2025 COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR NOMINEE
Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County (BIAWE)
Nominated For:
COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR
Founded in 2001, the Brain Injury Association of Windsor Essex (BIAWE) has become a cornerstone of support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by acquired brain injury across Windsor and Essex County. Since 2001, BIAWE has grown exponentially into a dynamic, community-driven organization that touches hundreds of lives each year.
BIAWE was established to address the unmet needs of ABI survivors and their families in the region. Our mission is to enhance the lives of those affected by ABI through education, awareness, and support. With over two decades of expansion in client outreach, programming, and service delivery, BIAWE is recognized as a key partner in the local healthcare and rehabilitation ecosystem.
We offer a wide array of programs and services. Our Art Classes and Music Therapy program serve as creative outlets for healing and expression. Our Skills for the Journey program provides coping skills and strategies to manage symptoms of brain injury. Our peer mentoring support groups build resilience through shared experience. Our social programs, such as Coffee Chats and Survivor Social outings help reduce isolation and foster community. Our Caregiver Support Group creates space for resilience and empowerment. Our Youth ABI program empowers and supports young individuals and their parents through peer connection. Our Helmets for Kids program educates youth on ABI and helps prevent concussion. Our Senior’s program fosters cognitive engagement and support. Our public education initiatives raise awareness and reduce stigma around brain injury. Our full-time Social Worker assists clients with accessing the supports and services they need.
As we continue to grow, we remain deeply committed to expanding our reach, strengthening our resources, and evolving with the needs of those we serve. Healing is a journey, and we walk it together.
Testimonial #1
I would like to submit a testimonial on behalf of myself and my family and especially my husband and our dealings with BIAWE.
Since 1996 when my husband sustained a TBI subdural hematoma at his place of employment we have been involved with the BIAWE.
I am grateful that they were there for us in our time of need and as I became a caregiver for 28 years it was comforting to see how this organization, excepts and supports all of the survivors and their families and caregivers.
I’d hate to think where we would’ve been had we not had this organization to fall back on.
My feelings were strong enough to get a nomination to now serve on the board and have always been an advocate for anyone needing someone to talk to, direct them to the right people/programs, etc.
– Debbie Boose
Testimonial #2
My testimonial begins with my upmost gratitude towards all of the support that the association has provided me over the years of my healing journey post Concussion.
Not only has it provided me with the mentorship of the Peer Mentorship program, but the opportunity to also be a Peer Mentor. Through this support, I’ve been allotted the guidance that I absolutely needed during one of the most difficult times of my life. Through the mentorship program and the guidance of the coordinators this service has been so valuable to not only myself, but my family.
The association as a whole provides a service that none of us would ever believe that we would need in our lives. Who would’ve believed that a simple bump on my head would cause such a dramatic, systematic change in my whole physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Through the guidance of the BIAWE I was able to regain my strength in all aspects of my life.
Through this guidance, I was also given the opportunity to support others. Which further helped me to continue my healing .
I have met so many wonderful people that I continue to have ongoing friendships with.
We as a collective of shared experiences and stories, I believe we are sharing needed awareness of the impact of a Brain Injury This in my opinion is what BIAWE does very nicely on an ongoing basis.
To be heard, to be recognized, to be understood and then consequently supported . Is exactly what I needed and what was provided.
In my opinion, this is an example of a truly compassionate partner in community wellness.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Maclellan
Testimonial #3
BIAWE made the biggest difference in my life. I am happier because of BIAWE. I was feeling so lonely and depressed. I feel understood by BIAWE. It has helped me to have more purpose. It helps me get out of bed. I have made friends with other survivors of brain injury and we all contribute to the Coffee Chat that helps us give back to others that are struggling from the things we’ve learned that have helped us grow and flourish. By having a Coffee Chat social, it helps us all to become aware of symptomatology that we didn’t know was common experiences of other brain injury survivors, within ourselves and also within relationships. With BIAWE’s You Are Not Alone group, Skills for the Journey, Coffee Chat, we are all doing better, we are all stronger and we feel like we have self-worth again.
– Joan Provencher
Testimonial #4
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for BIAWE. You gave me a lot of support. You understood where I was coming from. I didn’t have to explain myself. You guys do a phenomenal job, and as soon as I’m not working anymore, I would like to donate my time back to you guys. There are no words that will ever express my gratitude. I’ve been on both sides of the quarter and I wouldn’t be where I am today without your support.
– Wanda Bleau
Testimonial #5
I’m much better now and I feel like it’s because of the programs. I was finding it hard to find somewhere to fit in. But I went to BIAWE and felt like I belonged
– Colleen Lyons
Testimonial #6
BIAWE cares about you and they tell you that they do. I’m on waiting lists for mental health but
I called the Brain Injury Association and got help from them right away.
– Mark Thibeault
Testimonial #7
What I loved about the BIAWE group is that when I walked in, I wasn’t judged, people were very compassionate, and they understand that you can still be very smart with a brain injury, which the general public doesn’t understand. I felt compassion and I felt cared about.
– Colleen Chauvin
Testimonial #8
My life has been changed positively by BIAWE.
Through out this year we were given the opportunity of participating in the support groups, social group, coffee chat group on zoom, art classes through BIAWE and the Riverside Library.
I didn’t know that I could draw or paint. I have produced some amazing paintings which have boosted my energy and my self esteem. Since taking part in BIAWE classes I have taken Zentangle classes at one of the local art galleries. I have my set up my own table in my house with acrylic paint and brushes. When my granddaughter visits we spend time at the art table creating drawings and we have competitions on the most creative drawing.
I have developed courage because in the past I would not have ventured out and signed up for art classes. I was given the opportunity of participating in the art classes through BIAWE. I have developed a desire to create and paint. I see the smiles on other people’s faces when they leave the art class. They are all so happy and ready to face the next challenge they meet.
I definitely support BIAWE nominated by OBIA for the PIA Law Award of Excellence.
Regards,
Kathy Worotny
Testimonial #9
It’s wonderful to hear that the Brain Injury Association of Windsor and Essex County has been nominated for this award. Through your activities you provide me with a Community. People, who understand, support, and uplift everyone in every encounter. They have the ability to make the hardest days survivable and the best days even brighter. Thank you all for your support and understanding. Keep up the fantastic work!
Sincerely,
Allan White
Testimonial #10
Brain Injury association of Windsor and Essex County has been a community organization for many years. During the pandemic BIAWE saw the need to combat loneliness among a marginalized group of people and started a virtual coffee chat on Wednesday mornings to help clients express their feelings during the difficult time. This is when I became more involved. BIAWE has allowed me to make friends in a way that wasn’t possible before. I now had friends who understood what having a brain injury was like. As a teen it was difficult for me to make friends even before my injury. But now I had a whole group of supporters; clients and support workers (Facilitators) alike. BIAWE has grown as an organization not just in client base but in programming since the pandemic. Now with 2 virtual coffee chat’s a week, a bi-weekly in person coffee chat in Kingsville, monthly art class, music class, there was at one point a nutrition class, and a monthly social. Not only has BIAWE grown in clients and programs but they also do community outreach initiatives such as butterfly lane which clients painted wooden butterflies and are displayed in a community alley. Then other artists painted murals on garage doors with permission from the owners. BIAWE is more than an organization it is a place to make friends of all ages.
– Krystal Decker
Testimonial #11
BIAWE is a great community group, it helps the survivors in meeting other survivors socializing and that we’re not alone. BIAWE also helps the caregivers in social meetings together to help support each other. I enjoy going to the functions that BIAWE. Provides to keep us from not being isolated and give us a purpose to get out and meet others.
– Donna Watling
Testimonial #12
Wayne and Gail love going to group events because we love being around other people with the same issues and understanding.
– Wayne and Gail Roszl
Testimonial #13
The BIAWE has put me in touch with peer support and a biweekly group of folks who can meet and just be ourselves. I so appreciate the friends I have made there. We are a small group but each person means something special to me. I have no one who understands me like they do. Thank you BIAWE for what you have meant to me.
– Elizabeth Frank
