Kind Minds Family Wellness

And just like that, this partnership keeps growing...we are loving our space 💛 Thank you @ajustcommunity for your continued support of us. Photo: Chris Cowie, Executive Director at Community Justice Initiatives Ajirioghene Evi, Executive Director at KMFW #partnership #leadership #collaboration #culture #access #community #growth #sharing #givingback #inclusive #weekendvibes

Tecla has been a familiar face at Kind Minds Family Wellness for a year now since she took over the facilitation of both our Wazee and Klib Liv groups. Now, Tecla has entered into the role of Program Coordinator! "Tecla is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who serves as a Program Coordinator at KMFW, where she oversees programs that foster cultural connection and community engagement. With a strong background in crisis intervention, she excels in providing immediate emotional support, conducting comprehensive risk assessments, and developing personalized safety plans for individuals in crisis. She has worked extensively with diverse populations, helping clients navigate challenging life transitions and rebuild their lives in safe, supportive environments. In addition to her clinical work, Tecla has led community outreach and educational initiatives aimed at empowering children, seniors, women, and youth. She has provided psychosocial support, advocated for mental health awareness, facilitated group sessions, and offered one-on-one counseling with a focus on healing, reducing stigma, promoting self-care, and connecting individuals to resources that enhance their quality of life. Driven by a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, Tecla fosters a supportive therapeutic environment, bringing compassion, expertise, and professionalism to every interaction." Please help us congratulate Tecla as she navigates her new role.

We are pleased to introduce our newest addition to Kind Minds Family Wellness, Michelle Bonsu! "Michelle is a Ghanaian Canadian cultural worker who is passionate about learning, oral tradition, creative expression, and African ancestral knowledge. She’s the host and creator of Asase Ba, a podcast and educational platform that highlights African stories within the margins. With a strong emphasis on Sankofa, ancestral wisdom, and alternate futures, Michelle produces cultural work that aligns with her purpose of documenting her people’s stories. During her leisure time, Michelle enjoys relaxing crafts, reading, and being in nature." Please help us extend a warm welcome to Michelle as she takes on the Cultural Group Facilitation of our Wazee Seniors' Group!

Yesterday evening, Tecla and Rebecca from the KMFW team attended the @gkwcc's inaugural Small Business Awards! They had the pleasure of enjoying great local food, meeting new people, and being part of the this historical moment in our community. We take great pride in our nomination in the Services category alongside some incredible local small service-providers and nominees across categories alike. We would like to thank the following small businesses for their wins last night: 🏆Service Excellence Award: Tone-Gar Security Services Inc. 🏆Event Impact Award: Ginger Goat 🏆Skilled Trades Award: The Crack Specialists 🏆Solopreneur of the Year Award: Worm Wrangler 🏆Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Food Zen 🏆Employer of the Year Award: The Batten Group LTD 🏆Exceptional Small Business of the Year Award: Remix Swing #smallbusiness #awards #nominee #celebration

With Diwali approaching, we wanted to highlight some fun Diwali facts! 🌕When is Diwali and who celebrates it? Diwali this year begins Thursday, October 31 or Friday, November 1 depending on where people are in the world. Over the course of 5 days, this Hindu celebration is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains and its dates change every year depending on the position of the moon. 📈What is Diwali and why is it celebrated? Sometimes called Deepvali, Diwali is a Sanskrit word for "row of lights" which is why Diwali decorations are largely comprised of lanterns called "diyas". Diwali is celebrated to honour Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth. The diyas light a path for Lakshmi to enter peoples' homes and gift them with wealth and prosperity. 🎁How is Diwali Celebrated? Typically, Diwali is celebrated alongside loved ones with food, prayer, gifts, offerings, and fireworks. #diwali #rowoflights #deepvali #lakshmi #celebration #india

💚 As a grassroots non-profit born out of counselling services to Black-identifying people in the Waterloo Region, KMFW is delighted to acknowledge World Mental Health Day today. 💚 Swipe through our graphics about this year's WMHD and its theme, "It's time to prioritize mental health in the workplace." For information and to register for our counselling services, please visit our intake form here: https://lnkd.in/e9JAuVxY #worldmentalhealthday #afrocentriccounselling #mentalhealth #mentalhealthintheworkplace #Blackmentalhealth

📣We are pleased to invite you to a Multi-Employer Job Fair, taking place at the end of this month.📣 Hosted by StarlingEmployment Services and Muslim Social Services, this is a unique opportunity to engage with various employers in the region who are actively hiring. Here are the details for this event: Multi-Employer Job Fair Date: Monday, October 28th Time: 3-7PM Location: Family and Children Services (Gym), 65 Hanson Avenue, Kitchener, ON Details: There is no registration required and is open to the public. Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces there (we are going to have a booth)! #jobfair #employmentopportunities #kitchenerwaterloo

We are seeking dedicated and visionary individuals to join our Board and help drive the future of our organization. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the community, we encourage you to apply. This is an opportunity to contribute your leadership and expertise to a cause that matters. For more information and application details, please refer to the graphic below. #BoardRecruitment #LeadershipOpportunity #CommunityImpact #JoinUs

Today, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we stand in deep reflection, solidarity, and support with our Indigenous brothers and sisters. This day compels us to honor the lives lost, the trauma endured, and the continued strength of Indigenous communities in the face of the devastating legacy of residential schools and colonization in Canada.   As we acknowledge this difficult history, we also reflect on our own. Our Black ancestors were forcibly enslaved, shedding blood, sweat, and tears to build this nation. We, too, have endured the injustices of systemic racism, oppression, and erasure. It is in this shared history of survival, resistance, and resilience that we find common ground with our Indigenous kin.   Our organization, dedicated to serving the Black communities in South Western Ontario, collaborates with Indigenous communities not only out of solidarity but also out of a deep respect for the strength and spirit they have shown. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to standing together in the fight against inequality and injustice, understanding that true reconciliation requires confronting the darkest chapters of our collective history.   We stand united with Indigenous communities, not only in remembrance of past harms but in a commitment to ensuring that the future is one of dignity, respect, and equity for all. The work of reconciliation calls on each of us to educate ourselves, amplify Indigenous voices, and support efforts to heal and restore Indigenous culture, languages, and rights.   As we reflect today, let us remember that every child matters and that our shared journey toward justice must be one of continuous action. We encourage everyone to learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and to engage in meaningful steps toward building a Canada that honours and uplifts all its people. Together, we will work to ensure that both Indigenous and Black communities can thrive, free from the shadows of the past, in a country that values their contributions and acknowledges their sacrifices.   #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters #IndigenousSolidarity #SharedHistories

Through a community-based funding model and focus on upstream initiatives that improve social and economic systems to decrease barriers and improve the support that allows people to achieve their full potential, the @regionofwaterloo approved KMFW’s funding request for capacity building as an organization 🙌🏾 This funding will support our human resources, financial sustainability, research, and administration needs. Our System Navigator (Brenda) attended the event put together to acknowledge and celebrate all recipients. We are grateful for this funding avenue to aid in the great work ahead and to best meet the needs of residents in our wonderful region 🙌🏾 #funding #communitypartnership #growth #socialservice #wellbeing #wellness #regionofwaterloo