Virtual Fair – Community justice work on the ground

Description

Panelists from community-based organizations in Newfoundland, Ontario, and Nunavut will share their experiences in helping community members who come to them for support, including support with problems that may involve the law. The conversation will give the panelists a chance to talk about their work and is likely to touch on challenges in doing the work, and the role their organization plays in the justice ecosystem. 

Links: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/cjhacsp-amjccap/index.html ;  https://stellascircle.ca/; https://romerohouse.org/

Speaker Bio

Laura Winters (she/her), PhD, is a sociologist, adjunct professor, research fellow and community worker. In her academic life, Laura researches stigma resistance. Laura has been working with community organizations in her home city of St. John’s for over a decade, currently as LEO of Stella’s Circle, a social justice organization that offers housing, mental health and employment services to adults facing barriers. Laura's prior leadership experience includes the development and coordination of an outreach program for marginalized women, high-level system planning for the homelessness sector, program management in a domestic violence shelter and Executive Director with the St. John’s Status of Women Council and Women’s Centre. Laura believes in social justice, the power of harm reduction, and the collective responsibility of systems to respond to the needs of those most underserved. All her work is rooted in feminist, trauma-informed ways of being and leading.

Karen Sierra (she/her/elle) is an engineer from Colombia who came to Canada as a Refugee Claimant. Her own journey has led her to work in settlement and advocacy. As the Housing Hub Manager at Romero House, she leads the intake program, ensuring that newcomers feel welcomed and supported as they navigate the refugee process. She also oversees a team that helps claimants find housing, settle into their new lives, and connect with community support. In her role, Karen frequently assists refugee claimants facing housing instability, legal barriers, and systemic challenges, working alongside community partners to help them access their rights. She believes in the power of community justice and is passionate about creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to navigate complex systems.

David Wiseman (Moderator)