HOPE Workshops and Events
Upcoming Workshops
Harmony in Diversity: Embracing Our Rainbow Community
Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
Facilitators: Baz Kanold (they/them) and Philip Charbonneau (he/him)
Location: Gale Presbyterian Church, 10 Barnswallow Drive, Elmira
Price: FREE
Meal Provided
In Partnership with SPECTRUM Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space
With support from Woolwich Pride
Join us as we build a foundation for understanding and celebrating Woolwich Township’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community through valuable insights and engaging activities.
This workshop serves as an informative and inclusive introduction for allies and individuals who are curious about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, fostering an environment for understanding and learning.
Past Events
Reconnect and Reconcile at Crow Shield Lodge
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Tour Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Shuttle Bus Pick Up: 12:00 PM; Drop-off: ~4:30 PM (depending on traffic)
Location: Crow Shield Lodge Site at Ken Seiling Museum, 10 Huron Rd, Kitchener, ON N2P 2R7
Price: FREE
Discover a profound journey of reconciliation and connection at Crow Shield Lodge, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Indigenous wisdom and land-based teachings. On November 7, 2023, from 1-4 p.m., we invite you to join us in this transformative experience.
Explore Indigenous Wisdom Delve into the beauty of First Nations philosophies, the sacred practice of smudging, and captivating Indigenous stories. The wisdom, culture, and traditions are deeply rooted in the land. Together, we’ll walk the path of reconciliation and unity.
Healing Through Land-Based Teachings Crow Shield Lodge is a place where healing, land-based teachings, and reconciliation intertwine. It’s here that we will nurture our spirits and forge connections by understanding land-based philosophies.
Disconnect to Reconnect Disconnect from modern conveniences and technology to return to the basics. The land is the greatest teacher and classroom. Land-based teachings are key to this reconnection, fostering sustainability and healing through a profound reconnection with the land.
Gather by the Fire Join us for a time of healing, sharing, and unity as we sit in the circle together. These circles provide a valuable opportunity for the community to care for themselves, nurturing a good heart to support those on the margins of our communities.
Savor a Nourishing Midday Meal As part of this transformative experience, you’ll be offered a light lunch that includes sandwiches and fresh vegetables.
Complimentary Experience H.O.P.E. is grateful to be able to offer this experience free of charge, in addition to a shuttle service from Woolwich Memorial Centre (24 Snyder Ave. S, Elmira) to Crow Shield Lodge.
A Shared Responsibility The responsibility to rebuild the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canadian society is a shared one. Join us on this profound journey towards reconciliation. Together, we are stronger as one.
Limited Space There are limited spots available. Make sure to reserve your seat by October 31st!
About CSL
At Crow Shield Lodge, we stand side by side with those in need of healing. Our mission is to offer connection and belonging through Indigenous land-based healing and education. Rooted in the Seven Grandfather Teachings, we aspire to embody respect, truth, wisdom, honesty, humility, courage, and love.
CSL’s vision for the future is one of unity, equality, and understanding. We aim to create a thriving community founded on the original instructions of sharing and caring for the land. Healing and reconciliation are at the heart of our community.
Learn more about Crow Shield Lodge here.
Past Workshops
It Takes a Village: Parenting as a Model for Inclusive Communities
Dates: Tuesday, October 10, 17 & 24
Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
Location: Woolwich Counselling Centre, 65 Memorial Ave., Elmira
Price: FREE
In Partnership with Woolwich Counselling Centre
Session 1 | Mindful Living: A Blueprint for Change – It Starts with Us
The Emotional Brain – Creating safety so that we can respond rather than react.
- We will discuss the science of bias and how having bias doesn’t make us bad people, it just makes us human.
- We will explore how self-compassion can support us on our journey of unlearning our bias so that we can be truly compassionate with others.
- We will learn how to practice self-compassion.
Session 2 | Reflection: Inclusive Parenting as the Foundation for Stronger Communities
The Thinking Brain – Acknowledging and reflecting on our unconscious biases.
- When we know we can do better. We will reflect and examine our own lives and how it has been impacted by our biases so that we can be intentional in making change.
- We will examine how our everyday behaviours and words model the values we want our children to reflect in their interactions with others.
- We will learn how to practice and model continuous learning in our homes.
Session 3 | Practice: Building an Inclusive Environment
Expansion – Taking action by thoughtfully expanding our context, contacts and what we’re exposed to.
- We will learn tangible actions we can take to change our bias for ourselves and our children by changing the environment in which we live.
Black History Month | Sunday, February 26, 2023
The Community Hub inside Woolwich Memorial Centre, 24 Snyder Ave. S., Elmira
We Are First Humans
Spotlight Speaker: Oluseun Olayinka, Executive Director, Adventure4Change
Time: 1:00-2:00 pm
Learn how to make intentional and enduring changes within ourselves, families, organizations, community and the nation.
Oluseun Olayinka is an insightful strategic communicator who has been involved in administration, organizational and human capacity development for over 16 years. She passionately designs and facilitates company-specific coaching and training programs in areas of strategy, leadership and diversity equity, and inclusion.
To learn more about Adventure4Change, please click here.
Finding the Beauty and Strength from Our History
Spotlight Speaker: Ayo Owodunni, Kitchener City Councillor (Ward 5), Management Consultant
Time: 2:30-3:30 pm
Ayo grew up during the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s former Head of State in the 1990s. In his session, he shares how the struggles of the nation led to the struggle of a people, and how the pains of his past have led to the man he is today. Learn how we could use the pains of our history and heroes to build a beautiful and impactful future.
Ayo Owodunni is a management consultant who brings over 10 years of experience in coaching, training and strategic direction to enterprise-level clients looking to achieve big-picture goals while also focusing on diversity and inclusion. His approach combines expertise, personal stories and humor-all intended to break barriers and facilitate communication.
Workshop Partners
Join Our Group!
“Woolwich Anti-Racism and Inclusion Programs” is a private Facebook group that allows members to be part of the ongoing discussion on anti-racism, become aware of and be mindful of the different cultures and races that exist, and help us reduce racial inequity – today and for the future. The group welcomes open-minded, judgement-free, empathetic community members.
How to Cultivate a Racially Inclusive Community: 3-Part Series | January 22, February 5 & 19 | 1-2PM
The Community Hub inside Woolwich Memorial Centre, 24 Snyder Ave. S., Elmira
Workshop 1: Recognizing and Responding to Racial Discrimination
Featured Speaker: Mifrah Abid, Coordinator, ‘Together Against Islamophobia’ Program, Coalition of Muslim Women of KW
Date: Sunday, January 22, 2023
Learn what racism and microaggression look like today, how we can identify them, and how we can work together as a community to reduce racial discrimination and stereotypes, ideals, and behaviours towards people from different ethnicities.
Guest speaker, Mifrah Abid works for the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW (CMW) as the coordinator of the ‘Together Against Islamophobia’ program and oversees CMW’s Anti-Hate services. She also hosts a podcast ‘Across her Table’ and writes for the Waterloo Chronicle and Waterloo Record. Mifrah is a certified TESL (Teaching of English as a Second Language) trainer and used to teach English at a University in India before immigrating to Canada in late 2017.
To learn more about CMW’s upcoming projects and initiatives, please click here.
Workshop 2: Healing, Wellness and Compassion
Featured Speaker: Shelley Campagnola, Executive Director, COMPASS Refugee Centre
Date: Sunday, February 5, 2023
Community members will learn how to show empathy and compassion towards each other, regardless of their ethnic background. In addition, community members will learn how all races can move away from feelings of hate, learn from experiences of racism and loneliness, and create healing and openness for themselves and toward others.
Guest speaker, Shelley Campagnola is the Executive Director of COMPASS Refugee Centre. She cares deeply about justice, peace and purposeful action that leads to a healthy dialogue and fair outcomes for vulnerable people.
To learn more about what COMPASS is doing for our communities, please click here.
Workshop 3: Our Racially Diverse Community: A Look Beneath the Surface
Date: Sunday, February 19, 2023
Community members can share their own personal stories on how they came to Canada (or how it has been while living in Canada), their experience with racism or how they feel about the community in which we live in. The goal is for community members to learn more about each other, gain valuable information from each person’s stories, and how they can use this information to become more open and understanding towards each other.
There will be no speaker for this workshop, as it is meant to create an open dialogue among fellow community members.
Workshop Partners
