The George Issue 20 – Staff Profile
We would like to introduce Maggie Clapperton, one of our newest social workers who recently joined GHC on a full-time basis. We spoke with Maggie about her life and what brought her to GHC.
Maggie grew up in a small town north of Toronto where she was an avid gymnast. When she headed off to the University of Toronto to complete a degree in English, Maggie continued her passion for the sport as a coach of the Junior Blues team. After graduation, Maggie launched a career in marketing and communications, though the balance beam was never far as she carried on mentoring young gymnasts.
Over time, Maggie realized she could combine her love of gymnastics and working with kids, of coaching and building young people’s confidence, into a career in social work. She soon found herself back at U of T in the Faculty of Social Work doing a Masters degree.
When it was time to choose an organization for her internship, Maggie was drawn to the attachment focus of the George Hull Centre and selected us as not only as her first, but also her second, choice! She was thrilled when she was chosen to start a placement with us, and even more excited when she was hired as a full-time clinician to work with children from the ages of 4 to 18 years who have experienced trauma. She helps them recognize and cope with big feelings and teaches them how to effectively manage their emotions and behaviours. She also works with the parents on co-regulation and moving towards solving issues on a long-term basis.
Maggie describes George Hull as warm, welcoming, and supportive, with a genuine concern for those we serve. She feels especially lucky to be working for GHC. We know the children, families, and colleagues she works with feel just as fortunate!