Staff and Leadership
Meet our Staff!
Alice Plug-Buist
Executive Director
Alice joined Helping Hands in 2018 as a volunteer, and took the lead as Executive Director in 2019. She appreciates Helping Hands as a place where people can safely come together in community, to forge friendships, support each other, and engage in hope-filled conversation together. Alice loves to engage people in discovery of how each person is a valuable image-bearer of God and how they can live into that reality.
Carl Henderson
Operations Director
Carl joined the HHSM team on New Year’s Day, 2025. He brings with him over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit world. Carl’s personal experience as a person with a disability and his pride in his Indigenous and African-American heritage have not only shaped his work but also fuels his dedication for advocating for marginalized groups of people. With a passion and proven track record of developing leaders and cultivating compelling stories that invite change, Carl is excited to partner with Helping Hands Street Mission and their vision of a Hamilton transformed through friendship-based support for every person dealing with social, financial and spiritual poverty.
Kristina Ivanovic
Storefront Manager
Kristina was first introduced to Helping Hands Street Mission through her field placement while completing her Social Service Worker Diploma at Mohawk College. She loved the experience so much she continued to volunteer after her placement was over. She strongly believes in and respects the mission’s values and vision. Through her position here she has been given the opportunity to continue building positive relationships with our friends as well as helping those in need with the services that are provided at Helping Hands.
Lauren Galenkamp
Volunteer and Programs Manager
Lauren began working at Helping Hands in May of 2022 as an Administrative Assistant. As her role developed, she was able to work on several projects aimed to aid Helping Hands in communication through different creative storytelling methods. This has included the development of the new website, fine-tuning impact tracking systems, leading the development of video storytelling materials, developing vision for our annual Gala, and creating and leading We’re All Neighbours Here – an immersive art experience. Lauren loves being able to continue to learn how to be a good neighbour and a good friend in the neighbourhood where she both lives and works.
Lisette Sayes
Community Engagement Manager and Project Hope Lead
Lisette was born and raised in Hamilton to parents of Guatemalan descent. She studied at Redeemer University with a major in International Development and a minor in Political Science, hoping to one day use her experience to be a missionary. As part of her studies, Lisette was required to complete volunteer hours and chose to do so at Helping Hands Street Mission. After having a great experience, she went on to become a summer intern at Helping Hands in the summer of 2016. Since then, Lisette has worked in both non-profit organizations and in political offices, always focusing on social justice work. Lisette loves the friendship-based support of Helping Hands, and ultimately wanted to expand the capacity of Helping Hands so that God’s love would reach more people in the Barton Street community. She’s excited to see what God will be doing in her role as the Community Engagement Manager and Project Hope Lead.
Erika Boyd
Administrative Assistant
Erika joined Helping Hands in 2024 as a volunteer, and in February 2026, transitioned into a part-time staff role as Administrative Assistant. Through many years of experience in both corporate roles and volunteer work, she has developed a deep commitment to helping others and fostering environments where everyone feels valued and cared for. Erika is guided by a genuine belief in treating each person with kindness, dignity, and respect. These values have shaped her career and align beautifully with the spirit of HHSM.
Jeanette Hunter
Friday Night Cafe Lead
I was fortunate enough to be one of the first volunteers when Helping Hands opened in 2003. I enjoyed shifts at the store on Saturdays. I also became a Board Member and even the president for a few years. We were thrilled when; through our gala fundraising, we were able to rent the storefront next-door and made it into the café! I was then happy to be a part of the Friday night Cafe!!
I also loved many of our special events especially the Christmas events, of which we have continued all of these years!!
I had to take a break from HHSM in 2017 and then COVID hit! However; through Facebook, I was drawn back to Helping Hands when I saw they had actually bought the new building!! I met Alice and told her; since I was retired, I really wanted to be a part of this mission again. Originally I volunteered my painting skills, and my truck to use for dump runs and pick ups!! And now I’m very excited to be the lead volunteer for our Friday night café/games nights!!
We have some great volunteers here at Helping hands; in particular, on Friday night Julie Conway has recently brought her creative energy through arts and crafts, karaoke and bingo! Helping Hands offers our friends so much and we’re so happy that we can do this for them on a regular basis and we look forward to all that Helping Hands will provide for our friends and our volunteers in the future.
Glenn came to Hamilton in 2023 and became involved with the HHSM “Coldest Night of the Year” fundraiser. As he was on the planning committee for this fundraiser in Sarnia, he jumped at the chance. After that, he wondered what he could help with over the rest of the year.
Glenn spent his career in Healthcare and was an active member of his church community and been a believer in his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He has always had a desire to help people and been involved with many charity organizations such as Rotary International, the Red Cross, and Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation. He has a deep desire to bring God’s grace and mercy to those struggling with homelessness, poverty, and addiction.
Glenn feels honoured to accept the position of volunteer Chaplain. He will be starting a course to obtain full ordination as a Chaplain through the COCC. He is looking forward to serving and blessing the HHSM community with the Lord’s guidance and grace.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides governance to Helping Hands Street Mission as a registered charitable organization. They set strategic goals and hold the organization accountable to fulfilling its mission and vision. Each member comes with their own unique perspective, and together they seek the flourishing of people in the Barton Village community and the expansion of God’s kingdom here.
Jessica Koning, Lynn Bruulsema, Gordon Hornsveld, Enzo Guerra, Sarah Cimpello, Liz Way, and Jaimie Hemsworth-Hummelen.