Meet Courage to Act's Education Community of Learning

Written by: Jenn Flood, Education Lead at Possibility Seeds

I am so excited to profile these colleagues who I have had the privilege of learning with over the past four months in our Community of Learning (COL). The COL is a space for GBV campus educators to come together monthly for relaxed virtual conversations with peers across Canada to explore key themes from the Education & Training Toolkit: Chapter 6: A Workbook for GBV Educators. Each time we connect, I am blown away by these folks’ collective wisdom of campus GBV prevention education. I am humbled to share a space where we learn together, challenge each other, and plant seeds for future conversations. This work is hard, but each time I connect with this community, I am left full of hope and joy.

I have gotten to know each of these incredible change agents and felt that it’s time our community should too! Each of them are making big waves in the prevention education sector across the country, and we want to take a moment to showcase each member of this epic community. I hope you enjoy reading the profiles of our wonderful community of learning members as much as I do!

Meet the Community of Learning:

**Dee Dooley (they/she)**

Dee is a community advocate with expertise in gender-based violence prevention and education, and is currently the Sexual Violence Advisor at Saint Mary’s University in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki (Halifax). In this new role at SMU, Dee supports survivors, education, policy, and research for the SMU Community. For over a decade, Dee has worked with youth, community organizations, service providers, post-secondary institutions, and governments on various gender-based violence prevention, intervention, awareness, and response initiatives for and with women, youth, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Dee holds degrees in sociology, gender studies, and criminology as well as an advanced diploma in counselling and advocacy. They are passionate about social justice and supporting communities to collectively work together to create a safer world. Dee was a recipient of the 2015 Governor General Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case and YWCA Canada’s 2018 Ann Mowat Outstanding Young Woman Award.

“I’ve appreciated the solidarity and connection built with other gender-based violence prevention and response advocates through the Courage to Act Educators Community of Learning and look forward to co-creating survivor-centered learning spaces across the country.”

**Reem Girgrah (she/her**)

Reem is a middle-eastern queer cis woman born and raised on the unceded territories of the Algonquin and Anishinabe, colonially known as Ottawa. She has worked in the movement to end GBV for 14 years. Reem started at a grassroots feminist organization providing one-on-one support, outreach services, and facilitating support groups and public education on SV and anti-oppression. She spent the last 9 years living and working on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Ta’an Kwach’an Council, colonially known as Whitehorse. At a local violence against women shelter and local harm reduction outreach van, she co-facilitated support groups and after-hours drop-in at the centre. She also coordinated volunteers for research on women’s experiences of the legal system for the Court Watch Yukon program, met with legal stakeholders to provide recommendations, and developed the training and recruitment model for the after-hours response team at the Yukon Department of Justice Victim Services Branch. Reem works as the SV Education and Prevention Officer at UVic on the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən, Songhees, Esquimault, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

“ I am really grateful to have the opportunity to connect with other educators and service providers across Canada. Sharing perspectives, strategies, resources and supporting each other through our experiences in doing this work breaks through the feelings of isolation in the work that can be so challenging to overcome and continue doing this important work.”

Amal Elmi (she/her)

Amal is a Senior Equity Advisor on Gender and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support at Carleton University. She has spent several years working and volunteering in community organizations focused on gender equity, community development, and social justice. Amal is currently an Advisor for the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women's Black and Racialized Caucus. She is also the Vice-Chair of the Girls on Boards Steering Committee with Fora, Network for Change, a program dedicated to placing young leaders on non-profit boards across Canada. In her spare time, she loves to travel, go on hikes, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee at her favourite cafe.

“As a member of the Community of Learning, I’ve had a wonderful experience thus far. It is invaluable to have a dedicated space for campus GBV educators to learn from and with one another, reflect on our work, and share opportunities for growth.”

**Lyndsay Anderson (she/her)**

Lyndsay Anderson is the Sexualized Violence Advisor in Human Rights & Equity Services at Dalhousie University in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), where she provides support, resources and options to students, staff, and faculty who have experienced sexualized violence. Lyndsay holds a BA in criminology from the University of Toronto and a MA in women and gender studies from Mount Saint Vincent University and Saint Mary’s University, with a research topic of rape culture and sexualization discourses on university campuses. Lyndsay spends her time teaching fitness classes, playing and coaching roller derby with Anchor City Rollers in Halifax, and attempting to train her trio of adopted senior chihuahuas.

“My experience with the Community of Learning has been extremely positive. This is a wonderfully supportive group who have allowed me to thoughtfully explore gender-based violence prevention strategy and initiatives with an improved lens and a refreshed mind/soul. I am so appreciative of the structured time with this group to explore upstream prevention. ”

**Tasia Alexopoulos (she/her)**

Dr. Tasia Alexopoulos is the Sexual Violence Prevention & Education Coordinator at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick within the traditional unceded territory of the Mi’kma’ki. The SVPEC is a new position at Mount Allison, developed as part of an independent review of the university’s policies and procedures in response to disclosures and reports of sexual violence on campus in 2020. Since October 2021, Tasia has been reviewing the university’s policies and procedures, developing programming and training, and strengthening support pathways for survivors on campus.

“Because my position at Mount Allison University is new, the opportunity to join this COL could not have come at a better time. Although sexualized violence is a community issue, this work can often feel isolating. Connecting with peers across the country has been incredibly meaningful: not only do I get to learn with and from amazing people but I feel recharged after every meeting. The COL is an invaluable resource and a huge gift. Thank you!”

**Wil Prakash Fujarczuk (he/him)**

Wil is an enthusiastic educator guided by critical pedagogy, intersectional feminism, and anti-oppression, committed to facilitating transformative learning opportunities for participants. He is the manager of the sexual violence prevention education program at McMaster University's Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO), and acts as the resource person for the gender and sexuality working group of the President's Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC). He is also a member of the City of Hamilton's LGBTQ Advisory Committee, a qualified safeTALK (suicide alertness) trainer with LivingWorks, a certified hike leader through Hike Ontario, and a board member with Student Open Circle. Wil holds a BSc in biology from McMaster University, a BEd from the University of Western Ontario, and a MA in peace education from the UN-mandated University for Peace.

“Relationships are at the heart of the work of sexual violence prevention and building cultures of consent. Establishing meaningful, honest, supportive relationships with educators from various institutions has been a source of connection, inspiration, and rejuvenation.”

Paola Quirós-Cruz (she/her)

Paola is an Educator with the Simon Fraser University (SFU)’s Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office. In this role, she facilitates education and outreach for SFU and Fraser International College undergrad and grad students and also coordinates the Active Bystander Network, the SVSPO’s student leader group, a unique opportunity for students to influence positive change by engaging in sexual violence prevention and education at SFU. Previously, Paola was the SFSS Women’s Centre Coordinator where she managed all services provided to students at the centre while also offering support and workshops on gender violence, sex positivity, and social justice issues.

“The opportunity to be part of the COL has been enriching. Learning from colleagues’ expertise, their challenges, and our visions to keep thriving in this field has been a growing space to feel seen and understood, and get inspired as professional in the sexual violence prevention field.”

**Carmen Guenther (she/her)**

Carmen is the Health Promotion Coordinator at Lethbridge College in Alberta. She has spent most of her career working in the prevention of complex social issues such as suicide, family violence, and sexual violence. Her work in gender-based violence prevention grew out of identified gaps in education and prevention work in her small Southern Alberta community. This has led to direct support of survivors of GBV, program development and facilitation. In 2021, she got an M.Ed. from the University of Calgary with a focus on anti-oppressive practices and supporting mental health in educational environments. She is a passionate advocate of using one’s privilege to elevate the voices of underrepresented populations. This year, Lethbridge College received dedicated provincial funding for the first time and she is diving deep into policy review, trauma-informed practice and the development of education and prevention initiatives. When she’s not advocating for change or having difficult conversations, she loves to travel with her partner and kids, drink cappuccinos, and practice her downward dogs.

“Being a part of the Courage to Act, Community of Learning has been a gift. To have the opportunity to collaborate and share with the country’s greatest advocates and brilliant minds in the work of GBV is inspiring and meaningful. The knowledge of best-practice, shared challenges and willingness toCo support and encourage are invaluable and will undoubtedly guide my practice going forward. ”

**Bre Woligroski**

Bre Woligroski is the Coordinator of the Sexual Violence Resource Centre at the University of Manitoba, where a team of three dedicated staff work to provide leadership and expertise to the campus on sexual violence prevention, education and response. Bre has been working and volunteering in the area of sexual violence prevention and response for over a decade. Away from campus, they pursue balance by playing board games, listening to theme park podcasts, and snuggling their furbaby, Harvey.

“It’s hard to describe working in the sexual violence sector – each day can be at the same time really meaningful, really challenging, really encouraging and really devastating. The Community of Learning offers a space where I can support and be supported by others who really understand these nuances. This is a group of highly skilled, committed and compassionate peers; their input and wisdom have become an invaluable part of my learning process. I am thankful for that.”

Chris Mahon (he/him)

Chris is the Coordinator, Sexual Violence Prevention and Education at Humber College in Toronto. He started this role in January 2022, and formerly worked in Residence at Mount Royal University in Calgary, AB. There, he had the privilege of working with amazing educators, support people, and SV and GBV advocates in Cari Ionson and Bob Lambert, among others. His role at Humber allows him to work closely with the Humber community to create educational programming on SV, GBV, sexual health and sex positivity; lead bystander intervention workshops; and work with student staff as part of the Consent Peer Education Program. He looks forward to the continued opportunity to create on-campus educational programming and survivor-centered support and healing.

“Being newer to a dedicated SV and GBV role, I have felt very fortunate to be learning with and from the folks in the Community of Learning. The breadth of knowledge and support folks have brought to this space has been wonderful, and I have taken so much away. I look forward to continuing to learn from this group and so many other amazing educators, and support people across the Courage to Act network.”

It has been such a pleasure getting to learn with this community, and I am excited to see where this goes. If this post has piqued your interest, you will hear from me again later this summer with deeper reflections and insights about the Community of Learning. If you are interested in similar learning opportunities, please check out our lineup by visiting our website.

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Suggested Citation: Flood, Jennifer. (2022, May). Meet Courage to Act’s Education Community of Learning. Courage to Act. www.couragetoact.ca/blog/COL