GROUP ACHIEVEMENT NOMINEES
For achievements by a group of women that impact and/or improve our community or our society.
Award Presented by:
Nancy Fox, IG Wealth Management Fox Financial
Canadian Arab Women's Association
The Canadian Arab Women’s Association (CAWA) was founded by Asma AlWahsh who lives in Waterloo Region. CAWA's team and volunteers are dedicated to and passionate about providing critical support and services to all Arab women regardless of their immigration status, age, income level, or religious affiliation. Through service to new immigrants and others, the Association is committed to strengthening families and all-inclusive communities. CAWA has designed and delivered several community-based programs essential for strong families and communities in Waterloo Region and Guelph.
Dog Friendly KW
Justine Sparling and Mackenzie Drinkwater, founders of Dog Friendly KW, have nurtured a supportive and engaging community for dog owners. Justine, with a rich background in the social service sector, holds a Master of Social Work degree specializing in Leadership in Human Services. Mackenzie brings a wealth of tech-sector experience and a deep passion for the dog community, demonstrated through professional dog showing. Together, they've propelled Dog Friendly KW to remarkable milestones, including becoming a non-profit, pioneering Kitchener as Canada’s first Pet Friendly City, launching a popular podcast, and advocating for a dog-friendly transit system in the Waterloo Region all in a short four years.
Jill of all Trades
Jill of All Trades™ (JOAT), launched in 2014 at Conestoga College by visionaries, Brenda Gilmore and Rosie Hessian, began as a day for high school women in KW, along with their educators, to learn about opportunities available to women who pursue trades-based education and careers. A decade of growth and expansion has led to the program being trademarked in Canada and the United States. With the support of thousands of volunteers, hundreds of partners, and philanthropic supporters, JOAT is now delivered throughout Ontario, across Canada and the United States boasting more than 120 events and empowering future generations of women in skilled trades.
#LiveFitBabe Training
#LiveFitBabe Training is a private gym for women where one of their core missions is to help women see themselves as empowered and beautiful as they are. Their small team of four embrace the 'Imperfect But Consistent' lifestyle while offering a fun, energetic and judgment-free space to help women learn and build healthy habits in relation to health and fitness. In addition to supporting members, they support the community by running a toy drive with the Knights of Columbus, collect undergarments with A Brief Moment, collect donations for the Women's Crisis Center, and support local events for breast cancer awareness.
Mamas for Mamas KW
Mamas for Mamas KW is a charitable organization that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis by providing ongoing support to individuals and families facing various poverty-related struggles in the Waterloo Region. Their mission is to change the landscape of poverty through innovative approaches to financial barriers faced by struggling families. While their name is Mamas for Mamas, they welcome caregivers of any gender identity or expression, including men, trans*, non-binary, and two-spirit clients. Mamas for Mamas service the region by filling the gaps of other services with agile volunteers and community partners.
Muslim Women of Cambridge (MWC)
Muslim Women of Cambridge (MWC) is a devoted group of women who came together in 2017 to bridge the gap between the Muslim community and the larger community. Their primary objective is to foster open communication that leads to a better understanding of each other’s values and beliefs. MWC strives to bring together Muslim women in the Cambridge region who are passionate about instigating social change, building confidence, and making a positive impact within the community. They aim to establish a strong network dedicated to reducing isolation and promoting community development through inclusivity and respect for all cultures.
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
For 35 years, the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC) has been a steadfast beacon of support and empowerment for survivors of sexual violence, offering a comprehensive array of services that span from counseling and court support to advocacy and practical assistance. Over the years, the SASC has grown from 8 staff to a robust ensemble of 30 staff members and 75 volunteers operating across multiple locations with a commitment to walking alongside survivors throughout their healing journey, SASC provides these services free of charge, embodying their motto: "You are not alone."
She Is Your Neighbour
She Is Your Neighbour (SIYN) is a prevention project and storytelling series created by Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. The project explores the realities and complexities of domestic violence by sharing stories from people of all walks of life. Through our podcast and public education series, we highlight the intersectionality of domestic violence. Our goal is to increase awareness, build understanding, and shift public perception so domestic violence is viewed as a societal problem that everyone has a role in ending. The shame and stigma surrounding domestic violence can make it difficult to talk about, but this won’t change unless we have difficult conversations. The reality is domestic violence is happening; it impacts people in all neighbourhoods and we all have a role a play in ending domestic violence.
She Shares Women's Giving Circle
She Shares Women’s Giving Circle was established in 2017 by a small group of passionate women leaders looking to make an impact in healthcare with St. Mary’s General Hospital. Since then, the group of volunteers has grown to almost 100 women who volunteer their time, talent, ties, and treasure. They’ve raised nearly $300,000 for medical equipment that might otherwise have been unfunded. They also volunteer to serve on hospital committees and boards, and coordinate community outreach to local businesses. She Shares members are creating awareness and support for a healthier Waterloo Region for us all.
Stella Co.
The “Stella Collective Co.” is a female run hospitality business operating out of St Jacobs. Stephanie, Trella, and Kristi were all born, raised, and educated in the Waterloo Region. After university the group started their business, but unfortunately after Covid 19, the group had to start fresh. In 2021, they invested in their first wedding venue and today the collective operates three wedding venues, a boutique hotel, and a catering business, under the company brand of “Stella Collective”. They have had over 500 weddings and employ 60+ staff. The group also prioritizes giving back to community charities via their ‘Stella Commitment’.
Supporting Inclusion through Intergenerational Partnerships (SIIP)
The Supporting Inclusion through Intergenerational Partnerships (SIIP) program provides intergenerational opportunities for older adults living with dementia, their care partners, and youth to connect in meaningful ways while reducing social isolation. It also promotes experiential learning opportunities for youth that go beyond the classroom, which contributes to career development, and empowers them to be leaders in the community. SIIP is a program at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, a Waterloo non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and care of older adults. The SIIP team is talented, passionate and committed to fostering connections and building community.
Together: For Perinatal Mental Health Inc
In 2022, Catherine Mellinger and Lisette Weber co-founded Together: For Perinatal Mental Health in Waterloo Region to help families, healthcare providers, and community partners increase mental healthcare after the birth of a child. Specialists in this area with personal connections to the topic, they offer peer support groups, they host knowledge exchanges with local organizations, and they speak at community events. Their work is creating an open dialogue in Waterloo Region about the often hard journey into parenthood and their commitment to addressing the perinatal mental health disparities faced by marginalized families in Waterloo Region is vital to our thriving community.
Women in Communications & Technology Mentoring Circles Program
When the Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) volunteer team met to discuss how to scalably fill a mentorship gap for women in Waterloo Region, the Mentoring Circles program was born. This nine-month program provides like-minded professionals in any industry the opportunity to form strategic partnerships in a supported group to achieve their personal and professional goals. Since the inception of Mentoring Circles in 2019, nearly 500 participants of all career stages have received mentorship through the program in Waterloo Region, and the program was scaled nationally by WCT March 2024 to foster mentoring relationships across Canada.
YWCA Cambridge Leadership Team
The YWCA Cambridge leadership team is a small yet fierce team. Made up of Kim, Roz, Kate, Mary, Nataleigh, Zoe and Kristina, this group of women are trusted community leaders working to ensure strong gender-equity in the region. This team does it all, from advocating for affordable childcare (and providing it) to bringing the first ever women’s homeless emergency shelter to Cambridge. This group also works to arm political officials with the tools they need to make decisions that support gender equity. Their work impacts the daily experience of local women (she.they.us) for the better.
She Is Your Neighbour
She Is Your Neighbour (SIYN) is a prevention project and storytelling series created by Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. The project explores the realities and complexities of domestic violence by sharing stories from people of all walks of life. Through our podcast and public education series, we highlight the intersectionality of domestic violence. Our goal is to increase awareness, build understanding, and shift public perception so domestic violence is viewed as a societal problem that everyone has a role in ending. The shame and stigma surrounding domestic violence can make it difficult to talk about, but this won’t change unless we have difficult conversations. The reality is domestic violence is happening; it impacts people in all neighbourhoods and we all have a role a play in ending domestic violence.