Arla Hamer holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto and has worked in the field of mental health in both hospital and community based settings, for over thirty years. Most recently, she worked as a senior director in a larger mental health organization and as a Mental Health Consultant with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. She is currently a Board member of Eli’s Place Rural Residential Treatment Centre.

Arla came to Temple when she married her husband Howard. She immediately felt that Temple was her home. Arla has always been impressed by the warmth, innovative spirit and commitment of Temple’s clergy and lay leadership. Their dedication, hard work and interest in making a difference both at Temple and in the larger community has inspired her to be an active volunteer at Temple for over thirty years, serving in a variety of leadership roles over the last twenty years.

Temple is an excellent place to raise a family. She and Howard have two wonderful daughters both of whom completed Temple Sinai Religious School, were confirmed and served as student teachers. Howard and Arla are proud grandparents to three amazing grandsons.