Inspiring Community

Ensuring the Voices of Children and Youth are Heard and Valued

Dr. Nila Das, Executive Director of the Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC). With a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and an MBA from the University of Windsor, she combines scientific expertise with strategic vision to drive organizational growth and improve service delivery for children and youth. Dr. Das is passionate about non-profit leadership and community engagement, advocating for equity and addressing systemic barriers from a young age. As a dedicated ally of children and youth, Dr. Das is committed to empowering young individuals and creating inclusive environments. Her role as an ally is central to her work, ensuring that the voices of children and youth are heard and valued. Dr. Das envisions a future where every child and youth can thrive in a supportive, non-judgemental, and equitable community. She believes in fostering leadership skills, promoting mental health, and ensuring access to resources that enable young people to reach their full potential. Dr. Das's dedication to advocacy and her inclusive leadership style makes her an inspiring guest for discussions on child and youth empowerment. This episode explores the vital services and supports they provide and we discuss some of the most common challenges that child/youth victims of abuse and crime face today along with some effective strategies that can support these young individuals both legally and emotionally. Contact Information: Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre Website: https://wecyac.ca/ [https://wecyac.ca/] Phone: 519-995-3974     Email: info@wecyac.ca [info@wecyac.ca] Socials: https://www.facebook.com/wecyac [https://www.facebook.com/wecyac] https://x.com/WE_CYAC [https://x.com/WE_CYAC] https://www.linkedin.com/company/wecyac/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wecyac/]   https://www.instagram.com/we_cyac/ [https://www.instagram.com/we_cyac/]   Listen to "Inspiring Community" on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify and Podbean Inspiring Community is a production of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society Connect with WECAS & Hosts: www.wecas.on.ca [http://www.wecas.on.ca/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0jsPqRF3NhqrPs8ZK8K_mvupnuz9VbtfkEpExH6fxDVhQqqyxQMOR1xtQ_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw] info@wecas.on.ca Socials: @WindsorEssexCAS

Clear Benefits of a School Nutrition Program

In this episode, we speak with Stephanie Segave-Tiessen. Stephanie is a creative community leader with over two decades of experience working in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently working as a Project Manager with United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent, leading an innovative West Windsor School Lunch Pilot Program. She has been a passionate advocate for children and community issues and was directly involved in advancing advocacy work for a national school meal program. As a mom of three boys, her favourite spot to be is at local hockey arenas and soccer fields. This episode looks at the benefits to students when there is equitable access to lunches through a school nutrition program, including a positive association between nutrition and learning, reducing school absenteeism, and encouraging prosocial behaviours. Canada’s recent commitment to a National Food Policy and a $1 billion investment over 5 years is a step in the right direction but not yet a reality for Ontario. Stephanie shares how our region is contributing to realizing this goal and other innovative projects and partnerships that are underway.     Stephanie invites everyone to get involved by visiting https://www.healthyschoolfood.ca/ [https://www.healthyschoolfood.ca/]. Here, The Coalition for Healthy School Food details the actions that individuals can take. Contact Information: United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent Website: https://www.weareunited.com/ [https://www.weareunited.com/] Phone: 519-258-0000 Email: info@weareunited.com [info@weareunited.com] Socials: https://www.facebook.com/unitedwayweck [https://www.facebook.com/unitedwayweck] https://twitter.com/unitedwayweck [https://twitter.com/unitedwayweck] https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedwayweck/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedwayweck/] https://www.instagram.com/unitedwayweck/ [https://www.instagram.com/unitedwayweck/]   Listen to “Inspiring Community” on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify and Podbean Inspiring Community is a production of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society Connect with WECAS & Hosts: www.wecas.on.ca [http://www.wecas.on.ca/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0jsPqRF3NhqrPs8ZK8K_mvupnuz9VbtfkEpExH6fxDVhQqqyxQMOR1xtQ_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw] info@wecas.on.ca Socials: @WindsorEssexCAS

Serving our youth population

In this episode, we speak with Nadine Manroe-Wakerell. Nadine is the Director of Clinical Practice at the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre's Teen Health site. Nadine joined the wonderful team at weCHC in 2019, since that time she has overseen various programs such as COVID-19 response services for those affected by homelessness, Hepatitis C, primary care, youth sexual health, Eating Disorders, SAPACCY, mental health, and addictions. Nadine has been an advocate for strategically bridging the gap in healthcare and social services.  With over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, Nadine is motivated by the resilience of others, the dedication of the team, and her own lived experience, and is honoured to support services that improve the lives of those in our community.  This episode focused on the services they provide to the youth population (12 – 29 yrs), served through the Teen Health Centre. Nadine shares a wealth of information on what is impacting youth today and why a wrap-around and interdisciplinary approach to treatment and ongoing support is vital to the health and well-being of young people in our community. As a community health centre, weCHC continuously aims to support the people of Windsor and Essex County by offering equitable, safe, quality care that is client-centered and close to home. Visit their website to learn more: https://wechc.org/ [https://wechc.org/]   Contact Information: Main Office: 3325 College Avenue, Windsor, ON N9C 4E6 P: 519-258-6002 Teen Health Centre: 1361 Ouellette Avenue, Unit 101, Windsor, ON N8X 1J6 P: 519-253-8481 Socials: @weCHC519 @WECHC   Listen to “Inspiring Community” on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify and Podbean Inspiring Community is a production of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society Connect with WECAS & Hosts: www.wecas.on.ca [http://www.wecas.on.ca/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0jsPqRF3NhqrPs8ZK8K_mvupnuz9VbtfkEpExH6fxDVhQqqyxQMOR1xtQ_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw] info@wecas.on.ca Socials: @WindsorEssexCAS

Manage the holidays with these parenting tips

Jacqueline P. Cheng is a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Parenting Coach, Family Law Attorney, and mother of three young boys. With a multicultural background from England, Trinidad and Tobago, and Canada, she offers a unique viewpoint in her work. Jacqueline’s parenting journey began when she faced challenges with her toddler son’s behavioural struggles. Instead of focusing solely on his behaviour, she embarked on a path of self-healing, addressing her childhood traumas. This transformative experience led her to become certified by the Jai Institute for Parenting and Positive Discipline Association. Now, she combines evidence-based strategies with personal insights to guide parents in breaking generational cycles of blame, shame, guilt and punishment. She has almost 20 years of legal expertise in family law, understanding complex family dynamics and helping parents navigate them with clarity and compassion. Her coaching and workshops emphasize self-regulation, clear communication, and conscious leadership, empowering parents to create nurturing environments where both they and their children can thrive.   Contact Information: Website: www.jacquelinepcheng.com [http://www.jacquelinepcheng.com] Socials: @jacquelinepcheng Email: support@jacquelinepcheng.com

Brentwood Recovery Home - Providing lifelong compassionate, evidence-informed treatment

In this episode, we speak with Elizabeth Dulmage, the Executive Director of Brentwood Recovery Home. Elizabeth’s nursing education and training have inspired her to a career with various health service organizations for over 40 years. For the past 3 years, she has been in this role and has seen the evolution of addictions, leading to our current opioid crisis. She is deeply committed to Brentwood remaining steadfast in their mandate while adapting to be an inclusive service provider. Brentwood incorporates a non-denominational approach that delivers a ‘spiritual program’ focusing on body, mind and spirit, as key to an individual’s recovery. Elizabeth provides her insight on what government and our local community needs to do to ensure adequate funding and support to those experiencing addictions so that the successes they gain through treatment are sustained. “We need every agency working together in a coordinated, collaborative and non-competitive way to make a difference.”     Brentwood Recovery Home has served over 20,000 men and women primarily from Windsor and Essex County, and from all over Canada and the United States. The Brentwood Residential Addiction Treatment Program provides lifelong compassionate, evidence-informed treatment including counselling, intensive group therapy, psychoeducation and psychotherapy. Brentwood also offers lifelong aftercare as part of our Alumni program.   Contact Information: Brentwood website: https://www.brentwoodrecovery.com/ [https://www.brentwoodrecovery.com/] Brentwood Socials: @BrentwoodRecoveryHome Phone: (519) 253-2441 Email: info@brentwoodrecovery.com [info@brentwoodrecovery.com]