In this bonus episode of She Is Your Neighbour, our producer, Lillie, joins us to talk all things She Is Your Neighbour! In this episode, we reflect on our favourite episodes of the podcast, and discuss the incredible impact these stories have had on us personally. We also talk about the process of creating impactful content, like the podcast and our short documentary and how this has resonated with our community.  The conversation also touches on the transformative journeys of guests like Colette and Destiny, who have turned their experiences into advocacy. Looking ahead, we share our aspirations for the podcast’s growth and the importance of community support in addressing domestic violence.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Angela is an Outreach Support Worker at Women’s Crisis Services and since 2019 she has worked in the Youth Education assignment, teaching young people in the community about safe and healthy relationships.  In this episode we talk to Angela about the power of prevention work, how we are working with young people in the community to increase education about healthy relationships and how empathy is a superpower.  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/XDnWkr_ogsk 

Kiana is the Equity Lead at Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Prior to this role, Kiana was an Outreach Support Worker, connecting with women in the community experiencing domestic violence to provide safety planning and community resources.  In this episode, we talk to Kiana about the Outreach Program at Women’s Crisis Services, how the Outreach Program aims to wrap survivors in support and the importance of public education in ending domestic and gender-based violence.  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/dcZH0prbqRg   

Leigh is the Residential Program Manager at Women’s Crisis Services Emergency Shelter, Haven House. Leigh is also an energy practitioner, has a private practice and works with her partner, Iona, doing EDI work.   In this episode, we talk to Leigh about the shelter system and how spaces have adapted to support more individuals experiencing abuse. We also talk about the importance of community building and how shelter is only one step in someone’s healing journey.    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/wU-mb1W46HE  Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!

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  Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!

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  Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok 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!Thank our episode sponsor, Shimco.

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! Thank our series sponsor, Shimco.

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!  Thank our series sponsor, Shimco.

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!   Thank our series sponsor, Shimco.

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.

Christina Silva and Christy Phillips work at Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Christina is the Outreach Supervisor and Christy is a Child and Youth Worker. In this episode of She Is Your Neighbour we talked to Christina and Christy about the various ways that domestic violence impacts children and the importance of safety planning. We also talk about financial abuse and about how it can impact the entire family.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR. Women’s Crisis Services provides Safe Shelter, Outreach Support, Prevention and Education to women and children in Waterloo Region experiencing domestic violence.  

Sara Casselman is the Executive Director at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.  In this episode, we talk to Sara about myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual violence, the intersection between domestic violence and human trafficking, and what Sexual Assault Support Centres can do to help community members who have experienced sexual violence.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Julie Lalonde is an author, public educator and a survivor of domestic violence.  In the first episode of She Is Your Neighbour: Back to Basics, we talk to Julie about her personal experience with domestic violence and stalking, and how it led her to write her book, Resilience is Futile, the Life and Death and Life of Julie S Lalonde. Julie also spoke about bystander intervention strategies and the problem with glamorizing suffering through resilience.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Stephanie Bryenton is a Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor at the Region of Waterloo. A former child protection worker and Indigenous advocate, Stephanie now works to support Indigenous partners across the Region. She also runs a small business with her sister called Wiingashk Sisters to honour the legacy of their mother through beadwork.  In this episode, we talk to Stephanie about her work as a child protection worker and how it led her to the work she does today. We also talk about and the importance of community partnerships, advocacy work, reconciliation and unique ways of healing after experiencing loss.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Ren Navarro is the founder of B. Diversity, a company that brings equity, diversity and inclusion to the craft beer industry and beyond. After seeing a lack of representation in the beer industry, Ren made it her mission to diversify the way that beer is perceived, highlighting there is no one type of person who drinks beer and changing marketing campaigns isn’t enough — policies need to reflect that too! In this episode, we talk to Ren about what harm reduction looks like in the beer industry, unique examples of gender-based violence in the beer industry and about how policies need to reflect the changing needs of different industries.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Pamela Cross is a feminist lawyer, advocate and an expert on violence against women and the law. Pamela has been an expert witness on Inquests and Inquires across Canada to make recommendations to prevent future femicides from occurring. In this episode, we talk to Pamela about the difference between an Inquest and Inquiry, the consequences of criminalizing coercive control and talk about what needs to change in the legal system. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.