She Is Your Neighbour

Arwaa is an Outreach Support Worker at Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Prior to this role, Arwaa was a Child and Youth Worker, providing programming and supports to children who are staying in emergency shelter.

In this episode, we talk to Arwaa about child and youth programming at Women’s Crisis Services and the different groups that are available for the youngest clients in our emergency shelters. We also talk about individualized safety plans and the importance of keeping survivors stories at the forefront of our minds when doing this work.

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Watch the full video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/6JVXjALS6ek 

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Jay is a Residential Support Worker at Women’s Crisis Services Emergency Shelter, Anselma House.

Jay also owns JayRoots Wellness, a trauma-informed wellness space for self-expression, emotional grounding, and culturally aligned care—designed for BIPOC youth, adults, and communities seeking real rest and release. 

In this episode, we talk to Jay about the process of entering a violence against women shelter, how collaboration plays a key role in individualized healing and the transformative power of music therapy. 

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Watch the full video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/cZ-N-ILkDpM 

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Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!

Jennifer Hutton is the CEO of Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and she has passionately led the organization since 2018.

In this special, bonus episode of She Is Your Neighbour, Jen discusses her journey in social services. She also shares her personal connection to the issue and talks about the impact of femicide, as well as the evolution of domestic violence awareness.  

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok

Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!

Serena works at the Healing of the Seven Generations in Waterloo Region as a Program Manager and Bail Supervisor. 

In this episode, Serena shares her personal experience with domestic violence and how it led to the loss of her mother’s life when Serena was only 9 years old. She was taken into care through the foster care system and over the years, she has continued to learn more about her Indigenous roots, which led her to the work she is doing today. 

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR. 

Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok

Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!

Qwuy’um’aat works as a Senior Strategic Advisor at BC Housing. She is also the owner of Ever Plan Consulting and an Instructor at Vancouver Island University where she teaches Indigenous Lands Management and Indigenous Community Planning.  

In this episode, Qwuy’um’aat talks about the challenges that Indigenous women face, particularly in relation to gender-based violence and housing insecurity. She shares her personal experiences and professional insights, emphasizing the need for culturally safe housing and community support for Indigenous women. 

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok

Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!

Amber is a Counsellor at Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services.  

In this episode, Amber talks about the various programs offered by Ganohkwasra, including safe shelter, counselling, and other supports for women, men, youth and children seeking safety from violence. She also talks about the work she does with  missing and murdered Indigenous women and families, and the role culture plays in Indigenous healing. 

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR. 

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok 

Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!

Destiny Bailey is the Program Coordinator at Abbey House – a transitional home for women with or without children who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or who are facing other trauma and crisis situations.

In this episode, Destiny shares her powerful journey as an Indigenous woman who has faced and overcome significant challenges, including domestic violence, human trafficking, addiction and incarceration. 

This episode is part of special series, launching for International Women’s Day  “Empowering Indigenous Women”. In this series, we are celebrating strong Indigenous women moving beyond violence, while exploring the impact that gender-based violence has on Indigenous communities. 

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok 

Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team! 

Before we get started, I’d like to thank our series sponsor, Shimco.  

Brandon Chadwick is the host of a popular podcast called, Narcissist Apocalypse.

Narcissist Apocalypse is a raw and unfiltered podcast that gives a voice to survivors of domestic abuse – it’s also an online community and peer support group. 

In this episode, we talk to Brandon about the evolution of Narcissist Apocalypse and the role that shame and stigma plays in survivors sharing their stories. We also talk about the power of peer support and how it can can help survivors build confidence, make connections and heal from trauma. 

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Christine Taylor is the Program Manager at the Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Treatment Centre out of St. Mary’s Hospital and Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Waterloo Region. 

In this episode of She Is Your Neighbour we talk to Christine about the dangers of strangulation and escalating physical abuse, how The Family Violence Project provides wrap around support for survivors of gender-based violence and how we can all support our neighbours by creating a culture of openness.  

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Oluseun Olayinka is the Executive Director at Adventure4Change in Waterloo, Ontario.

In this episode, Oluseun explains how cultural norms can influence the way a person navigates an abusive relationship, as well as the role the couple’s family, friends, and faith community may have in determining how to move forward. We also talk about the work Adenture4Change does to eliminate barriers for new Canadians to help them thrive.

Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.