Annette Miner
September 3, 1958 – January 15, 2020
Annette was a co-founder of Life’s Seasons, but also a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, mentor and friend.
Making a difference in others’ lives isn’t just what Annette did, it was who she was. With words, actions, and deeds, Annette modelled for us, how to truly walk alongside those who were in need of care and support. Annette would often be heard saying “everyone matters” and she proved it.
Annette had a diverse range of clinical experiences working with children, youth, and their families, as well as training those who provide services to vulnerable populations. Annette was a dynamic, positive, and energetic presenter whose approach to intervention provided a unique alternative to traditional intervention strategies. Her professional focus was both faith-based and non-faith-based, depending on the preference of her clients.
Annette had a Child and Youth Work diploma from Lambton College in Sarnia, Ontario and was a certified member of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors. Annette completed a Distant Education Pastoral Counselling Program from Emerge Ministries in Akron Ohio. Annette was a CPI Master Level Trainer with the Crisis Prevention Institute, in Brooklyn WI.
Annette was a Certified Trainer and Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioner through Starr Commonwealth. She was a recipient of the Trauma and Loss Clinical Specialist of the Year Award in 2007 and received the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children’s Bill Steele Award in 2013, for outstanding contributions in the field of Trauma Intervention and dedication and service to children, youth, adults, and families.
Annette was also nominated and posthumously received a “Women of the Year Award” by the Women’s Interval Home and Sexual Assault Survivors Centre in March 2020. Her daughter, Tina, accepted on her behalf.
One of Annette’s favourite speakers and authors was Pastor Bill Johnson. In one of his sermons, he said:
“From every point of adversity, a door of opportunity is opened. The threshold of this door can only be crossed with a humble stride. The way forward is found in the restoration of those relationships that now look like piles of debris”.
Everything Annette did was out of relationship. Not just for pleasure or friendship, but in restoration. She understood that everyone goes through seasons in their life and relationship is key for every one of them… because of course, “everyone matters”.
