The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to action to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

DWF provides education on the true history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the lasting impact of residential schools through their programming, partnerships and events that build awareness, education, and connection between all peoples in Canada.

Website: https://downiewenjack.ca/

Campfire Circle

Childhood cancer changes lives. So does camp. At Campfire Circle, we are passionate about building a world where children thrive and families heal. Through our year-round hospital, community and overnight camp programs, we create opportunities for children to build friendships and social skills, develop self-confidence and resiliency, and improve their overall well-being. We tailor our programs to promote inclusivity for everyone—whatever their needs—and wherever they are in their families’ childhood cancer journey.

Website: https://campfirecircle.org/

Epilepsy  South Central Ontario

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures.

A Seizure is a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain that affects the way a person acts. The location of the activity determines what the seizure looks like.

About 1 in 100 people have epilepsy. Over 260,000 Canadians are diagnosed with epilepsy.

It can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. While epilepsy occurs most commonly in children and seniors, it can happen at any stage in a person’s life.

March is Epilepsy Awareness month across Canada

Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness. Last year, people in dozens of countries on all continents including Antarctica participated in Purple Day! 

Learn more about Epilepsy by visiting https://epilepsysco.org/

Food Banks Canada

Food Banks Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity. We support a network of Provincial Associations, affiliate food banks, and food agencies that work at the community level to relieve hunger. https://www.foodbankscanada.ca/

Website: https://www.foodbankscanada.ca/

Hamilton/Burlington SPCA

The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) is committed to thriving animals, thriving pet families and thriving communities.

Founded in 1887, our mission was animal protection and our focus was working animals. Today, guided by the human animal bond, the Society strives to keep people and pets together, help community members be the pet parents they want to be and be a voice for sentient beings who have none.

Website: https://www.hbspca.com/

Indwell

Indwell is a Hamilton-based Christian charity that responds to the urgent need to address homelessness in southern and southwestern Ontario by creating and operating high-quality affordable supportive housing.
Indwell supports more than 700 tenants in Hamilton, Woodstock, Norfolk County, London and St. Thomas and is expanding into Mississauga and Waterloo Region and Chatham-Kent. Indwell empowers tenants to achieve health goals and actively engage in the life of their communities. To learn more, visit indwell.ca

Website: https://indwell.ca/

Rainbow Railroad

Rainbow Railroad is an international organization based in Toronto and New York with a mission to help LGBTQI people around the world find safety from persecution. In approximately 70 countries, LGBTQI people face violence and oppression simply because of who they love or who they are. Rainbow Railroad’s core Emergency Travel Support program provides airfare and financial support for travel preparations and temporary settlement costs to LGBTQI individuals who are at significant risk. In addition, Rainbow Railroad also provides short-term financial aid to keep people safe in their current country as well as offering information and resources, coordinating referrals to local support organizations, and helping individuals understand their rights as asylum seekers. Since 2006, the organization has helped more than 1,500 individuals escape violence and find freedom in a safer country. As well, the organization has helped thousands more stay safe in their current location through our secondary service programs. For more information and to support our work, visit our website

Website: https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/

Shalem Mental Health Network

Shalem Mental Health Network is a mental health social service agency with headquarters in Hamilton, Ontario. We walk alongside those who are in pain, isolated, on the margins and facing stigma by providing professional, responsive and preventative mental health support through counselling, community activities and programs, across Ontario.

Website: https://shalemfoundation.org/