Vanessa’s Closet is a tribute to beloved Hamilton YMCA staffer who was ‘like a supernova’

The teenager had recently escaped the web of a sex trafficker, and was shown into a room at the YMCA's Main Street West office.

Inside the room were backpacks filled with donated new clothes and other items.

The Y runs an anti-sex trafficking initiative as part of its Youth in Transition program, that helps survivors start fresh.

When victims break free of a trafficker, they often have only the clothes on their backs. The young woman had not eaten a meal or slept in four days.

The woman delighted in choosing a pair of soft pyjamas, and things such as socks, a winter hat, and toiletries: This is all mine?" she said.

She didn't know about the Y staffer who used to work at a desk in that room, or what she had meant to others - or that she had been a victim, too, but of a different fate.

The sign on the door read: Vanessa's Closet."

The YMCA staffer, Vanessa Werstine, was one of those rare people who radiate a smile and energy that others want to be around.

Vanessa carried herself with such confidence, like she knew exactly where she was heading and nothing would phase her ... It was a gift to have such a role model come into my life."

The quote is from a Y colleague, Amber Giffen, and is part of a memory book about Werstine.

Werstine grew up in Cambridge, attended McMaster University, and worked at the Hamilton YMCA 12 years.

She ultimately became program manager of YMCA Youth Initiatives, and helped young survivors in the anti-sex trafficking branch.

Vanessa's passion and expertise was working with youth who had vulnerabilities," said Lily Lumsden, the senior regional manager.

Lumsden said sex traffickers prey upon the young, often those from unstable family backgrounds. She said victims are usually female, but on occasion young men as well.

The Y's initiative that started in 2017 helps survivors navigate their journey testifying against traffickers in court, and also supporting them afterwards.

For Werstine, a force of nature with endless drive and optimism, the mission fit.

And then, in 2020, she went on maternity leave. She gave birth to her second child that fall.

But colleagues and friends thought it odd they weren't hearing from her after the delivery.

Right before Christmas in 2020, Vanessa's cousin sent me an email and said to call her because it was urgent," said Lumsden. When I called, she said Vanessa was in the hospital on life support."

She heard that Werstine had Stage 4 lymphoma and a condition called HLH, an immune system disease with a poor survival rate.

Werstine he had been admitted into Juravinski Cancer Centre in November 2020. She died Jan. 14, 2021 at 34 years old.

She had a toddler, Gabriella, and a newborn, Juliana.

Four months ago, around the time Werstine would have been returning from maternity leave, Lumsden was standing next to Vanessa's empty office with a colleague.

They needed a place to store the backpacks and donated goods for survivors.

It was a light bulb moment, the stars aligning, said Lumsden.

It was just: Vanessa's Closet.' We can dedicate the room to her. She would love that. She cared so much for young victims."

Lumsden's eyes well with tears.

It's so hard. Vanessa was so vibrant and young. It feels like she's still on mat leave. But then you think no, she's not coming back."

The program needs donations of clothes, luggage, and gift cards. For information on how to contribute to Vanessa's Closet, email lily.lumsden@ymcahbb.ca

The plan is to continue organizing the room, said Lumsden, to the point where a client can enter and pick donated items off shelves and hangers.

Werstine's daughters are with their father, Vanessa's partner.

One day, the girls will read the memory book that was prepared for them by YMCA friends.

It offers many testimonials about their mother's legacy.

She was a leader who helped make real change for young people," reads one.

She was truly a bright light, like a supernova," reads another.

May you know that she lives in you and with you always."

Vanessa Werstine was laid to rest in her hometown, at a cemetery called New Hope.

Jon Wells is a feature writer at The Spectator. jwells@thespec.com