In this episode we talk to Kim Decker, CEO of YWCA Cambridge and Elizabeth Clarke, recently retired CEO of the YW Kitchener-Waterloo, about their legacy of planning, organizing and advocating on the issue of women’s homelessness in Waterloo Region. For over two decades, these leaders have hosted and shown up to meetings, spoken up at planning tables and created interventions in the organizations they lead to tackle the issue of women’s homelessness and the realities that inform it. Together we dive into the findings from our recently published Project Willow Report: “Don’t tell them you’re hom ..read more

In this episode we talk to urban scholar Leslie Kern (https://lesliekern.ca/) author of the Feminist City, about how to build cities with women in mind. We explore how cities can show up better for women in caregiving roles and how we build safety into our city for low-income and homeless women, who are most vulnerable to outdated patriarchal design practices. Using a dash of urban planning while drawing inspiration from other feminist centric projects we reimagine Waterloo, from transportation and infrastructure, to how to modernize the safety value of pay phones. This podcast is a continuati ..read more

In response to the shadow pandemic of gender-based violence, experienced over the course of the pandemic, we created Network of Neighbours Violence Prevention Training. This training empowers citizens to help a neighbour experiencing abuse in the home through building their confidence, knowledge and skills to intervene. In Part Two of this podcast training we review four unique types of interventions you can support folks experiencing violence with in different circumstances. We review the bystander training model used by Hollaback (https://www.ihollaback.org/), we look at safety planning arou ..read more

In response to the shadow pandemic of gender-based violence, experienced over the course of the pandemic, we created Network of Neighbours Violence Prevention Training. This training empowers citizens to help a neighbour experiencing abuse in the home through building their confidence, knowledge and skills to intervene. In Part 1 of our training we go over the fundamentals and basics of relationship violence, understanding the nuances and pathways of violence, the role of power and control, risk factors, how to identify abusive situations and how to engage in harm reduction and allyship for th ..read more

This episode is a live recording of our latest Network of Neighbours Speakers Series with Dr. Tammy Bernasky. Dr. Bernasky spoke about manifestations of violence that are not always obvious and are sometimes specific to people with disabilities. Not only do people with disabilities experience higher rates of gender-based violence, the kinds of violence that women and trans people with disabilities experience are often more complex. In this talk she also offers strategies for supporting people with disabilities to end gender-based violence. Bio: Dr. Tammy Bernasky specializes gender-based viol ..read more

This episode is a live recording of our Network of Neighbours Speakers Series talks with Stephanie Hill taking an intimate look at the intersects of statistics and family experiences as it relates to gender based violence in Indigenous communities. This Speaker Series is funded by the Canadian Women's Foundation Safe & Stronger Grants. Learn more about Network of Neighbours. Stephanie Hill, Haudenosaunee mother, grandmother, land defender, water warrior, helper and teacher from Six Nations on the Grand River for an intimate look into her personal exploration of family dynamics, connection ..read more

This is a live recording of our Network of Neighbours Speakers Series talks with Fae Johnstone on the topic of supporting Trans Communities and Fighting Gender-Based Violence. This Speaker Series is funded by the Canadian Women's Foundation Safe & Stronger Grants. Learn more about Network of Neighbours. Fae Johnstone (she/they) is a Principal Consultant with Wisdom2Action, and an experienced 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion educator, writer and organizer. During this lunch-time Network of Neighbours series, Fae will talk with us about how to support trans communities around issues of violence, from un ..read more

In this episode we take down the NRA's Mother's Day tweet in our 'Patriarchy Alive and Well' segment and then we are chatting with Jessica St. Peter from the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, where we will work together to pull apart some of the alarming data trends around gender-based violence- particularly sexual violence, discovered through the Feminist Shift and Data for Good Waterloo Region- Data for Good Report.  All about Jessica: Jessica St. Peter is the Manager of Public Education at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region. Jessica is so pleased to h ..read more

In this episode we bust open the troll inspired myth that Marwa Elselehdar, the recent first female appointed sea captain in Egypt was NOT responsible for the Ever Given damn jam in our Patriarchy Alive and Well segment and then we are chatting with Jelena Vermilion from the Sex Workers Action Network (SWAN) Waterloo Region about their work within the Charter Challenge to the majority of sex work laws in Bill C-36. This is important work to ensure that women and gender diverse folks working in sex work receive the support and protection they need to stay safe in their work.  All about Jel ..read more

In this episode we talk to Kate Cozier, Director of Programs at Community Justice Initiatives about her feminist influence on restorative justice work, how to move beyond a prison model and the power of community based justice, particularly for women disenfranchised, victimized or criminalized from and through our police and prison systems. Prior to working at CJI, Kate has spent most of her career working with women impacted by violence. Additionally, learning from her work with criminalized youth, homeless women and sexually abused men, her passion is to work with people who are committed to ..read more