by Adam Gault
On Saturday afternoon, the Windsor-Essex Compassion Care Community (WECCC) took to the Essex Fun Fest stage to present several individuals, who have gone above and beyond in making a difference in the lives of others with a “Shining a Light on Compassion Award.”
For around three years, the WECCC has brought people and organizations in the community together, with the goal of improving the quality of life for the area’s most vulnerable citizens.
Through partnerships with a multitude of organizations, such as the Greater Essex County School Board, Community Living Essex County, the Downtown Mission of Windsor, and the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, WECCC seeks to engage the county in “building a fully effective community care system” and ensure everyone in need receives assistance to secure quality of life and involve the next generation of leaders.
“Ultimately, we’re looking at raising equity, and improving quality of life for our citizens, starting with our most vulnerable,” WECCC Communications Consultant, Christie Nelson, said of the mission of the organization. “It’s just a way to further help support them so that they have a circle of care around them so that when they need the support, it’s readily available and a plan is in place to support them.”
Through their partnerships with the various community organizations, WECCC offers programs such as “Life and Living Well,” where people come together to learn about support resources available in the community when it comes to supporting their pursuit of living a full and healthy life. In addition, the “Neighbours helping Neighbours” program encourages people in the community to look out for one another in offering their services to elderly or anyone who needs a hand.
“Whether it be helping to mow a neighbour’s lawn, going shopping for somebody, or just spending time in conversation with a member of your community, it’s really encouraging people to come together as one and support each other,” Nelson said.
The WECCC Awards were meant to recognize those select few who have been an integral part in demonstrating the WECCC’s core community value of compassion and making a positive difference in the lives of citizens across Windsor-Essex.
“These [award recipients] have been nominated by members of [the] community for everything that they do, whether it be volunteering at a soup kitchen, volunteering for their church, supporting one another in their communities. There’s a whole range of different reasons why we’re nominating different people and awarding them tonight,” Nelson explained. “It’s people who go above and beyond their call of duty in the community to help support others, and just out of the kindness of their hearts.”
Awards were presented to: Holly Boyle, Emma Mineau, Thomas Fawdry, Kylie Rian Costie, Austin Siverns, Kaitlyn McCarthy, and Donna Patterson
For more information on WECCC or volunteer opportunities, visit weccc.ca.