Board Members

Frederick Dryden

Founder & Executive Director
email Frederick

Combined with faith and a heart to serve Frederick spends his life assisting and redirecting hundreds of youth from a life of poverty, crime and incarceration to positive community living. Born in the big city of Montego Bay, Jamaica Frederick was the youngest of eight siblings. At twelve years old along with his family Frederick migrated to Canada where they settled in Collingwood, Ontario. Frederick later attained his education in entrepreneurship and business management at Seneca College and Economics at York University.

Community: Frederick has been involved with community youth organizations for the past 19 years. He has experience mentoring, tutoring, counseling in youth prisons, group homes and detention centres. Frederick also has a wealth of experience and an understanding of today’s youth culture (a world within a world). While adminstering a weekly bible study in the prison his passion for Liberty for Youth was founded. He noticed the anger, aggression, disregard for life, hopelessness and loss of direction many youth experience in our society. He knew that visiting the prisons and group homes wasn’t enough and was inspired to be more committed to this cause. Through countless hours and expending his personal resources, Frederick began Liberty for Youth. He, along with the dynamic Board of Directors, work vigorously to structure the organization and fulfill the mandate, “giving youth the liberty to choose”.

Passion: “I believe that young people are constantly in search of the truth, the right way to live and have the capacity to do so with proper guidance.”

view Frederick’s article in Canadian Living Magazine

Malene Stewart

Board Chair
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Education: Malene Stewart was born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario making Hamilton her home 11 years ago. At the age of 18 Malene became a single teenage mother determined to create a future for herself and her child.  After giving her heart to the Lord she pursued an education. Malene graduated from Mohawk College in the General Arts and Science Program and went on to University. After completing a year at Redeemer University College she transferred to the Social Work program at McMaster University. Malene went on to successfully complete her Bachelor of Social Work and Sociology degree with honours as a single parent.  Malene met and married her husband in 2002 and decided to continue on her educational journey. She went on to earn her Masters of Social Work degree with a focus on the re-settlement experiences of refugee women in Hamilton.

Community: Malene has been employed as a child protection worker for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton for the past 5 years. She currently works on a domestic violence response team and works with families affected by domestic violence.  Malene is a part of Children’s Ministries at Victory International Church where she has been a member for the past 4 years.

Passion: Malene is passionate about working with youth and families, helping them to re-build their lives and re-discover their dreams, maximizing their full potential.  As a mother and mentor of two boys, she recognizes the importance of community leaders who are willing to invest into the lives of our youth. She is committed and excited to embark on her new challenge as a volunteer for Liberty for Youth.

Alecia Jones

Vice Chair
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Alecia Jones is a passionate young individual who has been working in the Social Service Work field for since 2002.  Her enthusiasm and dedication for helping youth began when she was a youth herself, watching her peers and those who she grew up with, heading down unhealthy paths to troubling futures.

Community: Aside from Liberty For Youth, Alecia’s background helping and working with youth includes: The Popcorn House, Reaching Our Outdoor Friends (ROOF), Hamilton Health Sciences Special Needs Services, Wesley Urban Ministries Transitional Youth Program and Pioneer Youth Services. Alecia completed a Cooperative Education semester at ROOF, which is a drop-in resource centre for homeless and troubled teenagers.  It is here that she learned how to work with, socialize, and mentor troubled youth.  Alecia attended Mohawk College’s Social Service Worker program, learning powerful and valuable information for her career.  Alecia uses the knowledge and skills that she gained from her placements, Mohawk College and past jobs, in her dedicated position that she holds with Pioneer Youth Services.

Plans:  In the near future, Alecia hopes to obtain full time status within her career, begin planning her family, and building her career, resume and portfolio.  As a contributing member of Liberty For Youth, Alecia plans to inform and build the community’s awareness about its’ needs regarding troubled youth and use her knowledge that she has gained to help build and develop Liberty For Youth.  By doing this, Alecia will be helping to develop our community to the needs of troubled youth, and further developing her career in social service work.

Passion: “I believe the lives of many troubled youth are not always the result of poor choices, but also the result of personal social circumstance.  Unfortunately, many of them are quickly shunned as a result of this and feel that they have limited options for their lives.  It is my opinion that with proper guidance, positive influence and someone to believe in them, many of these youth can grow to become highly respected and important members of our society.”

Maria Sedore

Community Director
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Maria was born and raised locally, and has lived in Hamilton for the past 20 years. She completed the General Business Program as well as a Computer Applications Certificate at Mohawk College.

Subsequently, she attended McMaster University where she attained a Bachelor of Arts, in Sociology.  Volunteering with the Ministry of Community Safety and Corrections as a volunteer Probation and Parole Officer for two years introduced Maria to community corrections, and she subsequently has been employed as a full time probation and parole officer for the past 7 years. In this role, Maria helps to ensure public safety by managing adult offenders sentenced to serve their sentence in the community.  Along with casework, this also involves preparing reports for both the Court and the Parole Board.  Maria strives to encourage persons who have come into conflict with the law to overcome their obstacles and promotes a healthier and pro-social lifestyle as well as facilitating various in-house programs that promote life skills.  She is currently on the Domestic Violence Court Advisory Committee and is interested in learning more about women and conflict with the law.

Plans: Maria would like to venture abroad to do some volunteering over the next couple of years.  She believes that traveling brings a new perspective, encourages respect and understanding for all cultures, and also reminds us not to take things for granted.

Passion: At times young people lack appropriate role models, and due to circumstance, can be living in unstable or unsafe homes. In these cases, it is imperative that the community provide support, guidance and encouragement in assisting young people to reach their goals and their full potential.

Millie Bruno

Treasurer
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Born in Trinidad, Millie immigrated to Canada at the age of 17, where she made Hamilton her hometown ever since.  As a teen growing up in a new country, new friends, new climate, was not at all easy.  However her strong personality helped her to overcome those difficult years.

Millie is presently employed with Environment Canada as a Systems and Communications technician. Presently she is also pursuing a Web design course at Mohawk College.  She aspires to show her creativity through becoming a Web design specialist.

Community: Millie has been actively involved with DCA Youth Organization where she volunteered as a Treasurer for over 5 years.  Maintaining bank accounts for the organization, and manages and reports to the Board of Directors and general membership on finances.  Through the programs and services (Tutoring & mentoring, Counseling, Workshops, and Youth Camps) provided by the organization.

Plans: To become actively involve with Liberty for Youth.  Millie knows first hand the pain and anxiety families of troubled youth go through. She plans to be a part of the solution as Liberty For Youth provides sincere and effective support to youth and their families.

Gregary Frail

Board Coordinator
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Gregory Frail is a teacher with the Hamilton Wentworth Board of Education. Specializing in primary/junior education, Gregory has worked with many students from all over the Hamilton region.

Community: Gregory attended McMaster University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in History. Afterwards, Gregory attended Lakehead University where he acquired his Bachelor of Education degree.

Plans: Gregory plans on continuing to build his career in the education field, and attaining a master’s degree in education. Despite enjoying his role as a teacher, Gregory one day hopes to pursue other avenues such as becoming an administrator or principal.

Passion: Gregory has a strong passion for education and he believes that it is often the determining factor in one’s life. By giving education to our youth, Gregory feels that a real difference can be made in the community around us. While Gregory is dedicated to the curriculum that a child must learn, he is also very dedicated to the human and life skills that must be taught.  “One afternoon at the YMCA while playing basketball, I noticed a very passionate individual (which ended up being Frederick Dryden) playing basketball with a group of youth. I was struck at how involved he was. The youth listened to him. He was teaching them life skills using a very a familiar medium. At that moment, I knew that Liberty for Youth was making a difference. This was not about sustaining the problems that linger around us, but about changing the lives…the lives of our youth.”

Ted Kocznur

Education Director
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Ted has been a teacher and administrator in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board for the past twenty-five years.  During the past two years, he was a national finalist as “Canada’s Outstanding Principal”, received the provincial “Brown Award” for his work with Down syndrome students and received numerous “Profile of Excellence” awards from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School board for his work with teenage children. Currently he is the principal of Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School.

Education: Ted has two Bachelor of Art degrees in Political Science and History from
the University of McMaster. He received his Bachelor of Education Degree from Queen’s University and has earned numerous additional qualifications and certifications in education from Toronto and York University.

Community: Ted has dedicated his life serving the young people of Hamilton.  He has been a Sunday School teacher and youth group worker. He has been a football, hockey and baseball coach.  Ted delivered food to families in need, as a worker with “Operation Blessing” and sat on the Board of Directors for a local Christian school in Burlington. Ted and his wife Stacey have been foster parents and strong supporters of City Kids.

Plans: In the near future, Ted would like to continue to serve the people of Hamilton Mountain in a political capacity.   Ted lived on the Hamilton Mountain for fifteen years and worked as a teacher and administrator on the Hamilton Mountain for an additional fourteen years.  Public office has always been a goal he has set for himself.

Passion: Ted believes that there is no higher calling than to serve others, and that all children are a gift from God. It is Ted’s wish that all children have the opportunity to fulfill the plan that God has for them in their lives. He believes it is the duty and obligation of everyone to uplift, encourage, support and provide for the young and most vulnerable people of our community.  To this end he has dedicated his life.

Tony Guther

Policy Director
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Tony Guther was raised in east Hamilton where he attended Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. After being an electrician for several years, Tony came to realize his desire for a teaching career. He earned certification as a technological education teacher at the University of Western Ontario in 1985. With very few jobs in teaching available at that time, Tony rode the construction boom of the late 1980’s into the early 1990’s. He began his teaching career in 1994 and has continued as a full time teacher since then. While facing the challenge of downsizing in teaching in 1995, Tony was able to fall back on his electrical trade for a year until a position became available again at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. Since then he has been a full time Cooperative Education teacher at an inner-city high school.

Community: Tony’s investment in the community is largely through being a cooperative education teacher. His focus is on establishing connections with community partners and employers that are willing to help coop students become responsible and reliable workers through self-respect and respect for others. Tony is intentional on advocating for employment of today’s coop students. He strives to build capacity in students through workplace safety awareness, teaching life and social skills as well as through character building, education and parental involvement. Giving students the opportunity to find both success and the freedom to try again, is part of the differentiated program/instruction Tony delivers in this coop/special education environment.

Passion: “With the diversity of students in various workplace settings, each is enabled to experience real life success with both their individual strengths serving to their advantage and their needs as next steps in opportunity for growth. Through the influence of a cooperative education experience, students are better prepared to transition into the workplace once they have finished high school.” In his spare time, Tony can be found throwing the football around with his son, playing pick-up soccer as well as spending time with his family. He finds pleasure in watching football, soccer and playoff hockey. He enjoys political science, history and current events. He believes in lifelong learning and enjoys writing as well. He holds to a biblical worldview and believes that the most meaningful life is one of service to others in the various ways life can be found to present itself.

Tanya Dryden

Director of Development
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Tanya Dryden is the wife of Frederick Dryden; Founder and Executive Director for Liberty For Youth. She enjoys her career as a Recruitment Officer for Mohawk College and is a proud graduate of Mohawk’s Enterprise Business Program.

Passion: Tanya’s passion was formed by first hand experience. Growing up in one of Hamilton’s poorest neighbourhoods, she witnessed her friends and neighbourhood kids carry guns, do drugs, deal with the effects of teenage pregnancy and suffer the traumatic effects of abortion and sexual abuse.

With her parents and a few other mentors, Tanya stepped on the right path and attended McMaster University and Mohawk College.

Tanya went on to become a Sunday school teacher for the ages 13 – 16 and again seen the issues that young people are faced with when living in a neighbourhood infested with crime and poverty. Wanting to make a difference she committed to sit on the board of directors and planning committees for various non-profit organizations. Over the last ten years Tanya found her place in the community by focusing on fundraising and event planning within the non-profit sector. There was still a deep burden to reach the marginalized children and youth of Hamilton in a direct way.

In 2004, Tanya’s dream of “doing more” was realized when she married Frederick Dryden and helped develop his vision into an organization. For the past 4 years she has worked wholeheartedly with her husband to see every youth they encounter given an equal opportunity to succeed in life no matter their past or present circumstances.

Plans: Tanya plans to facilitate the Liberty For Youth program for teenage girls with a heavy focus on pregnancy prevention and abortion prevention. She also plans to develop programs for youth with children to decrease the incidence of child abuse and child poverty. It is Tanya’s personal mission to ensure the youth attend Post Secondary Education, as she believes this will destroy one of the roots of poverty and stop the generational Social Assistance cycle in Hamilton.