Leadership

Jodie Vanderzwaag

Executive Director

Office: 204-745-3528
Cell: 204-750-2123

Jodie worked for a few years with children with disAbilities during and just out of high school. Out of high school she also worked with a young adult with disAbilities as a Direct Service Professional and took a position to manage the day to day aspects of the program. Shortly after getting married, she left the
work force to be a home maker and mother.

Jodie and her husband were blessed with the gift of raising 5 children. During this time she also found joy in baking bread + sewing for her young children. This love for sewing grew into a small online shop and an opportunity to share with those around her. As her kids grew and all entered school Jodie searched for new ways to serve. She found herself working as a Health Care Aid at a care home for elderly persons but after seeing a need for Direct Service
Professionals at Cornerstone she applied and accepted a position in the Carman Home in the spring of 2022. Jodie rediscovered her love and desire to serve and walk alongside people with disAbilities and in the summer of 2022 she accepted the position of Executive Director. Jodie still enjoys sewing, baking bread and cinnamon buns, as well as spending time outside.

Fenny Vandergugten

Carman House Manager

I was born in Holland and moved to BC, Canada at age 11.

There, I went to John Calvin School and then graduated from Credo Christian High School. Shortly after high school I married Ken VanderGugten and we were blessed with 10 children – 5 girls, 5 boys and eventually 11 grandchildren.

We moved to Manitoba in 2002 where our last 2 children were born. I was a stay at home mom till 2019. At that time I started at St Claude daycare. I really enjoyed that but in 2021 I accepted a position at Cornerstone.

I truly love working here and in the Fall of 2022 I took on the role of house manager. I feel so blessed to be working with an amazing team taking care of some very special individuals.

Jody Bruinsma

Oakview House Manager

After high school Jody went to work at the local nursing home and then attended college and received her Practical Nursing diploma. She returned to work at the nursing home until she moved to Winnipeg. After more schooling, Jody received her Practical Nursing diploma in Manitoba. God blessed Jody and her husband Brian with 4 children. Two of their children were diagnosed with Profound Hearing Loss. They were granted access to sound through cochlear implants, had a life steeped in auditory-verbal therapy, and were granted many professional supports. They are both college graduates.

Jody worked for 6 ½ years as a parent coach at the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic, helping parents of newly diagnosed children with a hearing loss to navigate the many avenues of support they would need. She also had the privilege of meeting and assisting many adults go through the process of receiving a cochlear implant.

Jody worked with a lady with Special Needs in her home for 3 ½ years. She worked as a Direct Support Professional for an individual in the Supported Independent Living program under Cornerstone Christian Care Society for a year. In that time, she was offered a job as a Direct Support Professional in the Winnipeg home and went on to be accepted as the House Manager in the Oakview home in Winnipeg.

Jody is now a proud grandma of the 2 cutest granddaughters!

Carrie Poppe

Respite Manager & Administrative Assistant

Carrie has been fortunate to spend the last seven years dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. It all started after high school when she enrolled in the Disability and Community Service program at Red River. That experience opened her eyes to the diverse needs of this community and prepared her for the journey ahead. Following her time at Red River, she dove into various roles, spending a year at a Day Program and three years as an Education Assistant in school settings. These experiences shaped her and fueled her passion for making a difference. A highlight of her journey was the opportunity to travel to Australia for four and a half months, where she worked directly as a Support Professional. It was an enriching experience that broadened her perspective and reinforced her commitment to this field. Now, Carrie is proud to be part of the team at Cornerstone, where she serves as both an Administrative Assistant and Respite Manager. Her goal is to ensure our community has access to the respite and support services they need.

Cornerstone’s Board of Directors

Earl VanAssen

President

Siert Prins

Treasurer

Debbie Vanderzwaag

Public Relations

Mike Kuik

Vice President

Judith DeWitt

Secretary

Cornerstone Christian Care Society
Box 367
Carman, MB
R0G 0J0

info@cornerstoneccs.ca

204-745-3528