteered her time with various charities. Her focus has been on gender equality and women empowerment initiatives. As a mother of two daughters, these initiatives have been extremely important to her.
Sandra joined the board in 2022. Sandra and her family have been involved with various campaigns in the past and she is passionate to continue to serve Armagh as a board member and to participate in the expansion project of the only second-stage housing programme in Peel Region.
"I am honoured to be part of Armagh's board and to help make a positive impact on the residents so that they can continue to build their lives and move forward free from abuse and violence. Helping fulfill Armagh's mission of providing women and their children with the best opportunity to overcome the devastating effects of abuse is my goal. Remember, you are not alone. There is help available. You deserve to be safe and free from violence."
Herman Gill
Pending
Roxanne Torbiak
"At a time in our history when intimate partner violence, food and housing insecurity are at record highs, the need to support Armagh has never been more critical. I look forward to sharing my time and skills to help raise awareness of the realities of intimate partner violence, the importance of seeking help and the need to support Armagh's vital services among the community, funders and stakeholders to help create a brighter future for women and children."
Sats Sehgal
"I am thrilled to be a part of this esteemed board, dedicated to a noble cause. As a devoted husband and father, I have always regarded family as my greatest joy. The profound impact of violence on families strikes a deeply personal chord within me. In a progressive society, upholding the value of equality is essential, and it is imperative that no individual or family confronts the harrowing ordeal of violence or abuse. I am committed to assisting others during their most challenging moments, and I eagerly embrace the opportunity to find innovative solutions in this endeavor."
Sats holds an MBA from The Schulich School of Business, York University, an Master of Engineering from Ryerson University, and a BASc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto. He is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), a Project Management Professional (PMP).
Siobhan Smith
Pending
John McKenna
Pending
Friends of Armagh,
Recent times has seen a lot of challenges and pivoting of what and how Armagh carries forward its mandate to build lives free of violence for women and children. It is a fact that Violence Against Women incidents have seen a quick rise during the pandemic, and we recognize the long road ahead with a lot more work that needs to be done. Yet we have continued to see the bravery, resilience and strength from the families we serve fleeing trauma and abuse and this invigorates us with hope as we move forward.
It takes the support of an entire community to end violence against women. Joining in the efforts to stop violence is everybody’s responsibility. Governments, private enterprises, civil society groups, communities and individuals can all make essential contributions.
Your continued support of our work is greatly appreciated.
Jannies Le
Executive Director
