Non-Governmental Associations – The City of Guelph
Action Read
Community Literacy Centre
20 Fountain St. West Suite 206
Guelph, ON N1H 3P2
tel. (519) 836-2759 fax: (519) 836-7020
Contact: Anne Moore
Action Read began in 1987 as a division of the Centre for Employable Workers. In 1991 they became incorporated as the Action
Read Community Literacy Centre of Guelph.
Beliefs:
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adults know best what they need to learn.
illiteracy and poverty are linked.
learning is best when there is give and take.
the program is best when learners are helping to make decisions.
Action Read tries to:
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offer adults a place where they are heard and respected.
involve adult learners in decision making about the program.
promote awareness of literacy issues.
advocate on behalf of members of our program.
support people in controlling and changing their own lives.
promote clear language.
What Action Read does:
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offers one-to-one tutoring in reading, writing and math.
helps adults make choices about what and how they want to learn.
helps adults find out about other services and educational programs.
helps adults speak out on their own behalf.
supports adults in sharing decision making on our Board and committees.
has special groups for women and parents of preschool children.
Action Read has:
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helpful staff, learning space, books to read, computers, free books and pens, free bus tickets, babysitting money, a play
area for children
Volunteers:
Volunteers are trained to tutor adults. They are also needed to work on the front desk, to help with fundraising and to sit on Boards
and committees.
AIDS Committee Of Guelph & Wellington County
85 Norfolk Street
Guelph, Ontario. N1H 4J4
Tel: (519) 763-2255 Fax: (519) 763-8125
Contact: Brian Warrington
Anishnabeg Outreach
150 Wyndham St., Guelph, Ontario N1H 4E8
Tel. (519)763-2008 or (519)821-8215
Contact: Kathleen Lanigan/Joan Becker
Mission Statement: Building bridges for aboriginals in urban communities
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The goal of Anishnabeg Outreach is to assist individuals in the areas of employment, training and education, in the form of an
information centre which encourages exploration of avenues to self-sufficiency and success.
The main objective of the agencies is to develop a working partnership with all native agencies and organizations and First Nations
as well, forming an alliance with all government, social and employment agencies. Direction and support given to help clients
overcome barrier that exist in the social and economic infrastructure.
Art Jam
c/o Torrence Public School
151 Waterloo Ave.,
(P.O. Box 714)
Guelph, Ontario. N1H 3H9
Tel: (519) 767-0142 Fax: (519) 824-9289
Contact: Sue Richards e-mail: artjam@artjam.org
Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with Native Peoples
Contact: Sharon O'Sullivan
Tel. 519-848-2084
Canadian Crossroads International
Contact: Anna Toth
email: atoth@uoguelph.ca
Canadian Crossroads is an association of volunteers that provides cross-cultural learning experiences to create mutual
understanding and respect, so that peoples of the world can co-operate in surviving and living.
Campus Minister - Women's Spirit, Homosexuality Spirituality
Lucy Reid
2nd Floor University Centre, University of Guelph
Tel: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 2390
CSA Human Rights Office
Rm. 244 University Centre
Tel: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 2629 Fax: (519) 763-9603
Contact: Kris Pheasant/Djims Milius
The CSA Human Rights Office is a space which advocates for human rights on and off campus. The office works to fight oppression
by running and working on campaigns, by one-on-one support and referrals, and by engaging in and supporting activism.
Centre for Students with Disabilities
3rd Floor University Centre
Tel. 824-4120 ext. 2386
Contact: Bruno Mancini
The Centre provides a wide range of services and resources for students with disAbilities, including hearing, vision, mobility,
medical, psychological and learning. It is staffed with special needs advisors, a learning disabilities specialist and administrative
support, complimented by Per Helpers and volunteers who provide one-to-one assistance.
CFRU - University Radio (93.3FM)
2nd Level, Unicentre, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
Tel: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 6919
Fax: 519-763-9603 Attention: CFRU
E-mail: cfru@tdg.uoguelph.ca
Contact: Lori Guest
CFRU is a non-profit campus and community radio station. Their goal is to provide a voice for those groups in our society who are
marginalized. They provide a wide array of alternative music and spoken word programming. Over 50 volunteers produce, host and
provide technical support.
Change Now Youth & Family Drug-Alcohol Resource Centre
255 Woolwich Street,
Guelph, Ontario. N1H 3V8
Tel: (519) 822-9034 Fax: (519) 822-0859
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Contact: Janet
Citizens for Public Education
70 Dean Avenue
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 1L4
Tel. (519) 836-6973
Fax: 823-2250
Email: mccracks@mgl.ca
Clean Water Coalition
#1 Nelson Road, Guelph, Ontario N1E 1L1
Tel: (519) 824-1965 Fax: use OPIRG's fax: (519) 824-8990
Contact: Robert Barron, Facilitator
CLEAN WATER COALITION is a coalition of concerned citizens who study water-related and conservation issues.
Coalition for Meaningful Work
Onward Willow Centre, 15 Willow Road, Unit K-45
Guelph, Ontario. N1H 1V7
Tel. (519) 766-4801 Fax: (519) 824-1785
Contact: Stephanie Dearing
The Coalition for Meaningful Work is comprised of individuals and representatives from Guelph groups and organizations; such as
Onward Willow, the Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, Brant Avenue Neighbourhood Group, the Guelph and District Labour
Council, and the Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice. Participation from other Guelph organizations and agencies is
anticipated.
A new undertaking by the Coalition is Building Bridges for Women Living in Poverty. Building Bridges for Women Living in Poverty
is a new undertaking initiated by the coalition funded by the National Action Committee on the Status of Women Canada.
Concerned about Ontario's "Welfare Reforms" and the unnecessary negative impact of those reforms upon women and their
children, those involved wish to facilitate the participation of low income women in the community decision-making process, and on
issues that affect their quality of life; to empower women in Guelph to develop strategies to alleviate the myths and stereotyping of
women receiving Social Assistance; to assess the impact on women in Guelph of the restructuring of social service programs.
Active myth busting sessions are held once a month in different areas of Guelph so that people from various areas can attend. The
title of these sessions is "Exploring Canada's Social Safety Net-Work".
Community Assets - Centre for Employable Workers (Re-Use Market)
43 Speedvale Avenue W.
Guelph, Ontario N1H 1J5
Tel: (519) 766-0125 or 836-0301 Fax: (519) 836-2551
E-mail: assets@assets.net
Contact: Kurt Liebe
Community Assets focuses on connecting people with resources, presenting employment alternatives and options. They also
welcome service projects and partnership development.
Community Involvement Centre/Student Leadership Program
Raithby House
University of Guelph
Tel: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 2368
Contact: Ian Simmie or Laurie Schnarr
Community Opportunity Development Alternatives (CODA)
30 Wyndham St. N.
Tel. (519) 822-4141
Contact: Joe Gaspar
Council of Canadians
The Council of Canadians
#502-151 Slater Street Ottawa, ON K1P 5H3
Tel: (613) 233-2773 or 1-800-387-7177 Fax: (613) 233-6776
Local contact: Vi Morgan 824-5586
email: gmorgan@uoguelph.ca
National Website: www.canadians.org
The Council of Canadians, an independent non-partisan citizens' interest group providing a critical and progressive voice on key
national issues. This evolving site offers a fresh perspective on the current social and economic debates affecting our lives. The
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Council of Canadians is on the frontlines challenging government policy and corporate power. We work in alliance with
organizations throughout the country, across the hemisphere and around the globe.
We take on creative campaigns, putting some of the country's most important issues into the spotlight: safeguarding our social
programs, promoting economic justice, renewing our
democracy, asserting Canadian sovereignty, advancing alternatives to corporate-style free trade,
and preserving our environment. Over the past year more than 25,000 new members have joined
us and many are working through ActionLink, our Grassroots Action Network, to challenge the
corporate agenda and promote development that addresses social as well as economic and
environmental goals. Members who contribute $35 or more receive a free subscription to
Canadian Perspectives, the Council's informative news magazine published four times a year.
Drop in Centre
20 Wyndham St. N.,
Guelph, Ontario. N1H 4E5
Tel: (519) 837-0080
Contact: Sister Christine
Ed Video Media Arts Centre
16A Wyndham St. North
P.O. Box 1629,
Guelph, Ontario. N1H 6R7
Tel. (519) 836-9811 Fax. (519) 836-0504
E-Mail: edvideo@mail.albedo.net
Contact: Helen Spitzer
Ed Video provides accessible media production to the community. Their work is critical and looks to challenge stereotypes and
inequities on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, and class.
Food Bank
100 Crimea St.,
Guelph, Ontario. N1H 2Y6
Tel. (519) 767-1380 Fax: (519) 824-1640
Fresh Start Housing Centre
150 Wyndham St.
Guelph, ON
Tel: (519) 822-2887 Fax: (519) 821-8215
Contact: Edward Pickersgill (837-3470)
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a matrix project operated by Matrix Affordable Homes for the Disadvantaged Inc. with funding from the Ontario Ministry of
Housing.
Fresh Start is a housing information centre operating in a large, bright and accessible storefront in downtown Guelph.
Their dedication is to helping individuals and families to find a home suitable to their need for safety and at a price they
can afford.
Services:
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listings for all non-profit rental places including address, telephone numbers, contact people, and updates on their
information meetings
housing co-ops in Guelph and how to get in touch with them.
Listings from classified ads in all local papers updated daily
Original listings from Fresh Start's own calls to our landlord contact list and from landlord response to Fresh Start
advertising
hard working case workers to sit with people and document problems and point people in a a possible new direction.
assistance with legal issues someone may face under the Landlord-Tenant Act: eviction, mediation, hazardous conditions
etc.
discussion groups, workshops and seminar
A Fresh Start moto: "Community Partnership means helping others helps ourselves."
Fresh Start is one of several non-profit community initiatives at or in touch with Fresh Start.
The Matrix Administration Centre shares space and rent at the same address with: Community Assets, A Community Conference
Room, Boiler Room Networking, a non-profit moving company and individuals and agencies who meet to look at housing for teens,
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women, people with mental health issues, recovery issues and to plan solutions. Together these groups co-operate with each other
to enable and empower those in need to participate fully in their community.
A Manifesto
Each of us has a right to have a home. As members of this community we have a right to participate in creating enoug housing that
we each do have a home -- by ourselves or with our family. And, as members of a community, we have a right to expect assistance
in fulfilling this right from our federal, provincial and municipal governments. Furthermore, we have a right to a safe and affordable
home which is suitable for human habitation.
And, if we are forced to move from rented space because of a change in ownership, we have a right to expect that another home
will be available to us. This should be one of the cornerstones of civilization. This is not too much to expect.
Access to Permanent Housing - Guelph, ON 1989
A Mandate
The matrix project is a community development response to the housing crisis which exists in the Guelph area. Some people are
well able to deal with their changing housing situation. Some people -- for economic, social, emotional and other personal reasons -are unable to act with strength when facing a housing crisis. We have set ourselves a simple goal. We intend to do something real
and practical.....
If home is where the heart is, community with a heart will not ignore its homeless...
Guelph Action Committee
Guelph Campus Co-op
2nd Floor, University Centre,
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
Contact: Tom Klien Bernick
Tel. (519) 824-4953
Guelph Community Health Centre
3rd Floor, 89 Wyndham St. N.
Guelph, ON N1H 4E9
Tel. (519) 821-5363 Fax: (519) 821-5834
Contact: Mary McNally
The Guelph Community Health Centre began in 1988 as an organization of committed community members. Members can have
their say on any aspect of the centre's work and vote at the Annual General Meeting. Directors from the Governing Board are all
members elected by members. The Centre provides health care to over 4000 people as well as health promotion, a Parenting
Supports, Children's Programs, an infant development program and more. A newsletter entitled "Exchange" is put out bi-monthly
and is circulated to all GCHC members in order to share programming events and news and make everyone feel part of this
community centre.
Mission Statement:
"The Guelph Community Health Centre promotes health and well being. We approach all our operations from a determinants of
health perspective, considering poverty, education, isolation and employment as factors that affect health. We direct our resources
towards supporting individuals with barriers to good health. The Centre focuses primarily on children from prenatal to age six and
their families. We believe that healthy communities develop through collaborative community partnerships.
Offshoot to the GCHC was the group From the Ground Up. Bill Clifford (824-6936) was a member of this collective which organized
to produce a manual giving information about all the food sources in the community. For example, the Food Bank.
Guelph & District Multicultural Centre Inc.
Unit #7-214 Speedvale Ave. W.
Guelph, ON N1H 1C4
Tel: (519) 836-2222 Fax: (519) 837-2884
Contact: Matt Lauder
The Centre's aims:
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to foster awareness and pride in cultural identity and diversity
to promote a culturally harmonious atmosphere in our community
to strengthen our appreciation of the privileges and rights of Canadian Citizenship
to help newcomers integrate and settle into Guelph
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Services:
Settlement Services for newcomers
Citizenship Programs
English as a Second Language
Resource Centre
Interpreter & Translation Services
Committees:
To address individual and community concerns. These committees meet once a month.
Race Relations Committee - serves the community by promoting and developing a society free of racism and discrimination.
Immigrant and Visible Minority Women's Committee - enhances the status if visible minority and immigrant women through
information exchange and collaboration with other groups.
Intercultural Program Committee - develops programs and plans events
Multicultural Health Committee - work towards removing barriers to effective health care.
Guelph and District Labour Council (GDLC)
151 Waterloo Ave., Guelph, Ontario N1H 3H9
Phone & Fax: (519) 823-1030
E-mail:gwcsjdlc@web.net
Contact: Clare Boulding, President
GDLC meets monthly and has been serving unions and their members in Guelph/Wellington since 1956. The Guelph & District
Labour Council brings together affiliates of the Canadian Labour Congress to work together on union issues, social and political
campaigns, and municipal and local concerns. The Council works closely with like-minded community partners to create an
equitable and democratic society. They invite members and the public to contact them for any inquiries concerning labour issues.
Meetings held 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Guelph International Resource Centre (GIRC)
151 Waterloo Ave.,
Guelph, ON N1H 3H9
Tel. (519) 822-3110 Fax: (519) 822-7089
Contact: Bill Barrett
The GIRC Mission "...to increase awareness of global issues while leading community action..."
What is GIRC?
GIRC is a small Ontario registered non-profit, community based organization that educates Guelph and area residents on global
issues and their local links. GIRC's mission is to assist the community in developing an awareness and analysis of global issues as
well as to provide concrete actions for individuals to directly bring about a more just and sustainable future.
What is Global Education?
Global Education is an ongoing and mutual learning process, grounded in a vision and values of a just and progressive world
community, which promotes critical, conscious participation in personal and societal transformation and global inequity. In doing so,
we work and act in solidarity with people who truggle against oppression, racsim, injustice and ecological devastation. In addition to
this definition, global education has been characterized by a variety of critieria, including awareness, analysis and action on issues
of concern, both in the South and in the North.
In GIRC's programs it attempts to challenge the public in:
-- examining and analzing current global issues as they relate to social, political, cultural, environmental and economic reality;
-- becoming critical and involved partners in promotin actions for social change and global equity;
-- fostering cooperative, not competitive values;
-- working towards a holistic understanding of global forced and issues.
GIRC Programs
Over the past 18 years GIRC's programs have focussed on three key themes: human rights, global ecological sustainability, and
understanidng global economics. These themes are articulated through GIRC's library, interactive educational programs, newsletter
and community networks.
Some of GIRC's Projects include:
The Common Space Project
The Speed River Current - community newspaper
The Clean Air Car Co-operative
The Social History Project
Speakers Series
Popular Theatre to go
Nuclear group - Discussion Group
Volunteer Opportunities
GIRC offers a variety of challenging volunteer opportunities for its members and for the broader community. In addition to lending
support to major programs areas, volunteers also assist with:
Centre staffing
Library maintenance / archives updating
Creating display materials
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Desk top publishing
Computer support
Fundraising
Special events
Funding
GIRC was funded greatly by CIDA. But in 1995 CIDA cuts meant the end to GIRC's $100 000 budget. Now GIRC relies most on
fundraising (eg. the thai dinner), bingos, and projects like the Social History project.
In GIRC's last CIDA report is described it's mandate, overview, organizational work, educational programs, community outreach,
media coverage, resource library, and evaluation. This report explains the justification for GIRC's programs and how GIRC is
handling its loss in funding.
G-LETS (Guelph Local Employment and Trading System)
Contact: Bill Hulet, Membership Co-ordinator
email: whulet@uoguelph.ca
Tel. 821-6958
Guelph Ministerial Association
68 Suffolk Street West, Guelph, Ontario
Tel: (519) 821-0610 Fax: 519-821-3531
E-mail: dnorris@mgl.ca
Contact: Doug Norris, Dublin Street United Church
This church community, in addition to the worship life which offers social justice teachings, offers individuals and groups outreach
opportunities to address the needs of people in the local, national and global communities.
Guelph Queer Equality (GQE)
Rm. 243 University Centre
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
GQE is a non-profit community organization that acts as a social link for Guelph's queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered
community. GQE holds weekly meetings and maintains a resource library. GQE is trying to develop an atmosphere of acceptance,
regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, ability or gender.
Guelph Socialists (GS)
Rm. 217 University Centre
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
Contact: Tom Keefer
The Guelph Socialists are a revolutionary marxist group who seek to build a larger socialist current in the community. They are
active in organizing against government cutbacks to education and social programs, and support strikes and social movements
which challenge the capitalistic ststus quo. The Guelph Socialists are opposed to all forms of oppression, including racism, sexism,
and homophobia, and work for their elimination.
Funding for the groups activities comes from monthly dues from GS members.
Guelph-Wellington Association for Community Living
87 Silvercreek Pkwy., N.
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 6S4
Tel: (519) 824-2480 Fax: (519) 821-6174
Contact: Sherry King (519) 824-4697 x22
Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice
151 Waterloo Ave.,
Guelph, Ontario N1H 3H9
Phone & Fax: (519) 823-1030
E-mail:gwcsjdlc@web.net
website: www.web.net/~gwcsjdlc/index.html
WHY A COALITION?
Simply put, larger groups are more powerful than individual organizations working alone.
Coalition partners share common concerns. They pool knowledge, experience and skills, directing them where they are needed.
They examine alternatives for our communities, where people's needs come first.
Focusses:
The Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice focuses on the broader issues that challenge us in our day to day work:
the widening gap between rich and poor;
the steady rise of racism;
the role of multinationals;
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global economic restructuring and the erosion of workers' rights;
the alienation of people in a culture bent on over-consumption and overwork;
the resulting environmental decay.
The Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice meets monthly to address these concerns and the more specific concerns of its
member organizations.
OUR ROLE
Our role is to promote community awareness and action on issues of social justice and environmental improvement, and to offer
alternatives to trends that would subvert democracy and compromise the quality of like all people have a right to expect.
We will fight against cuts to social programs and public services, the downward pressure on wages and social standards, reform
attacks on workers' compensation and unemployment insurance, systemic racism and sexism, and any other issue that our
members feel is within our mandate.
We will express our views in letters, pamphlets, and through our presence at conferences and other community events.
We will help to educate our members and the general public. We use printed, electronic, audio-visual material, drama...
We will actively lobby politicians and the political parties at the local, provincial and national levels of government.
The programme of the Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice is based on three closely related concerns:
1.The growing gap between rich and poor and the detrimental effect this has on
women, visible minorities and aboriginal peoples.
2.The continued and alarming depletion of natural resources and the loss of
community control over the management of resources.
3.The role of multinational corporations and banks in causing the above
mentioned problems and in fostering harmful concentrations of wealth,
resources, and power that are destroying environmental sustainability and
political control.
WHAT WE DO - Past and Present Campaigns
Hunger in Guelph
This is becoming a growing concern with cuts to subsidized daycare, a 21% reduction in
welfare, and reduced government support for a number of social service organizations. The
Coalition is working with a number of community groups to discuss alternatives to these cuts,
and to preserve the well-being and dignity of the unemployed and working poor in Guelph.
Opposition to Wal-Mart
This American discount chain is considering locating in Guelph at the corner of Woodlawn
and the Hanlon. The proposed shopping mall would draw business away from downtown
and funnel money out of the community.
Maquila Solidarity Network
Providing support for maquiladora workers in Mexico and Central America. These women
are trying to organize, and to demand fair wages and decent working conditions in factories
which produce goods for export to the United States and Canada. An awareness campaignis
targetted at The Gap, whose $34 shirts earn the women who make them only 27 cents.
Alternative Federal Budget (AFB)
For the third year, theAFB has been produced by the Canadian centre for policy alternatives
and choices with the purpose of providing concrete viable alternatives or budgetary choices
that work. These alternatives are needed because the present liberal government 's policies
have left many thousands of people unemployed, social program funding to the provinces
drastically cut, as well as sustaining unfair tax policies which favour wealthy Canadians and
corporations.
CBC 'Our's to Keep' Campaign
We have shown our support to this initiative to save the CBC from drastic budgetary and
programming cuts by copying and distributing petitions form this campaign and
accompanying facts in public settings (For example: " The Bookshelf", here in Guelph).
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis
Tel: (519) 836-1110
Contact: Sly Castaldi
Purpose: to end violence against women and children in all its forms: physical, sexual, emotional and verbal.
Programs:
Marianne's Place
Rural Women's Shelter Program
Sexual Assault Centre of Guelph
24 hour Crisis Line
Services provided:
shelter
one to one supportive counselling
referrals
self-help groups
transportation to services
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special programs for children
police, court, and hospital accompaniment
Public Education
provides an informed and trained membership who assist the agency in its work to end violence against women and children
through education, lobbying, and advocacy.
speakers for community groups
training in effective speaking
work shop facilitators
education and resource materials
training for other community agencies and professionals
newsletter
volunteer training
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat's International mission is building affordable, decent homes for and with low-income families around the globe.
Human Rights and Equity Office
Fielding House, 15 University Avenue East
Tel. (519) 824-4120 ext. 3000 Fax: (519) 822-1131
Contact: Jodie McConnell, Mahejabeen Ebrahim
The Human Rights and Equity Office is dedicated to the removal of all systemic barriers, discrimination and harassment and
engages in advocacy within the university community towards this end.
The University of Guelph prohibits discrimination and harassment in work, study, and residential life based on: sex, gender, sexual
orientation, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, creed/religion, disability, age, family status, marital status or receipt
of public assistance.
The HRE Office provides:
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consultation with regard to discrimination and harassment
facilitation of an internal human rights complaint procedure
information on human rights and equity issues
training and education
participation on university committees
research development and evaluation of equity initiatives
Members of the university community have the right to seek confidential advice and information about complaints regarding human
rights issues. The HRE Office may assist individuals to resolve complaints by serving as a resource or through providing mediation.
In addition, any party may consult with the HRE Office regarding an administrative, managerial or curriculum decision which may
relate to a human rights and works in partnership with the University constituents on matters of educational and employment equity.
The University's activities in these areas are guided by the Sexual and Gender Harassment Policy and Procedure and the Interim
Human Rights Complaint Procedure.
Katimavik
30 Douglas Street
Guelph, ON N1H 2S9
katimavk@freespace.net
Tel. (519) 823-0774
Contact: Dave Comboy
Matrix Affordable Homes for the Disadvantaged Inc.
115 Woolwich St.
Tel. (519) 837-3470
Contact: Edward Pickersgill, President
Matrix finds wheel-chair accessible housing, housing for women, housing for youth etc.
Part of the Fresh Start and Community Assets initiatives these groups work together at times to provide services to disadvantaged
groups.
Men Against Violence Collective (MAV)
Rm. 234 University Centre
University of Guelph,
9
Guelph, Ontrio. N1G 2W1
Contact: Phil Robinson
This collective of men discuss and take action against forms of oppression and in support of the rights of traditionally marginalized
peoples. They aim to support the individual ambitions and interests of members while providing discussion groups, workshops,
speakers, movies, a resource centre, and lobbying the government and University for fair policy. Pro-feminist, anti-racist, and gaypositive, MAV is open to all men who want to explore the possibilities that lie beyond traditional forms of masculinity.
Metis Association
Contact: Kathleen Lannigan or John at Fresh Start Housing (519) 822-2887
Munford Centre
MacKinnon Building #054,
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
Contact: Mai Kim
Native Woman's Circle
Contact: Jean Becker
Tel. (519) 766-1695
Neighbourhood Support Coalition
c/o Family and Children Services
55 Delhi Street,
Guelph, Ontario. N1E 4J3
Tel: (519) 824-2410 Ext. 231
Contact: Cindy Richardson and Moe Brubacher
This Coalition has formed out of Parks and Recreation and Family and Childrens Services
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG)
1 Trent Lane,
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
Tel: (519) 824-2091 Fax: (519) 824-8990
E-mail: opirg@uoguelph.ca
Contact: Karen Farbridge, Coordinator
Kelly Holmes, Volunteer Coordinator, Kelly Holmes/Volunteeer Coordinator
OPIRG is a non-profit volunteer organization which investigates a wide variety
of social and environmental issues (locally & globally), integrating research
education and action. There are 11 OPIRGS in Ontario each run by an elected
Board of Directors comprised of student and community members. Their
resource centre contains extensive material on environmental and social justice
issues.
Working Groups at OPIRG incude – Permaculture
-- Hemp
-- Amnesty International
-- Trucks to Central America
-- Bank ACTion
-- Forestry
-- Radio OPIRG
-- Environmental Racism
-- South-East Asia
-- Global Education
-- Community Events Listing
Core funding (supplemente by grants) is provided by a $4.45 per semester fee paid by each full-time student.
The Ontarion
2nd Floor University Centre Rm.264
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
Tel. (519) 824-4120 ext. 8265
Contact: Scott Birke
The Ontarion is the campus student newspaper and is volunteer driven.
Onward Willow
15 Willow Road, Unit K-45,
10
Guelph, Ontario N1H 1V7
Tel: (519) 824-6892 Fax: (519) 824-1785
Contact: Geordie, Community Development Coordinator
Onward Willow is a primary prevention, community development project situated in a low- income neighbourhood. Many family
support programs are offered , including: parent & child drop-in, Breakfast Club, youth programs &"Take a Break" groups.
Onward Willow began in 1990 and is funded by the Provincial Ministries of Community and Social Services; Education; Health, and
also, the Federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. Onward Willow is managed by a Management Board of 22 members,
over half of whom are from the neighbourhood while the remainder are individuals from various service agencies in the City of
Guelph.
Onward Willow is THE example of a community development project starting from the grassroots and building on community
experience and knowledge. It has many affiliations and is looked to by many Guelph organizations as a success story and
something to be emulated after. Newsletter attached.
OUTline
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
Tel. (519) 836-4550
email: outline@uoguelph.ca
Contact: Marshal McLernon/Carolyn Knapp
website: www.uoguelph.ca/~outline
OUTline is Guelph's support and resource line for people dealing with transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay issues. OUTline is
staffed by trained volunteers who have experienced coming out. Facing issues of sexual and gender orientation can be scary and
OUTline offers services to help.
OUTline is supported in part by the Student Enhancement Fund and the Women's Campus Safety Initiative.
Participatory Initiatives
133 Wyndham St. N.
Guelph, Ontario.N1H 4E9
Fax: (519)766-9840
Contact: Susan Rimkus, TSS
Email: pi@tdg.uoguelph.ca
http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/~pi/
Participatory Initiatives is a not-for-profit organization based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. We function as a network of support for
people interested in participatory decision-making and change. PI does this by linking people to people, information and training. We
are a diverse group of people with experiences including research and professional work in communications, media, planning,
extension, adult education, international development, participatory research, and group facilitation. Our members are involved in a
number of projects that aim at enhancing the ability of all people to participate in the decisions which affect their lives. Initially, the
organization sprang from a collective interest in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and participatory research. Our focus rapidly
expanded to include group facilitation and participatory community development in general. One of our aims is to share and develop
information on participatory methods, tools, and approaches. We do this in part through in-house training.
The common element in all of our work is participation, which is not the same as involvement. A participatory approach is one in
which the participants are in control. In facilitation, this means that participants own and control the process as well as the content.
In research, it means that the "subjects" and beneficiaries of the research are in control.
Mission Statement
Our goal is to share, use, explore and support the philosophy of true and equal participation on household, local, national, and
international levels. We believe in the ability, power and value of people working in common to control their own lives and use
relevant knowledge to choose their own solutions. We believe in taking active steps to support the inherent right of all people to
have input into the functioning of the organizations, communities and societies which affect their lives.
Race Relations Commission
RM. 234 University Centre
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
This organization recognizes the eurocentric nature of the Canadian education system and the systemic racism found within our
own university system. This committee provides an environment for constructive discussion, leading to actions that promote change.
The establishment of a resource centre, which will facilitate dissesmination of information, is an integral part of this committee.
Residents for Sustainable Development
Contact: Ian Findley (at Thomas Video)
This group is interested in the developments of Big-Box stores and presently the issue of Canadian Tire expanding onto University
land.
Second Chance Employment Counselling (Wellington) Inc.
177 Norfolk Street
Guelph, Ontario N1H 4K1
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Tel. (519) 823-2440 Fax. (519) 823-2691
Contact: Chris Baginski-Hansen, Executive Director
Information attached.
Student Co-operation Collective
Email: scc@uoguelph.ca
Ten Days for Global Justice
35 Windsor Street,
Guelph, Ontario N1E 3N3
Tel/Fax: (519) 821-5710
E-mail: esnell@uoguelph.ca
Website: http://www.web.net/~tendays
Local Committee Contact: Elizabeth Snell
Ten Days for Global Justice is a focused education and action program designed to encourage grassroots support for constructive
social change. It is dedicated to helping people discover, examine, and act on global or domestic structures and policies that
perpetuate poverty and injustice for the majority of the world's people. It is sponsored by the Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian,
Roman Catholic and United Churches. Each year, volunteer ecumenical committees in over 200 communities across Canada work
with a common theme and study resources their focusses being research, education and action.
The theme for the 1997/98 year is A Choice for Justice. The focus was fair trade (especially coffee) discussing the problems, the
local, national and international responsibilities and ways to act responsibly and for change.
More info attached.
Wellness Centre
Student Health Services
J. T. Powell Building
Tel. (519) 824-4120 ext. 6150 Fax: (519) 836-7431
Contact: Marlene Pfaff mpfaff@uoguelph.ca
The Centre offers a wide variety of programs for a healthy life style. The centre carries information on a wide variety of issues:
contraception, STDs, stress management, relationships; in a wide variety of media: videos, brochures, magazines, etc. The
Wellness Educator and peer helpers and volunteers develop and deliver on-campus Wellness programming in the University
Centre, the residences, and role plays in classes. Other programs include the drama troupe WETT - Wellness Education and
Training Troupe. This is the Wellness Centre's Social Action Theatre Troupe. WETT is made up of a team of student volunteers
committed to educating others about issues that directly affect their lives.
WERC (Womens' Employment Resource Centre) - program of the Centre
for Employable Workers
WERC (Womens' Employment Resource Centre) focuses on issues affecting Women and their employability in today's working
climate.
Contact: Bernice (possibly at Fresh Start Housing)
Tel: (519) 821-3001 Fax: (519) 821-8215
Women's Resource Centre
Rm. 107 University Centre
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
Tel. (519) 824-4120 ext. 8559
Contact: Sarah Kressman
Fax: (519) 763-9603
The Women's Resource Centre provides information, resources and incentives to work toward creating a safe and equitable
environment for women of the University. The Centre has a resource library filled with information on women-only space for women
in need of personal safety as well as providing support for women in crisis. Work is done collectively by volunteers.
WUSC
Rm. 228 University Centre
University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario. N1G 2W1
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a non-governmental non-profit organization that fosters an awareness on refugee
and international issues. WUSC is based out of Ottawa and has 70 local committees across the country.
Wyndham House
74 Suffolk St. W.
Guelph, Ontario. N1H 2J2
Tel: (519) 763:8040 Fax: (519) 763-0431
Contact: Mindy Ternan
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Wyndham House is a co-operative residence for women aged 16-21 who are unable to live at home. It was established in 1972 and
is a non-profit charitable organization which is directed by a voluntary Board of Directors. Volunteers are always welcome to
participate in the various committees, volunteer within the house of help out with special projects.
Volunteer Connections
University of Guelph, Raithby House
Guelph, ON N1G 2E1
Tel: (519) 824-4120 ext8104 Fax: (519) 763-9603
email: volcon@uoguelph.ca
Contact: Vu Ngo
Aim - to provide information to make connections with social service agencies, charitable organizations and other vounteer
opportunities in the Guelph area.
Services: a database with information on the various organizations with a description and what volunteer opportunities they have.
Volunteer connections is a student corporation with its own Board of Governors and separate funding.
Other possible contacts:
Trudy Lebans, Anglican Priest, has a strong feminist critique of critical pedagogy
Gail Valoriete, working at Onward Willow. Tel. 824-6892. She is an excellent resource for information about social justice work,
popular education and community organizing. She used to work at GIRC and is a longtime member of the Coalition for Social
Justice.
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