Community Involvement

How do you find meaning and purpose in life? For many, it’s through making a difference in the lives of others. By actively contributing to your community, you not only enrich your own life but also have the potential to transform the lives of countless others.

Your reading of this section about community involvement indicates that giving back is important to you. Here’s part of my journey of giving back to those in need through community involvement.

Oshawa Cancer Centre Gala Committee (2002 to 2010)

Cancer has claimed the lives of people I loved deeply. I lost my best friend to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, my maternal grandmother to bone cancer, my paternal grandmother to lung cancer, and my friend and mentor to brain cancer.

While we cannot control what happens to us, we can choose how we respond. In the face of my personal losses, I chose to respond with a determination to make a difference by joining the Oshawa Cancer Centre Gala Committee. This was where my entrance into the world of community involvement began.

In my ninth year on the committee, I stepped into a leadership role as Committee Chair. That year, with the support of an amazing team and performances by Sarah Brightman and the Canadian Tenors, our gala raised nearly $500,000 for the Durham Regional Cancer Centre. It was an enriching experience. My volunteer work provided me with comfort, knowing that my efforts went towards creating a space of care and hope for those battling cancer.

Day of Hope and Leadership (2008 to 2017)

Continuing my commitment to fostering hope in my community, I devoted ten years to the Day of Hope and Leadership (DHL) team. This initiative was more than just an event; it was a transformative day designed to equip, develop, and inspire leaders to tackle today’s challenges.

For a decade, I met with the DHL committee each month to participate in organizing these impactful events. Along with other keynote speakers, I took the stage at every annual event, waiving my speaking fees to maximize the funds we could raise. Our collective efforts yielded over $650,000, which went directly to the Hope Centre of Learning at the Oshawa Community Health Centre.

The Hope Centre of Learning used these funds to make a significant difference in the lives of local children. They launched the “Computers for Kids” program, providing laptops to students who lacked access to technology at home, and implemented an after-school snack program because learning is difficult on an empty stomach.

My passion for this initiative was deeply personal. I grew up in an economically challenged area of Oshawa and was all too familiar with the struggles these children and their families faced. Remarkably, the Hope Centre of Learning is housed in the same building where I attended school from Kindergarten to Grade 6 – Conant Public School, now known as the Durham Community Health Centre.

I had lived experience with the challenges these children face, making my involvement with the Hope Centre of Learning a profoundly fulfilling full-circle journey. Seeing the impact of our efforts on the very community that shaped my own upbringing was incredibly rewarding.

Let Them Be Kids: Playground Build (2012)

Helping children from low-income backgrounds, as I once was, has always been close to my heart. That’s why when I learned about a playground being built at a school in South Oshawa by the organization Let Them Be Kids, I jumped in to help!

Before the playground was built, the children had only a cement lot to play on. Despite the sweat and hard work, contributing to the construction was a deeply rewarding and fun experience.

OshaWOW: Community Fun Run/Walk at Brick-by-Brick Park (2015)

My involvement in these various community initiatives profoundly shaped my personal growth and leadership abilities. By 2015, I was ready to use these skills to bring a new project to life! My idea was to create a movement to support Durham Region’s homeless, hurting, and hungry youth while fostering unity and transforming city culture.

Growing up in south Oshawa, I was aware of the stigma associated with different areas of the city. North Oshawa was often called “Poshawa,” while south Oshawa was labelled “The Shwa.” It was segregating, so I envisioned an event bridging these gaps.

Thus, OshaWOW was born – an event designed to unite all parts of Oshawa and celebrate our community with love and acceptance rather than judgment.

I assembled a dedicated committee, recruited volunteers, and secured sponsors to bring my vision to life. The event featured a 3km walk and a 5km run along Oshawa Creek, with historical photos of the city displayed along the trail to educate participants about Oshawa’s rich heritage. The day concluded with a free family celebration at Brick-by-Brick Park, including a jazz band, face painting, colouring stations, and prizes.

Just weeks before the event, we faced a significant challenge: the City of Oshawa required a $2 million liability insurance policy, which seemed insurmountable. Instead of panicking, I focused on finding a solution. Fortunately, a team member came up with a creative workaround: using her business’s liability insurance policy for the event.

This experience taught me that roadblocks are not dead ends but opportunities to innovate and persevere. With determination and a supportive team, solutions can be found.

OshaWOW was a tremendous success! We donated half of the proceeds to the Oshawa Community Health Centre, which provided ten weeks of snacks for their preschool program. The other half went to The Refuge, which supports Durham Region’s youth in need. Here’s a great video showcasing the event.

CALM: The Seminar – Benefiting THRIVE at the Abilities Centre (2023)

In 2022, I embarked on a new academic journey as a Social Service Worker student at Durham College, a step that felt natural after 20 years of dedication to social service. My first field placement, from January to April 2023, involved supporting participants in the THRIVE program at the Abilities Centre. THRIVE is an innovative adult day program designed to teach life and independent living skills to individuals with developmental disabilities.

I thoroughly enjoyed supporting THRIVE participants in exploring skills such as fine arts, fitness, baking, effective communication, and drama. However, I soon realized that the costs of the supplies and technology necessary for these classes were substantial.

Moved by the impact of THRIVE’s programming, I decided to do more. I organized a fundraising event with a team of fellow Social Service Worker students. The event, titled CALM: The Seminar—Worry Less in Four Simple Steps, was held on October 3, 2023, at the Abilities Centre’s theatre in Whitby. Tickets were $49 each, and our goal was to raise $4,900.

Starting in May 2023, I sought approval from Durham College’s Executive Dean, Ralph Hoffman, and assembled a team of enthusiastic volunteers who each shared personal reasons for wanting to participate in this fundraiser to support THRIVE. We worked diligently for months, selling tickets and raising awareness about the THRIVE program.

On the day of the event, we were thrilled to present a total donation of $3,628 to THRIVE, which included a $2,528 cheque and $100 in cash. While we fell short of our $4,900 goal, the event was a resounding success. We raised significant funds, increased awareness for THRIVE, and positively impacted those who attended.

The experience was immensely rewarding. Not only did we contribute to a cause close to our hearts, but we also made valuable connections with local agencies. Thanks to the support of business owners who purchased tickets to donate to others, we were able to offer complimentary tickets to front-line workers from organizations like the Backdoor Mission, Autism Homebase, and the Building Bridges Together steering committee.

It is incredible what a small group of people can do when they come together to positively impact a cause that is important to them!

100 Women Who Care Durham (2023 to Present)

Currently, I’m a member of the 100 Women Who Care Durham Region Giving Circle. Each member donates $100 every three months to a selected local charity. Collectively, 100 Women Who Care Durham has raised over $200,000 for various causes, profoundly impacting our community.

To book our donation at our most recent meeting, I sold copies of my books CALM: A Proven Four-Step Process Designed Specifically for Women Who Worry and CALM for Moms: Worry Less in Four Simple Steps. I then donated $5 from each book sale to Durham Youth Services, our charity of choice that evening. My small extra contribution helped fund two additional nights of safety for youth through their Nightstop program, proving that every little bit counts.

 

How Do You Give Back?

We all have three things to give: time, talent, and treasure. By choosing to contribute and get involved in community initiatives, you enhance your own life and create a lasting impact on others.

How do you give back? Share your story. Your actions could inspire others, offer hope that their contributions matter, and spark positive change in individuals, communities, and beyond.