Empower the North has been collecting local data to better understand the lasting impacts of the pandemic, and how the nonprofit sector has been recovering in Thunder Bay. Forty-five organizations participated in our Covid-19 Impact Assessment, helping us to better understand how organizations are managing ongoing pressures, evolving client needs, workforce stability, and system-wide adaptation in 2025.
We invite the ETN Network to join us at the Thunder Bay Public Library: Mary JL Black Branch from 2:00-3:00pm on Tuesday, December 9 to celebrate the launch of the Empower the North COVID Impact Report. Join us to hear about local trends and enjoy light refreshments as a “Thank You” for participating in our activities and/or data collection.
RSVP’s are appreciated but not mandatory and can be sent to ETN Coordinator, Caroline Kajorinne: empowerthenorth@lspc.ca 
Note: Visit our website on December 9 to access the full report and explore insights that will help inform planning, advocacy, and collaboration across the sector: https://empowerthenorth.ca/.

Do you feel that the health care and emergency services work force has “recovered” since facing the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic? What would meaningful recovery or resilience look like for you over the next few years?  Empower the North (ETN) invites health care professionals and people working in emergency services to participate in an online community dialogue on Friday, November 14th from noon-1pm. Join us to share stories of resilience and challenges faced due to the lingering impacts the pandemic has on your daily front-line work.

While the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, many of its long-term effects continue to impact individuals and service providers here in Thunder Bay. To help foster a resilient future, ETN has been collecting local data to better understand how our community is managing ongoing pressures, evolving services, and adapting to overall workforce and system-wide modifications.

Information collected will be included in our community report to be shared later in 2025.

Interested? Please RSVP by November 11, 2025: https://form.jotform.com/252977892740271 

Have Questions? Contact ETN Coordinator, Caroline Kajorinne:
empowerthenorth@lspc.ca

Once registered, participants will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting link and calendar invite. 

 

October 18 | 9:00 AM -4:00 PM (doors open at 8:30 AM) | Lakehead University Faculty Lounge

Join us for the 3rd Annual Northwest Climate Gathering, a full-day event designed to unite climate-focused organizations, community leaders, passionate individuals and those wanting to support a cause. Through interactive sessions, local showcases, and collaborative discussions, we’ll explore how we can support one another, amplify regional efforts, and build a united movement for climate resilience. Free parking, free admission, Lakehead University Faculty Lounge and Lake Tamblyn Fire Pit.

*Childcare will be provided at the 3rd Annual Northwest Climate Gathering by the Girl Scouts Pathfinder Group for children aged 2-12.

October 17 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM  (doors open at 6:30 PM) | Entershine Bookshop | 196 Algoma Street

As a special kickoff to the NW Climate Gathering, we’re hosting an intimate evening with Lloyd Alter, writer, architect, educator, renowned climate advocate and author of Living the 1.5 Degree Lifestyle, among other books. Lloyd will share practical insights on how everyday choices can help us stay within the carbon budget needed to limit global warming—and how embracing “radical sufficiency” can lead to a more hopeful, sustainable future.

More info: https://northwestclimategathering.ca/annual-gathering/

Join us for this online discussion to discover how tiny homes are shaping stronger communities and brighter futures through the Indigenous Skilled Trades Training program at Lakehead Public Schools! Built by Indigenous youth, students gain hands-on experience, certifications, and cultural learning while constructing homes that are donated to northern First Nations communities. With support from unions and community partners, this initiative is expanding to the Superior-Greenstone District School Board; combining education, empowerment, and real solutions to housing needs. Following the presentation, we will provide time to ask questions and engage in informal dialogue.


Host:
Caroline Kajorinne (she/her),
Project Coordinator with Empower the North


Presenter:
Lisa MacLeod,
Principal of Indigenous Skilled Trades Training Programs
Superior-Greenstone District School Board / Lakehead Schools


Attendance is free and open to all.

 

More info:

Alternative Secondary School Program (ASSP)

https://www.facebook.com/p/KZ-Lodge-100075833993790/

 

Registration is appreciated but not mandatory. Those who register will receive a reminder email the day of the event. Let our ETN Coordinator, Caroline Kajorinne, know you plan to attend by email: empowerthenorth@lspc.ca or follow our registration link: https://form.jotform.com/252615706933258

Add the event to your Google Calendar.

 

Wish to join without registering? Join via the Microsoft Teams Meeting link below:

Meeting ID: 270 955 906 206 8
Passcode: iH6fi2yB


Be sure to invite your friends on Facebook and join our mailing list!

https://linktr.ee/empowerthenorth 

 

This fall, Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre and Faye Peterson House are partnering to offer a 6-part sexual violence education series. Join our Online Discussion with Stacey and Jen to learn more about this upcoming series and to hear about how these organizations are supporting survivors in our community.

Following the presentation, we will provide time to ask questions and engage in informal dialogue.

 

Presenter(s):

Stacey Hare Hodgins, Sexual Violence Counsellor – Faye Peterson House

Jen Hastings, Gender-Based Violence Navigator – Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre

 

Host:

Caroline Kajorinne (she/her), Project Coordinator with Empower the North

 

Attendance is free and open to all.

 

More Information:

https://nwowomenscentre.org/upcoming-sexual-violence-education-sessions/ 

https://fayepeterson.org/

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-391-superior-morning/clip/16163458-gwen-oreilly-womens-centre-move 

 

Registration is appreciated but not mandatory. Those who register will be sent a reminder email the day of the event along with the Google Calendar Invite. Let our ETN Coordinator, Caroline Kajorinne, know you plan to attend: empowerthenorth@lspc.ca


Wish to join without registering? Join via the Teams Meeting link below:

Meeting ID: 276 011 878 031
Passcode: AG3ei92T

 

Be sure to invite your friends on Facebook and join the ETN mailing list:

https://linktr.ee/empowerthenorth 

Connecting youth and their families to integrated services 

Join Rob Dueck, Jaida Project Co-Founder, to hear about the new Youth Hub set to open this August at 1134 Roland Street. Learn about who’s involved, the intent behind the space, how and why it came to fruition, and its offerings of support and connection for the community, youth and families.

Rob’s presentation will include the Jaida Project’s beginnings, how their journey through the mental health world has led to the origins of the Youth Wellness Hub, and their overlapping goals.

Following the presentation, we will provide time to ask questions and engage in informal dialogue.

 

What is a Youth Wellness Hub?
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is an Integrated Youth Services (IYS) initiative designed to address the service gaps in the youth mental health and substance use sectors in Ontario.  Across Ontario, there are 32 YWHO Hub Networks which support local service providers to work together in a new way, providing young people in Ontario aged 12 to 25 with access to a full range of integrated services that support their individual needs, including mental health and substance use supports, primary care, education, employment, housing and other social services.

 

PRESENTER: 

Rob Dueck, Governance Committee Member and Jaida Project Co-Founder

 

Who should attend? Participation is free and open to individuals, organizations and businesses.

 

 

More Information: 

https://youthhubs.ca/ 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560570435737

https://www.thejaidaproject.ca/

 

Registration is appreciated but not mandatory. Those who register will be sent a reminder email the day of the event along with the Google calendar invite.

Let our ETN Coordinator, Caroline Kajorinne, know you plan to attend: empowerthenorth@lspc.ca


Wish to join without registering? Join via the Teams Meeting link below:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 213 969 639 793 3
Passcode: GL6zP9A4


Be sure to invite your friends on Facebook and join our mailing list!

https://linktr.ee/empowerthenorth