Headwaters Communities in ActionNonprofit Appreciation Week
February 13-19, 2023
The 2023 campaign was hosted by our friends and partners at the Dufferin Community Foundation.
February 14-20, 2022
#nonprofitappreciationweek #nonprofitappreciation2022
February 14-20, 2022 marked the first ever Nonprofit Appreciation Week in Dufferin County and across Ontario, celebrating the vital role nonprofits and workers play in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities in Ontario. In December 2021, the province of Ontario passed Bill 9 to create this week, a motion that was unanimously supported by all parties. Municipalities in Dufferin County are making proclamations this month in recognition and support.
For those of us who work in charities and nonprofits, this kind of recognition and support is unprecedented. And it comes at a time when our staff have shown their skill, dedication and ingenuity in helping vulnerable people and strengthening our communities through the pandemic. Where frontline workers in other sectors were deservedly lauded for their efforts, much of the work in the charitable and nonprofit sector was overlooked.
Doing Good in Your Neighbourhood
Here we spotlight just a few of the more than 150 registered nonprofits and charities headquartered in Dufferin County.
“Caledon\Dufferin Victim Services is a not for profit charitable organization offering free, one to one confidential assistance 24/7 supporting those affected by crime and tragedy. Our dedicated team of staff and over 60 caring and compassionate volunteer crisis responders, intervene with emotional support, practical assistance and information about options & choices to support the victim’s needs. This week of appreciation is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the important work being done by our Board, Crisis Responders and Staff to ensure that no victim has to go through a crisis alone. To us, every victim matters, every story is important.”
– Dorothy Davis
“Nonprofit Appreciation Week celebrates organizations who raise awareness around the issues we work to solve, and recognizes the positive impact we have on our communities. As a nonprofit organization, SHIP works hard to support individuals with housing and homelessness and mental health and wellness services contributing to an increase in overall wellness. With appreciation to our funders, staff and volunteers, we are able to achieve our mission of providing individuals with these vital services. The work we do is incredibly important and integral to our communities. Celebrating the great work of all nonprofits this week – February 14-20!”
– Lesley Nagoda
Dufferin Parent Support Network![]()
“Dufferin Parent Support Network (DPSN) is a small and mighty team who works hard to support parents and caregivers through the ups and downs of their parenting journeys. We offer an informative website and weekly online parenting workshops. Topics include effective discipline, sibling relationships, and stress and anger management. These resources focus on helping parents better understand their children’s challenging behaviour so they can respond effectively and strengthen their family relationships. We appreciate every opportunity to highlight the work we do and to reach parents who haven’t attended our workshops. We want them to know that they are not alone.”
– Laura LaRocca
“Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Peel Dufferin offers services to people experiencing challenges in addictions and mental health, those in crisis, those navigating the court systems, people who are homeless or facing imminent homelessness, and family and caregivers. We are so grateful to be able to support mental health in the community and are excited to be mentioned as part of Nonprofit Appreciation Week.”
– Siobhan Kukolic www.cmhapeeldufferin.ca
“In recognition of Nonprofit Appreciation week, here at Big Brothers Big Sisters we want to thank all of our volunteers and staff for their efforts that have changed lives through mentoring relationships.”
– Nancy Stallmach
“Family Transition Place (FTP) has been offering safe shelter and support to women who have experienced abuse and/or homelessness—and their children—for over 35 years. We are truly grateful for this week of appreciation because the staff here at FTP are the heart of our work and deserve to be acknowledged for their selflessness and compassion. We also understand there are still many who don’t know who we are or what we do. This spotlight gives us an opportunity to share that we are MORE than just a women’s shelter. FTP’s continuum of services provides those we support with the tools and confidence they need to live a fulfilling life, free from abuse.”
– Kelly Lee
“Appreciation means recognizing the tireless efforts of committed partners and funders that worked collaboratively during the pandemic to ensure: -we delivered hands-on STEM enrichment to schools and community organizations serving vulnerable communities, -children and youth had inclusive opportunities to develop math and science literacy skills, -we put scientific equipment in the hands of children regardless of socioeconomic status, -we nurtured the curiosity of young minds everywhere! Appreciation means celebrating community foundations, like Durham Community Foundation, that supported us and helped us realize our mission and vision. Appreciation means being grateful. So, from all of us at Scientists in School, we say thank you!”
– Betty Bakopoulos
“The work that we do at Headwaters Health Care Foundation allows our community to be stronger and healthier. The ability and responsibility to inspire investment in local health care is one that our team does not take lightly. Every donation works to make Headwaters a better place. We love that we get to see first-hand the impact of your support for our community residents. Babies are being born, broken bones are set and cancer treatment is received…our work makes a difference so that the best care is received close to home. We love that we are a part of One Community, Caring Together!”
– Danielle Gibb
“Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS) is a multiservice agency providing a multitude of programs and services to children, youth and their families under three main areas of focus: Child Welfare, Child and Youth Mental Health and Developmental Services. We are structured as a multiservice agency in order to make it as easy as possible for our community to receive the supports they need in a timely and seamless way. Nonprofit Appreciation Week recognizes the exceptional folks who work in the nonprofit sector transforming the lives of children, youth & families. Nonprofit workers are often the first point of connection with solutions for opportunities and challenges.”
– Kristi Bhogal
“The CFGW team is an incredible group of individuals who work to better the lives of children and youth in Dufferin, Wellington and Guelph. This week we want to show appreciation for the team at the Foundation who has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to continue to meet the growing need in our communities. With the help of hundreds of volunteers and their incredible Board of Directors, the Foundation has continued to work towards a community where every child and youth has the opportunity to participate, learn, and grow to reach their full potential.”
– Amanda Kavchak
Want to see your nonprofit or charity profiled here?
Simply fill out this quick online form, and attach your logo and any photos or videos that you would like to share. We will post the profiles on this page, and they will be shared through our partners and networks on social media.
Words of Appreciation
Here are some special messages of appreciation from local people who recognize the incredible value and contributions of our region’s nonprofits and charities, and took the time to let you know.
“Nonprofit Appreciation Week recognizes the vital contributions of the nonprofit sector. Many initiatives are supported by nonprofit organizations including; seniors’ services, homeless shelters, crisis support lines, skills development, new immigrant support, mental health support, and specialized help for children, and family support services – to programs that promote arts and culture, environmental sustainability and recreation.
“Our government has also made changes to the police records check so that nonprofit volunteers can get a free police records check and use it for multiple organizations. Thank you to all nonprofit organizations in our community for making a difference in the lives of others.”
– Sylvia Jones, Member of Provincial Parliament, Dufferin-Caledon
“A special thank you goes out to our nonprofit partners who continue to provide much-needed services throughout the pandemic — often to our most vulnerable residents. The nonprofit sector plays a vital role in the human services landscape.”
– Anna McGregor, Director of Community Services, County of Dufferin
“Not only do Ontario’s nonprofits provide vital community services, they contribute 7.9% to the province’s GDP. This is a week for us to celebrate their heart and compassion, their knowledge and expertise, and what they add to our community and our economy. We encourage the public to take time this week to say thank you, learn more about local nonprofits or consider donating to their important work!”
– Glenna Banda, Executive Director, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin
“Charities and nonprofits are literally the heart of our community. It is almost impossible to imagine what our life would be like without the sheer scope of their helping programs, care and leadership.”
– Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation
“Thank you to every local business and organization that is helping to bring well-deserved recognition to our nonprofits. They are a strong and resilient sector, working primarily behind the scenes to make our community better. We are pleased to see them getting recognized.”
– Diana Morris, Executive Director, Dufferin Board of Trade
“The not-for-profit/charitable sector is finally getting due recognition for the critical role they play in creating individual, community and population wellbeing. I am grateful for this vital pillar providing collective, public and social benefit in our community. I am grateful for the many passion and compassion-driven people who work tirelessly and creatively to deliver their services. We are blessed. Thank you all.”
– Elaine Capes, Coordinator, DC MOVES
“The business of caring and serving is hard work. In addition to the important and heartwarming stories you see through the services they deliver to the public, there is so much more to running a nonprofit than meets the eye – work that is often arduous, complex and unsung. With Nonprofit Appreciation Week, they will be unsung no more! To the tireless professionals who work to keep people safe, fed, housed, cared for, engaged, active, inspired and entertained in Dufferin-Caledon…a big THANK YOU for ALL that you do!”
– Jennifer Payne, Executive Director, Headwaters Communities In Action
If you would like to add your own message of appreciation for nonprofits and charities in Dufferin-Caledon and have it appear on this page, send a note, video or media of your choice to Michele Fisher, Executive Director of Dufferin Community Foundation: michele@dufferinfoundation.ca or call 519-938-0780.
More ways to show the lo♥e:
- Post a video or message on social media showing your appreciation for our nonprofits and charities.
- Tag your posts with #nonprofitappreciation2022 or #nonprofitappreciationweek
- Offer a free product or service for nonprofit workers on Friday February 18, 2022 to cap off Nonprofit Appreciation Week.
- Download a printable poster to hang in your window or business to show you’re participating.
- Share a story on social media about a nonprofit that you support, and why.
Learn more. Check out the Ontario Nonprofit Appreciation Week 2022 key messages guide.
Work for a Nonprofit or Charity?
Local businesses show their appreciation
Show your business card or email signature proving that you work for a nonprofit or charity at any of the following participating businesses on Friday February 18, 2022 and receive a free treat! These amazing local businesses are offering various items to anyone who works for a nonprofit or charity in recognition of Nonprofit Appreciation Week:
Free coffee at:
Mochaberry Coffee, 177 Broadway, Orangeville
French Press Bistro, 121 First St, Orangeville
Superburger, 506269 Hwy 89, Primrose
Sunrise Diner, 115 Main St E, Shelburne
Free samosa at:
Curry Mantra, 520 Riddell Rd, Orangeville
This campaign was coordinated by the following organizations who work with and appreciate (and are!) local nonprofits and charities:
