Every Day Family Matters: Recent Episodes
Windsor Essex Children‘s Aid Society
In this episode, we focus on student wellbeing with Kelly Ann Bull, Superintendent of Education & Danielle Campo-McLeod, Mental Health Lead, with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB)
With a focus on student mental health & wellbeing, the WECDSB recognizes that today’s students face a completely different set of challenges than their parents did. They are committed to knowing and understanding every student entrusted to their care, so that they can promote their intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. To do that, they strive to create positive, welcoming, safe learning environments where every child can achieve success.
Contact Information:
Board Office Phone: 519-253-2481
Board website: wecdsb.on.ca
Board Socials: @WECDSB
Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Link: https://www.wecdsb.on.ca/students/student_well_being
Follow at WECDSB Wellness for mental wellness resources and/or contact them at wecdsbwellness@wecdsb.on.ca.
In this episode, we speak with Lady Laforet, Executive Director – The Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families.
Stewarding services that are data driven and evidence-based, Ms. Laforet’s focus at the Centre over the past 15 years has been on areas of transformational leadership, change management, and ensuring homelessness services are provided in community with a strong gender-based lens. Currently in their second year in their new space at 500 Tuscarora, Ms. Laforet is currently overseeing the agency’s incoming 5-year strategic plan, with pillar areas of community connections, internal excellence, and advocacy driving her work. Community-minded and pragmatic, she splits her time between her work and her home-life- with her husband, two daughters, three cats, and a dog.
The Welcome Centre Shelter works to actively transition women+ and families out of homelessness through emergency shelter and peer-supported services.
Centre Programs:
- Emergency shelter and basic needs for women+ and families experiencing absolute homelessness (can support 32 single women and 21+ families with minor children)
- Housing support case management targeting keeping shelter stays infrequent and short in duration.
- Family support case management for high acuity/need families with additional barriers, with a focus on children’s school attendance and system access
- Children’s on-site recreational programming
- Harm reduction programming for agency clients and community members, that provides access to available Needle Syringe Programming (NSP) and sexual health supplies.
- On-site, once weekly general practitioner support to shelter service users, as part of the Shelter Health Network
- Twice weekly drop-in program targeting prior shelter system users who are transitioning into housing and seeking additional social supports and peer engagement.
- Peer Engagement Program to connect women in shelter with trained peer engagement workers who support healthy, informed, and peer supported shelter stays.
Contact Information:
Website: http://www.welcomecentreshelter.com/
Social links: https://linktr.ee/welcomecentreshelter
Email: info@welcomecentreshelter.com
Phone: (519) 971-7595
“Inspiring Community” is a production of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society
Connect with WECAS & Hosts:
www.wecas.on.ca
info@wecas.on.ca
Socials: @WindsorEssexCAS
In this episode, we speak with Kelsey Boire & Maia Williamson from the United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex County about their Ignite Academy and On Track to Success Programs.
Ignite Academy is an out-of-school program that aims to help kids succeed academically while wrapping other supports around their family. The program is currently offered to over 180 students in grades 2 to 7 in six elementary schools. Ignite Academy is a ProsperUs designed solution of the Cradle to Career strategy targeting the key milestones of literacy proficiency by grade 3 and mathematics proficiency by grade 6. The program utilizes a collective impact methodology whereby there are several community partners involved in core service delivery such as the Multicultural Council, South Essex Community Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Arts Can Teach. All of whom are working together in alignment to ensure students in the program have the supports they need to reach their full potential.
Kelsey Boire currently serves as the Community Coordinator of Ignite Academy at United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County, where she oversees Ignite Academy programming that is focused on improving educational outcomes for children and youth living in low-income. Kelsey has worked in community development in the not-for-profit sector for 1.5 years and in the education sector for over 8 years. Kelsey is a master’s graduate of the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor with an undergraduate degree in mathematics and she continues to be involved in addressing issues of culturally responsive teaching and mathematics education.
The On Track to Success is a student success initiative aimed at supporting high school students in three priority neighbourhoods across Windsor-Essex – Windsor West, Downtown and Leamington. On Track's primary goal is to provide wrap-around supports to students and their families to help them graduate high school and go on to some form of post-secondary education. Specifically, students enrolled in On Track have access to services including after-school tutoring, individualized support from a Success Coach, social and recreational activities as well as volunteer, career, and mentoring opportunities.
Maia Williamson is the Program Director for the On Track to Success program and has been with United Way for almost three years. She has a master’s degree in applied Linguistics as well as a master’s degree in social Change and Development with a specialization in Organizational Leadership. She taught post-secondary ESL for 17 years before coming to United Way and has volunteered with several non-profit organizations in various countries, focusing on primary education and program development.
Listen in on Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean
Website: https://www.weareunited.com/
Phone: 519-258-0000
Email: info@weareunited.com
“Inspiring Community” is a production of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society
Connect with WECAS & Hosts:
www.wecas.on.ca
info@wecas.on.ca
Socials: @WindsorEssexCAS
In this episode, we speak with June Muir, CEO of UHC – Hub of Opportunities.
June holds the position of CEO at the UHC-Hub of Opportunities for over a decade and President of the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association for twenty years. June oversees 26 innovative, quality, and community-integrated programs and services dedicated to assisting the most vulnerable in her community. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of several unique food initiatives that address food insecurity for hundreds of thousands across Ontario, including northern rural and indigenous communities, which sought to be modeled across Canada. Her dedication and commitment to the community have been recognized by numerous dignitaries where she has received many prestigious awards such as the Charles E Brooks Labour Community Service Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her incredible contributions.
Back in November (2023) Statistics Canada released a Labour Force Survey showing 41% of Windsor residents are saying they are having difficulty making ends meet. June shares how this has impacted on UHC, and the reasons so many are struggling today. June also points to some immediate and long-term solution to ending food insecurity and hunger. As the President of the W/E County Food Bank Association, she talks about real and meaningful multi-sector systemic change and how individual citizens can also make a difference. We end with how someone in our community who is struggling with providing food for themselves or to their family can access support and resources.
Founded in 1977, UHC- Hub of Opportunities is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to meeting the needs of vulnerable people living in Windsor and Essex County. We improve the quality of our clients’ lives by providing much needed programs and services that move people to independence and allow them to achieve their desired outcomes. Through offering 26 unique programs and services, we aim to focus on four pillars of support & guidance for the Windsor-Essex community – basic human needs, employment services, training and education, and newcomer settlement services. We are a ‘hub’ based in the community, for the community.
Contact Information:
Phone: (519) 944-4900
Email: uhc@uhc.ca
Website: https://www.uhc.ca/
Follow on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram @UHCWindsor
“Inspiring Community” is a production of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society
Connect with WECAS & Hosts:
www.wecas.on.ca
info@wecas.on.ca
Socials: WindsorEssexCAS
In this episode, we speak with Joan Simpson, Co-Founder & Program Coordinator of Beauty is Me (BiM).
Joan Simpson holds a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work and is a longstanding community worker and activist who continues to lead projects that promote gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace. Joan is one of the Co-Chair for the Black African Caribbean Canadian (BACC) Committee for children in and out of care of the Windsor Essex Children Aids Society. The proudest area of her life is her family; a devoted wife and mother of two daughters and one son. Through her community work, Joan endeavours to leave an imprint for her daughters and black girls everywhere.
Joan shares the inspiration behind BiM and how the program has already positively impacted the lives of so many young black girls. With this episode being released during Black History Month, we discuss how BiM is so significant in the fight against anti-black racism. While this month is a time for celebration, it is also a time for deep reflection and learning. Joan shares her personal reflections on why this month is so important to her, and her message to all black children and youth.
Beauty is Me (BIM), an organization founded in 2020 by dedicated individuals who recognized the need for support within the Black community and the Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society (WECAS).
Their primary focus at Beauty is Me is to address the unique needs of Black foster parents and guardians caring for Black children within the WECAS community. They identified a crucial need for connecting non-Black caregivers with community resources to properly care for Black children's hair. These resources aim not only to address the practical aspects of hair care but also to foster a sense of self, belonging, and confidence in these young individuals.
BiM also provides free distribution of storybooks and affirmation books to children, encouraging self-love, strong cultural connections, and building confidence. They believe that offering diverse books to children reflects the rich tapestry of the community and contributes to positive self-perception.
BiM is funded through the Community Foundation of Canada and Equity Fund, with support from the Government of Canada and the Windsor Essex Community Foundation for the Perfectly Me Project. An Ontario Trillium Foundation grant funded expanded supports to parents, caregivers and guardians.
Contact Information:
Email at beautyisme.ca@gmail.com
Phone: 226-344-8484.
Website is beautyisme.ca
Follow on Facebook and Instagram @beautyisme.ca
“Inspiring Community” is a production of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society
Connect with WECAS & Hosts:
www.wecas.on.ca
info@wecas.on.ca
Socials: @WindsorEssexCAS
Campaign launched to strengthen families and support youth
This podcast provides insight into the impact of charitable giving and how an individual, organization or business can rally around a cause. The results are in many cases life changing!
The Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation recently launched a new $1.5 million, 3-year campaign focused on Children, Youth & Families, Strength for Today, Opportunities for Tomorrow. The campaign seeks to eliminate financial and emotional stressors that will provide options for seeking a more positive and successful course for today and tomorrow.
Jaiden Berro, a former youth in care, now a Social Work graduate first joined the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS) as a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Facilitator and Youth Advocate Spokesperson. Jaiden has recently taken on a new role, Family Service Worker. Jaiden speaks to his journey and how the many programs of WECAF assisted him on his journey. Sam Martin, Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs for Fortis Group comments on what intrigues a corporate entity to consider a charitable or non-profit cause and organization.
Have you ever considered being an adoptive parent and for some reason thought that you may not have the qualifications, or you personal or life circumstances may deter from the criteria? Our guests, Darcy Thachuk, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Adoption Recruiter for the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society, and Nicole Renaud, Adoptive Parent put many of these myths to rest. Darcy provides some background about the process, and Nicole walks us through her inspiring personal journey. The bottom line as you will see from this episode is that if you have an interest in being a caring, supportive life parent to a child, don’t hesitate to seek out resources, as well as those adoptive parents that are happy to share information and experiences. Find out how you can move forward through this Every Day Family Matters episode.
Meet Bianca Colaluca, Anti-Human Trafficking Project Coordinator with Legal Assistance of Windsor/Windsor-Essex Counter Exploitation Network (WECEN, formerly known as WEFIGHT)
Bianca walks us through a comprehensive overview of the types of human trafficking, as well as the challenges in identifying those who are victims. Learn more about the risk factors and signs and how vital community education and outreach is to combatting human trafficking.
Located in the Windsor-Essex community, WECEN has provided direct services to survivors of domestic and international human trafficking for 20 years. WECEN works collaboratively with survivors and community partners to advocate for systemic change and end human trafficking in Canada.
Learn more about WECEN by visiting their website https://wecen.ca/. You can also find them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, @wecen_windsor. Email directly to info@wecen.ca or call (519) 256-7831 ext. 4222.
The video is posted on the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society YouTube Channel, our website – www. wecas.on.ca, our Foundation website – www.wecaf.on.ca, and on our Facebook page - @WindsorEssexCAS.
https://youtu.be/lDpPMXNbEJ0
In this podcast meet WECAS Volunteer Coordinator, Carol Lockhart & Volunteer Driver, Connie Harrison.
The Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society is very proud of the individuals in our community that make up the volunteer ranks of our organization and assist us every day to achieve our mandate.
The pandemic significantly changed the way we support our children, youth and families and the provision of volunteer services was no exception. While we were able to quickly and positively shift to provide new initiatives, like delivering food boxes in partnership with the United Way & the Unemployed Help Centre, as well as move our Tutoring Program on-line, we also suffered the negative impact of losing many of our volunteers.
Hear more about the volunteer opportunities available through WECAS, how to apply, and how offering your time and compassion can make a significant difference for those we serve. Now more than ever, we need our community to come together. We need YOU!
Make sure to visit https://www.wecas.on.ca/volunteer/ to connect with Volunteer Services directly to learn more and get start your volunteer journey with WECAS today!
The Family Well-Being program provides a series of workshops and opportunities for parents and caregivers to enrich their home and family life. Everything from how to manage personal finances, to reinforcing parenting and communication skills are captured in the modules. Kinship Services supports family members and close friends who have offered up their home to care for children and youth on a temporary basis while their parents work on overcoming challenges. They receive little government assistance. Supporting such situations though is advantageous to a child as he or she remains in a familiar environment with individuals that he or she knows and is comfortable with. Join Shannon Scott, Family Well-Being Worker and Danielle Soulliere, Kinship Services Worker as they outline the many tools that these programs offer to strengthen families.
In this podcast meet our Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Hugo Vega and One Vision One Voice Specialist - Dorcas Yeboah. Hear about their personal journeys and their reflections on their new roles and the positive impact we can all make when we come together.
WECAS is committed to creating a culture of equity in which we challenge the impacts of power and privilege, eliminate barriers, and empower families and communities to fully participate in decisions that affect them. In 2021, WECAS embarked on a process to envision a new way forward as an agency. One that seeks to be transformational in nature through the deepening of our commitment to center equity, prevention and children, youth and families as the experts in themselves. In the spirit of actionable reconciliation and anti- oppressive practices, our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan further represents the means by which WECAS can become a community-led and community-informed agency, through the setting of strategic and operational goals that seek to partner with, and enhance the outcomes of three communities in particular, with keen focus on addressing their overrepresentation in the Child Welfare System. They are: First Nations, Inuit & Métis (FNIM) communities; Black African, Canadian and Caribbean (BACC) communities; and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer, and Questioning (LGBT2SQ+) communities.
Have you ever considered fostering, but thought twice about it because of your circumstances? You may live alone, be retired, perhaps you are a couple that both work, you may have health restraints, or identify with a particular culture, or as transgender? Christina Winter-Pavelich and Rebecca Ross of the WECAS Resource Department will help to dispel the myths associated with fostering. Anyone who has a genuine interest in supporting the journey of a child or a youth will be considered for this role. Christina and Rebecca will discuss the process and the extensive training and back up that is available to those interested in becoming foster parents.
Derrick Drouillard, Executive Director of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS)and Cheryl Sprague, President, Windsor-Essex Children Aid Foundation (WECAF) Board of Directors join us to talk about the roles of these two impactful community entities. Since 1899, the Children’s Aid Society has had a presence in Windsor-Essex. Today, the Society focuses on strengthening families and supporting youth with the goals to enrich both lives and homes. WECAF through community support provides a number of programs and resources that serve as the tools for making a difference in the lives of children, youth and families. Derrick and Cheryl share how both WECAS and WECAF Strategic Plans address head-on the many current issues that place challenges in the forefront of those that WECAS assists. This episode presents the elements of an innovative new philosophy designed to promote positive change, as well as an introduction to the many programs, community partners and practices that are making this philosophy so real and impactful. Finally, it lays out opportunities for each of us to make a difference.
The video will also be posted on the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society website – www. wecas.on.ca, our Foundation website – www.wecaf.on.ca, and on our Facebook page - @WindsorEssexCAS. Some prefer to listen to podcasts while exercising, driving or doing chores. If this your choice, grab your smartphone and search “Every Day Family Matters” on these apps - Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean.
“Every Day Family Matters”, tools for today to build a brighter tomorrow.
In our first podcast episode we are joined by New Beginnings Windsor Executive Director Stacey Yannacopoulos, and Jeff Kozolanka, Youth in Transition Worker. In this episode we explore all the important work they are doing in our community and programs that they provide to youth as they look to celebrate their 50th year in operation.
Learn more about their partnership with WECAS to deliver the Youth Experience Employment Program with a generous youth grant from RBC. This program supports youth in care from pre-employment training, to placement and after-care supports. After 16-weeks of paid employment training, New Beginnings Windsor uses their huge roster of employers across Windsor Essex County to find employment opportunities for each youth with the goal is to see each youth get hired on, or advance their education.
Also learn more about the Youth in Transition program and how they work with WECAS to support 16 to 24 year olds by bridging services and supports to help them successfully transition to independence.
To find more about their services or get involved visit https://www.newbeginningswindsor.com/. You can also find them on social @Newbe_Windsor
As we navigate through the course of life, it seems as if every day presents challenges and less time and resources to guide us in the right direction. This is not only true for our own families, but also for vulnerable families that we serve within our community. How do we become a better parent? How do we access services in our local area that can provide us with support? How do we face up to the many current social issues that re-define what we are as a society? In turn, how does that impact on the health and well-being of the families and the community as a whole? Can I do more to advocate for those in need, and what opportunities are available for me to give back to others? All of this is addressed in “Every Day Family Matters”. This podcast, presented by the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society and the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation features individuals, advocates, and community leaders who will share their stories and expertise. In offering their insights, our hope is that this will be a beacon of support for enriching the lives of children, youth and families. “Every Day Family Matters”, tools for today to build a brighter tomorrow.