Leadership Transition: Announcing the retirement of the Executive Director of Luke’s Place
Message from Luke’s Place Board President
With gratitude and our best wishes for her future, the Board announces that our founding Executive Director, Carol Barkwell, will retire from Luke’s Place on May 30, 2025 after 22 years.
Under Carol’s leadership, Luke’s Place has grown from a small grassroots initiative in the Durham Region to a province-wide leader in family law advocacy, training, and legal support for survivors. We thank Carol for her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership that has led Luke’s Place to its status as a provincially and nationally recognized Centre of Excellence for women fleeing intimate partner violence who are engaged with the family law system.
Her passion and dedication have strengthened our programs, deepened our impact, and ensured that survivors have the support they need. Her leadership is rooted in respect for what others have to offer, coupled with deep humility about herself.
The following highlights the core of our work and the lasting influence of her commitment.
Innovative Services
Luke’s Place has grown from a staff of two to more than twenty and expanded to include such innovative services as:
- The development of a unique wrap-around approach to supporting survivors, serving as a model for Ontario’s highly successful Family Court Support Worker Program. The Luke’s Place service delivery model is now being adapted nationwide by organizations seeking to support survivors through the family court process
- A legal clinic that connects women across Ontario to free summary legal advice, limited scope legal services and legal support
- An innovative direct service delivery system in Durham Region that has served thousands of women.
Knowledge Mobilization
Luke’s Place has forged partnerships with shelters, legal services, violence against women and victim services organizations and, through these important collaborations, has extended Luke’s Place’s reach and influence in meaningful and innovative ways. Foremost among them is knowledge mobilization resources, including:
- The flagship, “After She Leaves” training program for service providers which, includes in person and e-learning options, a manual and resources.
- Resources for service providers including a service delivery model toolkit, an emergency motions toolkit, and a tech safety toolkit, to name a few.
- The Family Court Support Worker Training Initiative
- Live and online training and webinars for service providers across Ontario on a dedicated training website, LukesPlaceTraining.ca
- In-person and online training for legal professionals who wish to increase their knowledge and skills when representing survivors of family violence in family law proceedings.
- In-person and online training for legal service providers in Ontario on delivering family law support to abused women
- Resources designed for women fleeing intimate partner violence, Family Court and Beyond, which includes a wide assortment of family law information and tools, available as a printed Workbook and Court Organizer and accompanying website, FamilyCourtAndBeyond.ca
Research and Advocacy
Luke’s Place works to achieve systemic change in family law and the family court system. It does so by making submissions on provincial and federal Bills and policies and intervening in precedent-setting family law litigation. Its’ expertise is frequently sought by policymakers, legal professionals, and advocacy groups which, in turn, shapes municipal, provincial, and national policies that improve access to justice for survivors.
Luke’s Place has participated in the expansion of research on the impacts of the family court system on women’s safety and equity, and changes needed.
Teamwork
All of this work is accomplished through a dedicated and skilled staff team. Luke’s Place works within an atmosphere that encourages diverse voices and perspectives and fosters an environment of respect and inclusivity, thus providing a safe and welcoming space for all.
Awards
Luke’s Place has won numerous awards, including the Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction in 2008, 2014, and 2020-21 and the Ontario Bar Association Foundation Award in 2019. Carol was individually recognized with the 2024 Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction.
Search for a New Executive Director
Our search for a new Executive Director has begun. While we are saddened by Carol’s departure, we look forward to working with a new Executive Director and growing Luke’s Place together.
We congratulate Carol on the next step in her journey and wish her well.
Donna Babbs, President
Luke’s Place Board of Directors
