2024 COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington

Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington

Nominated For: COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

The Brain Injury Association of Waterloo-Wellington (BIAWW) is a charitable organization devoted to advocacy, education, connections, and empowerment for individuals with acquired brain injury and their families in the Waterloo-Wellington region. It is our mission is to give support, hope and answers to survivors of ABI as well as their caregivers.

We are thrilled to be nominated for OBIA and PIA Law’s 2024 Award of Excellence for the Brain Injury Association of the Year! Thank you to OBIA and PIA Law for providing these awards.

In the post-pandemic environment, BIAWW is continuing to directly support over 300 survivors and caregivers with many hybrid programs including support groups, Peer support, weekly chats, art activities, health and wellness sessions, tax filing, social enterprise arts and many others.

With support from foundations, service clubs, individuals, corporations and event sponsor McLeish Orlando, our LidzonKidz program has distributed over 5,500 bicycle helmets to children in need in the last 5 years. This represents an investment of over $130,000 in keeping children safe while they play. Our education program delivered to elementary schools has reached over 6,000 students in over 260 classrooms with curriculum-based education about the working of the brain and how to keep it safe.

Our Brain Connect technology program has provided technology devices, training and support to over 175 survivors and seniors since 2020. This innovative program supported by government funders, foundations and businesses, continues to reduce isolation and ensures survivors are able to stay safely connected with their friends and family, health care providers, legal professionals, community programs and other online interactions.

Our Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) program established in 2021, has reached over 3,000 first responders, service providers, survivors and the general public with information, tools and support in the road to recovery after a brain injury caused by IPV. This one of only a very few programs addressing this intersection in Canada. Our custom IPV Yoga program provides an adaptive yoga experience for women who’ve experienced a brain injury after this trauma.

The Brain Makers program promotes sales of survivor-created crafts to the public through our office store front and through an online platform. This social enterprise is providing income for 12 survivors. Products such as greeting cards, glass ornaments, ceramics, crochet, candles and more are available for sale. A portion of the proceeds from our greeting card sales provides bursaries for survivors to attend Camp Dawn each September. For 2024, we hope to be able to send over 10 participants to this 4-day exciting program!

We can’t do this work on our own! With the support of over 60 volunteers, and relying 100% on donations, memberships, project grants and sponsors, we look forward to expanding our current programs and exploring new ideas to meet the changing needs of survivors and their caregivers in our area.

biaww.org

12 Comments
  • Donna Henri says:
    August 6, 2024 at 11:35 am

    I would not be on this earth today if it wasn’t for BIAWW. The compassion and care this organization puts forth to brain injury survivors is unreal and they go above and beyond. Their programs including art, technology and their online and physical store front of products all made by brain injury survivors to sell is beyond incredible. Their education and advocacy is top notch and cover all age groups.

    Reply
  • E. Ibele says:
    August 9, 2024 at 9:11 am

    I very much appreciate all the work the BAIWW does for those of us who suddenly find ourselves ‘at sea’ with an acquired/traumatic brain injury. Thanks to the wonderful leadership and through their various programs, I’ve personally gained new friendships with others who care, understand and accommodate me as I also learn to reciprocate the same to them. They offer programs that help us keep connected online (zoom and online library ) and also provide tech support. Other programs help us find new purpose and direction (art therapy, Brain Emporium, and as a former teacher, my own particular love is presenting Lidz on Kidz). BIAWW provides many opportunities to pivot, grow and thrive when unexpected life changes happen.

    Reply
  • Colleen Boyce says:
    August 9, 2024 at 4:44 pm

    Well done Waterloo Wellington – you do incredible work supporting your members, families and the brain injury community at large.

    Reply
  • Sharon says:
    August 11, 2024 at 9:14 pm

    In the short time since I have known of BIAWW. I have noticed the difference that they make in a lot of brain injury survivors lives. It takes a lot of special people to be so caring and supportive for others. It makes a huge difference in the lives of so many. Thank you BIAWW.

    Reply
  • Kathy Pickford says:
    August 13, 2024 at 4:55 pm

    The BIAWW has been life-saving and life-changing in our family. What a wonderful, caring group that has become like family to us. Truly you make a difference in our community and so many lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Reply
  • Kathy Pickford says:
    August 13, 2024 at 4:55 pm

    The BIAWW has been life-saving and life-changing in our family. What a wonderful, caring group that has become like family to us. Truly you make a difference in our community and so many lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You rock!!

    Reply
    • Marg Peterman says:
      August 20, 2024 at 12:34 pm

      The BIAWW is a fabulous organization. My daughter was in a car accident, 8 1/2 years ago. They have helped Donna so much and I am so grateful.

      Reply
  • Marion Evans says:
    August 15, 2024 at 11:56 am

    I have to comment on the beautiful cards you all make and does my heart good to know my carding craft room supplies are being used for therapy. I was so sad to give my supplies all up, but did so to a wonderful group of people.
    Your group does such wonderful things to help those survivors with brain injury to better themselves and get them back on track again.
    Thank you, BIAWW!

    Reply
  • angie cunningham says:
    August 19, 2024 at 5:38 pm

    Congrats Waterloo Wellington! Your organization and volunteers have helped hundreds of survivors and family members over the years.

    Reply
  • Nicole Galeotalanza says:
    August 20, 2024 at 9:18 pm

    Congratulations on your nomination! Good luck!

    Reply
  • Michael says:
    August 23, 2024 at 11:52 am

    It’s been 10 years since my car accident. Without BIAWW, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The growth that I’ve managed wouldn’t be where it is without them and all of their support programs. I find it refreshing that each year they add new programs and find new ways to help survivors. Dear to my heart is the Lidz on Kidz helmet program that has given away over 5,000 free helmets to school kids in the last 5 years. Thanks to the staff and volunteers at this amazing organization.

    Reply
  • Linda Ponti-Sgargi says:
    August 27, 2024 at 12:18 pm

    So many lives have been made better by the services of BIAWW.

    Reply

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