A mental health support specialist whose personal struggles have inspired her in the startup of Kickstart Mental Health. Located in Sault Ste. Marie, her and her husband Dave provide first-hand mental health training to organizations and individuals throughout Algoma. However, her focus on well-being doesn’t stop there.

Shawna turned to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, seeking assistance, and discovering an opportunity to become a certified facilitator for mental health first aid.

Recognizing that this training could not only aid her own healing but also serve as a valuable resource for her community, Shawna seized the chance. Shawna continues to volunteer her time serving on the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association, Pauline’s Place, and Strive… leading by example, thus inspiring people and communities to embrace ‘wellness as a process’. Through her work with Kickstart Mental Health, Shawna also works with community partners like SOYA to ensure volunteers are equipped and knowledgeable on the latest mental health skills and practices.

Shawna's story is not just about overcoming personal tragedy; it's a testament to the transformative power of resilience, compassion, and community-driven action. Through Kickstart Mental Health, Shawna has become a beacon of hope, embodying the belief that wellness is not just a destination but a continuous journey for both individuals and communities.

The Sault Community Career Centre (SCCC) has been a pillar of support for newcomers to Sault Ste. Marie since 2006. Over the years, they have consistently demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the successful settlement and integration of newcomers with an emphasis on ensuring client well-being.

Recognizing the multifaceted needs of newcomers, Sault Community Career Centre extends its support to various critical areas, including housing, healthcare, education, language training, skill enhancement, and employment support. By addressing these diverse essential needs, Sault Community Career Centre ensures that newcomers receive comprehensive assistance, setting the stage for a successful and fulfilling life in their new community.

The organization's achievements also extend to fostering community engagement and networking opportunities for newcomers. By coordinating newcomer cultural and social events in the community, Sault Community Career Centre not only fosters a sense of belonging for newcomers but facilitates meaningful social connections, which improves health and overall well-being.

Sault Community Career Centre’s achievements stand as a testament to their tireless dedication to the well-being and success of newcomers in Sault Ste. Marie. Through their comprehensive programs, strategic partnerships, and community-oriented initiatives.

Sault Community Career Centre is a Public Health Champion by actively contributing to the overall health and resilience of the community by championing equity, diversity, and inclusivity for all residents, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The New Northern Mentality Youth Group is on the cutting edge of youth-led advocacy in Sault Ste. Marie. Their passion and dedication for eliminating stigma and breaking down barriers in mental health extends across their thirteen (13) members. It’s about having those conversations around mental health that remains the process of how this group reaches those who may need it most while also providing a safe space for youth to connect and give a voice to those who are passionate about all things mental health.

They are dedicated to building a better community and system for the youth of Algoma, through their own experiences all the while supporting each other. They won't stop until the barriers to youth accessing quality mental health services, in a time-appropriate way, are addressed. They are also a large proponent of the new Youth Wellness Hub; a newly formed ‘one-stop shop’ for youth ages 12 – 25, located at 124 Dennis Street in Sault Ste. Marie.

You can learn more about this group by following them on Instagram @TheNewNorthernMentality or giving them a listen on their ‘Youth Talk’ podcast.

A little over 13 years ago, Connie Raynor-Elliott founded Save Our Young Adults (SOYA), a non-profit, grassroots organization that provides real-time support services and direction to people and their families living with addiction in Algoma.

For years, Raynor-Elliott has been on a crusade both online and in real life to rescue young people from the throes of addiction and get them to treatment.

SOYA consists of a group of volunteers — including mothers of children who have overdosed — help to feed, clothe, drive people to doctor’s appointments, get into rehab, and find housing. SOYA becomes an adoptive family to those in desperate need. They collaborate with many social services, forms of government, treatment centers, anyone willing to help in the battle against addiction.

Connie and SOYA are strong advocates for increasing the presence of local services with an emphasis on stigma reduction.

Harvest Algoma is a hub for food rescue, preparation and production. Established in 2018, it is a center that not only gathers food donations and distributes them across our community to over 70 partner agencies, it also offers a Community Commercial kitchen for food preparation, large freezers and refrigerators for food storage allowing fresh foods to be processed and saved as a healthy food source for the needy in our community.

Harvest Algoma works closely with local soup kitchens and food banks, distributing food to these vital community organizations as required. Harvest Algoma provides food to several organizations which require food for their clients. The Food Resource Centre promotes public health goals with activities that address food insecurity and access.

Access to healthy food improves the health of people in our community, protects our environment, and makes us better prepared for the future.