Contact Us

If you want to learn more or would like request to have facilitators come into your class, please contact us at IICRD, info@iicrd.org.

About Us

Elaina Mack (she, her) started the Child Thrive program several years ago when she dug into her family’s toy trunk to bring puppet Giggles to her daughter’s class to engage children to learn and activate their rights through play, art, and stories. Since then, thousands of children have participated in Child Thrive workshops in Lekwungen territory (now known as Victoria) and in other communities around the world. Elaina brings passion and experience for community development, child participation, and research through her work as a Director with the International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD). But most of all, she loves listening and learning about child rights through the “eyes and voices” of young people in schools and communities (and in her own backyard!).

Giggles (she, them) loves learning about children’s rights and playing with her friends!

Kathleen Manion, (she, her) is an Associate Professor at Royal Roads University and an Associate at the International Institute of Child Rights and Development. She has been working in research, social and community services, and academia for nearly thirty years. She loves to work on projects that support children and young people thrive. Having lived and worked all over the world, she now calls Victoria, BC her home. Living in such a beautiful place, she is keen to work with children and young people to protect this amazing planet.

Valeria Cortés (she, her) has extensive experience working with post-secondary institutions and community organizations across cultures. Val’s familiarity with multicultural contexts, and her use of arts-based learning approaches, give her the tools and insight to explore different ways of knowing and being. Val loves spending time with her family, and as an IICRD Associate loves visiting schools and community organizations to help children learn about their rights.