2023-24 Victim Services Awards of Distinction Recipients

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The 2023-24 Attorney General's Victim Services Awards of Distinction recognize the dedication and achievements of individuals and organizations working to support people who have experienced victimization due to crime and to raise awareness of victims' issues in Ontario.

Individuals

Carol Barkwell, Foxboro

Under Carol Barkwell's 20 years of committed leadership, Luke's Place in Oshawa has grown to become a centre of excellence. Its cutting-edge service delivery model has been adopted by organizations across Canada and is the framework for Ontario's successful Family Court Support Worker Program. For 38 years, Carol has been working with women who have experienced intimate partner violence. She is dedicated to innovation, collaboration and seamless service response.

Ellen Campbell, Newmarket

Ellen Campbell translated her own recovery from childhood sexual abuse into hope for others. During her tenure as executive director for the Starlight Children's Foundation, she founded the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness, now known as Abuse Hurts. This charitable organization works to reduce abuse through public education and provides support to adult survivors, their families and caregivers. Ellen has received numerous awards for her accomplishments, including the Order of Ontario.

Lester Cuellar, Toronto

Lester Cuellar practices family law and helps racialized, low-income individuals interact with the justice system. He has devoted a significant amount of time to helping women flee domestic violence situations and abusive relationships. Since 2013, Lester has provided pro-bono legal services to victims of domestic violence through the Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples. He conducts multiple free seminars on family law for victims of abuse.

Sabra Desai, Hamilton

Sabra Desai is a registered social worker, psychotherapist, educator and activist. She has 30 years of experience in human rights, mental health, anti-racism and inclusive education for all, including Indigenous communities. Sabra is a Kellogg Fellow and chair of the board at The Gatehouse. She helped establish Interim Place, the first shelter for women and children in Peel Region, has volunteered with the Federation of Muslim Women and was a founder of the South Asian Women's Centre in Toronto.

Shamso Elmi, Toronto

Shamso Elmi is one of the founders of Mending a Crack in the Sky, a group of mothers dedicated to providing immediate support to Somali-Canadian families impacted by gun violence. As a mother's outreach worker, Shamso has demonstrated a relentless commitment to advocating for victims and inspiring change through her work with a variety of stakeholders. She is especially passionate about using public education to help advance community safety and bring about positive transformation.

Gillian Freeman, Newmarket

Gillian Freeman is a registered social worker with experience in the field of family dynamics, trauma and grief. She has spent more than 25 years assisting children, teens, adults, couples and families in York Region. Gillian has worked for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program in Durham, Wellington and Brantford. Most recently, she was the executive director of Victim Services of York Region, where she has created programs for youth, as well as homicide and suicide bereavement groups.

Roohina Gilani, Oakville

As coordinator of the South Asian Family Enrichment Program at Victim Services of Peel, Roohina Gilani has played a key role in educating men, women and families about the impacts of intimate partner violence. She uses every opportunity to meet the needs of her clients, including those with complex immigration challenges. Roohina is part of the Helping End Abuse for Life Network, Catholic Family Services, the Afghan Women and Pak Pioneer Community Organizations, Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services of Peel and Ini-She-Ative Canada.

Terri Horan, Geraldton

Terri Horan is the executive director of Greenstone Victim Services, a community-based, non-profit agency that offers support to victims of crime. In this role, she supports vulnerable populations and has helped over 1,500 people. Terri provides training sessions and public education to help prevent victimization. She has also worked with local organizations to install highway signs promoting awareness of human trafficking in the Geraldton area.

Maureen Leshem, Vaughan

Maureen Leshem is a lifelong volunteer and champion of victims' rights. The 482 Collective, which she founded in her garage, is now a registered charity that supports survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Maureen also created the SAGE program to help clients navigate the challenges of life after violence. She has received the Victim Services of York Region's Recruit of the Year Award, the City of Vaughan Volunteer Recognition Award and the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Award of Excellence.

Jamie McGinnis, Thunder Bay

Jamie McGinnis is an Anishinabek human rights lawyer and advocate for Indigenous rights in Ontario. Since 2011, she has worked at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre in Thunder Bay, representing clients who have faced discrimination based on disability, race and sexual orientation. Jamie has mentored many young Indigenous women and advocates for more representation of Indigenous women in the legal field. She has also provided free public legal education sessions to marginalized community members.

Anoodth Naushan, Mississauga

For 10 years, Anoodth Naushan has used her community advocacy skills, personal experiences, research and policy expertise to improve supports for survivors of gender-based violence. Anoodth has also led the Possibility Seeds' Courage to Act project to address gender-based violence on Canadian post-secondary campuses. This project has been recognized as a promising practice and modelled internationally. Anoodth has worked with multiple organizations and initiatives across Canada and the United Kingdom and was named a 2024 Young Impact Leader by RBC Future Launch.

Charmaine Nolan, Barrie

Charmaine Nolan is a dedicated program manager who has helped grow the Barrie Native Friendship Centre's justice program from one employee to seven, allowing it to serve more than 750 people annually. Charmaine has played a vital role in adding crucial services to the centre such as restorative justice, bail and victim services programs. She also works in partnership with police organizations and community support programs to improve the quality of life for all Indigenous and Métis people in the area.

Robin Parker, Cornwall

Robin Parker is an advocate for victims and witnesses and brings a trauma-informed approach to her law practice. She has done ground-breaking pro-bono work to help reverse the conviction of a sexual assault victim who was fined after pleading guilty to breaking a publication ban protecting her identity. Robin is also a champion of restorative justice. She helped found the Indigenous Voices Awards and the Lawyers Against Sexual Violence support network.

Nancy Stewart, Oakville

Nancy Stewart experienced profound loss when her husband was killed and her daughter seriously injured in a drug-impaired driving crash. Since then, Nancy has become actively involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada as a presenter, spokesperson and now a board member for the Toronto chapter. She has shared her story with thousands of Canadians through media interviews, awareness campaigns and in-person presentations. Every month, Nancy also facilitates the Loss of a Partner virtual support group.

Groups

ENAGB (Eshkiniigjik Naandwechigegamig) Indigenous Youth Agency, Toronto

ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency provides cultural, employment and life skills, as well as holistic wellness and recreational opportunities, to youth aged 12 to 29. Programming is designed by youth to help build their sense of self-determination, confidence and self esteem. ENAGB recently built a library offering resources on healing, trauma recovery, mental wellness and violence and gang prevention. They have also created trauma wellness kits including sacred medicines, weighted blankets and recovery journals for their clients.

Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre Programs Against Violence, Ottawa

For more than 40 years, the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre Programs Against Violence team has served women and children from diverse backgrounds who are victims of domestic violence. The centre offers a comprehensive range of services, including emergency intervention, personalized safety plans, a transitional support program, individual and group counselling and support in family court. The team also participates in community awareness events and initiatives such as Take Back the Night and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

The Gatehouse Child Abuse Investigation & Support Site, Toronto

The Gatehouse is a well known and respected community organization. Its mandate is to support and empower survivors of childhood sexual abuse on their journey to healing by providing a safe and inclusive space. The Gatehouse offers peer support and counseling programs that address a range of issues, including anger management, addiction and suicidal ideation. In 2023 alone, the Gatehouse helped 228 survivors and reached thousands of people via social media to share messages of hope, healing and recovery from childhood sexual abuse trauma.

Indus Community Services - Family Services, Mississauga

For more than 35 years, Indus Community Services' Family Services team has helped support victims of family violence and intimate partner violence. It provides culturally responsive services that address child abuse, gender-based and family violence through programs such as the ACES (advocacy, counseling, empowerment and safety) program, Multicultural Access to Social Supports Initiative, Family Court Support and Child and Youth Parenting programs and other services. Indus Community Services - Family Services supports more than 800 victims of abuse and domestic and family violence annually.

Orillia Native Women's Group, Orillia

For more than 22 years, the Orillia Native Women's Group (ONWG) has delivered crisis intervention, culturally appropriate educational programming and supports to their community. With the help of its partners, ONWG also provides debt relief, rent payments, housing, furniture and clothing supports and increased food security to clients. It also participates in various walks, candlelight vigils, sacred fires and ceremonies to support a population that is actively seeking self-determination.

Services aux victimes Prescott-Russell Victim Services, Hawkesbury

Services aux victimes Prescott-Russell Victim Services (SVPRVS) is a not-for-profit, community-based charitable organization that provides support services and immediate assistance to victims of crime. SVPRVS also guides people facing issues such as homelessness and food insecurity to local resources and government programs. Last year, in collaboration with community partners, it offered free training on a trauma-informed approach for first responders and frontline workers. In December 2023, SVPRVS set up a warming centre for people experiencing homelessness - the first in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

Safepet Ontario, Toronto

Safepet Ontario (SPO) helps victims of intimate partner and family violence and human trafficking, as well as elderly and child victims of gender-based violence, escape abuse by temporarily fostering and caring for their pets. Since most shelters in Ontario do not accept pets, many victims choose the care of their animals over their own safety. SPO ensures vulnerable adults and child survivors can escape their abusers while knowing their pets are safe.

Victim Services of Waterloo Region, Cambridge

For over 30 years, Victim Services of Waterloo Region (VSWR) has been supporting victims of crime. Staff and volunteers at VSWR provide timely and compassionate support by offering information, resources and referrals to programs and agencies. The team also delivers programs designed to address the complex and increasing needs of a growing community, including the Victim Quick Response Program+. VSWR also provides victim-centered supports to 73 survivors of human trafficking in the region.