Alumni Story - Tonia Richard
Tonia Richard enrolled in the Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor Advocate program at George Brown College after emigrating from Grenada with her young son. A passion for helping others initially drew Tonia to the program, but she was also looking for answers herself.
“I was in an abusive relationship at the time, and though I knew what I was experiencing, the program helped me realize that it wasn't my fault,” explains Tonia. “I was able to liberate myself and end that relationship. So the College definitely changed my life - it made me who I am today.”
Tonia, who graduated in 2006, credits George Brown for providing the foundation for her later achievements and giving her the confidence to pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in social work. She says she refers back to her College education every day in her work as a Crisis Intervention Counsellor for the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre and the Assaulted Women’s Helpline.
Tonia was recently nominated for a prestigious Premier’s Award in the category of Community Services for her ceaseless dedication to supporting women who have been the victims of physical and emotional abuse.
In addition to her counselling and advocacy work, Tonia teaches part-time in the Criminal Justice and Community Worker programs at Humber College, passing on her expertise to those who share her commitment to helping others. She also sits on a wide range of advisory committees including the Toronto Police Service Sex Crimes Unit and the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres, where her personal and professional understanding of the complex issues around domestic violence has proven invaluable.
Tonia is currently broadening her education even further in order to fulfill a long-term ambition of working internationally for the United Nations, helping to heal and empower people who have fled their countries due to war or human rights abuses.
“A lot of the stories I hear from refugees coming to Toronto are so traumatic; they're not getting any support before they get here,” she explains. “So that's my passion – to do what I'm doing now with people experiencing violence in refugee camps. I want to reach out to as many people as I can.”
