Showing Up, Day After Day: The Power of Nonprofits
As part of Nonprofit Appreciation week (Feb 15-21) we asked local nonprofits to share a proud moment from the last year.
Those stories are below and reflect not just what they do, but how they do it, with consistency, compassion, and a deep respect for the people and communities they serve.
These stories are not about quick fixes or one-time interventions. They are about staying, listening, and walking alongside people for as long as it takes.
“When I lost both my full time and part time jobs in higher education, my world turned upside down. I truly didn’t know how I could make it. A friend recommended that I visit the Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre. They gave more than practical support. The staff and all the supports gave me HOPE. You have reminded me that community still exists and that I am not alone.“
These stories remind us that nonprofits are not just responding to need, they are strengthening the fabric of our communities and are essential services.
Through everyday acts of care and extraordinary perseverance, they create safety, dignity, healing, and hope—one relationship, one day, one life at a time.
Thank you for spending some time reading these stories from Guelph, Wellington, Dufferin, and Waterloo Region and sharing some appreciation for nonprofit organizations and the amazing people who work in the sector.
Happy Nonprofit Appreciation Week from your friends at United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin, Do/able Consulting, Lind Design, Guelph Community Foundation, Dufferin Community Foundation, and the Dufferin Board of Trade.
Nonprofits wish you knew that… our work is essential to how communities function—not an “extra,” but a foundation.
A lot has happened this year to better support the women and children we serve, as well as our staff who show up for them every day. We moved to a double staffing model, creating safer spaces and higher quality care for every mother and child who walks through our doors. Alongside this shift, we introduced a nutrition focused program that ensures families have consistent access to healthy, home cooked meals, and we strengthened our in-house mental health supports so residents can receive timely guidance when life feels overwhelming. Seeing these enhancements come together, and witnessing the stability they now offer young families, affirmed that the steady work behind the scenes truly makes a life changing difference.
Marillac Place
One of our most meaningful successes came in a month where we helped more people secure permanent housing than the number entering our shelter. This is significant because each housing placement represents extensive, behind-the-scenes work—building trust, navigating complex systems, coordinating services, and supporting individuals through barriers that often take months to overcome.
Achieving this milestone shows that our approach is not just managing homelessness but actively reducing it by helping people move forward into stable, lasting homes.
Choices Shelter and Support Services
I am deeply proud of our dedicated staff who show up every day, tackling complex challenges to support families in our community. Their commitment spans from service to corporate roles, embodying our mission to work inclusively and equitably toward safety, well-being, connection, and reconciliation. I extend heartfelt appreciation to our community partners, kinship and foster caregivers, volunteers, adopting families, and donors for their collaborative efforts to help us move our mission forward. A shining example of our shared success this past year is the Voice of Community event, hosted in collaboration with Helping Hands Without Borders Canada, where over 80 community leaders from 12 diverse communities came together. This event reflected our vision of children and youth being safe, supported, and thriving. Together, we explored what it truly means to keep our children, youth, and families safe.
Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County
Nonprofits wish you knew that… some of our greatest successes are the crises that never happen.
One of our proudest moments this year was reaching zero people on our primary care waitlist in Cambridge and North Dumfries, something that once felt out of reach. At the start of the year, many people were waiting for a primary care provider, with some juggling unmet health needs, stress, and uncertainty about where to turn. Through focused primary care expansion, hiring new physicians, nurse practitioners, and interprofessional staff, and streamlining intake, Langs was able to attach nearly 900 new patients to care. This didn’t just mean access to appointments; it meant people finally had a healthcare “home” with access to the full breadth of Langs’ supports. Seeing patients move from waiting and worrying to feeling known, supported, and connected reaffirmed the impact of showing up day after day with persistence, collaboration, and a deep commitment to equitable care.
Langs
One of my proudest moments this year came during our Butterfly Accreditation celebration on the third floor. There was a resident who had always been quiet and withdrawn, spending most days watching from the sidelines. As our team deepened our Butterfly Approach, bringing personalized items, music from her younger years, and simple opportunities for connection, we began to see her come alive. On the day we received our full accreditation, she joined the celebration, smiling, clapping along to the music, and even dancing a little with staff. She looked around the room, full of laughter and colour, and said softly to a staff member, “It feels like home again.” When this was shared with me I was reminded that what we do isn’t just care. It is restoring joy, identity and belonging. That transformation is why nonprofit work truly matters.
The Elliott Community
This year the Nightingale Centre partnered with The Rotary Club to develop G.i.G. (Grow in Grief) Kits for children, youth and families in our community anticipating, or living with, the death of a significant person. To prepare for this initiative we put a call out to our community to make “hugs” to include in the kits to help the recipients understand they are not alone. The crafters in our community – responded with enthusiasm and compassion. We have received over 1000 knitted and crocheted hugs. In August with Nightingale and Rotary volunteers – we put 250 G.i.G. kits together and launched them to our community partners in September. Within two months they were gone which affirmed what we already knew. Everyone is touched by grief and our community needed the resources to help equip them to better help their families.
The Nightingale Centre
Nonprofits wish you knew that… this work requires skill, strategy, and professionalism alongside deep compassion.
One of our proudest moments last year was supporting a talented civil engineer who fled Syria and arrived in Ontario seeking stability and a chance to rebuild his career. He needed his credentials recognized but battled bureaucracy, language barriers, and skills mismatches that kept him underemployed.
Our nonprofit delivered vital services like credentials assessments, subsidized English classes, upskilling in Canadian Engineering, and peer mentorship. Despite funding delays and bureaucratic hurdles, he validated his qualifications and landed a top government infrastructure role, where he now drives sustainable projects.
This not only transformed his life and the life of his family, but also exemplified our dedication to empowering immigrants to integrate and contribute meaningfully to our communities.
Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services
Last March, John Howard Society was contacted about a junior class in crisis in Waterloo Region. There were extreme incidents of both physical and social aggression and some of the students had interacted with police.
For five weeks, a facilitator went in for one hour once a week to speak with the students as a class and promote positive social change. During the first visit, the students were hesitant and resistant. There seemed to be a distrust in terms of speaking with adults, and it took a little bit to get them to ‘buy in’. One student in particular carried visible anger and injustice. By week three, this student was not only sharing meaningfully during the workshops, but they were receptive to feedback which challenged them to think about a given situation from another angle.
It was a powerful shift, not only for this student but for the entire school community.
John Howard Society of Waterloo-Wellington
This story is about a multi-generational family of new Canadians who arrived after fleeing an unsafe home country. They came with only essential belongings, savings locked in foreign banks, credentials not yet recognized here, and not everyone able to speak English.
They turned to the Yand found our Immigrant Services team who could provide translation and begin settlement services. Staff worked with the family to enroll the children in school, complete language assessments, and connect the family with critical resources. We helped them access medical care, set up banking information, and begin their job hunt through Employment Services at the Y.
Within a few months, both parents found subsistence work while pursuing credential recognition in fields that are in-demand locally. In the meantime, the kids began to succeed in school, and the family accessed a subsidy for Y summer camp to provide them childcare during the summer break. The Y is incredibly proud to see this family well on their way to a successful settlement in Waterloo Region, and the family has committed to ‘paying it forward’ whenever they can.
YMCA of Three Rivers
Nonprofits wish you knew that… strong communities are built through long-term relationships, not quick fixes.
Our organization serves children and youth and, by extension, their families. We work to create pathways to possibility for kids who are often underexposed to the arts. Last spring, we witnessed one of the most powerful transformations in a young person we’ll call Zeke.
In Grade 7, he was extremely introverted, shy, and genuinely terrified to participate in our drama program. With the steady support of our caring staff team, and in close partnership with his dad, Zeke made it through the audition process and earned a role in our spring production. Over the weeks of rehearsals, and through the experience of putting on the show, Zeke blossomed. On performance day, he stunned his family. His parents were moved to tears as his once-buried potential came fully to life. The impact on his confidence was unmistakable. But the moment that stayed with us most came later at the cast party, when Zeke told everyone he’d been “bitten by the bug” and that after Grade 8, he planned to apply to a performing arts high school. As I submit this story, Zeke is just 24 hours away from that high school audition.
Streams Community Hub
One of our proudest moments this past year was seeing the magic of the Willkommen Platz, our outdoor Bavarian village in downtown Kitchener, come to life.
Families from across the region and beyond gathered in this vibrant, family-friendly space where children enjoyed interactive Bavarian activities while parents took in live music and the festive atmosphere. Many visitors were looking for a safe, inclusive way to experience Oktoberfest that truly felt welcoming to everyone regardless of age or background. With the incredible support of our dedicated volunteers, our team created a place rooted in culture, connection and community where we invited all to Be Bavarian with us. Families were making new memories together, friendships were formed and renewed and the spirit of the festival was on full display, showing how we are changing the narrative of K-W Oktoberfest events to be more inclusive, family-friendly and welcoming to all.
K-W Oktoberfest Inc
One of our proudest moments this past year was the establishment of the GYS Kiwanis Choir, a partnership designed to reach children who might otherwise never have access to formal choral music education.
In response to this need, GYS created a massed choir of 150 children and provided high-quality choral instruction at no cost, removing financial barriers and intentionally prioritising joy, belonging, and foundational musicianship. Over time, we watched students who were initially hesitant begin to sing confidently, take musical risks, and feel proud of their contributions. The impact was tangible: students developed musical skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging, while families and schools gained a meaningful connection to a wider arts community. The Kiwanis Choir affirmed for us that showing up consistently — with care, patience, and high expectations — can fundamentally change how young people see themselves and their voices.
Guelph Youth Singers
Nonprofits wish you knew that… showing up consistently — day after day — is what makes lasting change possible.
One of our proudest moments this past year is simply continuing to show up week after week with our Mobile Health Bus and community vans as well as street outreach for people who are routinely excluded from traditional systems of care.
Many of the people we serve are living outdoors, in motels, or moving between unstable housing, often managing complex health needs alongside poverty, stigma, and a toxic drug supply. They tell us what they need most is consistency, trust, and care delivered on their terms. In response, Sanguen brings primary care, harm reduction, social support, and referrals directly into the community.
Between July and September alone, our Mobile Health Bus and vans supported thousands of interventions and served thousands of unique individuals, many accessing care for the first time in years. The impact was tangible: people received life-saving care earlier, avoided emergency departments, stayed connected to ongoing supports, and perhaps most importantly, felt seen and valued. In a year marked by loss and deep systemic strain, our teams’ tenacity and compassion made a real difference, proving that meeting people where they are can quite literally save lives.
Sanguen Health Centre
A resident in our permanent supportive housing had been chronically unhoused for 10 years, often losing housing due to mental health challenges. Because our housing is truly permanent, they weren’t displaced when behavioral issues arose. Instead, our team showed up every day—setting healthy boundaries, offering consistent support, and helping them work toward their goals. Today, they’re a valued member of our community, living in a safe, stable home without fear of losing it. They even organized the bake sale we hosted last month – a true testament to their growth and sense of belonging. This transformation was made possible by our team’s dedication, patience, and unwavering care.
Stonehenge Therapeutic Community
Last March, we reached the long-awaited accomplishment of being waitlist free. Child victim services is such a necessary service and the hardest part of our job during the years of having a waitlist was to choose who was going to be served and who would go on our waitlist. All of our children and youth are deserving of advocacy and support from day one of their investigation and charges being laid. Being back to the threshold of no waitlist is exciting and tenuous at the same time. As those regular influxes that happen before and after school holidays, we are all working far above and beyond to ensure that our clients have the supports that they need. This is where our program team excels. Our team is dedicated to helping children and their families return to thriving as soon as they are able.
The Child Witness Centre of Waterloo Region
Nonprofits wish you knew that… volunteers, donors, and staff together create impact that no one sector could achieve alone.
We were told by a mother of one of our summer camp kids that she is so grateful that we accommodate her son’s behavioural needs and work with her to integrate him into our program – she said he isn’t usually allowed or welcomed back into camps, and this is one of the few that he enjoys and can participate in.
Museum of Dufferin
One of our proudest moments this past year was supporting a newly arrived refugee mother and her four children who came to Guelph with no family, limited English, and deep emotional distress after fleeing war. What they needed most was stability, safety, and compassionate guidance as they began rebuilding their lives.
Through AWSOG, our team of volunteers stepped in immediately — helping the family secure housing, access healthcare, register the children in school, and connect with mental-health and settlement services. We also provided donated clothing, winter supplies, transportation support, and weekly emotional check-ins to ensure they felt seen, welcomed, and never alone. Over time, the mother joined our women’s empowerment and English conversation programs, rebuilt her confidence, and is now volunteering with AWSOG to support other newcomer families. This is just one of many stories we witness each year — moments where dignity is restored, hope is renewed, and lives are transformed through community care and collective compassion.
Arab Women’s Society of Guelph (AWSOG)
We focus on working with low-income, newcomer, and immigrant families in North Waterloo.
During one of our women’s fitness classes, a newcomer mother revealed that this was the only hour in her entire week where she felt free from stress. She came to Canada carrying trauma and the heavy responsibility of raising children alone. The weekly, women-led sessions gave her not only a chance to care for her body, but also a supportive network of peers who understood her cultural background.
After several months, she reported sleeping better, feeling stronger, and smiling more. “This group gave me myself back.” She has all her kids in our tutoring program, and her youth too. She has said she has seen what our programs have done for them; with better grades and giving them confidence; and now she has seen what we have been able to do for her.
Adventure4Change
Nonprofits wish you knew that… innovation often begins where resources are limited and commitment is strong.
Sunrise provides equine therapy programs for children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional special needs. Recently a young participant arrived at day camp. It was his first day and this six-year-old boy was filled with anxiety and could not get out of the car.
Family members and Sunrise staff worked to reassure him. Almost an hour later, moving across the barnyard tentatively, this camper crossed paths with therapy horse, Jack, who was being led into the barn. Jack stopped and gently stroked his big head alongside the boy’s arm. Jack stood and watched the little boy for a while until the youngster had the courage to raise his hand to touch him. Suddenly, “bye mom!” and Jack and his new friend entered the barn together. As with most therapeutic riding horses, Jack just knew what was needed that day.
Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre
One of my proudest moments this past year was supporting a newcomer parent who arrived in Waterloo Region feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure of where to begin.
She was looking for stable housing, childcare options, and a pathway to return to the career she had built before immigrating. Week after week, our team showed up—helping her navigate housing systems, connecting her children to safe social programs, reviewing her résumé, and walking her through employment services. Slowly, she began to regain her confidence.
Today, she is working in a field aligned with her professional background, her children are thriving in community programs, and she often says she no longer feels like she is “doing life alone.” Watching her transition from uncertainty to stability reminded us just how powerful consistent, culturally grounded support can be—and how meaningful it is when a community organization truly shows up for someone, day after day.
Kind Minds Family Wellness
One of our proudest moments last year was hosting Afrikada during Black History Month. The people we serve are African and Black families, newcomers, youth, and community leaders who often long for unity, visibility, and a space where their diverse cultures are valued equally. What they needed was a platform that brought people together, not by nationality, but by shared history, resilience, and pride.
Through Afrikada, our organization brought together representatives from over 20 African countries in one space to celebrate culture, language, food, music, and stories. The event created a rare moment of unity, where differences became a strength and people felt seen and respected. Families attended together, elders shared stories, youth performed with confidence, and community groups connected across cultures. The impact was powerful. Afrikada strengthened community bonds, affirmed cultural identity, and reminded people that despite our different backgrounds, we are stronger when we come together and celebrate who we are.
African Canadian Association Waterloo Region & Area
Nonprofits wish you knew that… behind every visible program is significant planning, governance, and coordination.
We are lucky to see firsthand the joy and impact of giving. After the pandemic, some workplaces have been dealing with a hybrid environment and disengaged employees. We have been proud to witness many re-energized and engaged campaigns and are moved by the gratitude and personal impact shared by individuals and donors. We are proud to play a lead role in facilitating that impact.
United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin
Nonprofits wish you knew that… prevention, stability, and dignity take sustained effort — even when the results aren’t flashy.
I first discovered the Guelph Enabling Garden through the Nightingale Centre. During that time, I met Heidi — a woman whose warmth and connection to nature created a safe, healing space for us. This past August, after experiencing a mental health crisis, I reached out to Heidi again. She introduced me to Spark of Brilliance.
For two months, Heidi gave her time and heart each week to support me on my healing journey — beyond even her work with Spark of Brilliance. Through her guidance, I rediscovered the sacred power of nature — its beauty, symbolism, and ability to slow and restore the soul. I’ve learned to honour my healing pace and to see the divine elements all around me as mirrors of my own growth. Each time I worked in the garden, people passing by would stop, curious and drawn to the peace that radiates there. The Enabling Garden deserves to be known — and supported — so more people can experience the same healing, connection, and transformation I have. It has truly been life altering!
The Guelph Enabling Garden
We have so many proud stories. One that stands out is when two orphaned fawns were brought to our wildlife hospital after losing their mother. Our veterinary and rehabilitation team provided the specialized care they needed, guiding them through recovery and preparing them for life in the wild. In the fall, they were successfully released back into their natural habitat.
Another memorable case involved a juvenile red fox with two broken legs. After surgery and rehabilitation, the fox regained strength and was safely returned to its home in nature. These moments reflect the dedication of our team and the resilience of the wildlife we are privileged to care for.
National Wildlife Centre
At our annual Bruce Trail Day Event we had the largest attendance in our club’s history and the 2nd largest of all nine Bruce Trail Clubs! Bruce Trail Day is a free family-oriented day of hiking, nature education, live music on the trail, children’s events and light refreshments. Our goal is to introduce Dufferin residents to the health benefits of spending intentional time in nature settings
Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club
Nonprofits wish you knew that… when support is steady and collaborative, communities become stronger and more resilient.
Background on Nonprofit Appreciation Week:
Nonprofit Appreciation Week is formally recognized by the Government of Ontario through Bill 9, the Non-Profit Sector Appreciation Week Act (2021). The legislation acknowledges the contributions of nonprofit workers and organizations across the province and was championed by the Bhayana Family Foundation, Ontario Nonprofit Network, and United Way Greater Toronto. With more than 1 in 10 Canadians working in the nonprofit sector (Imagine Canada), this week provides an opportunity for communities to recognize nonprofit workers and deepen public understanding of the sector’s importance.
Background on this campaign:
The local activation of Nonprofit Appreciation Week across Guelph, Wellington, Dufferin and Waterloo Region was sparked by conversations between Glenna Banda, Executive Director of United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin, and Kris Cummings, Owner and Principal Consultant at Do/able Consulting. United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin was the inaugural partner and helped shape the idea of creating a shared, visible way to recognize nonprofit teams while also helping the public better understand nonprofit impact.
From that initial idea, the initiative grew into a collaborative effort supported by United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin, Lind Design, Guelph Community Foundation, Dufferin Community Foundation, and the Dufferin Board of Trade, with additional promotion and outreach support in Waterloo Region from the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region, United Way Waterloo Region, Volunteer Waterloo Region, and Waterloo Region Community Foundation.
